Teaching self-help skills to your child will help them become independent: Downs syndrome awareness

It is important for parents and educators of young children to realize that just like numbers, colors, and shapes, self-help skills are also important for the child to gain with advancing age. 

This article is based on the content attached above and is prepared in collaboration with the Down Syndrome Federation of India.

It provides tips to help parents understand the need for early self-help training for their children. It also provides awareness of the average age of acquisition of daily skills in children with Down syndrome, in comparison with neurotypical children. Teaching self-help skills to your child will ensure self-reliance and independence.

Why are self-help skills important?

All children grow and learn at their own pace, so do children with additional needs. They may need more time and patience to learn different skills, but it is important to not neglect the importance of doing certain activities by themselves.

1. Day to day activities cannot be avoided for long and everyone has to face these tasks
2. Children experience a self of self accomplishment on carrying out these tasks independently. This also instills confidence in them
3. Performing activities independently also helps other perceive them in a positive light
4. Self reliance and independence are key factors that the children develop by learning the daily activities.

Some simple yet important daily activities that parents should teach their children are:

1. Being able to eat their own food
2. Putting away their plate after food
3. Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) like brushing teeth, bathing, dressing up
4. Self grooming skills
5. Self care and hygiene skills such as washing hands thoroughly after using the bathroom, changing clothes and undergarments daily

However, it is important to remember that each child will learn these skills according to their potential and forcing them beyond their capacity will be of no use.

Tips for training your children

1.Do not assist your children too much

Many parents find it difficult to let their children perform tasks independently and constantly supervise or help them. This will have the opposite effect and will prevent the children from learning and performing without your help. Trust your children and let them carry out the tasks. It is okay to make mistakes, what is more important that they learn in the process.

2.Be consistent

Some skills are time sensitive, such as brushing your teeth or having a bath. Make sure you teach the skill at the right time. It is also important to be consistent and follow a routine regularly.

3.Step up

Practice makes perfect, but it is also important to observe your child and understand when it is time to step up to the next level. Once the child is performing an activity with reduced help from you, try to introduce them to the next steps in the activity.

4.On going teaching

Once the child has mastered a particular skill, it is time to introduce a new skill. Keeping the teaching regular and on going, the child can have exposure to different activities and skills.

Different activities can be introduced at different ages depending upon the child. 

A complete list of different activities ranging from motor skills, toileting skills to eating skills can be found in the above presentation developed in collaboration with Down Syndrome Federation of India (DSFI). 

Remember, each child is unique and each child learns at their own pace.What is important is continuous training with care and compassion. 

For children who may have concerns in meeting milestones or motor development, parents should consider seeking help from an occupational therapist to first identify and then address the cause of concern. 

Once the child learns the required skills for an activity, it is easier for them to carry it out independently.

You may also download a caregiver’s manual about understanding the needs and health challenges of individuals with Downs syndrome.

If you have questions about Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, or other intellectual disabilities, or have concerns about developmental delays in a child, the Nayi Disha team is here to help. For any questions or queries, please contact our FREE Helpline at 844-844-8996. You can call or what’s app us. Our counselors speak different languages including English, Hindi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, and Bengali.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that this guide is for information purposes only. Please consult a qualified health practitioner for safe management.