Early developmental intervention for children with down syndrome

ABSTRACT

To assess the effect of early developmental stimulation program and family involvement in rehabilitation of children with Down syndrome. Forty children with Down syndrome with mean age +/- 2.4 months were divided randomly into 2 groups. Group [I] used as a control group received physical therapy alone and group [II] received physical therapy together with an assessment based infant stimulation program. A developmental assessment was done to each child before, after 6 and 12 months of therapy. In the 6 main areas of development, a developmental quotient [DQ] was calculated to each child on each of the 6 profile scales. The main initial DQ for both groups were compared to the main DQ calculated on retests done at 6 and 12 months. Patients in both groups were comparable regarding age, sex, DQ, and all assessed variables. There were no significant difference in DQ at 0 and 6 months of therapy in group [I], but after 12 months there was a significant difference in all areas of development except language development. While in group [II] there were a significant improvement after 6 and 12 months except for language area but the improvement after 12 months was more significant. Analysis of data in both groups after 1 2 months of therapy showed a higher statistical significant difference in main DQ between both groups after 12 months of therapy in"al1 areas of development except in language development. Early infant stimulation program and early family involvement in rehabilitation of children with DS helps the child in earlier attainment of many developmental tasks and enhances functioning of the family unit