Tips to provide a better life for children with Down syndrome

Children with Down syndrome need special care that differs from a child to another; so it is necessary to highlight some of the things that must be considered to provide them with a better life.

• Most children with Down syndrome suffer from speech delay, which requires language and speech therapy in particular to improve their ability of expression.
  • Mental abilities differ from one person with Down syndrome to another, and it is not possible to predict the level of abilities of the person at birth.
  • It is also not possible to expect cognitive development based on the child’s physical characteristics, and therefore the ways to help each child differ from another, and the appropriate method of education is determined for each child after measuring their mental, muscular abilities and level of intelligence.
  • Some of children with Down syndrome start walking at the age of two, while others do not until the age of four. Therefore, so physical therapy and inclusion in motor rehabilitation programs may contribute to improving the situation.
  • Although there is no cure for Down syndrome, quality of life for these people can be improved through some procedures that start with family acceptance, encouragement and psychological support. There are some necessary tips we provide to families of children with Down syndrome, including:

1 – The ability of people with Down syndrome to communicate socially differs from one to another. Hearing must be assessed and middle ear must be checked; language abilities should be assessed, and individual language therapy should be carried out when needed.

2 – It is advised to identify the congenital problems of a child with Down in order to intervene early to prevent and reduce complications resulting from them.

3- Assessing the child’s intelligence, cognitive, behavioral and social abilities to determine the school he will attend, especially if the level of intelligence is weak.

4 – The child should be included to appropriate sports activities to strengthen muscles and joints.

5 – The period of adolescence for people with Down syndrome is just like any normal young person who reaches puberty, so he should be educated of the nature of such stage so as not to be surprised; while teaching him how to take care of his personal hygiene and appearance.

6- A child with Down is more sensitive than other teenagers, so he should be talked to a lot so that he does not get isolated from society.

7-Parents should encourage their child to practice artistic skills such as drawing, music and other talents.

8 – People with Down syndrome can get married like normal people. As for their ability to reproduce, we find that about 50% of Down’s females can have a normal child, if her husband is a normal person, but if she and her husband have Down syndrome, their chance of having children will decrease, and If this happens, the children are often born with Down syndrome.