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 are unable to help but feel devastated. To them, it may seem that their infant was created a lesser being as opposed to a healthy babe. Seeing the physical manifestations of this genetic condition renders each parent anxious with regards to bringing up a youngster who has it. But there's no requirement to despair. Many individuals with Down syndrome are healthy. Some check out school, enjoy sports, and socialize. But some may require medical maintain possible birth defects as well as other congenital problems.



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

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

There are also manifestations as they grow, like congenital heart defects, loss in hearing in one or both ears, intellectual and developmental disabilities (like walking, taking a stand, and other motor skills), problems with sleep (like sleep apnea), and vision problems. They also become ill easily which enable it to 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 with Down syndrome. Aside from physically and psychologically enabling the average person, these occupational therapists profit the family members understand and appreciate the problem. They also prepare family members psychologically, enabling the mother and father, 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 in depth on how the treatment is progressing.

There may also be cases where occupational therapy practitioners can also be present within the classroom. This is to improve the communication skills of the child through handwriting, drawing, along with other issues that must be addressed in order for a child to adapt in a social setting. Adults who've Down syndrome also reap the benefits of occupational therapy, since they try to be productive at work, learn skills that permit them to live independently, and turn into physically active for a healthy lifestyle.

Parents should put importance towards the well-being of the person 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 quite a few of all, consult a Physical therapy West Palm Beach. Some have misdiagnosed Down syndrome with autism but we need to be sure we have the right diagnosis.