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 could seem that their infant was created a lesser being rather than a healthy babe. Seeing the physical manifestations of this genetic condition renders every parent anxious in relation to bringing up a kid who has it. But there's you should not despair. Many individuals with Down syndrome are healthy. Some check out school, enjoy sports, and socialize. But some might need medical care for possible birth defects as well as other congenital problems.



According towards 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 strikes the growth and 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 people 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 an average life.

What will be the physical manifestations of Down syndrome? Babies born by using it usually have small features. From having a compressed face using a flat nose along with a small mouth, to almond-shaped eyes that slant up, small ears, short neck, small extremities, short tall. 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 while they grow, like congenital heart defects, lack of hearing a single or both ears, intellectual and developmental disabilities (like walking, standing, and also other motor skills), sleep problems (like stop snoring), and vision problems. They also become ill easily and will 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 those with Down syndrome. Aside from physically and psychologically enabling the individual, these occupational therapists assist the family members understand and appreciate your situation. They also prepare the household psychologically, enabling the fogeys, especially the mother, to effectively look after the individual during its infancy. These therapists also set the fogeys' expectations of the kid with Down syndrome, guiding them detail by detail on how treatments is progressing.

There are also cases where occupational therapy practitioners will also be present inside the classroom. This is to further improve the communication skills of the kid through handwriting, drawing, as well as other issues that should be addressed in order for the kid to adapt in the social setting. Adults who have Down syndrome also take advantage of occupational therapy, because they try to be productive at the office, learn skills that allow them to live independently, and be physically active for a healthy lifestyle.

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