Understanding Down Syndrome
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. This additional genetic material affects a child’s physical and developmental growth. Children with Down syndrome often face challenges with learning, mobility, muscle tone, and speech, but with the proper support, they can achieve amazing things.
At South West Kids Clinic, we believe in recognising each child’s potential, addressing their specific needs, and promoting a nurturing and inclusive environment where they can thrive, reach their goals, and lead fulfilling lives.
Parenting a child with Down syndrome is a journey filled with love, joy, and unique experiences. It may also involve some additional challenges and adjustments. Our dedicated team is here to provide a comprehensive approach to therapy that enhances development, promotes independence, and improves quality of life.
What is Down Syndrome?
Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. This extra chromosome leads to varying degrees of intellectual disability, characteristic physical features, and an increased risk of certain health conditions. It’s important to remember that every individual with Down syndrome is unique, with their own strengths and challenges.
Signs & Symptoms
Children with Down syndrome often experience developmental delays, particularly in areas that impact their interaction with the world and that our therapists can directly address. These can include:
- Muscle Weakness (Hypotonia): Low muscle tone can affect motor development, making it harder for children to achieve milestones like rolling, sitting, and walking. It can also impact fine motor skills and coordination.
- Delayed Gross Motor Skills: Children with Down syndrome may take longer to develop gross motor skills, such as crawling, walking, and running.
- Delayed Fine Motor Skills: Fine motor skills, like grasping, reaching, and manipulating objects, can also be delayed, impacting activities like dressing, eating, and writing.
- Speech and Language Delays: Communication development is often affected, with delays in speech production, language comprehension, and social communication skills.
- Cognitive Delays: Children with Down syndrome may learn at a slower pace and have difficulties with attention, memory, and problem-solving.
- Feeding Difficulties: Low muscle tone and coordination challenges can impact feeding skills, sometimes leading to difficulties with sucking, swallowing, and chewing.
It’s important to remember that the severity of these signs and symptoms varies widely among individuals with Down syndrome. Early intervention and ongoing therapy can significantly support development and help children reach their full potential.
Causes & Risk Factors
Down syndrome happens when a baby is born with an extra copy of chromosome 21. Chromosomes are like tiny instruction manuals inside every cell of our bodies. Normally, a baby gets one copy of each chromosome from their parents, for a total of two copies. With Down syndrome, something a little different happens during the very early stages of development. Instead of one copy of chromosome 21, the baby ends up with two copies from one parent and one from the other parent, for a total of three. This extra chromosome affects how the baby develops.
While we understand how Down syndrome happens, we don’t fully understand why it happens in most cases. It’s usually a random event, meaning it’s not something parents cause or could have prevented. While the chances of having a baby with Down syndrome do increase slightly as a mother gets older, it’s important to remember that Down syndrome can happen in families of all ages and backgrounds.
Personalised Therapy Solutions We Can Implement
Physiotherapy for Down Syndrome
Our physiotherapists play a vital role in supporting children with Down syndrome to achieve their motor milestones and develop functional movement skills. Children with Down syndrome often present with hypotonia (low muscle tone) which can impact their strength, coordination, and balance. Our therapists address this by designing targeted exercise programs to improve muscle strength, coordination, and postural control. We work on developing gross motor skills such as rolling, sitting, crawling, walking, and jumping. Our physiotherapists also provide guidance on appropriate activities to promote physical development and encourage participation in play and social interactions. Early intervention is key, as developing these foundational skills sets the stage for future learning and independence.
More specifically, our Physiotherapists help children with Down syndrome in the following ways:
- Functional, goal-directed therapy
- Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) intensive therapy
- Spider cage therapy
- Pediasuit
- Orthotic prescription, monitoring & support
- Aquatic physiotherapy
- Family and caregiver coaching
Occupational Therapy for Down Syndrome
Occupational therapists focus on helping children with Down syndrome develop independence in everyday activities. We address fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and self-care skills such as dressing, eating, and toileting. Children with Down syndrome may experience delays in developing these skills, which can impact their ability to participate fully in daily life.
Our occupational therapists use play-based activities and adaptive strategies to make learning fun and engaging. Our goal is to empower children to become as independent as possible in their daily routines, promoting confidence and self-esteem.
More specifically, our Occupational Therapists help children with Down syndrome in the following ways:
- Comprehensive assessment of developmental and motor skills
- Goal-directed training
- Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP Approach)
- Community assessments and intervention to assist with transitions into school
- Assistive technology prescription, monitoring & support
- Parent/caregiver coaching & support
- Task adaptation or simplification
- Graded task progression
- Liaison with specialist team and critical support persons
Speech Pathology for Down Syndrome
Communication development is a key area of focus for children with Down syndrome. Our speech pathologists provide comprehensive assessment and therapy to support speech clarity, language comprehension, and social communication skills. Children with Down syndrome may experience delays in speech and language development, and our therapists use a variety of techniques to encourage communication. We work on building vocabulary, improving grammar, and developing conversational skills. We also explore alternative communication methods, such as sign language or augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, if needed, to ensure children have the tools they need to express themselves. Early intervention and consistent support are vital for maximizing communication potential.
