Down Syndrome, a medical problem caused by extra genetic material, impacts the mental and physical development of a child. Mental retardation, stunted growth, small teeth, atypical fingerprints, short neck and flattened nose are some common symptoms of Down Syndrome in kids.

Unlike his/her normal counterparts, a kid afflicted by down Syndrome usually finds it hard to cope with studies and may need the assistance of teachers and therapists at inclusive schools to move up the learning curve. The three important things that need to be taught to such children are:

To get organized
To stay Focused
To efficiently complete a task assigned to them.

Stimulation and proper encouragement during the earliest stages increase the possibility of child’s development and mental growth. A good learning environment needs to be created and individual attention to every child’s personal problems is essential. Children with Down syndrome often have short attention spans. New lessons must be introduced slowly and sequentially to ensure maximum learning by the child. Care must be taken to minimize the possibility of distractions as such children may easily get disturbed by noise and flashy light.

Hearing difficulties and speech articulation problems may also be faced by kids with down syndrome. Suitable use of sign language is required in such cases. Toys and brain stimulating puzzles are used by many special needs schools to create an interest for the child in leaning. A multi modal approach with real world authentic situations and relevant materials is also required to be followed.

Children with Down Syndrome may develop an inferiority complex due to their peculiar facial and body features. They need to be appreciated and encouraged for healthy social interactions. Teachers at special needs schools need to take care that no child feels isolated or left out.

Patience is the key to deal with children impacted by disorders such as Down Syndrome, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Hearing and Speech disorders. It must be understood that such children are not disabled but ‘differently abled’ .They often have some very creative talents which are not commonly observed in normals children. At UCP of Central Florida, we help special needs children to develop their best abilities and lead better lives.

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