Down Syndrome

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More Information: The Midbrain More detailed information on the functional areas of the Midbrain. The Cortex More detailed information on the functional areas of the Cortex.

Down Syndrome Testimonial Read how FHC has helped other children

In general, as with children who have learning issues, treatment for children with Down syndrome should begin by targeting the midbrain. This improves the basic organization of the lower levels of the brain, which in turn will help the higher, cortical levels (which receive information from the lower levels) function more effectively.

What Do We Do for these Children?
At Family Hope Center we develop a program to improve the sensory pathways, which regulate sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing, in order to bring about the normal development of these functions. The information carried by these pathways must be properly processed in the midbrain before it is sent to the cortex. Once the sensory pathways have been developed, but not before, we proceed to the development of the other functions, such as mobility, speech, manual dexterity and social skills, that depend on the proper functioning of these pathways.

Finally, and critically, we address the overall metabolic, neurological and physical health of the child in several important ways:

1. We dramatically increase oxygen delivery to the whole brain. This contributes greatly to the over-all health and development of the brain, which both facilitates and accelerates the healing process.
2. We work to ensure that the cranial sacral mechanism is functioning at its maximum potential. Without addressing this important aspect in healing the child, the progress will be much, much slower. For more information about cranial sacral therapy, click here.
3. Since progress toward wellness depends heavily on an excellent, cleansing diet, we develop individually designed diets to increase neurotransmitter function in the brain, restore gastrointestinal health, and eliminate over-sensitivities to allergens and toxins.

After many years of experience, we know that children who follow treatment plans like these – including children with Down syndrome - can and will make steady progress on the full range of their neurological, metabolic, mobility and other issues.

Next Step? Select the Help for You and Your Special Needs Child  

What is Down Syndrome?
Down syndrome is a congenital disorder in which a person is born with three copies of chromosome 21 (trisomy 21). More Down Syndrome definition >

Brain impairments associated with Down Syndrome Children with Down Syndrome are primarily hurt throughout the midbrain and cortical areas of the brain. This affects speech, understanding, vision and the development of manual function. Children with these symptoms often have mild to severe problems in the midbrain area; therefore, they display problems with basic hearing, visual convergence, sensation and physical coordination. These children are often also much delayed in mobility development.

How Can We Help?
Children who present such symptoms are injured primarily throughout the cortex, especially in the temporal and frontal lobes. These pervasive injuries prevent the child from receiving and processing information properly, which leads to delayed, inaccurate and inappropriate decisions. It also makes skills that develop naturally in "normal" children - especially language decoding skills (required for speech, reading and writing) and basic social skills - difficult or, without proper treatment, impossible to acquire fully.

Children with these symptoms often have mild to severe problems in the midbrain area, as well. This area of the brain is responsible for processing and integrating the vast amount of sensory information being sent to the brain at any given time, and then for directing this information to the cortex. If this area is not functioning well, even an uninjured cortex will have difficulty performing its sophisticated tasks. Injuries in the midbrain will frequently result in problems with convergence, depth perception, coordination and mobility, as well.

Next Step? Select the Help for You and Your Special Needs Child     

"Without hesitation I would recommend an evaluation to anybody for any child." Lisa Repka