3 year old daughter with DOWN SYNDROME - how WILL she be?

Question

My 3 year old daughter Lily has down syndrome. She is brilliant. She knows anything from figuring out any toy or puzzle to changing the batteries in her electrical toys! (though we don't let her) but she knows how!

She can figure anything out.

She is also a delight. The sweetest little girl around. Smiling and laughing and happy all the time!

BUT she does not speak yet and hardly signs any words. She also is very close but still is not walking on her own. She only takes a few steps here and there.

What I'd like to know is if you have been in a similar situation. Did you have a toddler with d.s. who was stubborn to learn new things and was slow learning many basic things but is now older and knows how to walk and talk, etc?

Is this a phase? Is there hope for me? I'm becoming very upset and worried.

Thank you.

Answer 1

My children attend karate school, and one of the owners of the school has a brother with Down's Syndrome. He is 39 years old, and just got his third degree black belt! He is one of the most loved people at the karate school.....every time we go in there, he makes the rounds hugging everyone and having a chat with them. His sister tells me that when he was younger, he could barely walk across a room on his own. Now he can do spins and teddy-bear kicks! As others have said, DS children are capable of learning almost anything anyone else does, but it takes them somewhat longer. Your little girl will surprise you with her abilities as time goes on.....enjoy her every day!

Answer 2

You've already gotten some good answers of advice. Mine is one of encouragement. My little boy also has DS. He was 3 in May. He began walking at 21 months, just under 2 years. Speech, well he still isn't talking but I know it will come. He's getting the best ST. I have read many examples where children were over 2 years old before they started walking. So chin up and have faith.

Answer 3

I, personally, haven't been in your situation, however I did some research for you and found this link. http://children.webmd.com/tc/Down-Syndrome-Home-Treatment

Apparantly, you're not the only one going through this. The developmental milestones that your daughter is behind in, means that she's actually on track for herself. I'm sure you've heard the people saying that each child is an individual and progress on their own time. It's especially true for your daughter. For any 3 year old, she is extremely smart in what she does know, and right on track with everything else.

My only suggestion to you is to find a Down Syndrome Support Group and meet with the other moms. Support Groups might not sound that great to you, but it would put your mind at ease about all your worries.

Good luck!

Answer 4

D.S. children develop slower than "normal" children. She will walk and talk in her own time. I am just delighted to hear that she is so good at figuring out things at 3 years old. Just keep up the good work, and if there are no physical problems that can account for her walking and talking, rest assured that she will do it in her own time. Good luck.

Answer 5

she will be amazing.

she may never be able to do some things, but as you already know she will be very adept at others.

continue to teach/train her. emphasize those areas that she is weak in and continue to encourage her in areas of her strengths.

if she does not walk soon, please see a PT for a consultant. it could be a motor planning issue, and if so they can help her to learn how to move her muscles.
it could be a muscle strength/tendon-ligament issues, and if so they can teach her/you exercises that will help her make progress.

please see a speech therapist as soon as you can. there are a huge variety of ways they can encourage her to verbalize as well as use signs and pictures, all together to foster a rich communication environment. the earlier you can get formal assistance w/speech/communication the better. it seems to have alot to do w/how the neural pathways in the brain form(or don't form if you wait too long). At age 3 she is prime for therapy!

i do not have children w/ds but do have a brother w/MR and children w/motor planning issues and speech issues, and i have worked in the field of developmental disabilities for most of my life.
One thing that was the hardest to do w/my youngest son was to not give into him when i knew what he wanted, i knew he could say or sign it and he just wouldn't do so. It just about broke both mine and my spouse's hearts, but we perservered and now, after about a year of speech therapy, he talks up a storm, still difficult to understand due to pronunciation errors, but SO much better.