Books

Ten Steps to Take
Right Now,
When Your Child is
Diagnosed with
Down syndrome

This brochure was developed by parents of children with Down syndrome, in the hopes that by sharing our experiences we may help you to see yourselves as the parents of a beautiful, loving baby first, and the parents of a child with Down syndrome second. Please try to remember that despite any special needs your child may have, he or she is still your baby. He will have your looks and in many ways will be like every one else in your family. She will display her own temperament, develop her own sense of humor and will achieve her own talents within her own time.

What is Down syndrome?
Down syndrome is a genetic condition that causes delays in physical and intellectual development. It occurs in approximately one in every 800 live births. Individuals with Down syndrome have 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46. It is the most frequently occurring chromosomal disorder. Down syndrome is not related to race, nationality, religion or socioeconomic status. The most important fact to know about individuals with Down syndrome is that they are more like others than they are different.

Cause
Down syndrome is usually caused by an error in cell division called nondisjunction. It is not known why this occurs. However, it is known that the error occurs at conception and is not related to anything the mother did during pregnancy. It has been known for some time that the incidence of Down syndrome increases with advancing maternal age. However, 80% of children with Down syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age.

REGION I
Northern Human Services
87 Washington Street
Conway, New Hampshire 03818
Dennis MacKay, Executive Director
Eric Johnson, Chief of Operations
Phone: 447-3347
Fax: 447-8893
Website: http://www.northernhs.org/

REGION II
Developmental Services of Sullivan County, Inc.
654 Main Street
Claremont, New Hampshire 03743
Mark Mills, Executive Director
Phone: 542-8706
Fax: 542-0421

REGION III
Lakes Region Community Services Council
67 Communications Drive
P. O. Box 509
Laconia, New Hampshire 03247
Rich Crocker, Executive Director
Phone: 524-8811 or 1-800-649-8817