How to help people with Down syndrome?
Participate in social and leisure activities. Take time for family outings and look in your community for social activities such as park district programs, sports teams or ballet classes. Although some adaptations may be required, children and adults with Down syndrome can enjoy social and leisure activities.
How do people with Down syndrome live?
Most people with Down syndrome live with their families or independently, go to mainstream schools, read and write, participate in the community, and have jobs. People with Down syndrome can live fulfilling lives. By Mayo Clinic Staff.
Can you test for Down syndrome while pregnant?
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends offering the option of screening tests and diagnostic tests for Down syndrome to all pregnant women, regardless of age. Screening tests can indicate the likelihood or chances that a mother is carrying a baby with Down syndrome. But these tests can't tell for sure or diagnose whether ...
What tests can be done to determine if a baby has Down syndrome?
Diagnostic tests can identify or diagnose whether your baby has Down syndrome. Your health care provider can discuss the types of tests, advantages and disadvantages, benefits and risks, and the meaning of your results. If appropriate, your provider may recommend that you talk to a genetics counselor.
Is screening for Down syndrome a part of prenatal care?
Screening for Down syndrome is offered as a routine part of prenatal care . Although screening tests can only identify your risk of carrying a baby with Down syndrome, they can help you make decisions about more-specific diagnostic tests.
Is Down syndrome a routine test?
Screening for Down syndrome is offered as a routine part of prenatal care. Although screening tests can only identify your risk of carrying a baby with Down syndrome, they can help you make decisions about more-specific diagnostic tests. Screening tests include the first trimester combined test and the integrated screening test.
Can you have a screening test for Down syndrome?
Although screening tests can only identify your risk of carrying a baby with Down syndrome, they can help you make decisions about more-specific diagnostic tests. Screening tests include the first trimester combined test and the integrated screening test.
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.
Can Down syndrome be treated with medication?
Many of the health problems that affect someone with Down syndrome can be managed with medication—typically the same medication that would be given to a person who doesn't have Down syndrome.
Is Down syndrome a disease?
Common Characteristics of Down Syndrome. Down syndrome (trisomy 21) isn't a disease or condition that can be managed or cured with medication or surgery. The goal of treatment, therefore, is not to address the disorder itself, but rather the variety of health issues, medical conditions, and physical, developmental, ...
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.
Can Down syndrome cause hearing loss?
Speech therapy: Children with Down syndrome often have small mouths and slightly enlarged tongues—features that can make it hard for them to speak clearly. These problems can be made worse in children with hypotonia because low muscle tone can affect the face. Hearing loss also can affect speech development.
What are the health problems associated with Down syndrome?
Health conditions that affect some people with Down syndrome include heart defects, gastrointestinal tract deformities, thyroid disorders, hearing difficulties, and vision problems. In addition, early intervention is recommended to address developmental delays and low muscle tone common in babies with Down syndrome.
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.
What is the best treatment for Down syndrome?
Physical Therapy . Physical therapy focuses on improving how a person moves. Because children and adults with Down Syndrome commonly have poor muscle tone and smaller hands, physical therapy can allay any difficulties caused by these traits.
Is there a cure for Down syndrome?
While there is no cure for Down Syndrome, there are therapies, treatments, and educational support available to improve the quality of life of those affected. The exact course of treatment will depend on the individual, taking into account the person’s age, overall health, environment, and personal strengths and limitations.
How does early intervention help children with Down syndrome?
Even before a child with Down Syndrome reaches school age, various therapies can help.
How does speech therapy help children with Down syndrome?
The overall goal is to improve the child’s ability to communicate. One thing to watch out for in particular is hearing loss. Due to anatomical differences in children with Down Syndrome, they are prone to fluid retention behind the eardrum that can cause hearing loss. Even though the fluid can be drained, this sometimes-chronic condition exemplifies how a child’s learning of auditory language can be disrupted. The result is, of course, life-long difficulties in speech and understanding. Communication takes many forms, and your child’s specific needs will shape what is stressed during therapy sessions.
What is physical therapy for Down syndrome?
Physical therapy focus es on improving how a person moves. Because children and adults with Down Syndrome commonly have poor muscle tone and smaller hands, physical therapy can allay any difficulties caused by these traits.
What is the best way to teach children with Down syndrome?
Touchscreen tablets and computers are useful for children with Down Syndrome who struggle with performing fine motor movements. Educational software approaches learning via interaction and implementing sight, sound, and touch, which can make lessons more accessible and appealing.
What does an occupational therapist do?
Unlike physical therapists, occupational therapists work on improving fine motor skills and the performance of daily tasks like getting dressed, brushing one’s teeth, and eating. As the child gets older, the focus will shift to skills like writing and using a computer.
What are the symptoms of Down syndrome?
Other medical problems. Your child may also have other less common issues that need treatment, such as: 1 Blockage in the intestine. Some babies with Down syndrome get Hirschsprung ’s disease, where part of the intestine gets blocked. This is treated with surgery that removes part of the intestine. 2 Infections. Babies with Down syndrome also have weaker immune systems, so they may get sick more often. There’s no treatment for this, but it means that getting vaccines on time is even more important. 3 Thyroid problems. The thyroid makes hormones your body need. In kids with Down syndrome, it sometimes doesn’t make enough. If that happens, your child will take medicine to help.
Do kids with Down syndrome go to school?
Many kids with Down syndrome go to their neighborhood schools along with all the other kids. This can be great not only for your child, but for the other children as well. Your child also has the right to get services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which starts at age 3.
Can Down syndrome cause hearing loss?
Many children with Down syndrome have hearing loss in one or both ears. Because of that, your child will likely have regular visits with an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor to catch any issues early on. Sometimes hearing problems are caused by fluid build-up in the ears.
What is early intervention?
