Understanding Down Syndrome: An Introduction for Parents

by Cliff Cunningham

This highly acclaimed book has become an accepted introductory work for professionals as well as new parents. The author, internationally known as a leading authority on Down Syndrome, has expanded his practical and sympathetic book to take account of the recent advances in educational and developmental techniques and improvements in medical care, including details of techniques of prenatal testing. As well as helping parents and beginning practitioners understand the characteristics of the condition, this book covers the latest methods of treatment; gives advice on care of the young child, the adolescent, and the older person; stresses the importance of professional guidance and how to obtain it.

243 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1996

Reviews

[Rach · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides a good introduction to raising a child with Down's syndrome. While some of the science is slightly outdated given the time it was written, the book effectively explains what potential or existing parents might encounter. Overall, it serves as a valuable resource for understanding and navigating the challenges and joys of raising a child with Down's syndrome.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author’s tone is one of an old-fashioned doctor with black bag in hand, one who has a little tendency to talk down to parents. But, he has spent many years treating and researching the first generation of children with Down syndrome raised at home instead of in institutions, he has genuine, unsentimental affection for his patients, and he wants parents to succeed in raising their exceptional children. I appreciated the book very much. It was written in the 1980s and so the statistics on life expectancy are outdated, and some of his recommendations are quaint—mix sugar into the baby’s purées to help with constipation? But overall the best written of the various “parents’ guide to Down syndrome” type books out there. The section explaining exactly what IQ tests are measuring and the ways in which they are useful and ways they are not useful in educating children with disabilities was especially helpful. 4 stars instead of 5 for attempting to be neutral on the subject of prenatal testing and eugenic abortion just two pages after talking about the great value people with disabilities have in our society.