Development of reaching and grasping skills in infants with Down syndrome.

de Campos et al. (2010) watched babies with Down syndrome reach for toys. They compared them to babies without Down syndrome. They looked at how age changed reaching, grasping, and big body movements.

Babies with Down syndrome reached and grabbed later than typical babies. The gap showed up between four and six months. Better head and trunk control helped the babies open their hands on time.

Hausmann-Stabile et al. (2011) added new details. Object size and stiffness changed how the babies moved. Big soft toys made reaching look different, but the delay stayed.

Day et al. (2021) tried to fix the delay. Parents put Velcro mittens on the babies’ hands at home. After a few weeks the babies reached faster and more often.

Dykens et al. (1991) tested rotary vestibular stimulation. It did nothing for motor skills. The 2010 study shows the delay is real; the 1991 study shows quick vestibular spins do not help.

You now know the motor lag starts early and can be nudged. Use bigger, softer toys during assessment so you see the child’s best move. Try short Velcro-mitten play with caregivers at home. Track head control first; it predicts when grasping will come.