Physiotherapy for children with Down Syndrome

08 Feb Physiotherapy for children with Down Syndrome

Physiotherapy plays an important role for children with Down Syndrome from infancy through to adolescence. It helps children to develop motor programs, core and leg strength, balance and coordination of movement. The goals of physiotherapy for children with Down Syndrome will change depending on you and your child’s goals, wants and needs and their age.  

Physiotherapy during 0-3 

Developmental milestones describe the approximate age in which your child should be achieving key movement skills such as crawling and sitting. Children with Down Syndrome may develop these skills slightly later compared to their peers. This is likely due to low muscle tone and strength and poor motor planning skills. Physiotherapy during this period helps your child to develop skills in an efficient manner. It also helps them to refine their basic skills to ensure their movement is effective. 

Physiotherapy 3-10 

During this stage your child’s goals will change as they get older. Physiotherapy will be more play based to ensure your child is having fun whilst also working on key skills including: 

• Balance 
• Strength – Core, legs and arms 
• Coordination 
• Motor planning 

If your child has a specific goal to ride a bike, play football or join a dance class our physiotherapists can assess to understand why your child may be struggling to achieve these goals and then tailor play based exercises to help address any weaknesses.  

Physiotherapy 10-18 

There is conflicting research about the activity level of children with down syndrome however due to social and environmental barriers it can be difficult for children with down syndrome to participate in activities that may be more readily available to their peers. Physiotherapy during this period helps to keep children active and access different activities including sporting activities available within the community.  

As your child is getting more mature physiotherapy may move away from play based activities and move towards gym-based activities. The key skills to work on listed above usually remain the same. 

As your child moves towards adulthood physiotherapy can also help to prepare your child for some of the challenges of adulthood.  

Here at Western Paediatrics we aim to help foster a supportive community and an ongoing passion for physical activity throughout your child’s life.