Product Details

• Actors: Libby Ph.D. Kumin
• Directors: Will Schermerhorn
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Blueberry Shoes Productions LLC
• DVD Release Date: December 23, 2003
• Run Time: 108 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0001I54PM
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #89,060 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[A]n essential purchase for both public and university libraries. Highly recommended." --Video Librarian, May/June 2004

Product Description

Now available with soundtracks in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Arabic!

Woodbine House is very pleased to bring you this DVD filled with adorable images of babies with Down syndrome, inspiring stories of parents, and practical information from the leading Down syndrome experts. DOWN SYNDROME: 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 during the critical first 18 to 24 months of life.

Will Schermerhorn was inspired to make this DVD after his son with Down syndrome was born and he observed his wife's relentless pursuit of information that would comfort and empower. He interviewed thirteen leading medical and developmental experts on Down syndrome--including Woodbine House authors, Libby Kumin, Ph.D., CCC-SLP and Patricia C. Winders, P.T.--on a variety of issues covering:

Newborns: diagnosis, health care, breastfeeding, heart defects
Health Concerns: parent-professional relationships, ear, nose, and throat, nutrition and feeding, dental
Therapies: language and speech therapy, physical therapy
New Expectations: the impact of having a child with Down syndrome on the family and the world

Heartwarming footage of young children with Down syndrome is interspersed with the interviews with parents and experts. Throughout, perspectives provided by veteran parents who share their joys and concerns will reassure new parents. DOWN SYNDROME: The First 18 Months is an inspiring and educational DVD for parents who want to know more, and an excellent tool for support groups, medical professionals, and libraries to support families. This DVD is in English with alternate soundtracks in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and Arabic.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have for all new parents of kids with Down syndrome!!, September 28, 2005

By 

Juliette De Nova - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Down Syndrome: The First 18 Months (DVD)

WOW!! I wish this video was available when my daughter was born almost 3 years ago! It should be included in every diaper bag from the hospital when the child has Down syndrome! It is all of the information that I wish I knew when my daughter was first born. It is like Down syndrome 101. You don't walk away with a hopeless feeling about your new baby's lease on life, instead, you understand that your child has an extra chromosome, and that chromosome, as small as it may be, WILL be the largest blessing and life lesson you learn. This video will be on the "must see" list for any new parents joining our Down synrdrome playgroup, and I hope NADS and NDSS will add it to their new parent packets....although $35 is a bit steep when you have been hit with a child with special needs, it is well worth a trip to the library!!! Even if you have to special request it via inter-library loan!!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommend this DVD, August 9, 2005

By 

L. Krauter (Bucks County, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Down Syndrome: The First 18 Months (DVD)

As a new grandmother to a beautiful little girl recently born with Down Syndrome, I found this DVD to be very heartwarming and very uplifting. It gave me the reassurance that I needed to hear that my little grandaughter is going to be OK. To quote a line from the DVD...."you need to make a place in your family for the disability, and you also need to put the disability in it's place." The DVD is very informative and emphasizes the point that first and foremost...this is a child. I highly recommend this DVD to any family member who has been blessed with a Down Syndrome child.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Linda B., April 11, 2005

By 

Linda B. (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Down Syndrome: The First 18 Months (DVD)

When my daughter was born with Down Syndrome last year, I was initially too exhausted to read anything. I asked my mother-in-law to see if there were any videos out there. She found this one which was perfect. This video is full of great information. Most importantly for me, it was presented in a very positive manner. When a parent is in that early phase of learning about an unexpected diagnosis, emotions can be a bit raw. While watching this video during this "emotionally raw" period, I felt very hopeful and positive about my daughter's future.