How to Set Realistic Goals for Down Syndrome Children

Setting realistic goals can make all the difference when raising Down syndrome children. Once you understand the special challenges associated with the disease, you will be ready to determine what you really want your child to achieve and then work to make those goals possible. This is especially important if you want your child to eventually become independent and pursue his own goals. Read on to learn how to set realistic goals for Down syndrome children.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Start early. If you set realistic goals from the time your child is a baby, you will learn how to deal with problems and be ready to ask for help when you feel stuck. At the beginning, settle for small, basic goals, and then adjust them as your child grows and you are able to gauge her abilities.
2. Encourage your child to set his own realistic goals as soon as he is old enough to understand what it means. By the time Down syndrome children reach their teenage years, they should be able to express what they want. Listen to your child and then help him develop a plan to deal with those goals.
3. Make your time frames realistic. Even small goals can seem impossible if you try to reach them in a short period that puts too much pressure on both you and your child. While other children can learn to read and write in about six months, for example, it may take Down syndrome children a year or more. By being flexible with time, you are setting everybody up for success.
4. Be prepared to give up momentarily. Just because other children are able to dress themselves by the age of six, it doesn't mean your child will be. If you keep trying to teach your Down syndrome children a particular skill and see no progress, try it again a few months down the road.
5. Do what works for your own child. With Down syndrome children, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution. Each child develops at a different pace and with more emphasis on certain skills, so it's important that you pay attention to her own abilities and work out a list of goals based on that.

Tips & Warnings

• Remind yourself throughout the process that setting goals is about things that will benefit your child, not you. Forget what you think should be normal progress and focus on what is better for the child.