Down syndrome is a collection of symptoms that diantarannya have conditions of physical and mental development retardation in children caused by the development of chromosomal abnormalities, usually occurs abnormality on chromosome 21. This condition can happen to both men and women. Children with Down syndrome are typically less able to coordinate between gross and fine motor. Eg difficulty combing the hair or buttoning clothes themselves. In addition, children are also difficult to coordinate between cognitive and language abilities, such as understanding the benefits of an object. According Selikowitz (2001), children with Down syndrome and normal children basically have the same goal in the development of the task of achieving independence. However, the development of children with Down syndrome slower than in normal children. So we need a therapy to increase the child's independence. In this regard, the role of the parents is needed.
The clinical presentation of patients with Down syndrome various kinds, but the following is a physical appearance that we can see that the eyes are narrow and leads toward the top, short hand, has only one crease in the palm of the hand (simian crease), low-set ears, short stature , and a protruding tongue. To the level of mental retardation can vary depending on each child's weight and the absence of Down syndrome in children proficiency level.
Here are the types of therapy in children with Down syndrome:
- Physical Therapy (Physio Therapy) is required for a child with Down syndrome have weak muscles of the body, this therapy is given so that the child can walk in the right way.
- Speech Therapy
- Occupational therapy, this therapy is given to train the child in terms of independence, cognitive / understanding, sensory and motor abilities.
- Remedial therapy, the therapy is given to children who have disorders of academic ability and that this therapy is used as reference materials of the normal school lessons.
- Sensory Integration Therapy
- Behavior Therapy (Behaviour Therapy)
- Acupuncture therapy
- Music Therapy
In addition to the above treatment, the moral support of the family is very important, because the environment will stimulate children to learn when the environment was supporting him to learn.
