Down Syndrome And The Role of Occupational Therapy

Wiki Article

When parents learn that their newborn has Down syndrome, they cannot help but feel devastated. To them, it might seem that their infant was born a lesser being rather than a healthy babe. Seeing the physical manifestations of the genetic condition renders all parents anxious in terms of bringing up a kid who has it. But there's you should not despair. Many those with Down syndrome are healthy. Some check out school, enjoy sports, and socialize. But some might require medical maintain possible birth defects and also other congenital problems.


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

What would be the physical manifestations of Down syndrome? Babies born from it usually have small features. From developing a compressed face with a flat nose and 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 that they look limp with poor head control. They look so delicate and frail.

There is also another manifestations as they grow, for example congenital heart defects, lack of hearing in a or both ears, intellectual and developmental disabilities (like walking, taking a stand, and also other motor skills), sleep disorders (like sleep apnea), and vision problems. They also get sick easily and may contract infection or diseases faster compared to those who do not have Down syndrome.

All throughout these impediments, occupational therapy practitioners play an important role in the lives of people who have Down syndrome. Aside from physically and psychologically enabling the average person, these occupational therapists profit the family members understand and appreciate your situation. They also prepare family members psychologically, enabling the fogeys, specially the mother, to effectively maintain the individual during its infancy. These therapists also set the fogeys' expectations of a child with Down syndrome, guiding them in depth on how treatments is progressing.

There can also be cases where occupational therapy practitioners can also be present inside classroom. This is to further improve the communication skills of the little one through handwriting, drawing, as well as other issues that must be addressed in order for the little one to adapt in the social setting. Adults that have Down syndrome also take advantage of occupational therapy, because they try to be productive at the office, learn skills that allow them to live independently, and be physically active for a healthy lifestyle.

Parents should put importance on 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 friends how they cope, and many of all, consult a Occupational therapy West Palm Beach. Some have misdiagnosed Down syndrome with autism but we have to be sure we the right diagnosis.