Babies and young children

All babies and young children bring their joys and concerns. Having a baby with Down syndrome sometimes brings extra things to think about. Will they feed well? Are they healthy? When will they sit up, walk and talk? You probably already know that your child will take a bit longer to reach their developmental milestones. They will get there at their own pace. 

Development

Your child will develop through enjoyable opportunities for interacting, moving and playing in their first years of life. As they get older they will continue to progress in all areas, helped by early intervention, by having their hearing and any other health needs met and, later, by being educated at school.

Children with Down syndrome develop at different rates and in different ways – they have individual strengths, interests, talents and needs. They are helped by being socially included in their families, schools and communities. They are helped to learn new skills by being shown how to do them and by having enjoyable ways to practice. Like all children, they benefit from high expectations and support at home and at school.

Intervention

You may have heard people mention that 'early intervention' can help the development of children with Down syndrome. This can include speech and physiotherapy as well as home teaching programmes. There is now plenty of information that professionals and families can use to support children with Down syndrome to make the most of their strengths, address areas of difficulty, and develop the skills they need to get the most out of life. Every child with Down syndrome is different. Remember to try to have fun with your child and enjoy them, they grow up fast!

The intervention that your child receives will depend on their needs and local availability. Ask your doctor, local health professional or local support network what is available in your area. If you cannot find any local services, please contact DSi and we will try to put you in contact with people in your country who may be able to help.