Down Syndrome

What is Down Syndrome?

Down Syndrome is the most frequently diagnosed chromosomal condition in the United States. It is a genetic condition in which an extra chromosome is present, also known as Trisomy 21. Down Syndrome causes lifelong intellectual disabilities and developmental delays, but children with Down Syndrome can have positive outcomes with the proper therapies and care. Individuals with Down Syndrome can present with low muscle tone which results in weakened muscles, as well as other developmental challenges. We at Hogg Therapy are here to help! Early intervention is integral in helping your child achieve their highest potential.

Risk Factors
- Advanced maternal age increases the risk of having a child with Down Syndrome. Most women over the age of 35 have entirely healthy babies, but the risk of Trisomy 21 is heightened.
- You can also be a carrier of the genetic translocation for Down Syndrome. Both men and women can be carriers and pass the gene on.
At this time, no concrete environmental or lifestyle factors have been identified as increasing the risk of a diagnosis.
Characteristics of Down Syndrome

Specific physical and cognitive identifiers are commonplace among children with Down Syndrome. Many diagnosed children experience low muscle tone, protruding tongue, smaller hands and feet, and a shorter neck. Down Syndrome also causes mild-to-moderate cognitive differences. Every child is different and has individual needs and abilities, but a short attention span, poor judgment and impulse control, and delayed language development are often seen in individuals with Down Syndrome.
Down Syndrome Treatment

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan for Down Syndrome, but early intervention is key to helping your child have the best possible outcomes. Your child will benefit the most from a team of professionals offering a variety of therapies and supports.

Physical therapy is often helpful to combat the effects of decreased muscle tone. Physical abilities, such as rolling over and sitting up, lay the foundation for many skills necessary to explore the world. While your child may arrive at certain physical milestones later than some of their peers, rest assured they will be met in time with the proper support in place.

Speech and language therapy is another widely used treatment for Down Syndrome. This therapy helps children improve their communication skills and use language more effectively. Many children with Down Syndrome can understand language before they are able to speak clearly. A speech therapist can help your child to use alternate means of communication, such as sign language and pictures. This will not only increase your child’s independence but will also decrease frustration due to not feeling heard or understood.

Everyday tasks can often be more difficult for children with Down Syndrome. An occupational therapist can provide modifications to make activities such as eating, getting dressed, and using the toilet more manageable. As your child grows older, occupational therapy can provide support to help them succeed in school by offering tools such as modified pencil grips and ergonomic keyboards.
Coping with a Diagnosis

Parenting is one of the most challenging jobs regardless of your child’s abilities. You may worry about not providing the kind of care and support a child with Down Syndrome needs. We want you to know that it’s okay to have a range of emotions about your child’s diagnosis. The best way to cope with fear and anxiety is through information, education, and support. In addition to the services provided at Hogg Therapy, we encourage you to socialize with other parents of children with Down Syndrome and seek out ways to support your child’s independence.

Telling some tall tales about catching big fish during speech with Mrs. Taylor 🤣🐷 They’ve been working on that tricky /sh/ sound together! 🐠 For some kids, “fish” can sound more like “fiss.” Why? Because /S/ is an easier, more familiar sound, while /SH/ requires the tongue to move farther back and the lips to round just a bit differently. So today, we’re talking ALL about fish while practicing that tricky /SH/ sound. 🐟🎣 #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #hoggtherapypediatrics

This friend loves to start her sessions with OT Mrs. Alyssa with some swinging time! Swinging is great for vestibular input, and it can be a great way to relax before moving on to work on other goals 💕✨🐷#occupationaltherapy #occupationaltherapist #hoggtherapypediatrics

Taking a little break during a great PT session with Mrs. Brittany to make us giggle with some puppet show antics! 🤣🐸👑 #physicaltherapy #physicaltherapist #hoggtherapypediatrics #playlearnachieve

Smiling our way through speech therapy with Mrs. Kelli! 😄🐷 #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #playlearnachieve #hoggtherapypediatrics

🐷 Come grow with us! At Hogg Therapy, we believe great pediatric therapy starts with great relationships — with our kiddos, their families, and each other. 💕 We're growing our team in Richmond & Lexington, and we're looking for pediatric OTs, PTs, and SLPs who want to do meaningful work alongside a supportive team. ✨ Flexible scheduling�✨ Competitive pay�✨ Great benefits If you're looking for a place where you can grow professionally while making a difference in the lives of kids and families, we'd love to meet you! 📝 Learn more & apply: HoggTherapy.com/Careers. Know someone who'd be a great fit? Tag them below! 👇

OT Mrs. Maddy is using the marble run game to help this friend work on some executive functioning, following directions, and turn-taking! 🔁 No marble run tower-build is complete without wrecking it afterwards, right?! 😝🐷 (Also, if you can’t tell from the video, he is wearing the coolest Buc-ee’s shirt!) 🦫 #occupationaltherapy #hoggtherapypediatrics #hoggtherapy #bucees

This month on the Hogg Blog: ST Mrs. Taylor has written a post all about customizing AAC devices! 📝🐷 For many families, an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device becomes much more than a piece of technology — it becomes a child's voice.💬 Giving children opportunities to personalize their device can help build confidence, encourage independence, and make communication even more meaningful. This post also includes links to an awesome free video resource for families called AAC at Home — a series of short videos that will set you and your family up for success!🏡🙌 Check out the post on our blog — link in profile or in our linktree! 🔗 #hoggtherapypediatrics #speechtherapy

Special announcement: Fall merch is here, and the store is open to HTP Families, with youth sizes available, too! 🍁👚 We’ve also included a special Dolly Parton-inspired design.🦋💖 Store closes on September 15th! Link to the shop is in our bio. Enjoy! 🎉🐷 #hoggtherapypediatrics

A beltcane is helping this friend to explore walking and build the confidence to walk independently✨PT Mrs. Brittany is there to guide him every step of the way! 💕 Sometimes, the first step toward independence is simply getting the opportunity to experience it. That’s where cool tools like this beltcane can come in handy! 💪🐷 #physicaltherapy #physicaltherapist #hoggtherapypediatrics