Physical therapy and practice in achieving these and subsequent milestones can assist a baby with Down syndrome in the four areas of development. Early intervention can also prevent a child with Down syndrome from reaching a plateau at some point in development. Thus, the goal of early intervention programs is to enhance and accelerate development by building on a child's strengths and by strengthening those areas that are weaker, in all areas of development. All areas of development are equally important, although the emphasis changes as the child grows. Nevertheless, before birth and in the first months of life, physical development remains the underlying foundation for all future progress.
Babies learn through interaction with their environment.
In order to do so, an infant must have the ability to move freely and purposefully. The ability to explore one's surroundings, the ability to reach and grasp toys, to turn one's head in order to follow a moving object with one's eyes, the ability to roll over, to crawl in pursuit of a desired objective, all of these behaviors are dependent upon gross as well as fine motor development. These physical, interactive activities foster understanding and mastery of the environment, stimulating cognitive, language and social development. Health plays a major role in everyone's well-being and progress, and this holds true for children with Down syndrome. For this reason, early intervention should begin with a thorough assessment of an infant's health.