THE ROLE OF PHYSICAL THERAPIST IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME

Downov sindrom (DS) je glavni uzrok mentalne retardacije, pogađa 1 od 800 novorođenčadi. Približno 95% slučajeva DS uzrokovano je prisutnošću 3 kopije 21. kromosoma. Down sindrom se može dijagnosticirati prenatalno i postnatalno. U radu su opisane metode Bobath, Vojta, hipoterapija, Halliwick koncept i senzorna integracija koje se koriste u poboljšanju motoričkih sposobnosti kod djece s DS-om. Bobath koncept je definiran kao pristup rješavanju problema, procjeni i liječenju osoba s poremećajima u funkciji, pokretu i tonusu zbog lezije središnjeg živčanog sustava. Vojta terapija definirana je kao „refleksna lokomocija". Vojta se može podijeliti na refleksno puzanje i refleksno okretanje. Hipoterapija predstavlja liječenje s konjem i na konju odnosno poseban oblik medicinske gimnastike, tj. fizioterapije. Halliwick koncept pristup je podučavanja svih ljudi, osobito onih s tjelesnim poteškoćama i/ili poteškoćama u učenju, da bi mogli sudjelovati u aktivnostima u vodi, kretati se samostalno i plivati. Senzorna integracija predstavlja organiziranje osjeta za upotrebu. Tri glavna senzorna sustava igraju ulogu u rastu i razvoju djeteta - taktilni, vestibularni i proprioceptivni sustav. Uloga fizioterapeuta je izvođenje programa rane intervencije za razvoj osnovnih motoričkih vještina poput hodanja, ravnoteže i skakanja te spriječiti buduće komplikacije.Down syndrome is the main cause of intellectual disability, it affects 1 out of 800 newborns. Nearly 95% of cases is caused by the presence of 3 copies of 21st chromosome. Down's syndrome can be diagnosed prenatally and postnatally. Techniques that are described in my undergraduate thesis are Bobath and Vojta technique, Halliwick concept, hippotherapy and sensory integration which are all used to improve motor skills in children with DS. Bobath concept is defined as a problem-solving approach, assessment and treatment of patients with disturbance in function, motion and tone, caused by lesions of the central nervous system. Vojta therapy is defined as ''reflex locomotion''. Vojta technique can be split in two motions: reflex crawling and reflex rotation. Hippotherapy presents treatment using a horse, respectively, it is a special form of medical gymnastics, that is, physical therapy. Halliwick concept is a way of teaching all people, especially ones with physical disability and/or learning disability, so they could participate in water activities, move independently and swim. Sensory integration represents organizing of senses for use. Three main sensory systems are key in growth and development of a child- tactile, vestibular and proprioceptive systems. Role of a physical therapist is executing programs for early intervention in development of basic motor skills such as walking, balance and jumping, and also, preventing future complication