What therapy is used for Down syndrome?

With speech therapy, a child with Down syndrome can learn how to overcome these obstacles and communicate more clearly. Some kids also benefit from learning and using sign language. Occupational therapy: This type of therapy helps children develop the skills they’ll need to be as independent as possible.

How does physical therapy help Down syndrome?

Improving developmental skills. Your physical therapist will help your child master skills such as crawling, pulling up from sitting to standing, and walking. Research has shown that infants with DS can benefit from massage to improve muscle tone, motor coordination, and vision.

How can occupational therapy help with Down syndrome?

Occupational Therapists can help individuals with Downsyndrome by breaking down tasks into smaller steps, and then teaching them how to complete each step by step task. Occupational therapists can also provide appropriate aids and adaptations to assist with the completion of skills.

How can a speech therapist help a child with Down syndrome?

A child with Down’s Syndrome may be able to understand more than they are able to express. Our Speech and Language Therapists can help to increase their ability to express what they are feeling by increasing their vocabulary and developing a language programme that works on their expressive language and syntax skills.

How does occupational therapy help Down syndrome?

Many OTs work in the school system and provide programs to help children with Down syndrome learn printing, handwriting, keyboarding, cutting etc. They will also look at physical positioning for optimal performance (eg: desk size etc.) and assist with program adaptations based on the child’s physical abilities.

What does an occupational therapist do for a child with Down syndrome?

How do you teach a child with Down syndrome to talk?

The study found that asking the child to repeat words and prompting them say words were the most effective strategies. [ 13 ] A number of studies have shown that repeating words, encouraging imitation, and using visual supports (pictures, written words) can help children with Down syndrome to learn words and sentences.

Can Down syndrome kids speak normally?

While a number of studies have reported on the poor intelligibility of the speech of many of the children and adults with Down syndrome, most reviewers conclude that the babble patterns of the babies are normal and that most of the phonological and articulatory patterns are immature.

What is early intervention for Down syndrome?

Early intervention is a systematic program of therapy, exercises and activities designed to address developmental delays that may be experienced by children with Down syndrome or other disabilities. These services are mandated by a federal law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

How does Down syndrome affect fine motor skills?

Children with Down syndrome can have difficulties with fine motor skills due to their low tone and/or hypermobility in their hands, wrist or elbows. Instability in the hands makes it much harder for our children to tackle higher level fine motor activities like using zips and buttons or cutting.

How long does it take for a child with Down syndrome to talk?

Most children with Down syndrome do not begin to babble or “talk to themselves” until around 10 months of age.

How do you stimulate a child with Down syndrome?

How to Motivate a Child with Down Syndrome

  1. Learn about DS. The more you know, the more you can help both you and your child.
  2. Love and play with your child. Treat him or her as you would treat a child without disabilities. Take your child places, read together, have fun together.