Down Syndrome

Dancing and musical choreography based melodic orchestral music is included as part of our Downs Syndrome children’s program both as an activity for learning and also for fun.

PURPOSE

For parents and caregivers of children with Down syndrome to have extensive knowledge in order to guide, treat, and care for them, given that it is not easy to educate and stimulate a child with this syndrome.

OBJECTIVES

• Offer psychoeducational training to parents so they can better care for their children and increase their knowledge of the syndrome.
• Work on behavior modification techniques with children so that they improve their behavior and adopt more positive behaviors for their personal development.
• Get children to become independent and enjoy a better quality of life.

Down Syndrome

A genetic disorder in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46.

Causes

In most cases, the syndrome occurs when there is an extra copy of chromosome 21. This form of Down syndrome is known as trisomy 21. The extra chromosome causes problems with how the body and the brain develop.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Down syndrome vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe. However, children with Down syndrome have a widely recognized appearance.

The head may be smaller than normal and abnormally shaped. For example, the head may be round with a flat area on its backside. The inner corner of the eyes may be rounded instead of pointed.

Therapies that are performed:

• Play Therapy: Free and structured methods in order for children to learn how to defend themselves in difficult situations and improve their impulsive behavior and attention span.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Different techniques to avoid frustration and anger from children. Behavioral training can also help people with Down syndrome and their families to learn how to deal with anger and compulsive behavior that is often present.

• Psychoeducation: Parents and caregivers learn how to help children with Down syndrome deal with the frustration they experience when they are aware of the situation in which they live. At the same time, it is important to encourage independence.

Additionally, parents and caregivers are also specially trained to know what to do with children at home, as well as which exercises should be performed to stimulate fine and gross psychomotor skills, and language exercises to improve vocabulary.

• Occupational Therapy: In order to assist with feeding and task performance.

• Mental Health Care: To help parents and children handle mood or behavior problems.
• Medical Advice: Gives proper genetic testing to those with a family history of Down syndrome who wish to have a child, given that couples who already have a child with Down syndrome have an increased risk of having another child with the same disorder.