Raising A Child With Down Syndrome

Build A Support System

Whenever a significant medical condition comes into the picture, regardless of who has it, support systems are invaluable for both the patient as well as their family. This can include medical professionals, of course, but getting in touch with other parents of children with Down syndrome can be incredibly helpful in terms of sharing experiences, but also in the sense these parents can have as close of an understanding to this situation as possible. It may not be exact, of course, given every child with Down syndrome is different, but it is as close as it gets. In addition to building a support system for yourself as a parent, many places also offer support for your child both in their developmental years as well as later on in life. Ask your doctor for information and do some research to find out what your city and area offer!

Get the details about the power of a daily schedule next.

Create A Daily Routine

Children with Down syndrome, like the majority of other kids, do exceptionally well with routines. Look at your life and determine the normal activities. For mornings, try something like getting up first, going to eat breakfast, brushing teeth, and then getting dressed. Many parents of children with Down syndrome find creating a board with the schedule and sharing it with their child quite helpful, especially when they include pictures. When the activities are changing, clear and simple instructions are key. Children with Down syndrome benefit from one instruction at a time, such as ‘wash your hands’ instead of ‘it’s time for dinner: clear the table, set the table, and wash your hands please.' Have them repeat instructions back to you, so you know they understand what they need to do.

Children with Down syndrome can benefit greatly from responsibility as well as control, so try giving them a weekly chore to complete for teaching responsibility, and something like picking out their clothes for the day for a bit of control and independence. These can be done in small chunks based on your child. Remember, it’s all about what works for your family! When it comes to school, you can offer help when necessary. Be sure to use positive language when your child makes mistakes, such as ‘why don’t we try that again?’ The focus should be on their needs rather than Down syndrome.

Raising a child with Down syndrome does take a lot of work. Get the best advice for handling this next.