Shuchita Dua, DGM- Clinical Head Online Vertical, Mom’s Belief
Down’s syndrome is a condition caused by chromosome abnormalities. When cells divide abnormally, additional genetic information from chromosome 21 is produced, causing the disorder. Abnormalities in facial appearance, mental incapacity, and developmental delays are all symptoms of this condition. While persons with such problems frequently endure discrimination and neglect from society, it is often overlooked that parenting such children can be incredibly difficult. Patience, sensitivity, a cheerful mindset, and much more are required!
Professional Intervention in Down’s Syndrome
Professionals provide a variety of specialized programmes and resources to children with Down’s syndrome plus their families as part of early intervention. Special teachers, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and social workers are examples of these specialists. Early intervention appears to enhance results for children with Special needs, according to research. To encourage the greatest potential growth, independence, and productivity, a range of therapies can be employed in early intervention programmes and throughout a person’s life.
Physical therapy consists of tasks and exercises that assist to improve motor skills, muscle strength, posture, and balance.
Speech therapy can assist children with Down syndrome enhance their communication abilities and improving their language use.
Occupational therapy aids in the adjustment of daily duties and conditions to meet the requirements and abilities of a person.
Behavioral and emotional therapy aims to help in finding useful responses to both desired and undesired behaviors. Children with Down’s syndrome may feel irritated due to communication difficulties, develop compulsive behaviors, and suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), among other mental health problems. These trained therapists strive to figure out why a child is behaving out, devise methods and tactics for avoiding or averting similar problems in the future, and train better or even more positive responses to situations.
Parents Can Use These Tips To Bring Up A Child With Down’s Syndrome
When parents find that their kids have Down’s syndrome, they are left with the question of how to raise the child. Would we be capable to provide for the child’s needs? Where do I begin? So, what are our options? What should be avoided? This list goes on and on!
Here are a few parenting suggestions that are simple to implement and will assist you in raising your child with Down’s syndrome-
Eagerness to learn
As a parent, aggressively researching information on the topic will assist you in better parenting your child. Researching, accumulating information, and remaining informed can enable you to offer your child better care and a higher quality of life.
Making preparation
During regular prenatal check-ups, this issue is usually discovered before the baby is born. As a result, it is critical that you see your doctor prior to giving birth and be ready for what lies ahead. A baby with Down’s syndrome on the way to being born will need intensive care, as well as additional time in the hospital under the doctor’s supervision. The consultation with medical professionals and Down’s syndrome specialists, however, should continue after the delivery to seek advice and guidance on how to raise these particular babies with additional care and attention!
You’ve decided to seek medical help for your child
As parents, you must accept that your child is differently-abled and will require ongoing medical care. Down’s syndrome babies have challenges growing and developing their physical and mental health. Even basic activities like crawling, walking, and speech are frequently slow for them. As a result, arranging regular checkups with a specialist you may trust and depend on is the best approach to guarantee that your parenthood goes successfully. Your baby’s progress can be encouraged and directed in the proper direction through physical therapies, occupational therapies, speech and language therapies, and special education!
Allowing your child to live his or her own life
As the kid grows, they may feel constrained as a result of the restrictions imposed on them as a result of their situation, as well as those imposed on them by you as a parent. This can make individuals feel as though they are unable to live their lives according to their preferences, which can have a negative effect on mental health.
In such situations, you must remember to let get from time to time. Allow for their own decisions and support them throughout. Simple decisions like allowing them to choose anything they want to dress, eat, and go out can offer them the satisfaction of having control over their lives!
Allowing them to take some risks and figure things out on their own will also offer them an assurance that they can live a self-sufficient life despite their uniqueness.
However, you must always be there for them as a rock of support and communicate openly with them about what they’re feeling. As a parent, you must support them and know when to allow them freedom in the appropriate locations while also holding their hands at inappropriate moments.
Set a schedule
When babies with Down’s syndrome have a set schedule and live a healthy lifestyle, their life expectancy increases. Getting up and going to bed at regular hours, eating a nutritious diet, engaging in physical activities according to their comfort and health, studying and participating in extracurricular activities are all essential measures that will provide them with a better quality of life.
The key is self-care
To be a parent of a child with Down’s syndrome is a challenging journey! Juggling your work and home life while caring for a special-needs child may be challenging on many levels. As a result, it’s critical that you schedule “me time” for yourself and participate in activities that are healing for you.
As the child develops, his or her expectations and requirements will likewise develop and evolve. As a result, it’s critical that you’re cheerful and in the correct mind frame to handle all of your obligations and your wonderful child. You must realize that loving and pampering yourself is not self-indulgent, and you need it! Share your experiences as a parent, socialize, and seek outside support to care for the infant whenever and wherever necessary. Opting for counseling if things grow stressful or unmanageable for you, there’s nothing to be embarrassed by but will help in managing and controlling yourself, the child, and the circumstance in a much better way.
Conclusion
You must be comfortable and at ease as a parent in order to raise your child in a pleasant, positive, and supportive atmosphere. You can also join social media support groups to communicate with other parents and families who are dealing with the same problem and hoping for a good life.
In the end, your Down’s Syndrome infant is still a baby who will require your love, care, and direction in all aspects of his or her life. As a result, you must first recognize and embrace the truth that your child is unique and requires support. You must look after yourself and the baby, and the key to bringing up a child with Down’s syndrome is to be kind to both yourself and the child!
