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HomeResources and SupportA-Z resourcesDown syndrome

Down syndrome

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Below you will find a variety of resources to help you better understand, cope with and/or support someone with down syndrome.

Books

Adventures in the mainstream: coming of age with Down Syndrome

Palmer, Greg -- Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House, 2005.

This book will help families confront many of their hopes and fears as they try and coax a child with a disability into the adult world and toward greater independence. This account also gives professionals a vital personal view of what families go through as they cope with their child's transition into adulthood.

Babies with Down syndrome: a new parents' guide

Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House, 2008.

Covering the best practices for raising and caring for children with Down syndrome through age five, this book is invaluable to new parents who have welcomed a baby with Down syndrome into their lives. This new edition incorporates the latest scientific, medical, educational research, and practical information available, as well as parents' suggestions and feedback.

Big brother Dustin

Carter, Alder R. -- Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman & Co. 1997.

Dustin, a little boy with Down syndrome, helps his parents and grandparents prepare for the birth of a baby while he tries to think of a name for his new sister. Appropriate for ages: 4-8 years.

Breastfeeding a baby with Down syndrome

Chesterville, ON: La Leche League Canada, 1997.

This book provides education and support for the mother who is breastfeeding a baby with Down syndrome.

Classroom language skills for children with Down Syndrome: a guide for parents and teachers

Kumin, Libby -- Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House, 2001.

An excellent guide for both parents and teachers, this book explains how to navigate school systems and classroom environments. Development of language skills in elementary school is also explored.

Deedah [DVD]

May, Brooke -- [Savannah, GA] Deedah Productions, 2009.

Deedah is the honest, heart warming and often humorous account of a seven-year old girl's relationship with her six-year old brother, who has Down Syndrome - or as he calls it 'up' syndrome.

Discovery: pathways to better speech for child Down syndrome [DVD]

Schermerhorn, Will -- Blueberry Shoes Productions, 2005.

Includes information on such topics as communication milestones, hearing issues, sign language, making speech understandable, and building vocabulary.

The Down's syndrome handbook: a practical guide for parents and carers

Newton, Richard -- London: Vermilion, 2004.

This comprehensive handbook offers help and advice to all parents and carers of children with Down's syndrome, and shows them how to help their children flourish and reach their full potential.

Down Syndrome: neurobehavioural specificity

Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2006.

Review of the research regarding specific developmental profile of strengths, weaknesses and needs of children and adults with Down syndrome.

The Down syndrome nutrition handbook: a guide to promoting healthy lifestyles

Medlen, Joan E. Guthrie -- Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House, 2002.

This book is organized into four sections: Building Healthy Attitudes, Nutrition-Related Concerns for People with Down syndrome, Teaching Healthy Choices to Encourage Healthy Lifestyles, and Learning Activities. There is also an extensive appendix with additional information, including a diabetes care plan, high-fibre diet, growth charts, activity ideas, recipe template, and food-safety checklist.

Down syndrome: the first 18 months [DVD]

Schermerhorn, Will -- Blueberry Shoes Productions, 2003.

The 'First 18 Months' is a reassuring and realistic introduction to the unique joys and challenges that children with Down syndrome bring to their families. Includes information on newborns, health concerns, therapies, and expectations.

Down syndrome: when to worry about mental health and what to do about it!: a guide for parents and caregivers

Friedlander, Robin -- Kingston, NY: NADD Press, 2009.

This book offers practical advice on the assessment and treatment of mental health disorders in people with Down syndrome. It also provides practical advice for maintaining good mental health.

Early communication skills for children with Down syndrome: a guide for parents and professionals

Kumin, Libby -- Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House, 2003.

This book offers parents a wealth of information on intelligibility issues, hearing loss, apraxia (difficulty planning oral-motor movements), and other factors that affect communication for children with Down syndrome. It explains how to prepare for and understand the results of a speech- language assessment, and goes on to describe what to expect in the years ahead when a child enters elementary school.

