Children of Preschool Age with Down Syndrome

Down sindrom najčešća je, a ujedno i najpoznatija kromosomska anomalija koja nastane kada se prilikom dijeljenja kromosoma, kromosomi na 21. paru ne razdijele, odnosno dođe do trisomije. U tom slučaju rodi se novorođenče s Down sindromom. Osobe s Down sindromom imaju mnogo karakteristika, između ostalog, krase ih epiteti poput toga da su srdačne, drage i tople osobe. S druge strane, obzirom da se radi o anomaliji, djeca s Down sindromom rađaju se s različitim zdravstvenim teškoćama koje ih prate cijeli život, iako se na nekima može raditi te ih znatno unaprijediti što im može olakšati život. Drugim riječima, teškoće je potrebno pravovremenim intervencijama svesti na minimalnu razinu. Cilj ovog rada je analizirati do sada poznate spoznaje o ovom genetskom poremećaju te njemu pridruženih teškoća koje se javljaju kod djece i osoba sa Down sindromom. U radu se raspravlja i o specifičnostima razvoja djece sa sindromom Down, kao i o ranoj intervenciji i individualizaciji plana i programa rada s djecom koja imaju dijagnosticiran Down sindrom. Na kraju rada sam opisala važnost uključivanja djece s Down sindromom u predškolske i školske programe i ustanove kao i važnost uključivanja djece u dodatne programe. Navedeni su i primjeri iz prakse. Uz to, u radu ću pokušati objasniti razvojne osobitosti djece predškolske dobi sa Down sindromom te važnost individualizirane podrške obitelji, okruženja te stručnjaka i sustručnjaka.Down syndrome is the most common and best know chromosomal anomaly which appears during the cromosome devision. There is an additional copy of chromosome 21 which is referred to as trisomy 21. In that case, a baby is born with Down syndrome. People who suffer from Down syndrome have many charateristics which include being cordial, kind and warm people. On the other hand, regarding the fact that I'm talking about an anomaly, children with Down syndrome are born with different health difficulties which follow them along their life span even though some of the difficulties can be developed to make life easier. In other words, it is necessary to reduce those struggles to a minimum by timely interventions. The goal of this paper is to analyse familiar insights of this genetic disorder and its troubles which occur in children and people with Down syndrome. This paper also discusses the specifics in development of children who suffer from Down syndrome, just as it deliberates early intervention and individualisation of a work plan and program concerning children who were diagnosed with Down syndrome. Towards the end of the paper, I described the importance of including children suffering from Down syndrome in different institutes and programs incorporating the ones in preschool and school. I also discoursed the importance of including them in extracurriculars. Besides that, I have added examples from practice and I will try to explain developmental features of preschool-aged children that were diagnosed with Down syndrome and the significance of individualized familial, societal and expert support