Books and Publications

Most of the resources listed below are available in the Down Syndrome Victoria library and can be borrowed free of charge by members.

Down Syndrome: the Facts (Third edition)

Mark Selikowitz, Oxford University Press, 2008.

Written for parents by an Australian paediatrician, this easy to read, positive and up-to-date book provides useful information and practical advice on the stages from birth to adulthood. (Note that the chapter on schools relates to NSW rather than Victoria.)

Babies with Down Syndrome: a New Parents’ Guide (Third edition)

Susan J Skallerup (ed), Woodbine House, 2008.

Another good general reference book covering many aspects and questions.

Small Steps Forward. Using games and activities to help your pre-school child with special needs

Sarah Newman, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 1999

Gives a brief overview of different areas of development and a wealth of play activities and games to assist developmental skills.

Living with Down syndrome

Sue Buckley, DownsEd (Down Syndrome Issues and Information series) 2000

An excellent, comprehensive overall picture. Also available to download here.

Gifts

K L Soper (Ed), Woodbine House 2007

Mothers reflect on how children with Down syndrome enrich their lives.

An overview of the development of infants with Down Syndrome (0-5 years)

Sue Buckley and Ben Sacks, DownsEd (Down Syndrome Issues and Information series) 2001

Speech and language development for infants with Down syndrome (0-5 years)

Sue Buckley and Gillian Bird, DownsEd (Down Syndrome Issues and Information series) 2001

Issues for families with children with Down syndrome

Sue Buckley, DownsEd (Down Syndrome Issues and Information series) 2002

Early Communication Skills for Children with Down Syndrome

Libby Kumin, Woodbine House (Topics in Down Syndrome series), 2003.

The book focuses on speech and language development from birth and includes language development checklists and numerous home activities.

Small Steps. An Early Intervention Program for Children with Developmental Delays

Moira Pieterse and Robin Treloar (Macquarie University)

Fine Motor Skills in Children with Down Syndrome. A Guide for Parents and Professionals,

Maryanne Bruni (Topics in Down Syndrome series)

Gross Motor Skills in Children with Down Syndrome. A Guide for Parents and Professionals,

Pat Winders (Topics in Down Syndrome series)

Facing the Crowd: Managing Other People's Insensitivities to your Disabled Child

Deborah Fullwood and Peter Cronin, Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, 1986.

Peter Cronin, headmaster at R.V.I.B. and Deborah Fullwood, occupational therapist and mother of a child with Down Syndrome, have collected experiences of parents in different situations and present strategies to help parents to know what to do or say when other people are insensitive.

Fasten your seatbelt

Brian G Skotko & Susan P Levine, Woodbine House 2009

A crash course on Down syndrome for brothers and sisters

Through the Maze: Association for Children with a Disability - a 30 page resource booklet with information about services for families of children with a disability in all regions of Victoria.