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 could seem that their infant came to be a lesser being instead of a healthy babe. Seeing the physical manifestations on this genetic condition renders every parent anxious when it comes to bringing up a young child who has it. But there's you don't need to despair. Many people who have Down syndrome are healthy. Some head to school, enjoy sports, and socialize. But some might need medical maintain possible birth defects and also other congenital problems.



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

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

There is also another manifestations since they grow, like congenital heart defects, loss in hearing in a or both ears, intellectual and developmental disabilities (like walking, taking a stand, and also other motor skills), sleep disorders (like stop snoring), and vision problems. They also withdraw easily which enable it to contract infection or diseases faster than these 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 person, these occupational therapists help the family members understand and appreciate the situation. They also prepare family members psychologically, enabling the fogeys, particularly the mother, to effectively take care of the individual during its infancy. These therapists also set the mother and father' expectations of the child with Down syndrome, guiding them in depth on how the procedure is progressing.

There may also be cases where occupational therapy practitioners will also be present in the classroom. This is to further improve the communication skills of the little one through handwriting, drawing, along with other issues that need to be addressed in order for a child to adapt in the social setting. Adults who've Down syndrome also benefit from occupational therapy, since they try to be productive at the job, learn skills that permit them to live independently, and be physically active for the healthy lifestyle.

Parents should put importance for the well-being of the person from its infancy to adulthood. The need for professional occupational therapy is readily available and accessible. Read more about Down syndrome, ask relatives how they cope, and a lot of all, consult a Occupational therapy West Palm Beach. Some have misdiagnosed Down syndrome with autism but we must be sure we get the right diagnosis.