Tag: Down Syndrome Parenting 101 by Natalie Hale

Posted in Down syndrome, Down Syndrome Awareness, Dual Diagnosis Down syndrome and autism, Education and Special Needs, Resources for Special Needs

Blog #255~Down Syndrome Awareness Month:Extra Good Reads

Posted on by Teresa Unnerstall

Blog #255~Down Syndrome Awareness Month: Extra Good Reads

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. My son Nick is 29 years old and has a dual diagnosis of DS-ASD. I’ve been writing this blog since 2012, to help educate and inspire families and professionals.

Last week, in blog #254, I put the spotlight on many DS owned businesses check it out here: https://nickspecialneeds.com/2023/10/16/blog254down-syndrome-awareness-monthsupporting-down-syndrome-businesses/

This week I want to highlight some good reads related to Down syndrome. There are many books on Amazon available with a variety of topics related to Down syndrome. Here are a few books that I highly recommend, that will both educate and inspire you.

Extra Good Reads about Down Syndrome:

A New Course: A Mother’s Journey Navigating Down Syndrome and Autism by Teresa Unnerstall order here: https://amzn.to/2W3Un6X

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The Essential Guide for Families with Down Syndrome: Plan and Actions for Independence at Every Stage of Life by Steve Friedman Order your copy here: https://a.co/d/gMxuiU3

The Essential Guide for Families with Down Syndrome: Plans and Actions for Independence at Every Stage of Life

A Parent’s Guide to Down Syndrome, Advice, Information and Support to Raising Your Child from Diagnosis to Adulthood by Jen Jacob and Marda Sikora. Order here: https://a.co/d/5CRwU6R

Supporting Positive Behavior in Children and Teens with Down Syndrome, Revised Edition, The Respond, Don’t React Method by Dr. David Stein, Psy.D. Order here: https://a.co/d/8rlEeJG

Down Syndrome Parenting 101: Must Have Advice for Making Your Life Easier by Natalie Hale order here: https://a.co/d/7LebF7H

Babies with Down Syndrome: A New Parent’s Guide, Edited by Susan J. Skallerup order here: https://a.co/d/bU6CyTv

Scoot Over and Make Some Room: Creating a Space Where Everyone Belongs by Heather Avis order here: https://a.co/d/3QMtl0w

Teaching Children with Down Syndrome about Their Bodies, Boundaries and Sexuality by Terri Couwenhoven, M.S. order here: https://a.co/d/gARb2kE

Fine Motor Skills for Children with Down Syndrome, A Guide for Parents and Professionals (third edition) by Maryanne Bruni, BScOT (Reg) order here: https://a.co/d/8au2far

Gross Motor Skills in Children with Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals by Patricia C. Winders, P.T. order here: https://a.co/d/9F4DUV4

Gifts: Mother’s Reflect on How Children with Down Syndrome Enriched Their Lives, Edited by Kathryn Lynard, order here: https://a.co/d/fJ4ZgAj

Gifts 2: How People with Down Syndrome Enrich the World, Edited by Kathryn Lynard Soper, order here: https://a.co/d/5ltSrSH

Mental Wellness in Adults with Down Syndrome: A Guide to Emotional and Behavioral Strengths and Challenges by Dennis McGuire, Ph.D. and Brian Chicoine, M.D. order here: https://a.co/d/cbOhBLC

Different A Great Thing to Be by Heather Avis and Sarah Mensinga, order: https://a.co/d/3VL4z16

You Are Enough: A Book About Inclusion by Margaret O’Hair and inspired by Sophia Sanchez order: https://a.co/d/hRsKJAu

My Friend Has Down Syndrome by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos, order here: https://a.co/d/aSRCijS

These Down syndrome good reads are excellent resources for parents, families and professionals. Keep them in mind as gifts for the upcoming holiday season. In addition, many local Down syndrome support groups across the country provide lending libraries with these resources for families. Thank you for sharing and supporting us as we raise awareness and acceptance to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

That’s what is in my noggin this week.

