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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Advice on Taking on A Child with Downs Syndrome
lovemy3littles 09:14 AM 11-14-2016
Good morning,
I have a pregnant mom that may be having a child with Downs Syndrome. Not 100% dianosed as of yet, but looking as though the results may indicate it to be positive. I am wondering if anyone has had an infant with Down's and if so, could you share your experience? Additionally, did caring for a child with Downs, decrease the time you had to dedicate toward other children in your care?
I have a pregnant mom that may be having a child with Downs Syndrome. Not 100% dianosed as of yet, but looking as though the results may indicate it to be positive. I am wondering if anyone has had an infant with Down's and if so, could you share your experience? Additionally, did caring for a child with Downs, decrease the time you had to dedicate toward other children in your care?
Blackcat31 10:28 AM 11-14-2016
Originally Posted by lovemy3littles:
Good morning,
I have a pregnant mom that may be having a child with Downs Syndrome. Not 100% dianosed as of yet, but looking as though the results may indicate it to be positive. I am wondering if anyone has had an infant with Down's and if so, could you share your experience? Additionally, did caring for a child with Downs, decrease the time you had to dedicate toward other children in your care?
I have no experience with Downs but here are several other threads about itGood morning,
I have a pregnant mom that may be having a child with Downs Syndrome. Not 100% dianosed as of yet, but looking as though the results may indicate it to be positive. I am wondering if anyone has had an infant with Down's and if so, could you share your experience? Additionally, did caring for a child with Downs, decrease the time you had to dedicate toward other children in your care?
https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.p...=down+syndrome
Indoorvoice 12:18 PM 11-14-2016
Children with Downs sometimes can have other delicate health issues that could make care a little harder, but mostly they are just like other kids only delayed slightly. However every child is different and delays can be mild to severe. I would have to meet the child and know all of the health history before making a decision.
EntropyControlSpecialist 04:28 PM 11-14-2016
Originally Posted by Indoorvoice:
Children with Downs sometimes can have other delicate health issues that could make care a little harder, but mostly they are just like other kids only delayed slightly. However every child is different and delays can be mild to severe. I would have to meet the child and know all of the health history before making a decision.
Same. Children with Downs sometimes can have other delicate health issues that could make care a little harder, but mostly they are just like other kids only delayed slightly. However every child is different and delays can be mild to severe. I would have to meet the child and know all of the health history before making a decision.
I was an in home health care attendant for a sweetie pie with DS and she was wonderful to work with. The parents, however, were a nightmare and had no clue how to treat her like a neurotypical child. When I came in she wasn't walking, was only drinking bottles with thickener in it (which wasn't needed as she hadn't aspirated her drinks since she was an infant), couldn't talk or communicate in any way, etc. and she was nearly 3. When I left she was eating regular food, had begun using sign language to communicate, and was walking.
Loved her.
Kelly 05:21 PM 11-14-2016
My son has DS. When he was an infant he had no health problems and just needed the typical care you would give any infant. He was a little slow drinking his bottle but that was because of his low muscle tone. That was 26 years ago; with the variety of types of bottles and nipples that are available now, I imagine it would be easier to find something that solved that problem.
If you have any other specific questions, I would be happy to answer them.
If you have any other specific questions, I would be happy to answer them.
Mom2Two 09:32 PM 11-14-2016
Children with DS are a delight because they tend to be happy and loving. But they often have delays and can have health problems. If it were me my main concern would be that the parents are on the ball. This may be a huge change in their lives.
I hope all goes well for them.
I hope all goes well for them.
Rachel 11:44 PM 11-14-2016
My son has DS and we have had a few hiccups in the last few months, but there is no reason he couldn't be in a regular daycare. His development has been slow, and he is going through a period of infantile spasms now which is setting him back, but otherwise he's been healthy. I tell people I have a 20 pound newborn 
. Just like regular kids, kids with DS are a wide spectrum. I've cared for (in my daycare) a "regluar" kid who couldn't sit at 15 months, didn't walk under after 2, and hardly understood anything (ie: big global delay) but they didn't know "at birth" so he was just with me as a regular baby until he wasn't (well in his parents' minds he sitll is because they are in denial but you get the point)
. Just like regular kids, kids with DS are a wide spectrum. I've cared for (in my daycare) a "regluar" kid who couldn't sit at 15 months, didn't walk under after 2, and hardly understood anything (ie: big global delay) but they didn't know "at birth" so he was just with me as a regular baby until he wasn't (well in his parents' minds he sitll is because they are in denial but you get the point)
Ariana 01:08 AM 11-15-2016
I have worked with a child with DS and my cousin has DS. like everyone else has said it can depend on the severity of the health issues and delays but in my experience the delays are very manageable. We had OTs come into the centre and help this child but in my opinion they treated him like he was an invalid. He was learning sign language instead of being encouraged to speak and was drinking out of a sippy cup when there was no earthly reason for him to do so at 2.5 yrs. by contrast my cousin lived in a rural area and received very little services and is now an athlete who competes in the Special Games for his province and is very high functioning.
I don't know what it is like to care for an infant with DS but they usually tend to have heart issues requiring surgery right after birth which might be an issue.
I don't know what it is like to care for an infant with DS but they usually tend to have heart issues requiring surgery right after birth which might be an issue.
Crazy8 11:49 AM 11-16-2016
I care for a little guy with DS. He is as pleasant as could be!! He has some delays (speech, motor skills, etc), basically is like a child about a year younger than his actual age. His therapists come here some days which I was a little concerned with doing but they have been great, they are used to working in larger daycares so my little group is no problem for them.
DS children often have lower muscle tone, can be very flexible but also have a delicate spot in their spine/neck so you have to be careful with that. Some can have heart problems but my little one does not.
DS children often have lower muscle tone, can be very flexible but also have a delicate spot in their spine/neck so you have to be careful with that. Some can have heart problems but my little one does not.