i have a question

Sandra - posted on 08/11/2009

Hi Sara, Cant really remember the eyecontact but I think chester now 4 1/2 was 2 months when we started getting regular smiles as per the books these heaps out there but all I can say is dont take 2 much 2 heart what the books say as all children with DS are different and you can become very anxious and worried about all the medical conditions and what to expect etc and youll probly find like I did after getting myself so worried and stressed out and down about what the books had 2 say that there was no reason for it as Chester has excelled in his motorskills etc and had no major medical problems, Not sure where u are from but here in Australia we have early intervention which is from birth to school age where Physios, Speech thereapists etc are involved with your child with a disability from birth so the physio will assess muscle tone and give you excercises to help build it up the speech will assess sucking etc and introduce you to makaton signing at his early age it will pay to investigate what is available in your area,

Hope this helps

Nina - posted on 08/07/2009

Copied from the first website I ever found after I had my Ashlee (It's a really good site for new mommies and daddies)

http://www.downsyn.com


Down Syndrome: The First 18 Months
Director: Will Schermerhorn
Studio: Blueberry Shoes Productions LLC, DVD Release Date: December 23, 2003

Discovery: Pathways to Better Speech for Children with Down Syndrome
Written, produced, and directed by Will Schermerhorn
DVD Release Date: 2005

A Parent's Guide to Down Syndrome: Toward a Brighter Future
by Siegfried M. Pueschel M.D.
Paperback - 352 pages 2nd edition, Paul H Brookes Publishing Company, Publication date: October 1, 2000

Heather - posted on 02/18/2009

The book Babies with Down Syndrome A New Parents' Guide, 2nd Edition edited by Karen Stray-Gundersen is a great book to begin to learn more info.  Avoid any books written before 1990 -- that's like the dark ages for Down syndrome. 

Charlsey - posted on 01/25/2009

I don't remember much about eye contact with my daughter. As for the smiles...I don't think she really TRULY smiled until she was five months old or so. I don't even think she laughed out loud until she was five or six months old. I think DS children save it up...because once they start, they don't stop! Trust me...it'll melt your heart EVERY TIME.

Karen - posted on 01/15/2009

Sara, my little nephew who also has DS is also a max. I will never forget when my Kaitlyn first really smiled at me. It is a very DS look but it brighttens my moment every time I see it. She was about 4 months when she finally smiled. I agree with Stacey about getting involved with ECSE they are wonderful and will have resources in abundance for you. Kaitlyn receives therapy once a week and more if I would like it and yes it is totally free. Stay warm. Karen

Sara - posted on 01/13/2009

thanks for all the support and advice.

Stacy - posted on 01/12/2009

Hello and congratulation on baby Max.

There is so many good books available. This is my list of books that have been helpful to me.

Babies with Down Syndrome: A New Parents' Guide (Paperback) by

Down Syndrome: The First 18 Months (2003)
Starring:

Early Communication Skills for Children With Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals (Paperback) by

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

I also have the Road Map to Holland. These are all excellent books.

Also some good website are:

also your local Down Syndrome Association should have good resources and also other mothers to connect up to.

This is my experience, just like typical babies, babies with Down Syndrome abilities and milestones vary but every day is amazing. 

Also, enrolling your little one into the Early Childhood Intervention program is a awesome resource. My son is involved in Early Intervention at our school district and his teacher, occupational therapist and speech teachers are the best resources and they are a free resource.

Best wishes to you and your family.

Jordan - posted on 01/12/2009

There are so many good books that are available! If you have the Road Map to Holland book there is a excellent list of resources in the back. One book that I found especially helpful is Gross Motor Skills in Children with Down Syndrome by Patricia C. Winders. There are other books in that same series focusing on Fine Motor and Communication.

As for eye contact... my son Callan probably began making eye contact/smiling around 6 - 8 weeks. I remember though that I didn't give him quite enough credit in the beginning. He is my first and only child and I really didn't know what he would be capable of. I had to let go of my fears for him and just enjoy every single moment and give him every bit of positive energy that I could. He is now 19 months old, he is walking, he has almost 30 signs that he can do (get the baby signing times videos!) and he is really trying to talk. Please let me know if you have any questions. I know that reaching out to others in the beginning made all the difference to my husband and I. Are there any support groups in your area? Congratulations on your sweet baby - he will bring you more joy than you can even imagine!

Jordan