Down Syndrome

There has been estimated that nearly 23,000-29,000 children in India are born with Down Syndrome annually. There has been estimated that nearly 23,000-29,000 children in India are born with Down Syndrome annually. It means that at least 1 in every 650 to 1,000 children is born with this condition. Down syndrome is a lifelong disease that needs proper management to have a good life expectancy.

What is Down Syndrome?

Down syndrome is a life-long condition causing physical defects, intellectual impairment, developmental delays and behavioural problems due to a genetic anomaly called trisomy. We usually have 23 pairs of chromosomes, i.e. 46 chromosomes. Each carries specific information about our traits and characteristics. Down syndrome comprises an extra copy of the 21 chromosomes. So, the total number of chromosomes becomes 47. This extra chromosome contributes to the defects. The syndrome affects vary from mild to severe.

What Are the Signs?

Children with Down syndrome have distinct physical features that help in identification. However, the features may not be prominent enough in mild down syndrome. Some features you may notice are:

Physical Areas

Flat nasal bridge
Small head
Short neck
Protruding tongue and broad palate
Short stocky physique with small fingers
Hyper flexibility
Muscular hypotonia
Ring of iris speckles – Brushfield’s spots.

Intellectual

Cognitive disability
Language delay
Impaired memory

Book An Appointment

Evaluation By Continua Kids

Down syndrome does not have any quick solution. It requires continuous efforts and management to help the child function normally as they grow. So we need to monitor their growth along with the therapies constantly.

Some other tests to be done regularly are:

Eye and vision tests to detect congenital cataracts and glaucoma.
Hearing tests using auditory evoked potential testing (before age six months).
Regular neck x-rays for atlantoaxial subluxation.
Echocardiography for genetic heart diseases
Test for congenital GI obstruction or Intestinal motility disorder.
Thyroid test

Keeping a record of the developmental milestones also determine how far the therapy is helping.

Types of Down Syndrome

We believe that multidisciplinary care is the best mode for down syndrome. Various forms of therapies can be used in early intervention programmes and continued later in life to promote development to full potential, independence, and productivity. We can also do mediations depending on the child’s specific needs. We have the best doctor for specially-abled kids, who would provide the following therapies in down syndrome cases.

Physiotherapy : We have the best physiotherapists who can help with physical challenges like low muscle tone and develop walking patterns for avoiding long-term issues.

Occupational Therapy : Our therapist will help your child manage to do everyday tasks along with self-care activities like eating, getting dressed, writing and using a computer.

Speech-Language Therapy : Children with Down syndrome often take longer to learn to speak than their peers, but they still want to communicate. Our speech-language therapist can assist them in developing early communication skills such as sound imitation. Until they learn to speak, the therapist will also teach alternative modes of communication such as sign language and pictures

Emotional and Behavioural therapies : Emotional and behavioural therapies seek meaningful responses to both desirable and undesirable behaviours. Children with Down syndrome may become frustrated due to communication difficulties, develop compulsive behaviours, or suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) and other mental health issues. Our therapists try to analyse why a child is acting out, devise methods and strategies for avoiding or preventing these situations, and teach better or more positive responses to certain situations.

At Continua Kids, we have also designed a special booklet for parents on raising their kids with down syndrome. Make sure to get your hands on that if you want a comprehensive management guide for down syndrome at home.

For more support and guidance, get in touch with us. Visit our centre or book an online appointment.

Therapy

CONTINUA Kids is unique in its own way as it provides all the scientifically proven, individualized therapies which are required for special children under one roof.