| There is a great need for immediate intervention | | | | In early intervention Down syndrome |
| for children with Down syndrome. Physiotherapy | | | | physiotherapy, the emphasis is on overcoming |
| does not fix the problem; development will still be | | | | weakness and learning gross motor skills. Rolling |
| slowed. However, it can address problems that | | | | over, sitting, crawling, and walking will all happen |
| are unique to Down syndrome children. | | | | eventually, anyway. However, with Down |
| Early Down syndrome physiotherapy focuses on | | | | syndrome physiotherapy, they can take place |
| four problems that are common for these | | | | with solid physical foundations. |
| children. One is called hypotonia. This means | | | | There is a concern with Down syndrome |
| that the child's muscles lack tone. That is why, | | | | physiotherapy of parents notifying the doctors of |
| when you lay a Down syndrome child in his crib, | | | | problems that might require the help of a |
| he will flop out like a rag doll. Hypotonia needs to | | | | physiotherapist. A parent may be at a loss as to |
| be treated because it affects the ability of the | | | | what is to be considered worthy of attention. |
| child to learn motor skills or to support himself | | | | After all, they already know that their child is not |
| correctly. | | | | like other children who do not have Down |
| Another problem that can be helped by Down | | | | syndrome. |
| syndrome physiotherapy is laxity of the | | | | If parents see a Down syndrome child having |
| ligaments. The ligaments are so loose that they | | | | trouble holding up her neck, it is essential to call it |
| do not support the bones adequately. In infancy, | | | | to the attention of the doctor so that |
| it can be seen in the way they lie down with their | | | | physiotherapy can be ordered to strengthen neck |
| legs splayed apart. In later years, their ankles | | | | muscles. This is one example of many where a |
| and other joints will be loose enough to cause | | | | physiotherapist might help. |
| support problems. | | | | Once Down syndrome physiotherapy is started, it |
| Down syndrome physiotherapy is essential in | | | | is best to keep up a life-long program to maintain |
| helping these children overcome muscular | | | | health. Prevention of age-related problems with |
| weakness. If they are not exercised to correct | | | | bones, ligaments, and muscles is becoming |
| the problem, they will develop behaviors that will | | | | increasingly important. This is because people |
| make up for their lack of strength. Some of | | | | with Down syndrome are living to older ages. In |
| these behaviors may be harmful. For example, | | | | fact there are more Down syndrome people over |
| they may lock their knees to make up for having | | | | the age of 60 than ever before. Physiotherapy |
| weak legs. | | | | can help them live quality lives. |
| One problem these children face is in their body | | | | Down syndrome physiotherapy is often ignored |
| shape. Their arms and legs are generally shorter | | | | until much damage has been done. The children |
| compared to their trunks than in most people. | | | | are left with weaknesses, odd behaviors, and |
| This leads to all kinds of problems sitting and | | | | disfigurements that need not have happened. If |
| climbing. Just reaching the table to eat can be a | | | | Down syndrome physiotherapy is started early |
| chore. Down syndrome physiotherapy can help | | | | enough, the child will have a much healthier life. |
| with this problem. | | | | |