We just don’t know, at an early age, in exactly which ways Down syndrome may affect a child. She may be really good at cognitive activities, but have significant delays in movement … thereby falling behind her peers in playground and paper-and-pencil activities. He may be fairly good at gross motor, excelling in sports. Ocular control may be an area of need, or may be perfect. Language may be good, or may need lots of work. However, one thing we know for certain … babies don’t deal with these things no matter what their chromosomes look like. They lie down and expect to be carried, cuddled, talked to, fed, and generally catered to. They learn they are lovable, cute and the center of the universe. They begin to know who their family members are, and who is the soft touch in the house in the middle of the night.
If these adorable creates have Down syndrome they are at risk for certain physical and cognitive delays. It behooves parents to keep an eye open for problems that could arise. It’s important that they know something about their child’s diagnosis so that they can be alert and helpful. But my belief is that the most important things that parents of babies with Down syndrome can do are exactly those things that all parents do. You know: they cuddle, feed, sing and love. Not the kind of things you need a Developmental Therapist for … or any other therapist, for that matter.
I want to be clear. Young children with Down syndrome often show delays that need to be remedied so that these kids can be happy with themselves and do their very best. Very young babies with Down syndrome should be evaluated if their parents or doctors have specific concerns about early development. And doubtless, parents will find themselves driving this child about for ear infections, speech therapy, developmental evaluations, etc. But the main advice I have for parents of new babies with Down syndrome boils down to this:
You have a beautiful new baby.
There will be some areas that need work, but what you have
right now is precious and perfectly right.
