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 will seem that their infant came to be a lesser being rather than a healthy babe. Seeing the physical manifestations with this genetic condition renders every parent anxious in terms of bringing up a kid who has it. But there's you don't need to despair. Many people with Down syndrome are healthy. Some go to school, enjoy sports, and socialize. But some might require medical look after possible birth defects along with other congenital problems.


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

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

There is also manifestations as they grow, including congenital heart defects, loss of hearing a single or both ears, intellectual and developmental disabilities (like walking, standing up, along with other motor skills), insomnia issues (like snore), and vision problems. They also withdraw easily and may contract infection or diseases faster than these who do not have Down syndrome.

All throughout these impediments, occupational therapy practitioners play a vital role in the lives of those with Down syndrome. Aside from physically and psychologically enabling the person, these occupational therapists profit the family members understand and appreciate the situation. They also prepare the family psychologically, enabling the oldsters, specially the mother, to effectively care for the individual during its infancy. These therapists also set the mother and father' expectations of the little one with Down syndrome, guiding them detail by detail on how treatments is progressing.

There can also be cases where occupational therapy practitioners are also present within the classroom. This is to boost the communication skills of the little one through handwriting, drawing, and also other issues that need to be addressed in order for the child to adapt inside a social setting. Adults that have Down syndrome also reap the benefits of occupational therapy, while they try to be productive at work, learn skills that enable them to live independently, and turn into physically active for the healthy lifestyle.

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