Infants and Toddlers with Down Syndrome

This portion of the state directory provides information on specific disabilities and delays.

This book is a collection of articles written by doctors and other professionals about common topics related to Down syndrome, including the baby’s development, early intervention, and more.

Meet David – a boy with Down syndrome. David invites readers to learn about Down syndrome from his perspective, helping them to understand what Down syndrome is and how it affects his daily life.

This all-purpose book features a variety of parenting information about raising a child with Down syndrome, both from the author’s experiences and that of other families.

This book shows parents how they can support and encourage their child’s speech and language development from birth to age 6. Caregivers learn how to work through characteristic challenges, including hearing loss, intelligibility issues, apraxia (difficulty planning oral-motor movements), or a slower pace of development.

This book includes information on Down syndrome and answers many questions that siblings of a person with Down syndrome might have.

The expanded edition of this book presents an overview of fine motor development and how the characteristics of Down syndrome can impact the acquisition and progression of these skills.

In parent-friendly language, the author explains the many physiological reasons that children with Down syndrome experience delays in their gross motor development and presents a physical therapy treatment plan from birth to age 6.

A mother describes her journey of her son’s diagnosis of Down syndrome through family support, early intervention, therapy, and doctor appointments.

This book, written by parents, shares personal experiences and guides you through life with Down Syndrome with expert advice from diagnosis to adulthood. Each page teaches you ways to support your child through major milestones; nurture their development; and ensure that they succeed behaviorally, socially, and cognitively.

This is a reassuring and realistic introduction to the unique joys and challenges that children with Down syndrome bring to their families. Includes information on newborns, health concerns, therapies, and expectations.

Documents the story of Emma, a little girl born with Down syndrome, her “normal” twin sister Abigale, and their parents, Mitzi and Michael. This family discovers that Emma’s differences are precious gifts that take them on a journey few families ever experience.

Follow the journey of three families with special needs children as they share their stories and experiences. See how they became fierce advocates for their children in order to obtain the services needed for their children to flourish.

This not-for-profit organization of families and interested people works to increase public awareness, support families, and improve opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome. The organization also includes a “New Parent Outreach” program where members reach out to new parents.

This Web site features information about Down syndrome, including facts about Down syndrome, links to local support groups, and links to other useful resources. The information is also available in Spanish. (serves Chicago)

This Web site includes information about speech-language therapy, health care, and education.

This Web site features information about Down syndrome, such as current research, and issues associated with Down syndrome, including health concerns, behavior, education, and friendship.

This article provides support for mothers nursing babies who have Down syndrome and information on adequate weight gain.

A father explains how he challenged the stereotypical limited abilities of children after his son was born with Down syndrome.

The purpose of this article is to explore recommended practices in choosing and using key word signs (i.e., simple single-word gestures for communication) to facilitate first spoken words in hearing children with language delays. 

This blog post, written by Dr. Susan Fowler, discusses how to talk about a child who has special needs with other parents or children.

This short guide created by the Head Start Center for Inclusion offers families and professionals a brief description of down syndrome, some common characteristics that a child with down syndrome may exhibit and some strategies for overcoming challenges that may be associated with down syndrome.

Links to a variety of national resources that provide information and resources specific to Down syndrome.

Every child is unique, but some children face extra physical or learning challenges. Parents often have questions about sources of information and support. This Q & A addresses many of the questions that parents have asked the Illinois Early Learning project staff over the past few years and suggests resources that parents of young children may find useful.