Any Parents of Kids with Down Syndrome?

Question

I was wondering about children with Down Syndrome. My cousin recently found out that her baby that she is pregnant with might have Down Syndrome.

Are there delays in the child's development as far as walking and/or talking? Any others?

She's keeping the baby either way and we know her doctor will provide her with all the information she needs but she wants to hear from parents of kids who have Down Syndrome because they will know better than her doctor, she thinks, about what to expect.

Can you guys offer any insight?

Answer 1

Hi...I am a mom to a little boy with down syndrome.  to answer your question about delays...yes there are, but each child is soooo different that I can not lump them all together. my son for instance was walking earlier than most kids with DS at 14 months, but he has always had a big delay in speech. doctors do not know for sure if a child will have  mild  developmental delays or  severe; they can only determine that once a child is older. nowadays there are so many programs out there to help kids with special needs. one of the best out there is the birth to 3 or early intervention program which offers physical, occupational, and speech therapies.  without it I don't think my son would be as far along as he is today.

I have 3 boys and I have to admit that raising a child with DS really isn't that much different than raising a "typical" kid, they still learn, love, laugh, play and can be naughty...lol  You always hear people say that these children are the sweetest, most loving kids around...and it is true...but they are also extremely stubborn ...lol my son is who he is...my son...down syndrome is just something he has and it really is no big deal.

Answer 2

i am not a parent of a down syndrome child but i do have a few friends with down syndrome......there are delayed development with speech ...hearing impairments...Seizures...sleep problems....Unstable joints, poor muscle strength, and weak ligaments...Weight problems but some down syndrome children do actually go to normal schools an have a normal life the degree of down syndrome vaires alot xxxx

Answer 3

When my son with DS was a baby we often met pregnant women in ur cousins situation who would come along to the early intervention groups that our DS association would hold.

Ur cousin should do this with her local DS association, she'd be able to meet families face to face and find out everything she wants to know.

There is also a good group on yahoo for families with kids with DS where Im sure she would b welcomed and have any questions answered.

To answer ur question, Yes, these kids do have developmental delays, learning anything takes longer and is harder for them, but given plenty of love, encouragement and opportunity they can shine just as bright as anyone else :o)

Answer 4

This map has local Down syndrome support groups - you could find parents in your cousin's area taht she could talk to, and meet kids with DS.

http://www1.ndss.org/index.php?option=co...

If the link doesn't work, just go to www.ndss.org and click on "Resources" at the top.

Answer 5

i do not have a down's syndrome child but i starred the question for you to get more responses. good luck!!

Answer 6

my younger sister was born with down syndrome. dr said she wouldn't live to be 2 yrs old. she is now 42. everything is delayed with these kids. but they have the potential to learn anything, just harder for them. she went to a special school and graduated. still lives with mom but has a job at a dollar store. shes a great girl with more compassion for the world than it deserves.