Let's Get Real About Down Syndrome: How You Can Use New Research on Families
Raising a son or daughter with Down syndrome is a journey full of celebrations--and challenges! Sue Levine, Brian Skotko, and Rick Goldstein recently published three landmark research papers in the American Journal of Medical Genetics. They surveyed more than 3,000 mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and people with Down syndrome nationwide, asking them about family life when someone has Down syndrome. How did families respond? And, what does this research mean for you and your family? What strategies can your family use to weather the stormy times and value the shining moments. During this workshop, you will also learn about ways in which family experiences play an important role in informing expectant parents who receive the new prenatal tests for Down syndrome.
Keeping Children and Adolescents with Down Syndrome Healthy: All the Medical Updates that Parents Need to Know.
In this presentation, Dr. Brian Skotko reviews all of the questions and concerns that parents most often have about their sons and daughters with Down syndrome. He provides the answers and action steps, stemming from the latest clinical research on people with Down syndrome. Based on his clinical experience in the Down Syndrome Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Skotko makes sure that every parent can anticipate medical conditions so that the potentials of all people with Down syndrome are maximized.
New Prenatal Tests for Down Syndrome: National Updates and What This All Means for Your Family.
In this presentation, Dr. Brian Skotko reviews the upcoming prenatal testing for Down syndrome, and the national efforts to ensure that all expectant couples receive accurate and up-to-date information. He also offers specific examples on how all parents can play an advocacy role on both small and large scales. The presentation includes highlights from his publications in Pediatrics and American Journal of Medical Genetics. (This presentation is targeted toward parents and other non-professionals.)
What your other children without Down syndrome are thinking: Sibling Issues for Parents.
Through a series of interactive exercises, parents will explore what questions, needs, and concerns are often raised by children who have a brother or sister with Down syndrome. Parents will come away with practical answers to commonly raised questions. This presentation draws upon Brian Skotko and Sue Levine's publication in American Journal of Medical Geneticsand their new book, Fasten Your Seatbelt: A Crash Course on Down Syndrome for Brothers and Sisters. This workshop is also available online for free.
Celebrating Life with Down Syndrome.
All people with Down syndrome have talents and treasures to share with their communities. In this presentation, Brian Skotko draws upon success stories in his co-authored national award-winning book, Common Threads: Celebrating Life with Down Syndrome, to enable parents, professionals, and friends to discover the potential of all persons with chromosomal differences. This presentation can be adapted for large keynotes or small audiences. The workshop version focuses on a selection of readings and engages the audience in a guided self-reflection.
