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 will seem that their infant came to be a lesser being as opposed to a healthy babe. Seeing the physical manifestations of the genetic condition renders every parent anxious in relation to bringing up a kid who has it. But there's you don't need to despair. Many people with Down syndrome are healthy. Some head to school, enjoy sports, and socialize. But some may require medical maintain possible birth defects along with other congenital problems.



According towards 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 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 people with Down syndrome become independent by teaching them the best way to care for oneself like dressing or eating, refining their coordination skills, and also other activities that will make them live an ordinary life.

What are the physical manifestations of Down syndrome? Babies born from it usually have small features. From having 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 the've poor head control. They look so delicate and frail.

There are other manifestations because they grow, like congenital heart defects, lack of hearing in a or both ears, intellectual and developmental disabilities (like walking, standing up, as well as other motor skills), sleep disorders (like snore), and vision problems. They also withdraw easily and may contract infection or diseases faster than others who do not have Down syndrome.

All throughout these impediments, occupational therapy practitioners play a vital role in the lives of individuals 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 your family psychologically, enabling the parents, especially the mother, to effectively maintain the individual during its infancy. These therapists also set the parents' expectations of the child with Down syndrome, guiding them step-by-step on how the procedure is progressing.

There can also be cases where occupational therapy practitioners are also present in the classroom. This is to boost the communication skills of the little one through handwriting, drawing, and also other issues that need to be addressed in order for the child to adapt inside a social setting. Adults who've Down syndrome also make use of occupational therapy, since they try to be productive at work, learn skills that permit them to live independently, and become physically active to get a healthy lifestyle.

Parents should put importance for the well-being of the consumer from its infancy to adulthood. The need for professional occupational therapy is readily available and accessible. Read more about Down syndrome, ask friends and relatives how they cope, and many 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 get the right diagnosis.