Early Motor Development in Down Syndrome: Part 2

Presented by Kathy Martin

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Children with Down syndrome have known gross motor delays. A key role of early intervention programs is educating parents on how to foster motor development for their child. Current understanding of how typically developing children acquire new skills will be used to identify strategies to teach parents to optimize motor learning and the practice of new skills for their child with Down syndrome. These concepts will also be related back to the ideal role of a pediatric physical therapist in the early intervention setting.

Meet your instructor

Kathy Martin

Dr. Martin received a BA in Athletic Training from Purdue University in 1987, an MS in Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis in 1990, and a Doctor of Health Science from the University of Indianapolis in 2003. She joined the faculty of the Krannert School of Physical Therapy at the University of Indianapolis in…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Motor Learning Theory and Early Intervention

1. Motor Learning Theory and Early Intervention

This chapter will review several contemporary motor learning theories and apply them to early motor development for infants and toddlers. Current data on motor skill acquisition of typically developing infants and toddlers will be reviewed with an emphasis on its relevance for early intervention for children with Down syndrome.

Best Practices in Early Intervention

2. Best Practices in Early Intervention

This chapter will briefly review the federal law (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) mandating early intervention programs. The focus of early intervention compared to traditional physical therapy will be explored. These concepts will then be applied to best practice in early intervention for children with Down syndrome.

Strategies for Parents to Enhance Motor Development

3. Strategies for Parents to Enhance Motor Development

This chapter will build on the 2 previous chapters and provide examples of how to put the presented ideas into practice. Specific examples will be provided to show how common play activities in the home can be adapted to focus more on dynamic motor skill practice.