Down Syndrome Books

Gifts: Mothers Reflect on How Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives

Kathryn Lynard Soper

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 24 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

(2008 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA): Gold Award; 2008 Mom's Choice Awards: Silver Recipient, Special & Exceptional Needs; 2008 Nautilus Award: Silver Winner, Memoir/Personal Growth)

Having a baby with Down syndrome is not something most parents would willingly choose. Yet many who travel this path discover rich, unexpected rewards along the way. In this candid and poignant collection of personal stories, sixty-three mothers describe the gifts of respect, strength, delight, perspective, and love, which their child with Down syndrome has brought into their lives. The contributors to this collection have diverse personalities and perspectives, and draw from a wide spectrum of ethnicity, world views, and religious beliefs. Some are parenting within a traditional family structure; some are not. Some never considered terminating their pregnancy; some struggled with the decision. Some were calm at the time of diagnosis; some were traumatized. Some write about their pregnancy and the months after giving birth; some reflect on years of experience with their child. Their diverse experiences point to a common truth: The life of a child with Down syndrome is something to celebrate. These women have something to say--not just to other mothers but to all of us.

Fine Motor Skills for Children With Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents And Professionals (Topics in Down Syndrome)

Maryanne Bruni

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

The popular book, Fine Motor Skills for Children with Down Syndrome is now available in an expanded new edition. Written by an occupational therapist who has worked extensively with children with Down syndrome, and is also the mother a teenager with Down syndrome, this book explains the best practices and procedures for helping children master daily living skills for home, school, and an independent future. \n\nThe author presents a thorough overview of the building blocks of fine motor development and how the characteristics of Down syndrome can impact the acquisition and progression of fine motor skills. \n\nShe also explains the building blocks of fine motor development:\n\nStability \nBilateral coordination \nSensation \nDexterity \nEarly arm and hand control \nAnd important daily living skills for home and school:\nDressing & grooming \nEating & drinking \nCutting \nGrasping a pencil \nPreprinting skills \nDrawing \nPrinting \nCursive handwriting \nThere are instructions for dozens of easy home- and school-based activities, which help children gradually overcome delays and learn the fine motor skills mentioned above. The author suggests ways for parents to incorporate these exercises into as many day-to-day activities as possible, recognizing how impractical it is to constantly be in ?therapy? mode with a child. \nNew material includes a chapter on problems with sensory processing for those who are over- or under-responsive to touch, or have unexpected reactions to sound, pain, or other sensations. Being aware of these sensitivities can open pathways to better behavior and responsiveness to therapy. Also new is information about a critical developmental step--determining when a child is ready for preprinting activities. These and many other additions make this the most up-to-date, comprehensive resource on fine motor development for children with Down syndrome.

Teaching Reading to Children With Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Teachers (Topics in Down Syndrome)

Patricia Logan Oelwein

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

great book! 5 out of 5 stars.
21 of 22 people found this review helpful.

I have taught 5 children with down syndrome how to read, based on the information I recieved from this book. I work in the school district with children with DS and tutor them after school as well. I could never have had the success I have had without the information the author provides in this book.

This book is a must have 5 out of 5 stars.
13 of 13 people found this review helpful.

it is extremely helpful, in only 2 months my daughter at 6 years old was up to 30 site words without picture cues. (Her first attempt at actually reading) The book contains alot of helpful activities, simply spelled out in step by step directions for anyone to understand.

Read it early 5 out of 5 stars.
13 of 13 people found this review helpful.

I love this book. I wish I'd gotten it when my son was little! It provides great information about how to teach kids with DS to read, but also has great stories of real kids and their accomplishments. I'd recommend that anybody with a DS child buy the book early (when their baby is little), and read the first few chapters. It'll inspire them, mitigate some of the worries they have about their child's future, and introduce them to the important concept that although people with DS are generally slower to develop, their learning disabilities can be mitigated by teaching them in a way that is effective for the way they think (e.g., kids with DS are visual learners), rather than the "standard" way. My four year old has actually had better success with the Love and Learning videotapes and books than the flash card approach described in the book, but the principal is pretty much the same.

Editorial Review:

Teach your child to read using the author's nationally recognized, proven method. From introducing the alphabet to writing and spelling, the lessons are easy to follow. The many pictures and flash cards included appeal to visual learners and are easy to photocopy!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Children with Special Needs: Stories of Love and Understanding for Those Who Care for Children with Disabilities

Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Heather McNamara, Karen Simmons

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 19 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

'These powerful heart-rending stories are filled with honesty, humor, hope and offer inspiration to parents, teachers, and anyone else who cares for children with special needs. By embracing the magnificence, inner peace, and beauty each child possess, our own attitudes are shifted from despair to promise.'

—Gerold G Jampolsky, M.D., Founder of International Center of Attitudinal Healing, Sausalito , California

Raising a child with special needs is a lifelong commitment that is as unique as each person who embarks on it. Written by a variety of authors who share in this distinctive relationship, Chicken Soup for the Soul Children with Special Needs offers a glimpse into the lives of others who are on a similar path.

