Down Syndrome And The Role of Occupational Therapy

Down Syndrome And The Role of Occupational Therapy

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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 each parent anxious in relation to bringing up a child who has it. But there's no need to despair. Many individuals with Down syndrome are healthy. Some visit school, enjoy sports, and socialize. But some may require medical look after possible birth defects as well as 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 growth and development of the child causing delays in the or her cognitive abilities. This is where occupational therapy for Down syndrome is available in. Occupational therapy practitioners help individuals with Down syndrome become independent by teaching them how you can care for oneself like dressing or eating, refining their coordination skills, along with other activities that will make them live a normal life.

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

There is also manifestations because they grow, for example congenital heart defects, lack of hearing in one or both ears, intellectual and developmental disabilities (like walking, standing up, and also other motor skills), problems with sleep (like sleep apnea), and vision problems. They also get sick easily and can contract infection or diseases faster than those who do not have Down syndrome.

All throughout these impediments, occupational therapy practitioners play a vital role in the lives of people with Down syndrome. Aside from physically and psychologically enabling the individual, these occupational therapists help the family members understand and appreciate the situation. They also prepare the family psychologically, enabling the parents, especially the mother, to effectively care for the individual during its infancy. These therapists also set the parents' expectations of the 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 the classroom. This is to boost the communication skills of the child through handwriting, drawing, and also other issues that must be addressed in order for the kid to adapt in a social setting. Adults who may have Down syndrome also reap the benefits of occupational therapy, because they try to be productive at work, 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 treatments are 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 at home West Palm Beach. Some have misdiagnosed Down syndrome with autism but we will need to be sure we obtain the right diagnosis.