|
 |
EARLY INTERVENTION FOR BABIES WITH DOWN SYNDROME
Congratulations
on the birth of your new baby!
All children living in Palm Beach County with the "established
condition" of Down syndrome are eligible to receive early
intervention services through a federal, state, and locally
funded program called Early Steps. If you have not already contacted the Early Steps Program you should do that now. The
phone
number is 561-881-2822 in West Palm Beach. This agency is responsible for
administering early intervention services to children with disabilities from
birth to three years old in Palm Beach County.
Research shows that children with Down syndrome benefit from early intervention
services.
|
|
The process will include an
evaluation of all developmental areas, at which time your baby will begin receiving
services such as speech or oral motor therapy,
physical therapy and
occupational
therapy. (Click on these therapy names to view articles
that address each of these services as they are related to children with Down
syndrome.) Another service offered is a Parent Infant Educator. This
person can help you follow the cognitive development of your new baby.
Using your baby's own toys they can show you exercises and games and they can
answer your questions about developmental milestones. Services should be
delivered in a child's natural environment. For most children between
birth and three this is the family home or a daycare setting and not a
clinical setting.
You and your family may feel overwhelmed if you have just found out that your
new baby has Down syndrome. In collaboration with the Early Steps Program,
a member of the Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization may visit your home to share information with you about Down syndrome
and the resources of the organization. For more information, please
feel welcome to call 561-912-1231 or email
gcdso@bellsouth.net. Other
families of infants and toddlers participate in our regularly scheduled
Tiny Tots playgroup meetings. We hope you will too!
If you
live in Broward County, please contact the Broward Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization via
their website or by phone 954-577-4122. Again,
congratulations on the birth of your new baby!
|
About Down Syndrome
Down syndrome is one of the most common causes of birth
defects and developmental disabilities. It occurs approximately once in
every 800 to 1000 births.
Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder which usually causes
delays in physical and intellectual development. It is the result of an
infant's cells containing 47 rather than 46 chromosomes.
Individuals with Down syndrome can have special medical
problems. The most common are heart defects, hearing loss, vision
impairment, upper respiratory infections, intestinal and thyroid problems.
Down syndrome is not related to race, nationality, religion
or economic status.
People with Down syndrome carry more traits of their birth
family than the traits of Down syndrome.
While the age of the mother can be a factor, 80% of children
with Down syndrome are born to parents under the age of 35.
Individuals with
Down syndrome benefit from loving homes, early interventions, special
education, appropriate medical care and positive public attitudes.
People with Down syndrome hold jobs, go to school, and make
positive contributions to their communities.
A person who has Down syndrome is not a "Downs kid" nor a
"Down syndrome person." He or she is simply a person who has Down syndrome.
When considering people with Down syndrome the focus should be first on the
person, and second on the disability.
|
|
