General Information

Education & Classroom Accommodations

Michigan Resources, Support Groups, Listservs & Websites

National Resources & Websites

Articles Related to this Disability

Medical Information

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Disability Solutions - A resource for families and others interested in Down Syndrome.

Bridges4kids Featured Product: SPIO Orthotic Garment - SPIO is a snug orthotic garment that surrounds the body with pressure-touch and mild proprioceptive input, which promotes body awareness and the release of calming/modulating chemistry. SPIO’s are useful for decreasing sensory seeking behaviors (such as excessive touching, crashing and banging) which leads to improved safely and stability for the child. SPIO’s patented material is breathable and can be worn alone or under regular clothing during waking hours.

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New Program to Mainstream Students at College - The National Down Syndrome Society is creating a pilot program for six to eight students with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities to attend a New Jersey college and earn a special certificate. The Society hopes its program, which will begin in the fall of 2006 at a campus to be selected this August, will become a national model.

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The Down Syndrome Guild of Southeast Michigan (formerly Parents of Children with Down Syndrome) effective March 2008 has a new website. Please visit us at www.dsgsemi.org for calendar events (monthly meetings, playgroups, & mom's night out).
  

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Love And Learning: Birth To Three Reading and Language Development (Also applicable for older non-verbal children.)
 

Health Journals for Parents of Kids with Special Needs - "When my daughter was diagnosed, I created a health journal to help organize all of her medical information. Soon, the clinic asked me to make 40 more for the other parents." The Little Acorn now offers many versions of this book which have been customized to fit specific disabilities. Visit the website for more details or to order. Available items (New products added often - see website for current offerings): "Juggling Autism" Starter Kit, "Juggling Cystic Fibrosis” Starter Kit, "Juggling Down Syndrome” Starter Kit, "Juggling Cerebral Palsy" Starter Kit, "Juggling Asthma" Starter Kit, "Juggling Diabetes" Starter Kit, "Healthy Kids” Starter Kit, "A Woman's Health Journal", and "The Courage Book”

Video Documentary "Emma's Gifts" - This documentary tells the story of Emma who, unlike her twin sister, has Down Syndrome.  The video documentary follows Emma and her family on their journey through the preschool years.  We see the power of advocating for a child's rights and the importance of early intervention.

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Schneider: Local Boy Brings Realism to BoarsHead Role - Who could be better in the role of a boy with Down syndrome than a boy with Down syndrome? Well, it depends on how you look at it.
 

Study: Negativity Often Tied to Down Syndrome Diagnoses - Negative depictions of Down syndrome by health professionals who do prenatal screening are common, according to a survey of nearly 3,000 parents of children with the condition. A majority reported that the obstetricians who gave them the diagnosis focused on the hardships ahead and ignored "the positive potential of people with Down syndrome."

Down Syndrome Doesn’t Keep Ryan Down - Ryan Dupuis can do a cartwheel and play “Silent Night” on the piano. He likes Nightmare on Elm Street and other scary movies and his favorite class at Kimball High School is lunch. A 16-year-old sophomore, Ryan is also a member of the girls cheerleading team. And he has Down syndrome.

Her Passion: Care For Disabled - As she waited for her newborn child to be brought to the nursery, Sylvia Kloc saw that all of the other mothers had their babies already. She knew something must be wrong. Some months later, when a doctor said her infant son, Steven, had Down syndrome and encouraged her to put him in an institution, Kloc said she knew there was a better way.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea in Children - Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a common problem in children, and is increasing being recognized as a cause of daytime attentional and behavioral problems. Unlike adults with sleep apnea, who are often overweight and frequently wake up at night, children with OSA are more difficult to recognize and diagnosis.

Love And Learning: Birth To Three Reading and Language Development
Also applicable for older non-verbal children
Did You Know: The Average Child Watches Over 5000 Hours Of Television Before 1st Grade.  Our technique and materials (video tapes, audio tapes, books and computer programs) help Infants and Toddlers with Language and Reading development. We originally developed these materials for our daughter with special needs. Maria exceeded our expectations by being able to speak, read and understand 250 words at 3 years of age and over 1,000 words at 5 years of age. We offer an easily do-able, loving manner of teaching that values the individuality of each child and helps nurture self-esteem. 

Health Care Guidelines for Individuals with Down Syndrome
 

Challenges and joys - A few weeks after her second daughter was born, Carole Ehlinger received a card from longtime friends. The gist of the message: "You're so lucky."

TX San Antonio kids are part of a video that's designed to show the world what people with Down syndrome can do

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Researchers Find New Evidence Against Common Down Syndrome Theory - Researchers at Johns Hopkins University say they have found evidence to disprove the commonly held notion that Down syndrome is caused by abnormalities in the so-called Critical Down Syndrome Region of the brain. The researchers say they now believe Down syndrome is caused by a combination of genetic and developmental factors, and that understanding these is crucial to treating people with the disorder.

Nutritional Supplements for Down Syndrome: A Highly Questionable Approach - This 1998 article gives a comprehensive overview of the debate over the impact diet has on the development of children with Down Syndrome.

Targeted Nutritional Intervention - The Ketogenic Resource - This article presents a balanced examination of TNI - a nutritional therapy for children with Down's syndrome, using vitamins, minerals, amino acids and digestive enzymes, together with piracetam, a nootropic (mind enhancing) drug. Supporters of TNI claim it is designed to alleviate certain harmful symptoms of Down's syndrome (eg, susceptibility to infections) and to ameliorate other harmful effects of the syndrome (eg, long term degeneration).

Information coming soon.  Do you have anything you'd like to contribute to this section? 

If so, email it to jackie@bridges4kids.org. 

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