Down Syndrome And The Role of Occupational Therapy

Wiki Article

When parents learn that their newborn has Down syndrome, they are unable to help but feel devastated. To them, it could seem that their infant was born a lesser being as opposed to a healthy babe. Seeing the physical manifestations of this genetic condition renders all parents anxious with regards to bringing up a youngster who has it. But there's you should not despair. Many those with Down syndrome are healthy. Some visit school, enjoy sports, and socialize. But some might require medical take care of possible birth defects and also other congenital problems.


According to the National Down Syndrome Society, one out of 733 babies born in the United States, or about 400,000 Americans, has Down syndrome. This genetic disorder strikes the growth and development of the child causing delays as part of his or her cognitive abilities. This is where occupational therapy for Down syndrome comes in. Occupational therapy practitioners help people who have Down syndrome become independent by teaching them how to care for oneself like putting on a costume or eating, refining their coordination skills, and other activities that will make them live an average 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 muscle tone that they look limp and they've poor head control. They look so delicate and frail.

There is also another manifestations because they grow, including congenital heart defects, loss in hearing in one 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 will contract infection or diseases faster than those who do not have Down syndrome.

All throughout these impediments, occupational therapy practitioners play an important role in the lives of people with Down syndrome. Aside from physically and psychologically enabling the person, these occupational therapists profit the family members understand and appreciate the problem. They also prepare family members psychologically, enabling the parents, particularly the mother, to effectively maintain the individual during its infancy. These therapists also set the parents' expectations of a child with Down syndrome, guiding them step-by-step on how the procedure is progressing.

There can also be cases where occupational therapy practitioners will also be present inside the classroom. This is to further improve the communication skills of the kid through handwriting, drawing, as well as other issues that should be addressed in order for the kid to adapt in the social setting. Adults that have Down syndrome also reap the benefits of occupational therapy, while they try to be productive at the job, learn skills that permit them to live independently, and be physically active for a healthy lifestyle.

Parents should put importance to the well-being of the individual from its infancy to adulthood. The need for professional occupational care is 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 will need to be sure we have the right diagnosis.