Down Syndrome Physiotherapy
Down Syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs when children have an additional chromosome 21. Children with Down Syndrome typically have additional movement in their joints (hypermobility) and low muscle tone which contributes to difficulty in achieving gross motor milestones such as rolling, crawling and walking.
Developing gross motor skills is important for all children to promote play and interaction with their environment. Children with Down Syndrome typically achieve motor milestones at a slower rate than other children, for example, most children with Down’s Syndrome learn to walk between 24-36 months.
Children with Down’s Syndrome benefit from physiotherapy for exercise prescription and support to help them achieve gross motor skills.
The aim of physiotherapy for Down Syndrome children is especially around developing optimal movement strategies and preventing inefficient movement patterns from developing. Children with Down Syndrome may develop compensatory movement patterns such as hyperextending their knees to stand, which over time can contribute to pain and fatigue.
Physiotherapy aims to:
Promote optimal movement strategies and reduce compensatory movement
Increase muscle strength
Increase proprioception of joints
Increase balance
Monitoring for scoliosis or foot concerns
Equipment Prescription, such as walker or standing frames
As children with Down Syndrome get older, the focus shifts from helping them attain gross motor milestones and instead focuses on helping children and young teens sustain strength, develop aerobic fitness and endurance so they can engage in activities that they enjoy in the community.
