Therapy
There is no single, standard treatment for Down syndrome. Treatments are based on each individual's physical and intellectual needs as well as his or her personal strengths and limitations. 1 People with Down syndrome can receive proper care while living at home and in the community.
What are the treatments for Down syndrome?
General Overview of Aging with Down Syndrome Adults with Down syndrome experience “accelerated aging,” meaning that they experience certain conditions and physical features that are common to typically aging adults at an earlier age than the general population.
How do people with Down syndrome age?
Parenting is hard for anyone, and even more so for people with Down syndrome, so they’ll likely need extra help. As they get older, people with Down syndrome are more likely to have mental health issues, such as depression. The right medicine may help.
Do people with Down Syndrome need extra help with parenting?
Lastly, occupational therapy exists as a Down syndrome treatment method to help patients adjust to doing everyday tasks and help them realize their capabilities and physical capacity. In the past, amino acid supplements were used to help boost brainpower.
How can occupational therapy help people with Down syndrome?
What treatment is appropriate for Down syndrome?
There is no treatment that can cure Down's syndrome. It is something that you have for life. Treatment is aimed at monitoring for any complications and treating these where possible. Most of the complications associated with Down's syndrome are treatable.
How is Down syndrome treated in adults?
Look at housing options such as group homes, supervised independent living, or family-owned independent housing. Most adults who have Down syndrome enjoy exercise and getting involved. Ask your relative about their hobbies and interests. Options can range from adult day care to the Special Olympics.
What types of treatments or services might a child with Down syndrome receive?
Treatment TherapiesPhysical therapy includes activities and exercises that help build motor skills, increase muscle strength, and improve posture and balance. ... Speech-language therapy can help children with Down syndrome improve their communication skills and use language more effectively.More items...•
What happens to people with Down syndrome when they get older?
As adults with Down syndrome grow older, there is increased risk of experiencing certain common mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and behavioral disturbances. A sudden or abrupt change in mood or behavior patterns warrants further investigation.
What do Down syndrome people need?
need visual and auditory accommodations for classroom instruction. require physical, occupational, and speech therapies. need extra time and assistance with class work. require therapeutic staff support in the classroom.
What is the mental age of a person with Down syndrome?
Those with Down syndrome nearly always have physical and intellectual disabilities. As adults, their mental abilities are typically similar to those of an 8- or 9-year-old.
Is Down syndrome treated with medication?
Medication Summary Drug therapy is not currently a component of the standard of care for Down syndrome. Medications are indicated only for symptomatic treatment of pain. Obviously, prolonged use of analgesics without diagnostic evaluation and an understanding of the underlying cause should not be encouraged.
Do all Down's syndrome get Alzheimer's?
Many but not all people with Down syndrome develop Alzheimer's disease when they get older. People with Down syndrome are born with an extra copy of chromosome 21, which carries a gene that produces a specific protein called amyloid precursor protein (APP).
What is the most common cause of death in Down syndrome?
Heart and lung diseases are the leading causes of death for persons with Down syndrome. Pneumonia and infectious lung disease, congenital heart defect (CHD) and circulatory disease (vascular diseases not including CHD or ischaemic heart disease) account for ∼75% of all deaths in persons with Down syndrome.
What type of therapy is best for Down syndrome?
With speech therapy , a child with Down syndrome can learn how to overcome these obstacles and communicate more clearly. Some kids also benefit from learning and using sign language. Occupational therapy: This type of therapy helps children develop the skills they'll need to be as independent as possible.
What do kids with Down syndrome need?
Most kids with Down syndrome need therapies of various types. Some are focused on helping patients reach physical milestones at the same rate as those who don't have the disorder. Others are aimed at helping them become as independent as possible when they reach adulthood.
What percentage of people with Down syndrome are born with a thyroid problem?
For example, according to the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), around 10 percent of people with the disorder are born with a thyroid problem or develop one later in life. 3 The most common of these is hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of a hormone called thyroxin.
What is the name of the hormone that is given to people with Down syndrome?
People with hypothyroidism—with or without the additional diagnosis of Down syndrome—usually take a synthetic form of the hormone (levothyroxine) by mouth to manage the condition.
Can Down syndrome cause bad posture?
Physical therapy: Most babies with Down syndrome have hypotonia (low muscle tone) that can slow their physical development and, if not treated, lead to problems such as bad posture later in life.
Can Down syndrome be cured?
Yes, Down syndrome is a lifelong condition. It cannot be cured, but with support and therapies, many people with Down syndrome live happy and productive lives. 7.
Is there any treatment for Down syndrome?
There is no treatment for Down syndrome itself, but there are conditions associated with Down syndrome that require treatment. Health conditions that affect some people with Down syndrome include heart defects, gastrointestinal tract deformities, thyroid disorders, hearing difficulties, and vision problems.
How old do people with Down syndrome live?
