After a Down syndrome diagnosis, parents often hear that they need to start early intervention. But what does that actually mean? Do you need to find a physiotherapist immediately? How often should your child have therapy? What happens if these services aren't easily available where you live?
Early intervention means supporting a child's development from an early age. For a child with Down syndrome, this might mean helping them learn to sit, crawl, and walk; communicate; feed themselves; play; and gradually become more independent.
The first five years are important because children are learning so much during this period. The aim is not to rush a child through milestones or to simply make them catch up with other children. It is to understand where they are now and help them build the skills they need.
Start With Your Child
It is easy to become caught up in milestone charts, particularly when other children of a similar age appear to be doing things your child is not yet doing. Children with Down syndrome develop differently from one another. One child may make good progress with walking but take longer to speak. Another may communicate confidently but walk later.
Rather than focusing only on what your child should be doing at a particular age, look at what they can do now and what might come next. If your baby can sit with support, work towards sitting for short periods without it. If they are reaching for food, let them try holding a spoon. If they point towards something they want, respond and give them the word: "Maji? Unataka maji?’’
That is early intervention too.
What Kind of Support Might My Child Need?
Some children with Down syndrome will benefit from different therapies as they grow.
A good therapist should not only work with your child but also show you practical things you can continue doing at home.
What If Therapy Is Difficult to Access?
For many families in Kenya, this is a real concern. Therapists are not available everywhere. Families may need to travel considerable distances, and regular appointments can be expensive.
If you can only see a therapist occasionally, ask them to show you a few specific activities to practise at home. Find out what you should be looking for and when your child should be assessed again. You can also search YouTube for activities to do at home with your child.
You also do not need specialist equipment for every activity. A ball can help with reaching, coordination and turn-taking. Stacking plastic cups works on hand control. Songs with actions encourage listening and imitation. Looking at books together develops attention and language.
Everyday routines provide opportunities too. Encourage your child to hold their cup, pull off their socks, bring their shoes or help wash their hands. These may seem like small things, but they are the beginnings of independence.
Give Them Time
When a child takes longer to do something, it is natural to want to help.
Before stepping in, wait. See whether they can work it out. If they are struggling, help with part of the task rather than doing everything for them right away. A spoon held awkwardly but used independently is still an achievement. So is a child helping to pull on a T-shirt, even if they cannot yet manage it alone.
Don't Forget to Play
Children learn through play, and children with Down syndrome are no different. Roll a ball to each other. Build a tower and knock it down. Sing songs and copy the actions. Look at a picture book and ask your child to point to familiar objects. Follow their interests too. If your child loves music, use music. If they love cars, use cars to introduce words, colours, counting and turn-taking.
You do not need to turn every game into a therapy session. Children also need time to play simply because it is fun.
Notice the Small Changes
Development can feel slow when you are watching it every day. Then one day you realise your child is standing with less support, pointing instead of crying for something, following a simple instruction or trying to feed themselves.
Early intervention is not a race, and its success should not be measured by how quickly your child reaches the same milestones as another child. It is about helping your child communicate, move, participate in family life and become more independent over time.
Professional support can be valuable, but so much learning also happens at home: through play, conversation, mealtimes, getting dressed, songs, books, and being included in what the family is doing.
Where to Find Support
The Down Syndrome Society of Kenya (DSSK) provides information, guidance and opportunities for parents and caregivers to connect with other families.
Telephone: 0712 321321 / 0714 321321
Email: nationalcoordinator@dssk.or.ke
Next month in this series: Learning Starts Long Before School: Building Early Literacy and Numeracy Skills, looking at practical ways to introduce books, language, numbers and early learning at home.