My Future Niece Is Diagnosed with down Syndrome

i have a two year old with spina bifida. Its alot different but i wanted to suggest a children's book about down syndrome for the other children. I am very close to my nieces and when i had emma they were only 3 and 2. I bought about a little girl who was alittle different and it showed her braces and that she went potty different and such things and i think after reading it to them and them asking questions i know at least the 3 year old grasped that her cousin was different. Now she will tell me things about emma and tell her friends too. So i just wanted to suggest that maybe your friend should get a nice book to explain to her other children that this child will be different.
best of luck to you and your friend.

Hi! I think it's great that you want to support your friend and want to find some books to prepare. I have a beautiful 18 month old daughter who has Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) so I have quite recently been through the long road of adjusting to new realities. Everyone has given you great suggestions for support from NADS and Gigi's Playhouse. I have to say that I found some books to be a bit negative and overwhelming at first so it's good to exercise caution. There are several books I highly recommend to other new parents:

Gifts; Mothers Reflect on how Children with Down syndrome Enrich their Lives - short personal stories by mothers from all walks of life and experiences about their journey with thier child with Down syndrome. This is the most positive, non-threatening book you could offer your friend at this point. I HIGHLY recommend it. It totally helped me get over my own fears.

We'll Paint to Octopus Red - about talking to siblings about the diagnosis

My friend Isabelle - a sweet pre-school level book about friendship between a little girl who has DS and her "typical" friend

Best wishes to you, your friend, and the new little life the world will soon be blessed with!

I highly recommend checking out www.gigisplayhouse.com . I have a 1yr old w/DS and I've found an amazing amount of information, support and friendship there.

one of the greatest books is called 'Expecting Adam' by Martha Beck. It will give you such great hope. It is not a
'instructional book' but 'inspirational' ...Martha Beck is amazing.

All the BEST!!

Hi S.,
PLEASE have your friend get in touch (or even yourself) with NADS (National Association for Down syndrome). They are Chicagoland based organization. They offer support to parents, prenatal included. They are wonderful...they helped me when my first born came along (For me it was not diagnosed prenatally, but rather at birth). They have a website www.nads.org. Please check them out! It will have contact info as well as a discussion board where other parents will reach out to her...who have been in her shoes. One thing I learned is it's not the end of the world!! I have two other "typical" children as well and have found they all have their own challenges!! Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions! S. M.

Hi S.,
I don't know if you are close, but I am the parent of a boy with Down syndrome. It isn't a journey I would have chose for myself, but rather I believe God chose it for me. My son is a joy and loves everyone. The blessings far out way the challenges. Please keep my email and if your best friend needs to talk to someone who has been there on the journey. I would love to help someone like I had help me.
Here is a second comment. Not all test a accurate. I have known people who have been told that they have a child with downs and the baby is born healthy. During my own pregnancy I was told after the 20 week ultrasound that my risk went up 12 fold. I then had a level 2 ultrasound and it found everything to be normal. My son was born with downs. It isn't the end of the world, just a different one. I recommend the book Babies with Down Syndrome for a more clear understanding. There are support groups all over the area and a wonderful place called GiGi'sPlayHouse.com.
The best thing you can do when the baby arrives is love it and celebrate that the baby is in your life. Parents need lots of support. Offer the opportunity to learn how to care for baby and be the respite that your best friend will need.

Blessings, J. H. Beach Park, IL
Mother of five girls and a beautiful 4 year old boy with downs

The first thing i would need to know is...Is this diagnosis based on actual DNA testing- amnio results or that AFP test? MANY times the AFP test is off and baby is just fine. No sweat, if that is it. I would just wait and pray. IF it has already been confirmed with an actual AMnio study, then you can make preparations. Just talk to individuals who have other kids, maybe find a support group. The care of baby is the same. They do check them for heart anomalies also, that is usually pretty manageable. Let us know if it was AMnio or AFP. I am curious..and hope it's just a false positive. :-)