Adults with Down syndrome are now reaching old age on a regular basis and are commonly living into their 50s, 60s and 70s. While there are many exciting milestones that accompany growing older, old age can also bring unexpected challenges for which adults with Down syndrome, their families and caregivers may not feel adequately prepared. In order to enjoy all the wonderful aspects of a longer life, it is important to be proactive and learn about issues that may lie ahead.
What does it mean when someone has Down syndrome?
Adults with Down syndrome experience “accelerated aging ,” meaning that they experience certain conditions and physical features that are common to typically aging adults at an earlier age than the general population.
Why is it important to assess the living environment during the aging process?
Throughout the aging process it is necessary to periodically assess the living environment to identify and make adjustments that will help maintain good health, independence, privacy and dignity while ensuring safety. Take into consideration all aspects of needs: medical, physical, social, emotional and personal safety. Are they being adequately met in the current living arrangement?
What is the role of chromosome 21 in Alzheimer's?
(Typically, people have two copies of each chromosome.) Chromosome 21 plays a key role in the relationship between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease as it carries a gene that produces one of the key proteins involved with changes in the brain caused by Alzheimer’s. Additionally, scientists have located several genes on chromosome 21 that are involved in the aging process and that contribute to the increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. It is this unique property of chromosome 21 that makes the disease a more acute concern for people with Down syndrome than those with other forms of intellectual disability.
Is Down syndrome social?
However, as they grow older, “slowing down” may require adjustments in, and more flexibility with, lifestyle activities and schedules. Maintaining sources of enrichment, pleasure and stimulation are critical for individuals with Down syndrome, just as they are with aging individuals in the general population. Boredom in particular can lead to depressed mood and negative behaviors.
Is Down syndrome related to Alzheimer's?
Alzheimer’s disease and Down syndrome share a genetic connection , leading to the increased risk of dementia at an earlier age. Understandably, many families and caregivers are especially worried about this possibility, which is one reason why this topic is covered in detail in this section. Getting accurate information and education about the risk of Alzheimer’s disease is an important way of empowering oneself to prepare for the future.
Is Alzheimer's more common in Down syndrome?
Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease is more common in adults with Down syndrome than in the general population. It is important to be aware of the connection between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease so that proper surveillance can be done to look for signs or symptoms of the disease. This topic will be discussed in detail in another section.
How to help people with Down syndrome?
There are different types of therapy methods that are used for patients with Down syndrome. Physical therapy is used to help Down syndrome patients learn motor skills. Speech therapy helps them learn how to use language effectively and to help them learn how to communicate. Emotional and behavioral therapy may also be used to help these individuals deal with unpleasant situations. Lastly, occupational therapy exists as a Down syndrome treatment method to help patients adjust to doing everyday tasks and help them realize their capabilities and physical capacity.
How long does Down syndrome treatment last?
This type of treatment can start as early as right after the baby is born (and diagnosed with Down syndrome) and will continue until the child reaches toddler age, or around three years old.
Is there a cure for Down syndrome?
Since people who have Down syndrome have varying abilities, there is no one-cure-for-all treatment that can be applied to people with this condition. People with Down syndrome mostly have a team of medical professionals and specialists who all interact with, and help facilitate the treatment for these individuals.
Can amino acids help with Down syndrome?
However, recent studies have shown that there is little effect of these supplements on the brains of Down syndrome patients. At the time of this writing, there is no medication that can cure Down syndrome.
What do Down syndrome teenagers need to know?
They need to figure out where to live, what to do for work, and how to create new social circles outside of school.
What are the benefits of social activities for people with Down syndrome?
These jobs tend to be manual labor, like putting goods together. Social activities help people feel fulfilled in life. As with anyone else, work may fill part of that role, but it’s also important for people with Down syndrome to take part in sports, hobbies, and other interests.
What are the jobs for people with Down syndrome?
There are three types of jobs someone with Down syndrome can look for: 1 Competitive. These are typical jobs that anyone applies for, and there’s no extra support in place. 2 Supported. A job coach helps them come up to speed as they work along with people who don’t have disabilities. This is the most common type of job. 3 Sheltered. In this case, they work with other people who have disabilities. These jobs tend to be manual labor, like putting goods together.
Can Down syndrome cause dementia?
The right medicine may help . People with Down syndrome also tend to get age-related health problems earlier than others. This includes dementia, memory loss, and problems with judgment or changes in personality that are similar to Alzheimer ’s disease.
Can Down syndrome be part time?
Some will learn to drive, have relationships, and live almost entirely on their own. Others will need more day-to-day care, but even then may still be able hold a part-time job and participate in meaningful social ...
Is it hard to parent with Down syndrome?
Parenting is hard for anyone, and even more so for people with Down syndrome, so they’ll likely need extra help. As they get older, people with Down syndrome are more likely to have mental health issues, such as depression. The right medicine may help.
