Down Syndrome

Down Syndrome and Physiotherapy

Down Syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21, is a genetic condition caused by an additional copy of chromosome 21. This extra genetic material affects development and means that children with Down Syndrome may develop differently from their peers.

Every child with Down Syndrome is unique, with their own strengths, abilities and challenges. Some children may experience differences in movement, communication, vision or hearing, while others may have additional health needs.

At Positive Steps, we provide personalised physiotherapy to help children with Down Syndrome develop their physical skills, build strength and confidence, and participate in everyday activities.

How Does Down Syndrome Affect Movement?

Children with Down Syndrome commonly have low muscle tone (hypotonia), ligament laxity and differences in postural control. These can affect how they develop movement skills and may contribute to delays in milestones such as rolling, sitting, crawling, standing and walking.

Other factors, including balance, coordination, slower reactions and differences in sensory processing, can also affect movement and physical development.

Some children may experience:

• Low muscle tone and reduced strength

• Reduced balance and coordination

• Delayed motor milestones

• Difficulties with posture and postural control

• Reduced mobility or functional ability

• Differences in walking patterns

• Difficulties with motor planning or sensory processing

• Fatigue during physical activities

Every child is different, and physiotherapy should be tailored to their individual abilities and goals.

How Can Physiotherapy Help Children With Down Syndrome?

Physiotherapy can support children with Down Syndrome to develop movement skills, build strength, improve balance and become more confident in their physical abilities.

At Positive Steps, we focus on helping children achieve meaningful functional skills through fun, motivating and play-based physiotherapy.

Building Strength and Muscle Tone

We use age-appropriate exercises and activities to build strength and encourage children to use their muscles effectively. This may include activities such as climbing, pushing, pulling, squatting, reaching and playing.

Developing Motor Skills

Physiotherapy can help children practise the movement skills needed for everyday life, including rolling, sitting and crawling, then progressing to standing, walking and getting up and down from the floor. Once those skills are achieved physiotherapy would then work on

We work at the child's level and build skills progressively.

Balance and Coordination

Balance is often an important area of physiotherapy for children with Down Syndrome. We use fun activities to challenge balance, coordination and reactions in a safe and supportive environment.

Posture and Alignment

We can help children develop improved postural control and movement strategies, supporting alignment during sitting, standing and movement.

Walking and Gait Training

For children learning to walk or developing their walking skills, physiotherapy can help with balance, strength, coordination and walking efficiency.

Where appropriate, this may include treadmill or gait training and advice around footwear, orthotics or other equipment.

Sensory and Perceptual-Motor Skills

Some children benefit from activities that develop their ability to process sensory information and understand where their body is in relation to their environment.

We incorporate these skills naturally into purposeful movement and play.

Physical Activity and Fitness

Encouraging regular physical activity is important for children with Down Syndrome. We help families find enjoyable ways to build strength, fitness, coordination and confidence through movement.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy can provide a supportive environment for children to move, exercise and develop strength while reducing the impact on their joints.

The warm water can also help children relax and make movement more enjoyable.

What Does Physiotherapy Look Like at Positive Steps?

Play is a huge part of physiotherapy at Positive Steps.

We use purposeful games, movement activities and challenges that motivate children while working towards their individual goals.

Our aim is to make therapy fun, meaningful and relevant, rather than simply completing exercises.

Working With Your Wider Team

Children with Down Syndrome may benefit from support from a wider multidisciplinary team, which can include paediatricians, nurses, audiologists, ophthalmologists, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and physiotherapists.

At Positive Steps, we value working alongside families and other professionals to make sure physiotherapy supports the child's wider development and individual needs.

How Positive Steps Can Help

There is no single way that Down Syndrome affects movement, so there is no single physiotherapy programme.

We take the time to understand what your child can do, what they are working towards and what is important to them and your family.

Our goal is to help children with Down Syndrome build strength, develop movement skills, improve confidence and participate as fully as possible in everyday life.

We believe in finding new ways to help every child succeed to their fullest potential.

If you would like to find out how physiotherapy could support your child with Down Syndrome, get in touch with the Positive Steps team to arrange an assessment.