Occupational therapy is a person-centered health profession aimed at improving a person’s physical, cognitive, sensory, psychological, social skills and abilities through meaningful and purposeful activities; increasing participation in daily living activities and independence levels, and enhancing health and well-being. Individuals with Down syndrome experience problems such as slow learning, difficulties in problem-solving and decision-making, drooling, speech difficulties, delayed motor development, frequent falling and bumping, low muscle tone, and delays in fine and gross motor skills due to joint laxity. Occupational therapists use sensory integration, vestibular stimulation, oral-motor therapy, cognitive therapy, daily living skills training, and activity-focused neurodevelopmental treatment methods to address these problems.
What Do Occupational Therapists Do in the Rehabilitation Process of Individuals with Down Syndrome?
In individuals with sensory integration difficulties such as dropping objects, putting objects in the mouth, difficulty adjusting body posture, frequent falling, or refusing to have their hair combed, sensory integration therapy helps them respond adaptively. Sensory integration increases awareness of their body and surroundings.
Through sensory integration, visual perceptual skills, body awareness, and visual-motor coordination training are provided, laying the foundations of cognitive rehabilitation. Improvements in cognitive skills such as attention, memory, problem-solving, and orientation also support academic skills. Cognitive rehabilitation makes learning easier for individuals with Down syndrome.
Activities that include auditory-visual stimulation and neurodevelopmental interventions addressing joint laxity and low muscle tone enable young children to perform independent motor skills like sitting, standing, and walking. Individuals with Down syndrome exhibit controlled motor behaviors with occupational therapy.
By developing strength and coordination in the arm, wrist, and hand through meaningful activities, occupational therapy increases independence in fine motor skills and daily living activities. Improvements in fine motor skills such as holding a pencil or spoon increase quality of life and intrinsic motivation.
Individuals with Down syndrome can become independent in daily living activities.
Due to weak muscles in the tongue, lips, and cheeks, children with Down syndrome have difficulties with feeding, saliva control, and speech. Occupational therapists intervene with oral motor therapy, positioning methods, and feeding techniques.
Vestibular stimulation techniques promote early motor behaviors, improve balance reactions and movement quality, and prevent the insecurity caused by gravity. Individuals with Down syndrome can climb stairs and swing without fear.
Neurodevelopmental and behavioral methods are used to develop social skills such as initiating, maintaining, and ending verbal and non-verbal communication and establishing meaningful purposeful communication. Individuals with Down syndrome understand you and can express themselves.