Babies with Down Syndrome: A New Parents' Guide (Special Needs Collection) [Paperback]

Karen Stray-Gundersen (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Special Needs Collection | Publication Date: January 1995

Babies with Down Syndrome is the book that thousands of new parents and professionals have turned to as their first source of information on Down Syndrome. This second edition is written by the same group of knowledgeable parents, doctors, nurses, educators, and lawyers, who cover everything parents need to know about raising their child in an environment of love, pride and achievement. Now, the new edition of this classic guide improves on the original with up-to-date information on prenatal testing, early intervention, legal and medical issues and resources.

Editorial Reviews

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

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Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: Woodbine House; 2 edition (January 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0933149646
• ISBN-13: 978-0933149649
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #471,812 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for First Time Parents of Children with DS, February 17, 2000

By 

Janet Busse (Nebraska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Babies with Down Syndrome: A New Parents' Guide (Special Needs Collection) (Paperback)

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!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The first book you should get, November 21, 2002

By 

Thomas Paul (Plainview, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Babies with Down Syndrome: A New Parents' Guide (Special Needs Collection) (Paperback)

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.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource and easy to read-, October 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Babies with Down Syndrome: A New Parents' Guide (Special Needs Collection) (Paperback)

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.