Product Description

The book that thousands of new parents and professionals have turned to as their first source of information on Down syndrome. This classic guide provides new parents with straightforward and compassionate advice and insight. It helps families become more confident in their ability to cope, to learn about their child's development, to know where to seek help, and to advocate for their child. This second edition, written by the same knowledgeable parents and professionals who contributed to the first edition, covers these important areas: diagnosis; medical concerns & treatment; coping with your emotions; daily care; family life; early intervention; special education; and legal rights. The satisfying blend of practical information and emotional support make BABIES WITH DOWN SYNDROME the guide new families will want to refer to first.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #455971 in Books
• Published on: 1995-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 340 pages

Review
Now in its second edition, Babies with Down Syndrome continues to be the definitive reference. This edition features expanded, up-to-date on pre-natal testing, daily care, medical care, early intervention, special education, advocacy, and disability lay, including the latest on the Americans with Disabilities Act. The resource guide has been completely updated and expanded to include both national and international organizations that serve people with Down Syndrome. -- Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher
A REVIEW -

"When parents first learn that their baby has Down syndrome, they often feel a rush of emotions. Many families report an overwhelming sense of feeling alone and isolated. Connecting to other 'veteran parents' is often the first and perhaps most valuable step families take as they begin their journey toward understanding and coming to terms with their child and his or her special needs. This book fills a niche by providing information and support in a comfortable written style.

The tone of the book is set from the beginning with a foreword by Forts, a woman with an impressive list of activities and credentials, who also happens to have Down syndrome. She states that she is really an 'up' syndrome person! Further, in the introduction, the editor states: No book can mend a broken heart or shattered dreams...but it can give you the facts you need to begin dreaming once again of the bright future all parents want for their children.

That is exactly what this book proceeds to accomplish, challenging myths and misconceptions, without judging or moralizing.

This book would be an important resource to any new parents. All professionals working directly with families should add this book to their loan libraries or resources to share with new parents."

Diane Apter, Early Childhood Directions Center, Syracuse, NY, from Mental Retardation, Vol. 34, No. 6, December 1996

About the Author
Karen Stray-Gundersen, Editor

Customer Reviews

A Must Read for First Time Parents of Children with DS
When my husband and I found out our beautiful daughter (first child) had been born with Down Syndrome, we were devastated. We immediately began thinking the worst. Fortunately for us, my mother had taken the time to go to the library and find books on Down Syndrome, as noone in our family had ever experienced it. She gave this book to me when she was finished reading it, and it changed our lives. It was so imformative and helpful, and did much to put our minds at ease about our new daughter's potential. She is now 3 years old, and living up to all of our expectations! This book is a great relief!

The first book you should get
In the delivery room when my son Mikey was born, we were told he had Down syndrome. We knew very little about the condition and were confused and frightened about the future. Our son's geneticist gave us a copy of this book and it answered almost all of our questions, including some we never thought to ask. The information in this book relieved many of our fears and showed us how to be the best parents for our son. The book starts with a forward by Ann M. Forts, a member of the Board of Directors of the National Down Syndrome Congress; the New Hampshire Developmental Disabilities Council; and the President's Committee on Mental Retardation. Ms. Forts also happens to be a person with Down syndrome. Right away, we knew this book was going to be positive! The book starts with a chapter on what is Down syndrome followed by a chapter on adjusting to your new child. Chapter 3 discusses some of the medical issues that are associated with Down syndrome. This is good information to be aware of even if you never need it. The next few chapters discuss taking care of your baby, family life, how your baby will develop, early intervention, and educating the child with Down syndrome. The last chapter covers your legal rights. Every chapter has several pages of short quotes from parents. It helped to lessen the fear and stress to read that other parents are coping. This is by far the best book for the new parent of a child with Down syndrome. Before you read anything else, you will want to read this book.

Excellent resource and easy to read-
I am so glad that our hospital gave us this book to take home after our son was born with down syndrome. It is a very thorough but easy and quick to read book. We learned about medical problems that can arise so were prepared early on to deal with the many doctors and therapists that we were referred to. We learned how to deal with questions from family and friends. We also learned that the fear and grief that we experienced the first couple of weeks is normal. It helped so much to be able to educate ourselves quickly and read about the experiences of other parents early on. This book is excellent and I think all hospitals should offer it to parents of newborn babies with down syndrome.