Home > Keeping Kids Healthy > Show Topics > Raising a Child with...

Raising a Child with Down Syndrome

What happens to a family when a child is born with Down Syndrome?  Parents scramble to learn as much as they can about the condition and the impact it will have on their child – at first, the feeling is everyone's life will be forever changed.  And in truth, their lives are forever changed – they will learn over time what experienced parents and doctors know: that a child with Down Syndrome will grow into a loving, contributing member of the family.  Join Dr. Winnie King and some great kids and their families, and see from the inside out what it's like to grow up with Down Syndrome.

Guets:

Jane Providenti - Mother of Troy Providenti
Deirdre Lapolla - Mother of John LaPolla
Michelle Smith - Mom
Anne Majsak - Mom
Ned Palmer - Age 23
Greg Palmer - Father of Ned
Erika Jimenez - Age 13
Angelica Roman-Jimenez - Mother of Erika
William Cohen, M.D. - Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh; Down Syndrome Center of Western PA; Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Co-Editor, Down Syndrome: Visions for the 21st Century.
Wendy Wilcox, M.D. - OB/GYN, Montefiore Medical Center; Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women’s Health, Albert Einstein School of Medicine


Tips:

  • Some common medical complications due to Down Syndrome are heart problems, ear/nose/throat problems and gastrointestinal problems.
  • Expectations for academic achievement, independent living, career, friendships and success in life cannot and should not be predetermined.
  • People with Down Syndrome go on to college, learn to drive, even get married – there is a huge range of functionality.
  • Advice for parents – reach out to other parents, support groups, advocacy groups.
  • There are tremendous resources for your family and your child; most of them are free.


Resources:

National Down Syndrome Congress
http://www.ndsccenter.org/
800-232-NDSC

The National Down Syndrome Society
http://www.ndss.org/
800-221-4602

March of Dimes
http://www.marchofdimes.com/

The Down Syndrome Center of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
412-692-7963
http://www.uclid.org/

Books:

Babies With Down Syndrome, A New Parent’s Guide  Edited by Karen Stray-Gunderson

Adventures in the Mainstream by Greg Palmer