Early stimulation programme for children with Down Syndrome in an academic setting

Centro UC Síndrome de Down, Chile: Offers a Developmental Stimulation Programme for children aged 0–6 with Down Syndrome, focusing on personal, cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal skills. Expanded from 15 children in 2017 to 48 in 2023.

The Santiago-based Centro UC Síndrome de Down, affiliated with Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, has developed a Comprehensive Developmental Stimulation Programme (SIDS) for children aged 0–6 years with Down Syndrome to support their early childhood development. Children are stimulated through group activities that promote their personal and cognitive development as well as their emotional well-being and interpersonal relationship skills through arts and psycho-education. Starting in 2017 with 15 children, the programme served 48 children in 2023.

Problems Targeted

There are no public programmes in Chile to ensure the development of children with Down Syndrome through early stimulation adapted to their needs.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

The Centro UC Síndrome de Down is an interdisciplinary institution of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and is dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with Down Syndrome, from prenatal life to old age. In 2017 a team consisting of a paediatrician and professionals from the fields of special education, physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, art therapy, and psychology developed the Programa de Estimulación Integral del Desarrollo (PEID). This comprehensive developmental support programme focuses on children with Down Syndrome aged 0–6 years, the time when brain plasticity is at its greatest and young children can realize their maximum developmental potential. The programme focuses on several developmental areas, including communication, cognition, psychomotor skills, emotional well-being, and social relationships. It consists of two sub-programmes: PEID I, for children aged 0–3 years; and PEID II, for children aged 3–6 years. This group approach allows for interaction, participation, and recognition in the community, based on systematic individual assessments and personalized adjustments. Between 2017 and 2023 the number of supported children grew from 15 to 48. In 2019 complementary activities, such as webinars and workshops for siblings and grandparents, were implemented.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

The programme is half self-funded and half funded by the participating families, with grants for lower-income families through funding by families of higher means. Further funding comes from donations from private individuals and businesses. There is already an experience of replication in Chile. Future goals include expanding the programme to other regions, and providing support materials for families and communities. (Awardee 2024)

Pictures

In Chile SIDS supports children with Down's syndrome in their early childhood development.

In Chile SIDS supports children with Down's syndrome in their early childhood development.

Select this picture Select this picture

THE STORY OF JOSE PEDRO’S MOTHER, A BENEFICIARY OF THE CENTRO UC SÍNDROME DE DOWN

“We love going to the centre, we feel at home.”

I am Natalia, José Pedro’s mother, and I would like to tell you a little about
our story. At the 26th week of my pregnancy, during a routine ultrasound, the doctor told us that one ventricle of our son’s brain was more dilated. That same day an expert saw us and he took a blood sample. After 15 days the doctor called me and told us that the tests had gone bad, because our baby had Down Syndrome. From that moment on I cried every day of the pregnancy, which made me disconnect from my baby. Due to prenatal diagnosis, I came to the Centro UC Síndrome de Down and it was the best we could do. They calmed us down and told us that “each person and their brain is a world to discover.” And thank God it has been like that. We started in the programme at 20 days in Jose’s life. Currently, my son
is developing according to his age and condition. It is the best thing that has happened to us! We love the group modality, the children interact with each other, we learn from the other children and generate bonds and support networks with other families, and the sessions have a wonderful dynamism. In addition, the programme is economically accessible, as we have access to all the therapists in one place at a very low cost. We love going to the centre, we feel at home.