We are passionate about ensuring every child with Down syndrome in the UK has access to specialist support, across all areas of development. We know that there is great disparity across the UK between access to and quality of provision provided, so we try our utmost to plug some gaps!
In September 2021 we introduced POPS (PADS Online Physiotherapy Sessions.) These are open to DSUK family members and sessions are led by our wonderful specialist paediatric physiotherapist Donna Murphy of Carn Physiotherapy.
In addition to delivering POPS, Donna is also on hand in our closed online groups for general advice and has worked with us to develop a range of resources to enlighten and educate parents, and possibly some professionals too!
The building blocks to achieving great physical
development for infants with Down syndrome
Encouraging and supporting a child’s physical development is like building a house. We recommend you follow these stages to ensure solid foundations are created on which to build. We know that houses are built to a high standard if the proper guidance is followed, and people are patient. There may be delays and things may not go as planned but hard work and dedication always pay off eventually. There are often temptations to cut corners, to perhaps bypass 4-point crawling and go straight to walking but we do recommend following each of the developmental stages. When your little one is up and running around, the delays and hard work will be forgotten, and you can enjoy the rewards of a well-built project! Babies and infants with Down syndrome will develop physically at different ages, so ages are provided as a guide only.
Stage 1: Foundation
Age Guide
Birth to 6 months
- No head control in any position
- No chin tuck when pulled to sit.
- Tummy time is not well tolerated.
- Resting posture on back will be knees apart with soles of feet turned inwards.
- Movements will be jerky with arms more active than legs.
Stage 2: Building Blocks
Age Guide
6-12 months
- Lifts head 1-2 seconds in tummy time.
- Able to prop briefly on forearms in prone.
- Lifts head and attempts to look both directions on their tummy.
- Rolls from their side to their back.
- May show early reflexive rolls from tummy to back.
- Bring hands together from sides into midline over chest or chin.
- Able to pick up a toy and pass to other hand.
- Able to pull to sit with minimal head lag.
- Able to hold head steady when supported in sitting.
Stage 3: First Fix Stage
Age Guide
12-18 months
- Able to raise head from pillow when lying on back to reach for feet.
- Able to prop with extended arms and hands flat in prone.
- Able to pivot around on floor to reach for toys.
- Able to roll from tummy to back and sometimes from back to tummy.
- May be starting to push backwards or commando crawl.
- May be able to sit unsupported for short periods.
- Able to play with a toy with both hands.
Stage 4: Second Fix Stage
Age Guide
18-24 months
- Able to play in tall kneeling position.
- Able to attempt 4 point crawling.
- Able to pull to stand.
- Able to squat down to floor if holding on to support.
- Cruising furniture.
Stage 5: Turn Key Finish
Age Guide
24-48 months
- Independent steps with appropriate support.
- Leads to being independently mobile with good gross motor skills.
Fine Tuning
Age Guide
Any age
- Working on balance and co-ordination.
- Ball skills - Throwing/catching/kicking.
- Jumping/steps/stairs
- Any renovations or additions can be looked at in later years!
Other resources
We are great advocates of encouraging tummy time from the delivery suite and in time the importance of crawling and have created these resources to explain why.