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As new parents of a child with Down syndrome, you already have your hands full just trying to get acclimated to this new country, to obtain the correct guidebooks and learn a few words of Dutch.  Therefore, you are understandably skeptical when someone suggests that one of the new people you should meet is a physical therapist.  They are recommending that you start your new infant in regular physical therapy.  Why physical therapy?  Don't children with Down syndrome learn to walk and run, just like other children do?

Alzheimer's Disease, a degenerative neurological disorder characterized by progressive memory loss, personality deterioration and loss of functional motor capabilities, is far more common in individuals with Down syndrome than the general population. However, not all individuals with Down syndrome will develop Alzheimer's disease, and even those showing Alzheimer's-type symptoms may not have Alzheimer's disease since other conditions can mimic the symptoms.