Time management guidelines for the intervention of a child with Down syndrome using the Developmental "Resource Stimulation Programme" (DRSP)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The duration of an intervention session for an intensive early-intervention programme, the Developmental Resource Stimulation Programme (DRSP), for Down syndrome (DS) children younger than 42 months, was investigated as part of a larger research study. The DRSP is a unique, child-parent specific, one-on-one integrated developmental programme for children with Down syndrome from birth to 42 months. AIM: The aim of this programme was to determine the required number of sessions per activity and optimal session length that enables a child younger than 42 months with DS to master the DRSP activities. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive study design was used to organise and summarise data from the DRSP checklist score-sheets. Sixteen children with common characteristics of DS, specifically Trisomy 21, and their parents formed part of the investigation. RESULTS: The research established a time management guideline including the specific duration and frequency of executing an occupational performance activity by a child with DS in order for the child to master the activity. CONCLUSION: The recommendation is that individual sessions should occur fortnightly to implement the DRSP for children with DS from birth, with the suggested length of a session being 12-15 minutes for children younger than 18 months and 15-40 minutes for children older than 18 months and should be undertaken over a six month period. Key words: intervention session duration, Down syndrome, early intervention programme, developmental domains, occupational therapy