How to deal with your child with Down syndrome

Down syndrome is one of the most important and widespread contemporary topics, and due to the recent spread of this phenomenon, many people have begun to search for what might help them deal with themselves who suffer from this syndrome, which appears especially in children, which has made many parents consult about what might help them in a way in which they can deal with their children who suffer from Down syndrome.

In this article, we will discuss Down syndrome in children, what are the symptoms and causes that lead to its appearance, and how to deal with your child with Down syndrome.

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What are the symptoms of Down syndrome in children?

 Down syndrome is a developmental mental disorder. It is a congenital condition, not a disease that can be transmitted or treated.

Down syndrome results from increased cell activity leading to an increase in copies of chromosomes, specifically chromosome 21.

Usually, a child is born as a result of sharing 23 chromosomes from the father and 23 chromosomes from the mother, but in this case there is an increase in the sorting or copying of the number of chromosomes, completely or partially.

The severity of Down syndrome in children varies from one child to another, as each case is considered individual, and there are no fixed symptoms for this syndrome, but fixed physical features often appear or are present, such as:

• Shorter than their peers of the same age.
• Small hands and feet.
• The appearance of some white spots on the colored iris.
• Mild tension and muscle weakness.
• The face is usually flattened.
• almond shaped eyes
• The tongue tends to stick out of the mouth.
• The hands are usually broad with short fingers and bent forward.
• Short neck length.
• Excessive flexibility.
• In terms of mental activities, children with Down syndrome often have a normal to average cognitive level.
• In addition to weakness or delay in the ability to speak or problems with language in general
• In addition to affecting short-term and long-term memory.

Down syndrome is divided into three genetic differences:

Which constitutes approximately 95% of Down syndrome cases, in which the child has three copies of chromosome 21, instead of the usual two.

This condition occurs during the development of a sperm or egg cell.

In this case, the increase in copying is partial, as copying occurs in some cells only, not all of them, as there is a mixture between normal cells and abnormal cells, and this condition is considered rare.

This condition often arises during fertilization.

In which the position of chromosome 21 is changed or replaced and connected to another chromosome. In this case, the child carries the two usual copies of chromosome 21 in addition to the additional genetic material from the connected chromosome.

This condition occurs before or during pregnancy.

Causes that may cause Down syndrome in children

Down syndrome occurs when there is an abnormal increase in cell division, resulting in an extra copy, either completely or partially, of chromosome 21.

The extra copy is responsible for the child's distinctive personality traits, and it is this copy that often causes Down syndrome.

Although there are no clear causes that may cause Down syndrome, there are some efforts that may increase the rate of its occurrence:

• The child is born to relatively old parents, as the older the mother is or the later the childbearing age, the greater the likelihood that the child will be born with Down syndrome.
• It is often transmitted genetically, as if one of the parents carries this gene, or if someone in the family has suffered from this syndrome, the probability that the child will also be affected increases.
• Often, if mothers have had children with Down syndrome, there is a high chance that other children will be born with Down syndrome.

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How to deal with your child with Down syndrome

Unfortunately, many people consider a child with Down syndrome to be useless and unable to progress in normal life paths, whether academic or professional.

This may only lead to the exaggeration of the problems that the child suffers from, and he may find himself rejected by society, which will cause him a number of psychological problems.

Such as lack of self-confidence and inability to deal and communicate with those around him, which leads to creating a barrier between him and society, and this exposes him to worse complications that may make it necessary for him to remain under observation by specialists.

In order for matters not to get worse to this extent, it is important to be aware of the child’s psychological state and to strive to stabilize it as much as possible, by:

• Awareness of the health and psychological risks and fluctuations experienced by a child with Down syndrome.
• It is important for parents to accept the child as he is without trying to make him feel different from others, or less than them, or causing him something that might embarrass him.
• Taking care of and following up on your child with Down syndrome is one of the most important basics that must be aware of, in terms of following up on his psychological state and what he goes through from time to time.
• In addition to encouraging and urging him to try and deal with others, and supporting and backing him, which in turn leads to enhancing his self-confidence and openness to society.
• Physically, parents must constantly pay attention to their child’s health condition, as a child with Down syndrome often suffers from serious, immediate physical complications. Therefore, it is important to follow up on his condition with a treating physician in the event of any developments.
• It is very important to try to build a healthy relationship with your child with Down syndrome, such as sharing his interests and building a communication language that is free of criticism and full of support and encouragement.
• It is important to be aware that a child with Down syndrome does not necessarily have to be unable to study. On the contrary, many people with Down syndrome have jobs in many fields.

All you have to do is pay attention to the child and know what his hobbies and interests are, and the most important strengths and weaknesses of the child with Down syndrome and how to deal with them.

• Helping the child to learn about the world around him in a healthy way.
• Do not deal with a child with Down syndrome aggressively, even if his behavior is inappropriate. It is important to contain him and expand his awareness, and all of this requires patience.
• In addition to integrating the affected child into the community around him, and not isolating him from others.
• You can also consult a specialist to guide you on how to deal with your child with Down syndrome, analyze his personality type, know the most important points to work on, and build a program suitable for his condition and tendencies.

To know how to deal with your child with Down syndrome, we advise you to seek educational and behavioral advice at Al-Madrasa.com:

• Which qualifies you to know how to deal with the different behaviors of a child with Down syndrome.
• With a group of highly qualified and experienced child psychologists and behavioral modification specialists.
• Building a treatment program and how to deal with the child properly.
• Directing those around him on what they should do.
• Use activities and methods that are appropriate for each child, and also in a way that suits each child.
• You can get these consultations 100% online from your home, without having to go out.

Along with the treating physician, you must also deal with a specialist to know how to deal with your child with Down syndrome.

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How can children with Down syndrome be treated?

There is often no cure for Down syndrome in children, but regular medical care is essential. It is important that children with Down syndrome are followed up by a doctor.

This is due to the medical and health complications that they may suffer from at any moment, including:

• Hearing and vision problems.
• Heart disorders, often serious.
• Problems with movement or the spinal cord, due to muscle weakness and excessive relaxation that may cause problems in the spine.
• Some of them may suffer from sleep apnea.
• They often suffer from immune problems, which makes them more susceptible to diseases, especially immune diseases.
• Some children suffer from problems and abnormalities in the digestive system, and the resulting complications such as gastroesophageal reflux and heartburn.