Ideas for working with Downs Syndrome baby

[kdownie]

I just started a new job today in a part-time day care type situation.

One of the children in my class is an 11-month old little boy with Downs Syndrome.

He gets therapy (speech, physical) two or three times a week, but I didn't know if there were some little things I could do with him that would help him learn.

He is holding his head up pretty well now (apparently made great improvements in that recently) and can roll over back and forth very well. He can sit in an exersaucer for 15-20 minutes at a time as long as he is propped up with blankets around his midsection.

I've never worked with a Downs baby before, and I am eager to learn whatever I can. He is very sweet and loves to return smiles, so I'd like to be able to know something I can do to help him, whenever possible.

Thanks!

[austinmomto2]

You might want to to PM wendypsaves. She has a child with Down's and would probably be more than happy to help you.

Congrats on your new job!

[kdownie]

You might want to to PM wendypsaves. She has a child with Down's and would probably be more than happy to help you.

Congrats on your new job!

Thanks. I will pm her - I didn't know that.

[wendypsaves]

Howdy! I just answered your pm. Here's what I said, just in case anyone else needs the info/is interested.

1. Does he have therapy at childcare or at home with his parents? The therapists should be giving the parents ideas of things to work on. My daughter sees her occupational therapist, physical therapist, and speech pathologist once a month. (Basically therapy every week, but a different therapist each week.) DD is testing at age level in all areas, so that's why she has such little therapy. (Sorry, had to brag a little!) Anyway, point being, there should be some kind of written paperwork with goals in mind. Ask if you can either see it, or be informed.

2. Kids with Down syndrome generally have low muscle tone and the degree of that low tone can vary widely from kid to kid. A lot of the "delays" in kids with Down syndrome are actually due to tone and may or may not be due to a cognitive disability. A typical baby can just flex their neck muscle and lift their head. A baby with Down syndrome has to first "pull" the muscle together and reach the place that a typical baby naturally starts from.

3. Find out if the parents are doing any kind of Baby Sign Language. If they are, it would be great for you to learn some and use it with him. DD has a developmentally appropriate vocabulary - 3/4 of her words are in sign language. If we didn't give her those tools - she might not be where she is now.

4. Read to him, read to him, read to him, and then read some more. Talk, talk, talk - point things out, name objects - basically the same things you did with your daughter when she was that little.

5. Let him amaze you - because he will.