Down Syndrome Resources

Here is a list of some great resources- some I've found extremely helpful and others I haven't had time to explore yet or they don't yet apply for Evan's age but were recommended.  At the bottom is a list of some wonderful books as well.  I'll add as I continue to find more. :)

Online Resources

http://downsyndromepregnancy.org/ - the most comprehensive resource for those who just received a DS diagnosis- even post-pregnancy

Down Syndrome Health Care Guidelines - a comprehensive checklist I take to all our well-visits

http://www.ds-health.com/ - the site where the previous checklist is found- contains a ton of information on various health concerns some people with DS may encounter.  There is also a checklist for older children and adults.

http://www.medcalc.com/growth/ - a link to growth charts- make sure you check the Down Syndrome box

http://downtownds.com/kidzone.html - a wonderful video for children (especially siblings) to explain the basic concepts of DS.  My two older kids LOVED it and found it very easy to understand.

http://tandtcommunication.com/articles/pdf/DownDevelopmentalScale.pdf - developmental scale for children with DS- just keep in mind that each child is different and may excel in some areas while taking a little longer to achieve others.

http://www.down-syndrome.org/information/development/early/?page=7 - developmental overview for infants and children with DS 0-5 yrs old

http://www.downsed.org/en/gb/default.aspx - homepage of previous site- HUGE educational resource

http://communicationskillsforlife.wordpress.com/2010/08/16/iep-toolkit-now-available-for-families-of-students-with-down-syndrome/ - IEP toolkit for families of students with DS

http://www.garlicpress.com/home/gar/smartlist_10/sign_language.html - sign language learning materials

http://www.signingtime.com/ - the most wonderful sign language videos EVER!  Rachel Coleman, the star of the videos, is a mom to two children with special needs- one of those being deaf.  She is amazing and even travels to Buddy Walks across the country!  My kids absolutely love these videos, and I do too- they have made learning sign language extremely easy for me, and I was quite worried about how difficult it would be.

http://www.kennedykrieger.org/kki_misc.jsp?pid=2147&bl=1 - informative article on introducing new food textures

http://www.hopelightmedia.com/ - monthly magazine for children with special needs

http://loveandlearning.com/home.shtml - Love and Learning reading development program for Birth to 3 (also applicable for older non-verbal children

http://www.seeandlearn.org/en/gb/language-reading/ - See and Learn language and reading program

http://www.seeandlearn.org/en/gb/resources/ - See and Learn FREE downloads

http://www.pediastaff.com/resources-down-syndrome - extensive assortment of articles pertaining to DS

http://www.dsfoc.org/ - access to free learning materials

http://jamesdmacdonald.org/Articles/MacDonaldStart.html - Communicating Partners- the importance of the parents' role in developing language

http://yomammamamma.blogspot.com/2009/12/businesses-owned-by-people-with-down.html - businesses owned by people with DS- this comes from a fellow blogger and this blog is a huge resource in and of itself!

http://www.down-syndrome.org/reviews/2076/ - preventing challenging behaviors in children with DS

http://community.babycenter.com/groups/a315/down_syndrome - bulletin board for parents of children with DS- LOTS of amazing mamas with a wealth of information!

http://yomammamamma.blogspot.com/2011/02/new-and-improved-baby-center-blog-roll.html - long list of other blogging mamas in the DS community

Books

Gifts: Mothers Reflect on How Children With Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives - a MUST read!

Gifts 2: How People with Down Syndrome Enrich the World - sequel to the previous book- wonderful for grandparents and other family members

Babies with Down Syndrome: A New Parent's Guide - a wonderful introduction and first read

Early Communication Skills for Children with Down Syndrome

Gross Motor Skills in Children with Down Syndrome

Fine Motor Skills for Children with Down Syndrome

The Down Syndrome Nutrition Handbook: A Guide to Promoting Healthy Lifestyles

Children's Books

My Up & Down & All Around Book - adorable board book with photographs of children with DS

I Can, Can You? - another adorable board book with photos of kids with DS

Hi, I'm Ben! ...And I've Got a Secret! - absolutely adorable book showing how Ben is just like his friends in many ways, and then at the very end reveals his secret is he has DS. :)

We'll Paint the Octopus Red - wonderful book to introduce siblings to DS