Developmental coaching of the Down syndrome infant.

Proprioceptive input appropriate to the developmental level of the Down Syndrome infant, and kinesthetic and proprioceptive leading of the infant enhance joint stability and prompt the infant to participate in a fuller repertoire of exploratory movement at a relatively early developmental age. Comparison of performances of the Down Syndrome population at the Ray Graham-Fairwood School with that of other Down Syndrome infants in the literature suggested that our intervention program, developmental coaching, had made a difference. A retrospective study was undertaken to document the progress made. Of the 40 infants studied, 95 percent achieved certain hand skills criteria by 10 months of age; 92.5 percent achieved prewalking mobility by 10 months of age; and 40 percent achieved free walking by 18 months of age.