Down+Syndrome

This page is dedicated to resources for families working with an individual with Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome is a condition where an individual has part or all of the extra 21st chromosome. Down Syndrome affects one in every 750 births in the United States. Below are helpful resources for people interested in learning more on Down Syndrome.

Disability Specific Information

 * ====National Down Syndrome Society [[image:march_of_dimes.jpg width="273" height="66" align="right"]]====
 * Advocate for value, acceptance and inclusion for people with Down syndrome. They have personal strories as well as many different resources for people interested in learning more about Down Syndrome or those individuals who live with it everyday.
 * March of Dimes
 * Provides ibackground nformation on Down Syndrome, and also shares some statistics.
 * National Association For Down Syndrome
 * The oldest organization serving individuals and families of individuals with Down syndrome. There is very valuable information for new parents as well as information that is extremely beneficial for parents and educators.
 * Association For Children with Down Syndrome
 * Provides resources for both children with Down syndrome and their families. They also make many different types of services conviently available to these individuals. 
 * Pueschel, S. (2001). A parent’s guide to Down Syndrome toward a bright future. Maple Press: York PA.
 * This book takes the parent from the beginning processes all the way through thoughts for future research. This book is meant to be from parent to parent going through the same struggles. The author shares the joys and challenges of raising a child with Down syndrome along with the battles and victories that parents may experience with their child’s schooling.
 * Skallerup, S. (2008). Babies with Down Syndrome: A new parent’s guide. Woodbine House: Bethesda MD.
 * This book would be great for parents who just found out their child has Down syndrome. It is very indepth, and gives background information, as well as information on what your daily life maybe like. For a new parent who doesn’t know much about Down syndrome this book could definitely be ofassistance.
 * Kumin, L. (2003). Early communication for children with Down syndrome: A guide for parents and professionals. Woodbine House: Bethesda MD.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">This book would be really beneficial for both parents and educators to read because this book includes things that can be done in the classroom as well as at home. It is a very detailed book and includes resources available for parents and educators.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Simon,J. (2010). Down syndrome transition handbook : Charting your child’s course to adulthood. Woodbine House: Bethesda MD.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">This book is good especially for individuals who may have a loved one that is about to experience a transition, and is helpful with many different disorders not just Down syndrome. We all know many people struggle with transition and this book is just another tool to try and help make that transition a little smoother.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Lambke, B. & Lambke, T. (2006). I just am: A story of Down syndrome awareness and tolerance. Five Stars Pubns: Chandler, AZ.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">This book written by an individual with Down syndrome is the perfect bookto let a child or young adult read that is having trouble with accepting differences. It is an easy book to read that uses mostly pictures and captions; it’s an entertaining book that teaches us there really aren’t that many differences.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Groneberg,J. (2008). Road map to Holland: How I found my way through my son’s first two years with Down syndrome. Penguin Group: New York.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">This book is excellent for all people to read. It’s the journey of a mother through the unexpected early birth of her twin boys, one who had Down syndrome. It’s an inspirational story of rising above rude comments to truly seeing the good in everyone and every situation.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Education and Service

 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">AHRC
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">This organization strives to support children and adults with Down syndrome to live a productive life. They try to help them make life choices and teach them life skills so they can live as independently as possible.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Center for Applied Special Technology
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Explores technologies to provide better educational experiences for students with disabilities. Supports UDL.
 * Kennedy Krieger Institute
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Kennedy Krieger has a Down Syndrome Clinic that is dedicated to helping individuals with Down Syndrome make the most of their lives. <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">They do a lot of research on potential therapies for both safety and effectiveness. The clinic team provides initial and follow up evaluations, medical screening, parent training and ongoing therapy.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Family Navigator Services
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">This organization is available to help families through the process of planning a child's education career.You are able to type in the area you would like services and they will match you with services that are available to you in your area.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Maryland Disability Law Center
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">This is a helpful tool for parents and family members with children with disabilities. This packet is to help parents and loved ones know what the school process is like and what there rights are so they are able to advocate for their children to the best of their ability.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Family Support Services
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">This is a part of the Maryland State Department of Education. There are many valuable resources on this website including infomation on early intervention through early adulthood.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Local Support Groups and Educational Conferences

 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Chesapeake Down Syndrome Parent Group
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">The purpose of this group is to provide support and resources available to individuals with Downs syndrome and their families. They include many different support group meetings were families can come together to give and recieve support.
 * Baltimore County Public Schools
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">BCPS has a number of supports for parents and families in Baltimore County. There are support groups throughout the year (shown on calendar) and opportunities for conferences and communication
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Frederick Support Group
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">This local support group is based in Frederick, Maryland. The acronym FRIENDS stands for Family Resource, Information & Education Network for Down Syndrome. They hold monthly group meetings and provide information and resources to families of individuals with Down Syndrome.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Down Syndrome Connection
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">This website has a wealth of information and resources about Down Syndrome. There is a page for expecting parents and events, along with community resources, newsletters, and photos. They have monthly meetings at AAMC in Annapolis, MD.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">The Parent's Place of Maryland
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">This organization has all different types of events open to families of children with Down Syndrome. They go from workshops to support group meetings to leadership training. They are committed to improving the lives of Children with disabilities and other special needs.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Recreational and Community-based Resources

 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Buddy Walk
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">NDDS organization to celebrate down syndrome awareness month in October. Walks and events are held in most states in multiple cities. Maryland has 3 (Waldorf, Frederick, and Potomac)
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Best Buddies
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Best Buddies supports all people with disabilities and hold events in many states on smaller and larger scales.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Maryland Special Olympics
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">The Special Olympics is a nationwide organization that holds national and state events for all people with disabilities. Maryland has their own website to help locate events and opportunities locally.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Theraputic Riding
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">This organization gives individuals with many different types of disabiliites the chance to ride horses in a theraputic way.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Camp Greentop
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">This is a camp in Thurmont Maryland that is open to individuals with all types of disabilities. Their staff provides full care to these individuals. They can swim, horseback ride, do arts and crafts, sports, and hang out with the many other campers.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Funding and Legal Advocacy

 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Band of Angels
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Support for families of individuals with down syndrome, autism, and other disabilities.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">﻿National Down Syndrome Congress
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">NDSC has information on events and legislature going on in the government. it also gives you the opportunity to contact representatives in the government.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Disaboom
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">This website offers information on the bills that are currently in congress that could impact individuals with Down Syndrome and their families. Individuals could use this website tobecome informed on bills they should lobby for and show which political figures are really on their side.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Disability.gov
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">This website is helpful for those who need help with finding accessible and affordable medical insurance.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Supplemental Security Income
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">On this webpage they go step by step in the process you need to take to get approved for SSI. They also gives you general information, along with who is elgible and how to apply.

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