Effects of a psychomotor intervention programme in preadolescents with Down syndrome / Efectos de un programa de intervención psicomotriz en preadolescentes con síndrome de Down

Abstract

Movement is key to human physical and mental maturation, hence the importance of non-delayed psychomotor development. Psychomotor development occurs much later in children with Down Syndrome (DS) as compared with typically developing children. The objective of this research is to assess the effectiveness of an intervention programme aimed at the psychomotor development of preadolescents with DS (Experimental Group n = 5, Control Group n = 5), focusing on body schema and spatio-temporal structure. Results show a significant increase in body awareness as well as in concepts of space and quantity. Nevertheless, it is necessary to consolidate these motor abilities in a personalized and more prolonged way in order to minimize psychomotor developmental delays.