downs syndrome client

[Pompal 09.]

Help!
I have a client that wants to bring in his 8yr old son who has downs syndrome. Do you have any suggestions, or should I use a specific technique in order to help him. He said that he clenches his arms and shoulders at everything and would like to see more range of motion with his son other that just a fist clench.

If you have any suggestions or ideas that would be great.

Thanks..Happy Easter!

JulieB

 

[John O]

downs syndrome client

Help!
I have a client that wants to bring in his 8yr old son who has downs syndrome. Do you have any suggestions, or should I use a specific technique in order to help him. He said that he clenches his arms and shoulders at everything and would like to see more range of motion with his son other that just a fist clench.

If you have any suggestions or ideas that would be great.

Thanks..Happy Easter!

JulieB

I am going to be a student in the fall but I wonder if an interview with the client and his mom might be in order first. I would say do this in person so the boy can get used to you a bit and maybe feel a bit more comfortable. I worked with a child with downs back a few years ago and it is so important that they feel comfortable. I would even do it for free if possible. I think that might be the best way to start with this particular client. It will probably help him to ease up during treatments that require touch too. Give that a try maybe. Good luck!! Happy Easter

 

[Lying Lib Radicals]

There are specific things you should know about the anatomy of some people living w/Down syndrome, like a tendency to lax ligaments, etc. You might find it helpful to speak to any physical or occupational therapist this child also sees.

There was a great article in M&B a couple months ago -- I'll go find a link if I can.

I am not sure why work would be offered for free.

 

[Harley Drive]

I am a big fan of Reiki in this situation! I bet if you did some Reiki with him before doing the bodywork,he would calm down so much and would relax a lot. He needs reassurance to let him know he's OK. Even if you are not a Reiki practitoner per se,you can just ground and center yourself and ask the Source...God,Buddha,Krishna,whatever,to assist you to help him to accept and benefit from the work you will provide.Just lay your hands on his heart and forehead for about 10 minutes,and ask the Source to fill you with pure white healing energy and he should begin to relax. Things should be OK from there! Follow his signal,and stop when needed,allow him to regroup some and continue. Work on him only about 20 minutes,see if he seems to be tolerating the session well,and work about another 15-20 minutes.Use some gentle ROM on his shoulders to loosen them up some,then some nice gentle Swedish on his arms,forearms,and do some hand and fingerwork--he should be good to go! Good luck with things,and hope this helps some!

Love and Light-
Johnny

 

[stargazer (lost in space)]

It really depends a lot on the severity of his disability & this child's individual personality. I used to work in group homes with people with developmental disabilities. The first question is the level of mental retardation that accompanies the Down syndrome. People who are only mildly mentally retarded are very high-functioning, personable & largely independent. In that circumstance, you would interact with them in the same way you would any child client. Do a pre-session interview; check in with them during the session and alter techniques as needed. However, people who are severely mentally retarded have difficulty with all tasks, including ambulation & communication. They may have trouble getting on & off the massage table. They may still be wearing diapers. Sometimes they can't talk; they wouldn't be able to answer questions or communicate their needs during session, meaning you'd have to rely heavily on your intuition. If this is the case, I recommend the parent be in the room with you during the massage, so they can translate the client's needs for you. (Parents become adept at knowing what their children want, even if words aren't used.) There are also lots of ranges of abilities between these two extremes. People with Downs differ greatly, just like all people differ greatly. The challenge for you as a massage therapist is to customize your session based on their level of ability.

I recommend asking the parent to describe in detail this child's disabilities, so you can be as prepared as possible before the appointment. Does he talk? Is he easy to understand or does he have a speech impediment? Does he walk? How does he respond to meeting new people? What are his diagnoses in addition to Downs? (Some common co-diagnoses will be hearing or visual impairments). Have the parents ever massaged their child? If yes, what techniques does the boy seem to prefer? Are there any physical disabilities you should be aware of? (Mental & physical disabilities sometimes go hand-in-hand). Does he have any health problems (prior surgeries; other health conditions like asthma, etc.)

Once you have these answers, we might be able to give you more specific advice. No matter what this child's level of ability, massage can definitely be beneficial, and I think it's wonderful his father wants to offer his child professional massage.

 

[Virgin_phoenix]

The level of functioning will help to determine to some extent how the session will go. A thorough interview with the caregiver and the client will be essential. You may even want to invite the caregiver to stay for the session in the room for the first session.

At 8 years old you will be dealing with someone with a mental maturity of much lower than 8. Be prepared to be flexible. You may end up working with the client seated rather than on the table. You may work over the clothes rather than skin on skin. Range of motion, and stretching may be what is best, typical massage may be what you are doing. You may even get the client to work with you, asking him to move and stretch with you. You may even only do 15-20 minutes depending on his attention span

Just a few suggestions. When you get a full health history, and interview you may find things become much clearer.

Now that I think I have repeated what others said, I will go finish stuffing my turkey

 

[Stick]

There are specific things you should know about the anatomy of some people living w/Down syndrome, like a tendency to lax ligaments, etc. You might find it helpful to speak to any physical or occupational therapist this child also sees.

There was a great article in M&B a couple months ago -- I'll go find a link if I can.

I am not sure why work would be offered for free.

I agree with knowing more about the client on the anatomy front and speaking with his doctors. I would offer it for free if it is just the interview. I guess I would do it for free just because that is how I operate. I guess it depends on the therapist

 

[brighteyes76a]

I would suggest MFR. Start with cranial release, ear pull...

I just took Pediatric MFR by J.Barnes and they had couple kids coming in to help with the demo treatment. It was an wonderful experience - you could actually see the effect of myofascial unwinding in "challenged" children.

I would most definitely do MFR but it depends what kinda training you have on hand. Not that easy to learn a technique overnight.

 

[Questionarre]

I would offer it for free if it is just the interview.

Gotcha. I agree about just an interview.