PHYSIOTHERAPY
What is PT?
Some common challenges that can affect the physical development of a child with Down syndrome include:
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Low muscle tone or ‘Hypotonia’.
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Hyper-flexibility, which is an excessive ability to extend the joints (double jointed).
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Reduced strength due to low muscle tone.
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These factors can affect a child’s physical development such as rolling, sitting, crawling, walking and motor skills - often leading to the development of compensatory movement patterns which can cause orthopaedic and functional problems as the child grows older.
Therefore paediatric physiotherapy is advised at the earliest opportunity.
Benefits of PT
Physiotherapy will help your child develop the skills they need, in order to strengthen their muscles, develop movement patterns that will be comfortable for them, and not cause any issues later on, and build up their strength slowly.
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The child, parents and physiotherapist will develop a dynamic relationship, that will help the parent understand some of the issues the child is having, make sure the therapist knows what will be possible in the session and give confidence, strength and comfort in the child.
FEES
As a charity we charge a nominal fee of €25 for most of our services to support running costs, and we subsidise the rest.