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 cannot help but feel devastated. To them, it might seem that their infant came to be a lesser being as opposed to a healthy babe. Seeing the physical manifestations of this genetic condition renders each parent anxious in terms of bringing up a kid who has it. But there's you don't need to despair. Many people with Down syndrome are healthy. Some go to school, enjoy sports, and socialize. But some might need medical care for possible birth defects as well as other congenital problems.



According to the National Down Syndrome Society, one out of 733 babies born inside United States, or about 400,000 Americans, has Down syndrome. This genetic disorder has an effect on the growth and progression of the child causing delays in his or her cognitive abilities. This is where occupational therapy for Down syndrome will come in. Occupational therapy practitioners help those with Down syndrome become independent by teaching them how to care for oneself like dressing 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 using a flat nose and 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 as they grow, including congenital heart defects, decrease of hearing in a single or both ears, intellectual and developmental disabilities (like walking, upright, and also other motor skills), sleep disorders (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 an important role in the lives of individuals with Down syndrome. Aside from physically and psychologically enabling the consumer, these occupational therapists help the family members understand and appreciate the specific situation. They also prepare the family psychologically, enabling the mother and father, particularly the mother, to effectively maintain the individual during its infancy. These therapists also set the parents' expectations of the kid with Down syndrome, guiding them in depth on how the treatment is progressing.

There may also be cases where occupational therapy practitioners are also present within the classroom. This is to improve the communication skills of a child through handwriting, drawing, along with other issues that must be addressed in order for a child to adapt in a very social setting. Adults who have Down syndrome also benefit from occupational therapy, since they try to be productive in the office, learn skills that enable them to live independently, and turn into physically active to get a healthy lifestyle.

Parents should put importance for the well-being of the average 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 a lot of all, consult a Physical therapy West Palm Beach. Some have misdiagnosed Down syndrome with autism but we have to be sure we get the right diagnosis.