These stories provide insight, comfort, and connection with others who have walked this powerful and transformational journey. The authors of these candid stories relate their own experiences of adjusting, reaching out, and flourishing and share their universal worries, their tears, and the laughter that come with this extraordinary relationship. Most important, through these stories, you will be guided with the wisdom of fellow parents, caregivers, and those with special needs to help you be the very best parent or caregiver you can be.

Gross Motor Skills in Children With Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals (Topics in Down Syndrome)

Patricia C. Winders

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Excellent step-by-step 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Our daughter has DS and is having some GMS issues. However, this book provides instruction on how to progress to each step toward walking. The therpist we use has began to instruct us on some of these steps, but our daughter has already been through them, so it is keeping her ahead of the game. I've heard a lot about Patricia Winders, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy other books of hers as well.

Great book! 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

This is a great book for learning about gross motor development. As with the other books like it, this book follows stages rather than ages, so the user can focus on the particular child and his/her development.

Great for any child with low tone 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Easy to understand, step by step ideas for promoting motor development in any child who has low tone (hypotonia), not just children with Down Syndrome. Provides clear photos as well as written instruction. This introduces the same ideas I teach parents as a therapist in the parent-infant education program.

Editorial Review:

Children with Down syndrome master basic gross motor skills-everything from rolling over to running-just as their peers do, but may need additional help. This guide illustrates more than 100 activities for parents and professionals to practice with children from birth through age six. Checklists allow readers to plan and track a child's progress.

Road Map to Holland: How I Found My Way Through My Son's First Two Years With Down Syndrome

Jennifer Graf Groneberg

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

An exceptional memoir that provides emotional insight and practical advice.

It's like planning a trip to Italy, only to get off the plane and discover you're actually in Holland. You need a new road map, and fast...

When Jennifer Groneberg and her husband learned they'd be having twin boys, their main concern was whether they'd need an addition on their house. Then, five days after Avery and Bennett were born, Avery was diagnosed with Down syndrome.

Here, Jennifer shares the story of what followed. She dealt with doctors-some who helped, and some who were disrespectful or even dangerous. She saw some relationships in her life grow stronger, while severing ties with people who proved unsupportive. And she continues to struggle to find balance in the hardships and joys of raising a child with special needs. This book is a resource, a companion for parents, and above all, a story of the love between a mother and her son-as she learns that Avery is exactly the child she never knew she wanted.

Early Communication Skills for Children With Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals

Libby Kumin

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

For children with Down syndrome, communicating is just as urgent and essential as it is for anyone else. In the newly updated and expanded edition of Communication Skills in Children with Down Syndrome, Libby Kumin offers comprehensive, authoritative, and practical advice based on her nearly 25 years of firsthand experience with kids with Down syndrome. She explains the role of a SLP, the stages of communication development, and how certain characteristics of Down syndrome, such as low muscle tone, hearing loss, and cognitive delays, can slow progression of those skills. Delays can lead to frustration and other problems for children who do not have intelligible speech until age 2 or later.

EARLY COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME focuses on speech and language development from birth through the stage of making 3-word phrases, which is often around kindergarten age, but can occur later. This book offers a wealth of information on intelligibility issues, hearing loss, apraxia (difficulty planning oral-motor movements), and other factors that affect communication for children with Down syndrome. It explains how to prepare for and understand the results of speech-language assessment, and goes on to describe what to expect in the years ahead when a child enters elementary school.

Throughout the new edition, the author incorporates the latest research on Down syndrome and communication development. She has added new chapters on high- and low-tech augmentative and alternative communication options, as well as articulation and literacy (how reading aids in the learning of language, speech, and auditory skills). New checklists on evaluating and treating speech problems, and numerous home activities designed to help children master each stage of communication development have also been added.

Babies With Down Syndrome: A New Parent's Guide (The Special-Needs Collection)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 23 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

ONE of the many books you should get 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

While the book is very overwhelming with information, it explains how to deal with the issues. There is ALOT of information in this book, therefore, it should be one of the first books you get. As another reviewer said, the medical problems described are scary - but that's part of down syndrome. Fortunately not all down syndrome children have all the medical problems.

The best part in the book is the developmental charts and growth charts that a lot of doctors, clinics, health units don't have!! It also explains what you need to know for your infant all the way through adulthood. Life insurance, inheritance, wills, family estate financial planning is discussed. Very important issues that will surprise you!

I find the book to be a constant resource. I refer to it constantly.

Editorial Review:

The book that thousands of new parents and professionals have turned to as their first source of information on Down syndrome. This classic guide provides new parents with straightforward and compassionate advice and insight. It helps families become more confident in their ability to cope, to learn about their child's development, to know where to seek help, and to advocate for their child. This second edition, written by the same knowledgeable parents and professionals who contributed to the first edition, covers these important areas: diagnosis; medical concerns & treatment; coping with your emotions; daily care; family life; early intervention; special education; and legal rights. The satisfying blend of practical information and emotional support make BABIES WITH DOWN SYNDROME the guide new families will want to refer to first.

