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 will seem that their infant was given birth to a lesser being rather than a healthy babe. Seeing the physical manifestations of this genetic condition renders every parent anxious with regards to bringing up a young child who has it. But there's you should not despair. Many people who have Down syndrome are healthy. Some head to school, enjoy sports, and socialize. But some might need medical look after possible birth defects as well as other congenital problems.


According for the National Down Syndrome Society, one inch 733 babies born inside the United States, or about 400,000 Americans, has Down syndrome. This genetic disorder strikes 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, as well as other activities that will make them live a standard life.

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

There is also another manifestations since they grow, including congenital heart defects, loss in hearing in a or both ears, intellectual and developmental disabilities (like walking, standing, along with other motor skills), sleep disorders (like sleep apnea), and vision problems. They also withdraw easily which enable it to contract infection or diseases faster than others who do not have Down syndrome.

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

There are also cases where occupational therapy practitioners can also be present inside classroom. This is to improve the communication skills of the kid through handwriting, drawing, and other issues that should be addressed in order for the little one to adapt inside a social setting. Adults who have Down syndrome also make use of occupational therapy, while they try to be productive at the office, learn skills that enable them to live independently, and stay physically active for any 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 friends and relatives how they cope, and quite a few of all, consult a Occupational therapy West Palm Beach. Some have misdiagnosed Down syndrome with autism but we will need to be sure we obtain the right diagnosis.