Early Intervention. Most states offer programs that provide a range of services for children up to 3 years old. These programs can boost your child’s physical and mental growth. They typically have therapists and teachers who are specially trained to help kids learn a variety of skills, such as how to:
Can adenoids cause sleep apnea?
Sometimes, larger-than-normal tonsils and adenoids cause sleep apnea. In this case, your doctor may suggest surgery to remove them. Leukemia. Children with Down syndrome are at a 10- to 20-fold increase for developing this blood cancer. But the risk is still at 2%.
What is the treatment for Down syndrome?
Treatment throughout the course of an individual’s life will involve regular medical check-ups, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupa tional therapy, nutritional needs and counselling. Regular medical check-ups are important for identifying, managing and monitoring an individual with Down syndrome’s overall health condition. ...
Is Down syndrome a fault?
The effort a parent puts in to better understand their child’s condition, the greater the chances of their success: Learn about what Down syndrome is and why it happens: For the most part, producing a child with Down syndrome is not anyone’s fault. Genetic material merely develops in a way that is beyond anyone’s control.
What is the purpose of a comprehensive treatment plan?
Once diagnosed and all relevant checks and tests have been conducted, a doctor will put together a comprehensive treatment plan to ensure that a child remains as healthy as possible as he or she grows. Different stages will require different phases of treatment and services.
Why is it important to have a regular eye checkup?
Regular check-ups are important from the time of birth, and throughout a person’s life. During the first year, eye problems in particular are common and will be carefully assessed during check-ups. Many with Down syndrome have a higher chance of developing certain health problems and serious medical conditions.
Why is speech therapy important?
During early stages, speech therapy and physical therapy are critical and can help to ensure that a baby / child develops sufficiently enough to better enhance their quality of life during adulthood. It will take time and patience from everyone involved, but a child will learn to master a variety of skills.
What does it mean when your stomach hurts?
Infancy: Symptoms such as stomach pain or swelling of the abdomen and vomiting could indicate intestinal blockage. A bluish discolouration of the fingers and lips, problems with breathing and sudden changes in activity level or feeding could indicate problems with the heart and its function.
What are the symptoms of neck pain?
Any age: Symptoms of neck pain or limited movement, bone injury or dislocations, difficulties with walking, weakness in the limbs or changes in bladder and bowel control need to be assessed by a medical doctor as soon as possible.
Is there a way to prevent Down syndrome?
And there’s also no way to prevent Down syndrome from occurring. But there are many ways to help people living with the condition manage their disabilities and lead happy and productive lives. ( 1) It’s important to note that there’s no one perfect way to treat Down syndrome.
How to help a child with Down syndrome?
Continuing or adding a combination of some or all of the following therapies can be helpful in early intervention programs throughout an individual’s lifetime if he or she has Down syndrome: 1 Physical Therapy The goals of physical therapy are to help build motor skills, increase muscle strength, and improve posture and balance. In children with Down syndrome this is important because a common characteristic of the disorder is low muscle tone, which if unaddressed can lead to long-term problems. 2 Speech-Language Therapy This type of therapy focuses on communication and language skills. 3 Occupational Therapy This type of therapy focuses on finding ways for individuals to compensate for their disabilities to manage everyday tasks. 4 Emotional and Behavioral Therapies These services help individuals manage behavioral problems, such as compulsive disorders or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ), and other mental health issues.
What is the law for Down syndrome?
The federal law requires that states offer free, appropriate public education for all children with Down syndrome as part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The law includes coverage of early intervention services designed to help address the developmental delays children with Down syndrome face. Such services are available and should be started anytime after birth until the child turns 3, or until the child is eligible to enter kindergarten. ( 3) (Looking for one? Check out the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center’s helpful list of resources for families.) ( 4)
Why is speech therapy important for Down syndrome?
In children with Down syndrome this is important because a common characteristic of the disorder is low muscle tone, which if unaddressed can lead to long-term problems . Speech-Language Therapy This type of therapy focuses on communication and language skills.
Does Down syndrome increase with age?
And other problems seem to increase with age for people with Down syndrome, including health problems. Once these people hit their forties or fifties, they may experience accelerated aging and face medical issues usually not found until adults are much older, such as eye issues, osteoporosis, and sleep apnea. ( 5)
How many copies of chromosome 21 are there in Down syndrome?
Down syndrome is caused by a person having three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two copies. This is why Down syndrome is also referred to by the name Trisomy 21. Instead of a pair of chromosomes, as is found in all the other chromosomes, number 21 includes three chromosomes. It is important to understand that all of the chromosomes ...
How many chromosomes are in a human cell with Down syndrome?
Every cell in a person with Down syndrome will contain 47 chromosomes (with the exception of Mosaic Down syndrome) instead of 46 chromosomes. Note: There are currently no drugs listed for "Down Syndrome".
What is the best treatment for MD?
Drug Therapy. Certain medications can help delay damage to muscles or minimize the symptoms of MD. These can include the following: Glucocorticoids 4, 5 such as prednisone or deflazacort , which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating DMD in 2017.
How to help MD with facial weakness?
MD patients who experience weakness in the facial and throat muscles may benefit from speech therapy to teach them how to maximize their muscle strength. Some methods include slowing the pace of their speech, pausing more between breaths, 3 and using specialized communication equipment.
Does prednisone help with weakness?
Studies show that daily treatment with prednisone can increase muscle strength and respiratory function and slow the progression of weakness in MD. A new glucocorticoid treatment called vamorolone is being studied in boys with DMD.
Is vamorolone good for DMD?
A new glucocorticoid treatment called vamorolone is being studied in boys with DMD. Early results showed the treatment had similar benefits to those from prednisone but without the side effects. 6. NICHD-funded researchers found that vamorolone also helped treat symptoms of limb-girdle MD in animal models.
