Down Syndrome And The Role of Occupational Therapy

Wiki Article

When parents learn that their newborn has Down syndrome, they can't help but feel devastated. To them, it may seem that their infant was given birth to a lesser being instead of a healthy babe. Seeing the physical manifestations on this genetic condition renders every parent anxious when it comes to bringing up a young child who has it. But there's you don't need to despair. Many individuals with Down syndrome are healthy. Some visit school, enjoy sports, and socialize. But some may require medical take care of possible birth defects as well as other congenital problems.


According for the National Down Syndrome Society, one out of 733 babies born inside the United States, or about 400,000 Americans, has Down syndrome. This genetic disorder strikes the growth and progression of the child causing delays as part of his or her cognitive abilities. This is where occupational therapy for Down syndrome will come in. Occupational therapy practitioners help people who have Down syndrome become independent by teaching them the way to care for oneself like putting on a costume or eating, refining their coordination skills, as well as other activities that will make them live a standard life.

What would be the physical manifestations of Down syndrome? Babies born by using it usually have small features. From creating a compressed face using a flat nose plus a small mouth, to almond-shaped eyes that slant up, small ears, short neck, small feet and hands, short high. They also have low muscle that they look limp with poor head control. They look so delicate and frail.

There are other manifestations as they grow, like congenital heart defects, decrease of hearing in one or both ears, intellectual and developmental disabilities (like walking, upright, and also other motor skills), problems with sleep (like stop snoring), and vision problems. They also withdraw easily and will contract infection or diseases faster than others who do not have Down syndrome.

All throughout these impediments, occupational therapy practitioners play a crucial role in the lives of people with Down syndrome. Aside from physically and psychologically enabling the consumer, these occupational therapists profit the family members understand and appreciate the situation. They also prepare the family psychologically, enabling the parents, especially the mother, to effectively care for the individual during its infancy. These therapists also set the parents' expectations of a child with Down syndrome, guiding them in depth on how the procedure is progressing.

There will also be cases where occupational therapy practitioners are also present in the classroom. This is to further improve the communication skills of the little one through handwriting, drawing, along with other issues that need to be addressed in order for a child to adapt in the social setting. Adults who've Down syndrome also benefit from occupational therapy, while they try to be productive at the office, learn skills that allow them to live independently, and turn into physically active to get a healthy lifestyle.

Parents should put importance to the well-being of the consumer from its infancy to adulthood. The need for professional occupational treatment therapy is readily available and accessible. Read more about Down syndrome, ask relatives and friends how they cope, and most of all, consult a Occupational Therapy West Palm Beach. Some have misdiagnosed Down syndrome with autism but we will need to be sure we have the right diagnosis.