Great Books
I've listed these books in the order of when I recommend each should be read. I mention whether or not it's okay to just get it from the library if it's not something I think you'll need to refer to often. If your public library doesn't have it, certainly request it for yourself and so that others can find the book after you. Usually libraries can borrow books locally and even libraries across the country. Check your local DS organization, often they have lending libraries as well. Be sure to share this list with them in case they are missing some crucial books. Money shouldn't stand in your way of getting this valuable support.
1) Down Syndrome: What You CAN Do by Kim & Qadoshyah Fish
With almost 600 pages, you will find answers to many of your daily questions in an easy to understand style. Chapters include inspirational stories and tips about, breastfeeding, nutrition, intevention, speech, neurodevelopment, heart, thyroid, digestion, health care guidelines, and adoption -- all focused on DS.
http://www.gotdownsyndrome.
The downloadable version is only $5 and you can get it instantly!
http://www.amazon.com/Down-
2) Children of Dreams, Children of Hope by Raymundo Veras
This book is great for inspiration. Look for it at your local library.
3) How to Teach Your Baby to Be Physically Superb : Birth to Age Six
A plan of action to start treating your baby right away.
4) Vitamin Therapy and Down Syndrome; Unlocking the secrets to improved health, intelligence and behavior by Kent McLeod
5) How to Multiply Your Baby's Intelligence by Glenn Doman and Janet Doman
Has some of the same information as How to Teach Your Baby to Be Physically Superb, but is different. You may want to look through them both and decide whether or not to get them both. My local library had both and I read them together, so I can't remember off hand the differences.
6) Play To Talk: A Practical Guide to Help Your Late-Talking Child Join the Conversation by James MacDonald Ph.D. and Pam Stoika Ph.D
7) Early Communication Skills for Children with Down syndrome by Libby Kumin
8) What To Do About Your Brain-Injured Child by Glenn Doman
If you are action-oriented, you can read this one later. But if you want to better understand the theory behind the Doman methods in order to get motivated, read it sooner. Would be a good companion to read while you work with How to Teach Your Baby to Be Physically Superb. Okay to get from the library rather than purchase.
9) Naturally Better Kids by Kristin Morrison
A super great book that shares, Kristin's journey as she struggles with her son's, Griffin, diagnosis and finds answers to treat him. She has great ideas here, but it can be overwhelming at times. Be ready to cry and rejoice with her!
She, also, has an immediately downloadable version.
10) How to Teach Your Baby to Read by Glenn Doman, Janet Doman
This is a super great book. You don't need to start this until your baby can identify pictures, but you need time to read it and to make or purchase the flash cards. If you are making them yourself, you need a couple of months to do it so you won't be overwhelmed.
11) How to Teach Your Baby to Swim
You can start this right away, if desired. If you believe you may encounter asphyxiation problems, you may want to leave this to a professional.
12) How to Teach Your Baby Math
You don't need to start this until you've started teaching him to read, but before two years old is best (although with DS, your window of opportunity may be longer). Again, you need time to read this book and to make or purchase the flash cards. After you've read How to Teach Your Baby to Read, you would only need to get this book from the library since it follows many of the same principles.
13) Einstein Never Used Flashcards: Or How Our Children Really Learn
This is NOT a DS-specific book. (In fact, one of its purposes is to let typical parents off the hook when it comes to Doman-like exercises.) It explains how & when typical children learn without early intervention. It's been helpful to me because, first, when I see how advanced Jett is because of the early intervention, it's encouraging. And second, it gives me specific learning-based milestones to make sure Jett is meeting them on time or early. It also has helpful exercises to do with your child at various ages (much later than with babies). As parents with compromised children, we have to be much more proactive and provide much more stimulation than parents with typical children. Please keep that in mind as you read the book.
14) Gross Motor Skills in Children with Down syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals by Patricia C. Winders
Has very helpful exercises in it to give our kids opportunities for physical development. I don't agree with everything in this book, so as you go through the exercises, KEEP IN MIND: our children should not be put into positions that their bodies (bones, muscles) may not be ready to support. Encouraging movement and giving them opportunities to put themselves into positions is great. If you are mindful of this idea, it's a safe book to follow.
15) Fine Motor Skills for Children with Down syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals by Maryanne Bruni
Has activities to encourage fine motor skills from birth to early adolescence.
16) The Baby Book by Dr. Sears
It's all about how to care for a (typical) baby. It shows you all the milestones and answers a million questions about what is normal or not. I reference it all the time. But, I'd ignore the entire section about DS. It's all about untreated babies and is outdated. It's over 750 pages.
Great, but not as important as other skills. I haven't read this through yet, but I will when I have his other issues taken care of.
(Also check out Bill and Ria's blog post Down Syndrome Book Review List for their opinions on books about DS.)
Great DVDs
Parent Kit: Using Oral Placement Therapy With Your Child - TalkTools®
This is a great parent DVD for quality, at-home speech therapy. You can purchase the entire parent kit which includes all the tools necessary including a 3 hour DVD where Sara demonstrates how to use each of the tools at home. This is a link to just the dvd http://www.talktools.net/s.nl/it.A/id.1669/.f?sc=23&category=3356 . Talk tools works on building oral motor skills (muscles in the mouth) to build a foundation for speech production.
Communicating Partners DVDs: ECO I and ECO II and Shortcuts are great companions to or replacement for the Play To Talk books because they show you exactly what to do and how to do it. I'm a big fan of James D. MacDonald's techniques!
Great websites
Einstein-syndrome.com
Shares a positive approach to dealing with T21 issues. The 15 Things Every Parent Should Know... is a must read! The forum features very experienced parents who are proactive and share a lot of research and tips.
Changing Minds Foundation
Here, you'll find a list of supplements and medicines that work together to treat T21 as well as research to back it up, a forum for questions and success stories.
Super Down Syndrome
Chiropractor, Yoga teacher and Dad to Xervier, with T21, Paul Doney shares his collection of research about Down syndrome.
Great Blogs
Got Down Syndrome
Q. Fish, sister to brother, O, with T21, has a wealth of information and personal stories to share. She and her mother wrote and edited an impressive collection of articles that make up the book, Down Syndrome: What You CAN Do.
Changing Minds About Down Syndrome
This is Teresa Cody's blog. She is the founder of the Changing Minds Foundation. In her blog, she shares lots of research and the latest treatment information.
Down Syndrome: A Day to Day Guide
In my blog, you'll find an organized place for the information you need to care for and treat your loved one with T21 plus lots of updates on my sweet Jett!
The Down Syndrome Action Plan
Geralyn Spiesz shares her success with her son, Lucas, who is doing very well.
Great Forums
http://groups.yahoo.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/
http://health.groups.yahoo.
Just subscribe on Daily Digest to start reading and learning.
http://listserv.tbinet.org/
http://community.babycenter.com/groups/a6729133/unlimited_potential A group of moms who believe in their child's unlimited potential. (I check in here from time to time.)
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