A study of early fine motor intervention in Down’s syndrome children

The Ethics of Selecting for Disease Traits

“…For example, individuals with the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, which increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, may take precautions to lower future risks by undergoing regular mammography, prophylactic mastectomy, and/ or prophylactic oophorectomy [11]. In addition, those with Down syndrome, who can experience mental and physical disabilities, may participate in early intervention programs aimed at improving fine motor skills, [12] strength, balance, [13] and speech and language skills [14]. Risk reduction methods such as these may lessen or negate the concerns of future children experiencing significant suffering.…”

Graphomotor Skills of Greek Kindergarten and Elementary School Children: Effect of a Fine Motor Intervention Program

“…A literature search revealed few studies examining intervention strategies to facilitate the development of fi ne motor and graphomotor skills of children and infants with (Gelfer, 1988;Quah, 1998 ;Aparicio & Balana, 2009 ) and without disabilities ( Smits-Engelsman, Niemeijer, & van Galen, 2001 ;Kambas, Amoutzas, Makri, Gourgoulis, & Antoniou, 2002 ;Erhardt & Meade, 2005 ;Ratzon, Efraim, & Bart, 2007 ;Spanaki, 2008 ;Spanaki, Nikolopoulos, Skordilis & Koutsouki, 2008 ;Kambas, Fatouros, Christoforidis, Venetsanou, Papageorgiou, Giannakidou, et al ., 2010 ;Kaiser, Albaret, & Doudin, 2011 ). Gelfer (1989) presented a therapeuticeducational program for parents and children at risk for developmental delays.…”

“…After the 9-month intervention period, the children, parents, and teachers were positively aff ected ( Quah, 1998 ). Aparicio and Balana (2009 ) examined the eff ect of a fi ne motor intervention program in the motor development of infants with Down syndrome. The researchers found that early treatment improved fi ne motor skills and overall motor development.…”