Every child is a blessing both to the society they find themselves and also to the immediate family they are born into and this includes a child living with down syndrome. Just like every other child, they feel pain, love, cry, smile, sleep and play. And like every other child, they are not without tantrums though this can be weightier yet, this does not neglect the fact that they are just like every other child with a beam of hope to want to communicate, learn and play. Down syndrome is not curable but can be managed and such children can reach their best potentials when they are engaged in the different types of therapies needed e.g behavior therapies, physiotherapy etc.
Love is the greatest therapy. Your child should receive all the tender love and care they can get. Sadly, some parents’ body shame their child with down syndrome. Another sad thing is not to reproof anyone who openly mimics them. They need every positive support they can get. A Down syndrome child needs to see an open affection and see people speak up for them. They need all the love and support the world-parents, family, friends, and community can offer. This should not be given out of being pitied, but because they too are human and they matter.
Children with Down syndrome take a longer time to crawl, walk and talk. This is why they need physiotherapy to help the child gain the muscle tone needed for crawling and walking. When a parent is told about the health state of their child, the parent should at best prepare for this with the help of their doctors and a therapist.
Engaging in behavior therapy and special education is another tip to helping the child. The truth is, there is no shame in having a child with Down syndrome. Parents need to give such children every support needed to thrive. Behavior therapy and special education should be given in a conducive environment where the child is helped to gain a lot of self-esteem. This will psychologically help such child for social integration and in their behavioral modification.