Posted: 15 March 2006 at 11:33 | IP Logged

Physical therapy and Down’s syndrome

-         Abnormal motor behavior typically associated with Down’s syndrome is seen as the outcome of a long process of postural compensations to underlying deficits, such as abnormal postural tones or poor integration of postural reflexes.

-         Children with Down’s syndrome demonstrates performance affected primarily by delayed developmental sensory integrative dysfunction

-         Skill performance is affected by poor joint stability and difficulty with balance, and in coordinated movements

-         Following the evaluation Down’s syndrome child should treat in a co ordinate occupational therapy, physical therapy, special education and speech language program.

-         Physical therapy treatment should be administered to children diagnosed with Down’s syndrome as early as possible, in parallel with special education and speech therapy , this is because in addition to the mental impediments confronting these patients , they are also challenged by significant  physical disabilities                                                                                  

     Therefore, the implementation of a solid physical treatment routine is considered as vital as its counterparts and should be prioritized accordingly to constitute a complete and comprehensive treatment program.

Dr. Safaa Mohamed El Sebai

Consultant physical therapist