Down Syndrome And The Role of Occupational Therapy

Wiki Article

When parents learn that their newborn has Down syndrome, they can not help but feel devastated. To them, it might seem that their infant was created a lesser being as opposed to a healthy babe. Seeing the physical manifestations with this genetic condition renders all parents anxious in terms of bringing up a youngster who has it. But there's no requirement to despair. Many those with Down syndrome are healthy. Some check out school, enjoy sports, and socialize. But some might require medical care for possible birth defects and other congenital problems.


According to the National Down Syndrome Society, one in 733 babies born in the United States, or about 400,000 Americans, has Down syndrome. This genetic disorder has an effect on the growth and development of the child causing delays in his or her cognitive abilities. This is where occupational therapy for Down syndrome comes in. Occupational therapy practitioners help people with Down syndrome become independent by teaching them how to care for oneself like dressing up or eating, refining their coordination skills, and also other activities that will make them live an average life.

What include the physical manifestations of Down syndrome? Babies born by it usually have small features. From developing 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 tall. They also have low muscle tone that they look limp and they have poor head control. They look so delicate and frail.

There are other manifestations as they grow, like congenital heart defects, decrease of hearing in a or both ears, intellectual and developmental disabilities (like walking, taking a stand, along with other motor skills), sleep problems (like anti snoring), and vision problems. They also get sick easily which enable it to contract infection or diseases faster than these who do not have Down syndrome.

All throughout these impediments, occupational therapy practitioners play a crucial role in the lives of people who have Down syndrome. Aside from physically and psychologically enabling the person, these occupational therapists help the family members understand and appreciate the situation. They also prepare family members psychologically, enabling the oldsters, specially the mother, to effectively take care of the individual during its infancy. These therapists also set the parents' expectations of the child with Down syndrome, guiding them step by step on how treatments is progressing.

There will also be cases where occupational therapy practitioners will also be present within the classroom. This is to enhance the communication skills of the child through handwriting, drawing, and other issues that need to be addressed in order for the child to adapt in a very social setting. Adults who may have Down syndrome also make use of occupational therapy, since they try to be productive at the job, learn skills that enable them to live independently, and become physically active for a healthy lifestyle.

Parents should put importance on the well-being of the average person from its infancy to adulthood. The need for professional occupational treatments are readily available and accessible. Read more about Down syndrome, ask relatives how they cope, and a lot of all, consult a Occupational therapy West Palm Beach. Some have misdiagnosed Down syndrome with autism but we must be sure we get the right diagnosis.