Down Syndrome - Is Early Intervention Critical for My Down Syndrome Baby?

You've brought your Down syndrome baby home, and now you want to get the best treatment for him or her as possible. But what can be a done to help an infant with Down syndrome?

You might be thinking, if there are no medical treatments, such as medications or surgeries, is there really anything I can do to help my Down syndrome baby, particularly when they are so young? You might be surprised, then, to learn that there are treatments and therapies, usually grouped under the heading of "early intervention," that can start helping and preparing your Down syndrome loved one for the skills they will need later in life - and that these therapies can start as early as birth.

U.S. Federal law mandates that all babies with qualifying disabilities (of which Down syndrome is one) receive early intervention services between the ages of 0 and 3. These services are usually at low or no cost to you.

Physical Therapy Can Help

How can you do physical therapy on a baby, you ask? Well, you'd be surprised. There are very specific goals and milestones that a baby is supposed to reach at different times in their life. A Down syndrome baby will most likely be delayed in most of these areas, but with help, they can be given support to be able to achieve them - maybe not at the same time as their peers, but in their own time.

Your Down Syndrome Baby Will Likely Have Low Muscle Tone

Physical therapy is about motor development. One of the very first things that it is important for a baby to be able to do is to be able to control their head, and pull into a sitting position (with some help). Most babies achieve this at three to four months. However, Down syndrome babies have low muscle tone, so this is a more difficult task for them. A physical therapist can assist in helping a Down syndrome baby to learn how to do this. Physical therapists can also help Down syndrome babies with gross and fine motor skills involved in crawling, rolling over, reaching for toys, and so on.

Start Speech Therapy Early

It may seem odd to do speech therapy on a baby who, even in the best of circumstances, probably won't talk for another two or three years. (Down syndrome babies typically have delayed speech.) But in fact, there are many skills a baby needs to have before they are able to talk. A good speech therapist knows what they are, and will work with your Down syndrome baby on them to try to prepare them to get ready for actual speech.

A speech therapist will know how to develop specific skills which will help your Down syndrome baby. These include...

• The ability to imitate and echo sounds


• Learning to take turns by playing games such as a peek-a-boo


• Learning how to sustain attention by listening to others and looking at others


• Learning how to use their tongue and move their lips

Did you know that breastfeeding can help your Down syndrome baby's speech?

For mothers who are able to breastfeed, breastfeeding helps a Down syndrome baby prepare for speech as well. The act of breastfeeding forces a baby to use the same movements and part of their body as is used for speech, so it can help strengthen the jaw and facial muscles, which are often weak. This helps when it comes time to use the mouth to actually talk.

Getting a Referral for an Early Intervention Program

Your doctor should be able to give you a referral to your local early intervention program. It is important to give your Down syndrome baby as much help and skills as they can get early in life, so please do take advantage of this program. When your baby turns 3, then special education laws take effect. A lot happens in your Down syndrome baby's life in the first three years. Try to enjoy the unique person they are as much as possible.

Don't Delay in Starting an Early Intervention Program

It is important to learn as much as possible about your Down syndrome baby's needs and to start early intervention programs early in your loved one's life. Early intervention is critical in ensuring that your Down syndrome child overcomes early handicaps and reaches his or her full potential.