DSL's service targets areas of therapy that are too often either unavailable to families, too infrequent or not specialised enough to make a real difference to our children.

Waiting lists for NHS and social services referrals are also growing constantly, but time does not stand still for our children. It's why we prioritise early intervention and encourage referrals from birth.

Timely, regular therapy is vital and can make a real impact in helping children with DS acquire the skills other children develop instinctively, allowing them to join their typically developing peers in mainstream primary education.

DSL’s specialist therapists see each child weekly, providing them with a personalised MDT programme to assist their development in all these areas and lay the foundations for them to grow into independent adults who contribute actively to society.

There's a growing body of research to indicate that babies and young children with DS will benefit from added input to help them achieve the same developmental milestones as typically developing children in a range of areas. Common difficulties include weaker muscle tone, difficulties with fine motor skills and coordination and delayed language and communication. Some also show a-typical sensory processing, which can affect all areas of development.

DSL has built up several years of evidence for its therapy approach. In 2012 we introduced an assessment tool called Bayeley Scales of Infant Development to help evaluate the value and benefits of our therapy. Using this tool, we've been able to collect solid, measurable evidence for what we believe is a compelling case for regular, early intervention multi-disciplinary therapy.

As well as making a difference to a child's development, regular access to advice from therapists empowers families, giving them the knowledge and confidence they seek to support their children.

Please support us !