Teaching Children with Down Syndrome about Their Bodies, Boundaries, and Sexuality (Topics in Down Syndrome)

Terri Couwenhoven

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

(2007 ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Award: Finalist, Parenting; 2008 NAPPA Honors Award)

Parents of children with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities are accustomed to paying close attention to their child's physical, cognitive, and emotional development. This proactive approach should also include their child's sexual development, which for many parents may not seem as obvious or urgent, especially to those with young children.

Drawing on her unique background as both a sexual educator and mother of a child with Down syndrome, the author blends factual information and practical ideas for teaching children with Down syndrome about their bodies, puberty, and sexuality. This book gives parents the confidence to speak comfortably about these sometimes difficult subjects.

In an easy-to-read, non-clinical style, the book covers relevant issues and concerns for children of all ages, such as:
Labeling & explaining private body parts;

Identifying & expressing emotions;

Respecting personal space;

Teaching self-care & hygiene;

Understanding norms of privacy;

Understanding gender identity;

Showing appropriate levels of affection.

It also covers later issues that affect teenagers and young adults, including:
Anticipating and understanding puberty;

Dealing with periods, bras for girls;

Experiencing erections, wet dreams for boys;

Relating to the opposite sex;

Sharing parental values about sexuality;

Explaining sexual relationships;

Preventing sexual abuse;

Understanding how Down syndrome affects puberty & fertility rates.

Each chapter highlights important points with key messages, teaching activities, parental pauses, and anecdotes, all of which prompt readers to stop and consider concepts or values associated with a particular topic. The final chapter covers the special concerns of parents who are now teaching teenaged or adult children about sexuality for the first time. It concludes with extensive appendices containing invaluable teaching materials and illustrations of body parts and functions.

Yoga for the Special Child: A Therapeutic Approach for Infants and Children With Down Syndrome, Cerabral Palsy, and Learning Disabilities

Sonia Sumar

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

[$$$] for what? A happy kid who can play with others? Hmmm . 5 out of 5 stars.
20 of 21 people found this review helpful.

I must admit at the beginning of my writing this review that I was inspired by an earlier reviewer of this book on this site who wrote a relatively negative one. That is too bad; as there are, probably, a bunch of parents and professionals who have chosen not to plunk down their [$$$] to buy this book based on this person's opinion.

This book is for parents and professionals who are probably trying to find something (perhaps "anything" is a more appropriate word) to help their kid/kids. The author, as she describes in the first chapter or so, has "walked the walk", which now enables her to "talk the talk". And, after reading her story, which is heart-wrenching and, ultimately, uplifting, one realizes that the author is in the business of helping "special children", not because it is a good business idea, but because it is her life's mission. (How much money does an author make on such an inexpensive book written for such a limited audience? God bless her publisher.) In short, the author is sincere, authoritative, and, seemingly, hell-bent (in the most caring, lovey-dovey way imaginable) on changing the way that special children interact with the world.

She offers no quick fixes, and specifically warns against them. She emphasizes that patience, consistency, and a long-term commitment are the keys for the best results. She clearly prefers starting children in her program as soon as possible. However, there definitely seems to be no age limit to the kids with whom she works, as one on them seems to be sporting a cheesy-beginner mustache in a photo of him doing an impossible looking pose. The previous reviewer who said that there were no tools to deal with an older child missed the obvious. The author's emphasis on positive reinforcement and "love" is obviously an attempt to build trust with the child, which is the key to dealing with children (special or not) of any age. As for the most difficult cases, the author also conducts a teachers training program and has trained many people (professionals and parents) around the world, many of whom are available to help overwhelmed parents who want to try this program with their own children. (A website address can be found in a footnote on page 61.)

As for the bulk of the book, it consists of loads of exercises (with descriptions and pictures) to help a child develop strength, muscular control, concentration, self-esteem, etc. She does not give lessons on attaining enlightenment. The goal of these exercises is to have the child integrate with other (less special?) children in a "normal" way. Not bad, if this book can deliver all this for [$$$]. Even if this book only helps 1% of the kids that participate in this program, what thinking parent would not gamble a few bucks on those odds?

As for the previous readers comment about the author saying that a child's ears moved lower relative to the rest of her face, I believe that it is unjust. First, the comment appears(on page 32) in a reprint of a letter from a child's pediatrician. Second, the pediatrician does not say that the program moved the ears; it just says that the ears moved during the time the child was participating in the program. Third, the reviewer does not claim to be medical professional, so I don't think that she (or anyone other than a medical professional who examined the child) is in a position to say anything about what happened to this child's ears or how it happened.

In short, parents/professionals must choose to spend their [$$$] or not on a book that could potentially change their kid's life. I hope that my review will help them arrive at their decision. (And, remember, if [$$$] is too much, there is always the public library.)