Early education for children with Down syndrome

Dmitriev, Valentine -- Austin, TX: Pro-ed, 2001.

A practical handbook to early education for children with Down syndrome, including diagrams, photos and exercises.

Fine motor skills in children with Down syndrome: a guide for parents and professionals

Bruni, Maryanne -- Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House, 2006.

The author presents a thorough overview of the building blocks of fine motor development and how the characteristics of Down syndrome can impact the acquisition and progression of fine motor skills.

Gross motor skills in children with Down syndrome: a guide for parents and professionals

Winders, Patricia C. -- Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House, 1997.

An easy to understand explanation of motor development including the impact of temperament and the effect of physical and medical conditions associated with Down syndrome. Includes activities and photos.

Improving the communication of people with Down Syndrome

Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes, 1999.

This book provides a framework for assessing and treating speech, language, and communication problems in children and adults with Down syndrome. It offers valuable guidelines for assessing comprehension and production abilities, promoting language learning, and alleviating communication difficulties.

Mr. Blue Sky [DVD]

Magic Productions, 2008.

A heart-warming love story involving three childhood friends; two girls, one born with Down syndrome, and one boy, who all grow up fighting who they are inside, how they are perceived by society, and who they ultimately strive to become as individuals despite the obstacles that are inherently present.

A parent's guide to Down syndrome: toward a brighter future

Pueschel, Siegfried M. -- Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co. 2001.

This text teaches not just what to expect as your child with Down syndrome grows but what you can hope for in terms of health, schooling, and your child's life in the community. It includes reassuring guidance, and straightforward explanations.

Supporting children with Down's syndrome

London: David Fulton Publishers, 2004.

This book contains vital information you need to know about Down's syndrome, which includes definition of Down's syndrome and its educational implications and teaching strategies to meet different learning styles.

Teaching children with Down syndrome about their bodies, boundaries, and sexuality: a guide for parents and professionals

Couwenhoven, Terri -- Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House, 2007.

Drawing on her unique background as both a sexual educator and mother of a child with Down syndrome, the author blends factual information and practical ideas for teaching children with Down syndrome about their bodies, puberty, and sexuality.

Teaching math to people with Down Syndrome and other hands-on learners - book 1: basic survival skills

Horstmeier, DeAnna -- Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House, 2004.

This guide gives parents and teachers high-interest, hands-on strategies and ideas for teaching math to learners of all ages.

Teaching math to people with Down Syndrome and other hands-on learners - book 2: advanced survival skills

Horstmeier, DeAnna -- Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House, 2008.

The author provides practical hands-on activities, games, props, and worksheets - to make learning math more concrete and tangible for children with Down syndrome, autism, or other cognitive disabilities.

Teaching reading to children with Down syndrome : a guide for parents and teachers

Oelwein, Patricia L. -- Bethesda: Woodbine House, 1995.

Describes a reading program that ensures success. Presents imaginative and functional lessons which can be individualized for any child.

Websites

  • Down Syndrome – From the US National Library of Medicine 
  • Down Syndrome Association of Ontario
  • Canadian Down Syndrome Society
  • National Association for Down Syndrome
  • National Down Syndrome Society
  • National Down Syndrome Congress
  • Citizen Advocacy

Local contacts

  • Down Syndrome Clinic - CHEO
    401 Smyth Rd
    Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1
  • Down Syndrome Association – National Capital Region
    PO Box 8025 Stn T
    Ottawa, ON K1G 3H6
    613-737-0658
    info@dsancr.com
  • Association du Syndrome de Down de l'Estrie
    836, rue Saint-Charles 
    Sherbrooke, QC J1H 4Z2
    Téléphone: 819-569-8112
    Sans frais: 1-877-569-8112
    Télécopieur: 819-569-5144
    info@asdeT21.org

Disclaimer

These resources are for educational purposes only. If you have any questions, ask your health-care provider.

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