Can Down syndrome father children?
Some may also want to start families, although men with Down syndrome usually can’t father children.
How can Down syndrome help people?
Carefully preparing and supporting people with Down's syndrome for adult life may help to minimise the psychological impact of family bereavements and other life events which they will inevitably face .
When did Down syndrome start?
In Down's syndrome it has been recognised since the early 1900's that changes are observed in the brain from relatively early in life and by middle age the formation of Alzheimer-like 'plaques and tangles' has occurred.
Why is it important to support children with special needs?
The importance of supporting children with special needs so that they have the opportunity to acquire the necessary educational, living and social skills to equip them for adult life has been recognised for some time. However, in contrast, the needs of adults, and the importance of supporting people with intellectual disabilities ...
Does Down syndrome cause dementia?
The appearance of these brain changes in people with Down's syndrome is only of great significance if they lead to loss of ability and the appearance of the clinical changes characteristic of dementia (i.e., the development of Alzheimer's disease).
Is dementia rare in old age?
In the general population relatively minor cognitive difficulties in old age are common, however, the more serious brain changes associated with disorders such as dementia are relatively rare, although the risk of such disorders increases as people live into their 70s and 80s.
Do people with Down syndrome have Alzheimer's?
Strikingly, these 'Alzheimer-like' brain changes are almost always found in people with Down's syndrome who have died in middle age or later, but are not found at such a relatively young age in people who have intellectual disabilities for reasons other than Down's syndrome.
Is Down syndrome a key factor?
In the case of Down's syndrome the working hypothesis is that excessive amyloid production is likely to be a key factor, but this is far from being proven. Before the location of the APP gene was shown to be on chromosome 21, another gene on this chromosome and its product was the focus of attention.
Why is it important to have a care plan for someone with Down syndrome?
Often, it can be difficult for someone with Down syndrome to receive the same medical care as those without the condition. This is especially true as they age. This makes the role of caregiver so much more important.
How old do people with Down syndrome live?
Even with these challenges, however, the life expectancy of someone with down syndrome is 60 years old with some living into their later 60s and 70s.
What was the average life expectancy for someone with Down syndrome in 1983?
In fact, the average life expectancy for someone with this condition in 1983 was 25 years of age compared to 60 years of age in 2018. Social services have not kept up with the new reality of patients having both Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s, and they are now scrambling to provide much needed services. That’s why it is so important ...
What do you think of Down syndrome?
Author: Beth Sager. When you think of Down syndrome, you may think of children and young adults with the condition, but those children grow older. Aging with Down syndrome comes with its own challenges and life expectancy, so it’s important to know what you can expect as your loved one ages.
What are the challenges of caring for someone with Down syndrome?
Caring for someone with down syndrome, especially elderly Down syndrome patients, comes with some challenges. One major challenge is Alzheimer’s. Studies show that up to 75% of those with Down syndrome over the age of 60 will also have Alzheimer’s.
How many chromosomes are there in Down syndrome?
There are normally 23 pairs of chromosomes in each nucleus. For those with Down syndrome, there is a partial or even full extra copy of the 21 st chromosome. This is what causes the condition.
What are the most common health conditions associated with Down syndrome?
In this literature review, the mostcommon health conditions associated with Down syndrome are exam-ined, along with the topics of sexual abuse, menstrual hygiene, contra-ception, and human rights. Clinical guidelines for this population aresummarized in an effort to assist practicing physicians in improving theirprovision of health care to the adult patient with Down syndrome.
Is leukemia common in Down syndrome?
Leukemia occurs with high frequency in the Down syn-drome population .30,45The most common types are acute lym-phocytic leukemia and myeloid leukemia of Down syndrome.With acute lymphocytic leukemia, the presentation and courseof disease are similar to that of the general population; however,with myeloid leukemia of Down syndrome, the counterpartsof which are myeloid dysplastic syndrome and acute myeloidleukemia, the course and response to treatment differ. Intensivetreatment leads to better survival rates than in patients withoutDown syndrome.45Patients with Down syndrome also have increased risks ofretinoblastoma, germ cell tumors (especially testicular carcinoma),and lymphomas.8,45Conversely, solid tumors, most notably breastand lung cancers, and secondary malignancies are significantlydecreased.45Although no screening examinations show improvedleukemia outcomes in the general population, because of the in-creased risk in Down syndrome, signs and symptoms of leukemiaand lymphoma such as refractory anemia, lethargy, fever, painfuljoints and extremities, pallor, lymphadenopathy, hepatospleno-megaly, bleeding, or easy bruising should be evaluated with acomplete blood count.3Diligent yearly testicular and ophthalmicexaminations may help in the detection of these cancers. It isrecommended that women with intellectual disabilities followthe same mammography screening as that in the populationwithout intellectual disabilities,46but there is insufficient evi-dence to reach a definitive conclusion regarding women withDown syndrome.47