Teresa 🙂

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Posted in Autism, Down syndrome, Resources for Special Needs, Uncategorized

Blog #144~Inspiring Books Related to Down Syndrome

Posted on by Teresa Unnerstall

Blog #144~Inspiring Books Related to Down Syndrome

As Mother’s Day approaches, I wanted to highlight a few more books.  These books would make a nice gift for a mom who has a child with Down syndrome.  My son Nick is 22 years old and has Down syndrome and autism.  It’s been quite a journey, one that I’ve been writing about for several years.  Here are a few books highlighted in this month’s newsletter from the National Association for Down Syndrome (NADS) www.nads.org.  Thank you NADS for the great list!  I also added in a couple of more that I found on Amazon:

Adams, Rachel, Raising Henry (Yale University Press, 2013).  A Columbia University professor reflects on raising her son with Down syndrome, on genetic testing and on the paradoxical role of disability in our culture.

Becker, Amy Julia, A Good and Perfect Gift: Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Named Penny (Bethany House Publishers, 2011).  The Princeton Theological Seminary graduate explores the changes in her life and faith after the birth of her daughter with Down syndrome.

Groeberg, Jennifer Graf, Road Map to Holland: How I found My Way Through My Son’s First Two Years With Down Syndrome (NAL Trade 2008).  A mother describes the period after her son’s birth.

Hale, Natalie, Down Syndrome Parenting 101: Must-Have Advice for Making Your Life Easier (Woodbine House, 2011).  Practical, uplifting advice covering important issues associated with Down syndrome.

Hampton, Kelle, Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected-A Memoir (William Morrow, 2012).  A popular blogger (Enjoying the Small Things) reflects on the changes in her life after the birth of her daughter with Down syndrome.

Lee, Marjorie Sullivan, Bloom where you are Planted (Tau-Publishing, 2012).   The story of her son Kevin, and how their lives were transformed becoming advocates for over four decades.

Murray, Kathleen PhD, Count It All Joy (Westbow Press 2015). A mother’s journey including lessons learned from her son with Down syndrome.

Silverman, Amy, My Heart Can’t Believe It: A Story of Science, Love and Down Syndrome (Woodbine House 2016).  Journalist, blogger and NPR contributor Amy Silverman recounts the impact on her life of the birth of her daughter Sophie, and the gradual evolution of her attitudes about Down syndrome.

Soper, Kathryn, The Year My Son and I Were Born (GPP Life 2010).  A memoir which records the author’s experiences after the birth of her son with Down syndrome.

Soper, Kathryn Gifts: Mothers Reflect on How Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives (Woodbine House, 2007). A collection of personal stories, sixty-three mothers describe the gifts of respect, strength, delight, perspective, and love, which their child with Down syndrome has brought into their lives.

Gifts book cover

Soper, Kathryn Gifts 2 How People With Down Syndrome Enrich the World (Woodbine House, 2009).  The follow-up to the bestselling first volume, Gifts 2 presents a broader perspective on Down syndrome and life by including passionate stories by siblings, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, as well as mothers of older children. Friends, teachers, medical professionals, and coaches also share the joys of knowing and caring for someone with Down syndrome.

The power of a book can give you inspiration and hope.  Back in 1994, when Nick was just a few months old, I found that book.  Count Us In: Growing Up with Down Syndrome (A Harvest Book) was written by two young men, Jason Kingsley and Mitchell Levitz. I clung to every word. They shared their innermost thoughts, feelings, hopes, and dreams, their lifelong friendship—and their experiences growing up with Down syndrome.  The book is smart, charming, witty and truly shows their full potential. Thank you Jason and Mitchell!

In the current addition, the authors discuss their lives since then—milestones and challenges, developments expected and unexpected—in a new afterword….

Count Us In

Please feel free to share this book list and any of my blogs.  I write to raise awareness, and more important to offer hope and encouragement.  Next month, I will highlight books written by fathers!  That’s what is in my noggin this week.

~Teresa

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