In celebration of Down Syndrome Awareness Day on March 21st, we’re sharing our therapist’s advice and tips to uplift and empower parents raising a child with Down syndrome.
Raising a Child with Down Syndrome: Don’t Believe the Stereotypes, Believe in Your Child
Individuals with Down syndrome benefit from loving homes, education, positive public attitudes, and a supportive community environment. They should be developing new skills, learning appropriate behaviors, and aiming to achieve the highest level of independence. In this blog, NAPA pediatric therapists share some tips for parents of a child with Down syndrome.
When raising children with Down syndrome, the overall priority should be no different than teaching and raising any child.
Our Therapists’ Tips for Raising a Child with Down Syndrome
- Learn about DS. The more you know, the more you can help you and your child.
- Love and play with your child. Take your child places, read together, and have fun together. Provide your child with as many opportunities for him or her to do these things.
- Have high expectations for your child. Be enthusiastic and encouraging.
- Encourage your child to be independent (i.e. getting dressed, grooming, etc.)
- Give your child chores, but make sure to consider his or her capacity, attention span, and abilities. Divide tasks into small steps. Explain each step to your child until the chore is completed. Children with DS are visual learners, so demonstrating an action for them can really help them connect what they are learning.
- Offer your help when needed and provide immediate positive reinforcement when him or her produces a correct response.
- If your child makes a mistake, do not say, “that’s wrong.” Instead, ask him or her to try again, or give your child the correct response and have him or her repeat it. Immediate corrective feedback is more effective than delayed.
- Work with the professionals who are working with your child. Participate in the planning of your child’s education and therapy, share your knowledge of who your child is, and promote addressing your child’s specific needs and not the label of DS.
- Find out what your child is learning at school and look for ways to incorporate it at home.
- Be flexible with achieving goals (i.e. if your child has difficulty writing with a pencil, teach him or her to write using a computer)
- Present only a few stimuli/objects at a time
- Ask your child to repeat or rephrase instructions to make sure him or her has understood the task at hand
- Look for social opportunities in your community. This will not only help your child develop social skills but also to have fun!
Be patient and hopeful. Your child has their whole life ahead of them to learn and grow. Most of all, give as much love and support as possible to your child. Just like any one else, that’s what they need the most!
Encouragement & Tips for Parents of a Child with Down Syndrome
If your child has been diagnosed with Down syndrome, it is important to find support and access resources.
- Seek out other families of children with Down syndrome
- Arm yourself with the best team of medical and therapy professionals you can
- Contact your state’s early intervention resource center such as https://westsiderc.org/.
- Find support groups through social media, such as the NAPA Center Parent Groups on Facebook
As we recognize Down Syndrome Awareness Day, let’s continue to spread love, awareness, and encouragement—because every child deserves to be celebrated.
About NAPA Center
NAPA Center is a world-renowned pediatric therapy clinic with locations throughout the US, Australia, and the UK. NAPA was founded in 2008 by a mother who dedicated her life to finding the best therapies for her son with cerebral palsy. Over fifteen years later, NAPA is now recognized as a global leader in pediatric therapy, offering the best and most innovative tools and methods from around the world. If your child needs our services, we will work closely with you to select the best therapies for them, creating a customized program specific to your child’s needs and your family’s goals. Interested in bringing your child to NAPA? Contact our team today – we’ll start with a free 30-minute screening with a therapist to learn more about your child and begin their individualized therapy plan. Welcome to the NAPA Family!
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About the Author
Lisa is a passionate pediatric occupational therapist at NAPA Center Denver and serves as NAPA’s Global Director of Rehabilitation. Outside of NAPA, you’ll find her embracing the outdoors, hiking scenic trails with her family, and discovering all the beauty Colorado has to offer.
