A Personalized Approach to Managing Down Syndrome
Every child with Down syndrome has their own unique needs, symptoms, and challenges. Receiving the news that your child has Down syndrome can be overwhelming and parents navigating through worries about their child’s health and development can cause anxiety and stress. That’s why the pediatric therapists at The Pediatric Place are here to support and assist you in navigating the therapy process.
Our pediatric therapists always strive to create personalized treatment plans to help your child thrive in the way that’s best for them.
Down syndrome occurs when a child is born with a copy of their 21st chromosome. This simple change affects how their body develops during pregnancy and after birth, leading to particular physical features and cognitive differences.
While a child with Down syndrome will face challenges as they get older, pediatric occupational, physical, speech and language therapy can give them the tools they need to grow into their full potential. Schedule an appointment at our Clinton or Knob Noster, MO clinics to learn more.
Characteristics of Children diagnosed with Down Syndrome
- Joyful & Loving Nature
- Unique Talents & Abilities
- Strong Drive for Social Interaction
- Determination & Perseverance
- Family Bonding
- Unique Perspectives
- Inclusivity
The characteristics listed above are just some of the ways children with Down syndrome enrich the lives of those around them. Children with Down syndrome can sometimes struggle in the activities of their daily life without support. The therapists at The Pediatric Place are ready to work with you and your child to assist with communication, improve muscle tone, strength, balance, safety within their community, and fine motor skills.
It’s also important to recognize that other health conditions can accompany Down syndrome, including autism spectrum disorder, hearing loss, or heart abnormalities. That’s why we emphasize creating custom care plans for every child based on their needs.
supporting children with down syndrome and their families
Our primary goal at The Pediatric Place is to help your child thrive and gain independence! We want to provide them with the tools, strategies, and techniques necessary to complete day-to-day tasks at school or home.
We do this in a way that focuses on listening to the needs of their parents and building rapport with your child.
We want your child to feel comfortable during their therapy sessions and excited to come to therapy! We then work with you and your child to set specific goals and develop a plan of action that will help your child reach them.
While individual treatment plans will vary, here are a few of the concerns we can help address:
- Fine and gross motor skills
- Self-care activities, such as grooming or getting dressed
- Self-advocacy skills, particularly as your child gets older
- Social skills
- Feeding difficulties
- Muscle weakness, core strength, and balance
- Communication
- Safety within their community
In addition to working directly with your child, we involve the family and other loved ones, helping reinforce the work done during therapy sessions throughout your child’s day-to-day life. This process can also help you better understand your child’s needs and what they’re going through.
No matter your child’s needs, we’ll find a way to address them! Schedule an initial evaluation at The Pediatric Place today.
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Meet Our Multidisciplinary Team
Receive a Seamless Treatment Plan
Start to See Success and Growth!