More specifically, our Speech Pathologists help children with Down syndrome in the following ways:
- Comprehensive assessment of speech, language and feeding skills
- Comprehensive Assessment of language and literacy skills
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication prescription, monitoring and support – such as Key Word Sign.
- Alternative access for AAC, including switch access, eye gaze and partner-assisted scanning
- Peer-based playgroups
- Play-based language stimulation
- Babbling Bootcamp
- Parent/caregiver coaching & support
Dietetics for Down Syndrome
Our dietitians play a crucial role in supporting the healthy growth and development of children with Down syndrome. We provide guidance on healthy eating, addressing any feeding difficulties, and ensuring optimal nutrition. Children with Down syndrome may experience challenges with feeding due to low muscle tone or coordination difficulties. Our dietitians work with families to develop strategies to make mealtimes enjoyable and successful. We also monitor growth and development, providing personalized meal plans and addressing any nutritional deficiencies. Our goal is to ensure children receive the nutrients they need to thrive.
Why choose South West Kids Clinic to help your child with Down Syndrome?
Over 15 years of dedicated service
With more than 15 years of experience, South West Kids Clinic has established itself as a trusted paediatric therapy provider. Our dedication to helping children with muscular dystrophy therapy is reflected in the care we provide, offering families reliable support throughout their child’s developmental journey.
Multidisciplinary approach
Our clinic combines Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Physiotherapy, and Dietetics expertise to provide comprehensive therapy plans. This multidisciplinary approach allows us to address a wide range of challenges, ensuring children receive the most well-rounded and effective care available.
Trained by international leaders in the field
Our therapists receive training from international leaders in paediatric therapy, giving them the skills and knowledge to apply cutting-edge techniques. This ensures that we bring the most advanced approaches to our therapy sessions, enhancing the effectiveness of our interventions for children with Asperger syndrome.
We implement the latest evidence-based approaches
At South West Kids Clinic, we stay updated on the latest research and evidence-based practices in paediatric therapy. By incorporating these proven methods, we ensure that each child receives the most effective treatment tailored to their individual needs, leading to better long-term outcomes.
Support for families with a child with Down Syndrome
In addition to the services we provide, the following organisations are a great source for parents looking for more guidance in other areas provided by South West Kids Clinic:
Frequently asked questions
When should my child start therapy, and what type of therapy is most important at this age?
At South West Kids Clinic, we strongly believe in the power of early intervention for children with Down syndrome. Starting therapy as early as possible, ideally in infancy, can significantly impact your child’s development. The specific therapies recommended will depend on your child’s individual needs and developmental stage. Generally, in early infancy, we focus on supporting gross motor skills (physiotherapy), feeding and oral motor skills (speech pathology and dietetics), and early communication (speech pathology). As your child grows, we’ll continue to adapt the therapy plan to address evolving needs, such as fine motor skills (occupational therapy), language development, social skills, and cognitive development. A comprehensive assessment will help us determine the best starting point and create a tailored plan for your child.
How can I support my child's therapy goals at home?
We encourage parents to be active participants in their child’s therapy journey. Our therapists will provide you with specific exercises, activities, and strategies that you can incorporate into your daily routines at home. This might include play-based activities to promote motor skills, language-building techniques, or strategies to support feeding and self-care skills. We’ll also provide guidance on how to create a supportive and stimulating environment at home to encourage your child’s development. We believe that therapy is most effective when it’s a collaborative effort between the clinic and the family.
My child is receiving multiple therapies. How can we coordinate everything and ensure it's all working together?
We understand the importance of coordinated care. At South West Kids Clinic, our therapists work collaboratively as a team. We communicate regularly with each other to ensure that all therapies are aligned and working towards your child’s overall goals. We also encourage open communication with you, the parents, to ensure you are informed and involved in the process. We will work with you to develop a schedule that works for your family and facilitates communication between all involved parties.
What are realistic expectations for my child's progress, and how will we measure their improvement?
Every child with Down syndrome is unique, and their progress will vary. Our therapists will conduct thorough assessments to establish baseline levels and set individualised goals for your child. We will regularly monitor your child’s progress through observation, standardized assessments, and feedback from you. We’ll discuss realistic expectations with you, focusing on celebrating small victories and acknowledging that development occurs at its own pace. We’ll also adjust the therapy plan as needed to ensure it remains effective and aligned with your child’s evolving needs.
