On bringing up Down’s Syndrome children

Kiwanis chairman Tee Han Cheong said they hope that parents and hospital staff, especially nurses, will know how to identify and raise a Down’s Syndrome child.

“Apart from teaching Down’s Syndrome children, we also focus on educating parents who are dealing with Down’s Syndrome children for the first time,” said Tee.

He added that Kiwanis sees hospitals as the “contact point” for the parents to gain knowledge and assistance when they are looking for the best education for their children. “It is to enable hospital staff, especially nurses and paediatrician, to advise and assist these parents in finding the best way to help educate their children,” He said the foundation will approach more hospitals to work together in organising similar programmes.

“Selayang Hospital is the first hospital to take part in such a programme and we hope to have participation from more hospitals.” “It is important for nurses to know the type of education plans we have for these children so that they will be able to inform parents about it,” said Tee.

He said nurses and doctors who already know the needs of Down’s Syndrome children will be able to explain at length about Kiwanis and assure them that the programmes available are suitable for the development of their child.

“Parents of Down’s Syndrome children should know that there are ways to boost their children’s capabilities and develop their potential with the right method of education,” Tee said.

Apart from a talk by Dr Noraini Mustafa on Down’s Syndrome, there was also an introduction on the early intervention programme for these children available at Kiwanis.

There was also a session where parents shared their experience in bringing up Down’s Syndrome children.