Gouri's Journey: Overcoming Challenges of Down Syndrome with Sarthak's Support 🌟

Gouri, now 5 years old, was born with Polyhydramnios and Meconium Aspiration Syndrome. Her birth cry was delayed by 5 minutes, leading to respiratory distress that required 5 days on a ventilator.

She belongs to a lower-middle-class family of four, with her father employed in a private job and her mother a homemaker. Gouri also has a 3-year-old brother. Her parents were unaware of any future health issues, and doctors did not inform them. It was only when developmental milestones were delayed and feeding difficulties arose at 6 months that they consulted a pediatrician. Gouri was then diagnosed with Down Syndrome.

Although two close relatives had disabilities, the diagnosis still surprised her parents as no family history of Down Syndrome existed.

As Gouri grew, her parents noticed sluggish tongue movement, difficulty chewing, and inability to follow simple commands. Doctors prescribed medications and therapeutic management. They began therapy at private clinics, but their limited financial resources made it unsustainable, and therapy was paused.

Six months ago, Sarthak’s Early Intervention Team contacted the family. Living outside Delhi, they could not visit the center but were counselled via phone and video calls about Down Syndrome and the intervention process. Interested in the free online and home-based therapy sessions, they enrolled Gouri immediately.

Under Sarthak’s Early Intervention Program, Gouri receives regular occupational therapy, speech therapy, and special education. Speech therapy focuses on oromotor exercises, vocabulary building, and socialization; occupational therapy targets hand and motor functioning; special education emphasizes scribbling, coloring, and alphabet writing. These combined efforts have led to significant improvement in her daily functioning.

Gouri’s parents and the Sarthak team are joyful and relieved to witness her progress. Her mother actively participates in therapy at home, continuously supporting Gouri’s learning and academic growth.