Centro de Transición para Niños con Síndrome de Down en Portoviejo, Ecuador

Abstract

Manabi province in Ecuador exhibits a significantly high rate of births of children with Down syndrome. Given this reality, there is an urgent need for specialized centers that provide comprehensive care and promote social inclusion for this population. However, the lack of specialized services limits the developmental and autonomy opportunities for these individuals. This project proposes the design and construction of a specialized center that, through various early stimulation strategies, aims to foster autonomy and skill development in individuals with Down syndrome. The primary objective is to design a support center for individuals with Down syndrome that promotes their social inclusion and improves their quality of life through an accessible and functional environment. A key finding of this research is the potential of interactive games and visual resources as essential tools for early stimulation. Additionally, the importance of establishing a close collaboration with the Ministry of Education is emphasized to ensure accessibility and educational inclusion for individuals with Down syndrome. By creating an accessible and functional environment, this center will become a reference point in the province, offering individuals with Down syndrome and their families a space for support and comprehensive development. In the long term, it is expected to contribute significantly to improving the quality of life of these individuals and to promoting a more inclusive society. It is hoped that this model will serve as a reference for future interventions in other regions of the country.