Down syndrome is not a disease but a genetic difference. Knowing the differences is just enough. Integrating them into the society is our duty!
EMU Health Sciences Faculty, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department Academic Staff Member and Pediatric Rehabilitation Unit Chief Prof. Dr. Handan TÜZÜN released a message on the occasion of 21 March World Down Syndrome Day. Prof. Dr. Tüzün’s statement reads as follows:
“Down syndrome (DS) is a chromosomal disorder that affects the motor and mental development of individuals due to the addition of an extra chromosome to chromosome 21. Contrary to the common belief, it is not a disease but a genetic difference and a chromosome anomaly. While the number of chromosomes found in an ordinary human body is 46, this number is 47 in individuals with Down Syndrome because it has three 21st chromosomes.
The typical facial feature can also be seen in some people with a normal chromosome number. However, in the down syndrome, in addition to a pair of lines in the palm of the hand, there is a single deep line in the palm. Also, they have epicantial almond-shaped eyes caused by folding, palebral cleft, low muscle tone, a larger gap between the big toe and the second toe, and long tongue morphology. Individuals with Down's syndrome generally have a shorter stature than their peers and may experience weight problems at later ages due to the slow functioning of their metabolism if they do not acquire proper eating habits.
Individuals with Down syndrome may experience difficulties in daily activities due to differences in body composition, inadequate muscular force and endurance, hypotonia and associated joint laxities resulting in decreased motor skills and reductions in cardiorespiratory compliance. Activity limitation of individuals with good motor skills is seen less and their participation in social life is more successful.
People with Down's syndrome should be included in the treatment plan from the moment they are born. These treatment plans include physiotherapy, special education support, speech therapy, nutritional support and informing parents about down syndrome.
In addition, options such as language therapy, alternative therapies and play groups should be thoroughly evaluated by families and the right sources should be contacted and decided upon, accordingly.
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation program covers treatment options supporting motor development and motor learning, improving position and movement, gaining balance and other automatic postural reactions, providing body control, improving joint stabilization, improving coordination, reducing hypersensitivity, sensory training, sensory integration, development of cognitive functions and cardio-pulmonary functions. All of the aforesaid treatment options contribute to the improvement of the independence in daily life activities and provide a solution to the barriers encountered in social participation. Children with Down syndrome can plan their days autonomously, put their plans into action, go to work, go shopping with their friends and spend the money they earned. In this way, people with down syndrome live a longer and quality life.
EMU Faculty of Health Sciences Academic Staff Member Prof. Dr. Handan Tüzün’s statement continues as follows: “The Pediatric Rehabilitation Unit of our Faculty, which is the first of its kind in the TRNC, is a center that closely monitors the latest developments in the world and serves as a reference center offering the delivery of health services and training. Operating under our Faculty’s Center for Healthy Life, the Pediatric Rehabilitation Unit offers special rehabilitation services for our children and young people.”
Prof. Dr. Tüzün put forth that the Center aims to reduce the existing shortcomings with the applied treatment approaches, to increase the physical skills, to support the psychosocial aspects and to maximize the patients’ independence in daily life activities.
Prof. Dr. Tüzün went on to state that in scope of the physiotherapy program, the needs of the child are determined and modern treatment methods are applied by physiotherapists who have expertise in pediatrics.
Professor Dr. Tüzün finalised her statement by indicating that a multidisciplinary understanding is adopted with a child and family centered approach and in line with this, the Center provides training and consultancy services at certain intervals throughout the year.
