Pediatric Occupational & Physical Therapy for Down Syndrome
in Lake Zurich, IL

Pediatric Occupational & Physical Therapy for Down Syndrome
in Lake Zurich, IL

Building Strength and Independence at Every Stage

Every child with Down syndrome has their own strengths, personality, and potential. At Infinity & Beyond Pediatric Therapy, we focus on helping your child build the physical, cognitive, and emotional skills they need to thrive.

Our pediatric occupational and physical therapists use play-based, individualized sessions to support your child’s growth in areas like coordination, self-care, attention, and sensory processing. We believe every small victory is worth celebrating, and every child deserves the tools to reach their next milestone with confidence.

What Is Down Syndrome?

Down syndrome is a genetic condition that happens when a child is given an extra copy of chromosome 21 in the womb. This affects their development in areas like muscle tone, motor coordination, speech, and learning.

While children with Down syndrome may face certain developmental challenges, early and consistent therapy can help them build strength and independence to handle all aspects of daily life.

Common Characteristics of Down Syndrome

Children with Down syndrome may experience differences in physical, sensory, or cognitive development such as:

  • Low muscle tone (hypotonia) or joint flexibility
  • Delays in fine and gross motor milestones
  • Difficulty with coordination or balance
  • Challenges with self-care tasks like feeding, dressing, or grooming
  • Sensitivity to sensory input or difficulty processing it
  • Shorter attention span or difficulty focusing
  • Delays in visual-motor and hand-eye coordination

What Causes Down Syndrome?

Down syndrome is caused by receiving a second copy of chromosome 21, which occurs at conception. It is one of the most common chromosomal differences, and it affects approximately one in every 700 babies born in the U.S.

While it cannot be prevented, early therapeutic intervention can make a lasting difference in helping children with Down syndrome reach important developmental milestones and participate fully in daily activities.

How Occupational Therapy Can Help with Down Syndrome

Our occupational therapists use evidence-based techniques to help children with Down syndrome build strength, coordination, and life skills. Each session is tailored to your child’s specific needs and focuses on making progress in ways that feel fun and rewarding. We also partner with families to provide practical home strategies that make everyday routines easier and more successful.

Your child’s therapy sessions may include:

  • Strengthening fine motor skills for tasks like writing, cutting, and buttoning
  • Improving balance, posture, and overall body awareness
  • Supporting sensory processing and attention regulation
  • Encouraging independence in self-care routines
  • Developing hand-eye coordination and visual-motor skills
  • Building confidence through play, creativity, and movement

How Physical Therapy Can Help with Down Syndrome

Our physical therapists use proven strategies to support children with Down syndrome in building strength, coordination, and other vital skills for movement. Each session is designed to address your child’s specific challenges in a way that feels fun and motivating. We also work with your family to give you simple strategies you can use at home to make everyday activities easier for everyone. Your child’s therapy sessions may include: 

  • Strengthening core and leg muscles to support crawling, standing, and walking
  • Improving balance, posture, and stability for safer movement
  • Supporting coordination for effective play and daily routines
  • Addressing gait, endurance, and overall mobility through fun activities

Schedule a Free Developmental Screening Today

If your child has Down syndrome, occupational therapy and physical therapy can each play a powerful role in helping them grow stronger, more coordinated, and independent in their daily activities.

Take the first step by scheduling a free developmental screening at Infinity & Beyond Pediatric Therapy in Lake Zurich, IL. Together, we’ll create a plan that supports your child’s unique abilities and goals. Call (847) 320-0200 or contact us online to schedule your screening today!

Brittany Frankel

Brittany Frankel graduated from Elmhurst University with her Master of Occupational Therapy and holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Northeastern Illinois University. Brittany is passionate about working with children and developing strong relationships with their families to ensure collaboration to work towards the client and family-oriented goals. She has experience working with children with difficulties in a variety of areas but is especially passionate about working with children with sensory and emotional regulation and executive functioning challenges. Brittany has taken continuing education courses in areas including Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI), interoception, executive dysfunction, and sensory processing. Brittany works under the belief that “kids do well if they can,” a quote from Dr. Ross Greene, and that a large piece of intervention is working to uncover the underlying deficits leading to functional difficulties. When not working, Brittany’s favorite hobbies include horseback riding, spending time with her cat and dog, reading, and playing with her nieces and nephew.