Babies with Down Syndrome: A New Parents' Guide [Paperback]

Susan J. Skallerup (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 19, 2008

(2009 IPPY Award Winner: Silver Medalist, Parenting/Family category)

Babies with Down Syndrome, the trustworthy guide which has benefited thousands of families since it was first published in 1985, is completely revised and updated in a new, third edition. 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. Existing chapters have been revised, some completely rewritten by new authors, and in keeping with its parent-friendly reputation, most of the book's contributors are parents of children with Down syndrome. Chapters cover:

What Is Down Syndrome?: A primer on the causes, characteristics, and diagnosis, including the latest information on genetics and prenatal testing;

Adjusting to Your Baby: Advice from an experienced mother on coping with common emotions and announcing the news to friends and family;

Medical Concerns & Treatments: An overview of possible health issues including celiac disease, sleep apnea, diabetes, reflux, and skin problems, with an emphasis on detecting signs early for needed treatment;

Daily Care: The gamut of care from feeding to bathing, with expanded information about toilet training;

Family Life: The impact on siblings and couples, discipline issues, and new material to help everyone understand that a child s behavior is a form of communication;

Development & Learning: Expectations about development plus new material on variability in development, learning styles, using reading to develop language, memory strengths and weaknesses, and using play to encourage learning;

Early Intervention: An overview of services and therapies for babies & toddlers with new information on the transdisciplinary approach, providing services in the natural environment, transitioning to preschool, and common questions & answers;

Legal Rights & Financial Issues: Explains your child's educational and legal rights, and financial information, including the latest on federal education and civil rights laws, sources of financial assistance, health insurance, trusts, and guardianship.

Full of new photos, parent statements, updated and expanded resources and reading lists, and a reprint of the inspiring essay, Welcome to Holland, this guide is everything parents need to build a bright and healthy future for their child with Down syndrome.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Most Down Syndrome News readers are familiar with an earlier edition of this book, as it is the first book that many new and prospective parents read when they find out their baby has DS. This latest edition keeps the same familiar format: good, factual information mixed with appealing photos and parent statements.

The information throughout has been updated. Half of the chapters have new author experts many of whom are themselves parents of children with DS who know how overwhelming it can be to take in so much new information all at once and they write with a gentle tone.

I remember shedding lots of tears when I read the second edition of this book back in 1996 when Marion was born. It was a very different experience reading this as the mom of an almost (yikes!) 13-year-old. It continues to be a good, positive introduction and a nice refresher for this old-timer. --Down Syndrome News, Volume 31, #7

This book was originally published in 1985 because so little accurate and positive information on Down syndrome was available. Revised for the first time in 13 years and featuring four new chapter authors, it covers information that will be most helpful for families with children from birth to age five. Including the experiences and advice of parents, this should be one of the first books parents read upon receiving their child s diagnosis. The contributors-- educators, medical professionals, adults with Down syndrome, and, primarily, parents of children with Down syndrome--along with editor Skallerup, mother of a child with Down syndrome, define Down syndrome and discuss adjusting to your baby, medical concerns and treatments (for example, 40 to 60 percent have some type of heart defect), daily care, family life, postnatal development, the importance of early intervention, and legal rights and hurdles. Highly recommended for parenting collections in public libraries. --Library Journal, *starred review, October 1, 2008

Most Down Syndrome News readers are familiar with an earlier edition of this book, as it is the first book that many new and prospective parents read when they find out their baby has DS. This latest edition keeps the same familiar format: good, factual information mixed with appealing photos and parent statements.

The information throughout has been updated. Half of the chapters have new author experts many of whom are themselves parents of children with DS who know how overwhelming it can be to take in so much new information all at once and they write with a gentle tone.

I remember shedding lots of tears when I read the second edition of this book back in 1996 when Marion was born. It was a very different experience reading this as the mom of an almost (yikes!) 13-year-old. It continues to be a good, positive introduction and a nice refresher for this old-timer. --Down Syndrome News, Volume 31, #7

Most Down Syndrome News readers are familiar with an earlier edition of this book, as it is the first book that many new and prospective parents read when they find out their baby has DS. This latest edition keeps the same familiar format: good, factual information mixed with appealing photos and parent statements.

The information throughout has been updated. Half of the chapters have new author experts many of whom are themselves parents of children with DS who know how overwhelming it can be to take in so much new information all at once and they write with a gentle tone.

I remember shedding lots of tears when I read the second edition of this book back in 1996 when Marion was born. It was a very different experience reading this as the mom of an almost (yikes!) 13-year-old. It continues to be a good, positive introduction and a nice refresher for this old-timer. --Down Syndrome News, Volume 31, #7

About the Author

The contributors are Sue Buckley, Jean Nelson Farley, Marian H. Jarrett, Emily Perl Kingsley, Chahira Kozma, Len Leshin, Mitchell Levitz, Joan B. Riley, Jo Ann Simons, Susan J. Skallerup, Marilyn Trainer, and Mary Wilt. A mix of parents of children and adults, an adult with Down syndrome, advocates, educators, early interventionists, medical professionals, and writers, all are dedicated to helping children with Down syndrome.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Woodbine House; third edition edition (September 19, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890627550
• ISBN-13: 978-1890627553
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.8 x 5.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #76,918 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #13 in Books > Education & Reference > Schools & Teaching > Special Education > Mentally Disabled

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Have October 19, 2009

By Brittany R. Massey

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you recently had a child that was diagnosed with Down syndrome, or like myself, had an amniocentesis come back with positive results for a baby with Down syndrome -- BUY THIS BOOK.

There's a lot of information on the internet, but this book not only compiles it together for you in an organized fashion (so you actually retain what you read...) but it also provides humanity. Short snippets at the end of every chapter help you cope with the array of emotions that you will be feeling -- without making you feel bad, dirty or even worse.

The information in this book is amazing. The information itself actually cheered me up and made me realize, "Hey, it's actually NOT that big of a deal." I'm truly indebted to the authors and contributors of this book.

You can find as much information as possible for children and teenagers with Down syndrome -- if you have a child passed the age of 9. This book provides you with information for NEWBORNS, INFANTS, TODDLERS and YOUNG CHILDREN. Again, invaluable.

If you're a family member (grandparent-to-be, or new grandparent) BUY this for yourself as well. There's a lot of teamwork involved in raising a child with Down syndrome, and whilst you may not be the main source of the team... your ability to cooperate with mom and dad's new way of raising this child will help tremendously. There's also a lot of legal issues in regards to the child's future that all grandparents need to know!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Babies with downs syndrome January 28, 2012

By bobbie

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

7/12/2011...We were blessed with a beautiful Down Syndrome grandchild, we thought my goodness we know nothing about what challenges lie ahead for our little man...this book is wonderful, it has informed us on what to expect and also what is expected of us...we have started to learn sign language already just in case he has a communication issue...This book makes life in general so much easier...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent first book September 14, 2009

By A. Jeffreys

Format:Paperback

This was an excellent first book right after we found out our child was born with Down syndrome. It answered all of our questions and concerns. I highly recommend this book for the beginner.