Gross Motors Skills in Children with Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals (Topics in Down Syndrome) [Paperback]

Patricia C. Winders (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0933149816 | ISBN-13: 978-0933149816 | Edition: 1

Children with Down syndrome master gross motor skills -- everything from rolling over to running but need additional help and encouragement to maximise development. In this book the author, a physical therapist, shares her experience gained from sixteen years specialising in the motor development of children with Down Syndrome. This book provides parents and professionals with essential information about motor development including the impact of temperament and the effect of physical and medical conditions associated with Down syndrome.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This monograph represents the single-most important and user friendly resource on gross motor skills in children with Down syndrome to date." -- George T. Capone, M.D., Director, Down Syndrome Clinic, Kennedy Krieger Institute

From the Publisher

A REVIEW -

"Children with Down syndrome have enormous potential, but until recently it was not known how to help them fully develop their abilities.

Working to improve the development of a child's gross motor skills is especially satisfying because progress in this area of development is easy to see. Although your child will acquire motor skills more slowly than children who do not have Down syndrome, they will eventually dominate basic abilities, such as sitting, such as dancing, swimming, horseback riding, karate, jogging and mastering various sports. Gross motor skills will frequently turn out to be a strong area for children with Down syndrome. And like all children, they have the ability to improve and develop new motor skills throughout their lives. This book explains how to tend to your child's needs in order to adequately develop those skills.

With this in mind, the author-a physical therapist with more than fifteen years of experience, as well as a specialist in the area of gross motor development in children with Down syndrome-has written this excellent guide for parents and professionals. It includes all the necessary information for stimulating the motor development of your child with Down syndrome from birth until he attends school. The book is divided into two sections. The first part covers from birth until the stage when your child is learning to walk; the second half explores development from this point onward. In addition to the detailed explanation of each skill, every chapter offers numerous practical exercises or activities. An analysis of how a child's temperament (calm or active) can influence the development of specific skills is also provided. The book concludes by offering a long list of milestones or goals that relate to specific skills.

Throughout this work, the author explores how other factors related to Down syndrome-physical characteristics such as short arms; respiratory medical problems; and even temperament-can influence motor development. The materials needed for the activities are common articles that can be found in most households: the sofa, the bed, the floor, pillows, and, of course, lots of toys. The format of the book is clear and logical and includes a lot of good photographs.

The author demonstrates respect for each child's particular style of development by letting him or her invent-to a certain degree and within reasonable limits-his or her own style of moving. This guide is realistic, practical, and more entertaining than other books published on the subject." -English translation of review in Sndrome de Down, Marzo 1998 Fundacin Sndrome de Down of Cantabria

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Product Details

• Paperback: 236 pages
• Publisher: Woodbine House; 1 edition (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0933149816
• ISBN-13: 978-0933149816
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #70,273 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #56 in Books > Medical Books > Allied Health Professions > Audiology & Speech Pathology

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 56 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Specific physical therapy targeting the DS child's needs. January 12, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This book provides step-by-step instructions for guiding the motor development of a child with Down Syndrome. It can be used by physical therapists as a guide to working with DS children or by parents who want to benefit from Ms. Winder's years of experience with DS kids. The techniques described in the book focus on small details specifically tailored to progressively develop appropriate posture and movements. The book guides the practitioner/parent away from practices that may lead to problems at a later date. For example, keeping the child's legs in line, rather than splayed out, will foster joint development in preparation for walking. The book is fully illustrated and easy to follow. My wife and I found the book to be especially helpful. Our infant DS son receives PT through the local school system. While this therapy is valuable, it tends to be somewhat generic. Ms. Winder's book adds the finer points that transform this therapeutic activity into one that specifically targets our son's needs. Developmentally our son is right on target for his age. Whether this is due to luck, prayer or daily PT exercises from the book we don't know. We do believe in giving our son every opportunity to reach his highest potential and believe Ms. Winder's book offers one straight forward approach toward that goal.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Be your DS child's own physical therapist. November 17, 1998

By [e-mail]

Format:Paperback

Step by step how to guide to help you lead your child to the next level and on from there. The book starts with infancy thru/ walking; then post walking. Post walking is where our child is. We are building an obstical course-like toy to help her "walk on uneven surfaces, up and down incline planes and balance beam skills". Other things we are trying that we learned from this book is the importance of riding toy and challenging her to stand on one foot (like when kicking a ball). Good guide to learn a few tricks to help your 2 - 3 year old with Downs.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The "bible" of physical therapy March 14, 2002

By Thomas Paul VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Children with Down syndrome often have low muscle tone (hypotonia) and increased flexibility which can affect overall gross motor development. There are many issues that parents need to be aware of if their child has hypotonia. Even the way you hold your baby can affect his gross motor development. This book shows how to encourage and maximize a child's gross motor development - head control, rolling, sitting, cruising, walking, kicking, jumping - from infancy to age six. Pat Winders has written the "bible" of physical therapy for children with Down syndrome. It contains useful information for parents, therapists, and teachers.