You have just received a pre-natal diagnosis of Down syndrome….

In all likelihood you did not expect this news. None of us do – we expect that the “children of our dreams” will never have to experience significant problems or deal with issues in their lives that may cause them pain. In some ways, perhaps this diagnosis does not even seem “real” - but now you have to make decisions for yourself and your family that will alter your lives in ways you cannot predict.  You will have to choose whether to keep this pregnancy, and should you decide not to terminate, you will need to know the options for your child and yourself.

This website is not designed to give you the answer, but it is designed to give you information about Down syndrome, to allow you to explore frequently asked questions prospective parents often have, and to give you a glimpse into the lives of children and young adults with Down syndrome. This website contains the best we know about what lies ahead for children with Down syndrome and their families, about the positive effect of early intervention, about the impact of these children upon their families, and about the challenges that they face. We provide links to national organizations, with local affiliates who have parents with children with Down syndrome who would be most willing to answer your questions honestly and candidly. There is even information on this website about the national Down syndrome adoption waiting list – something that people are often surprised to learn about!

We hope that this website is of value as you ponder the options ahead for you, your partner, and perhaps the children you already have. It is meant to give accurate and up-to-date information about Down syndrome, based on the best research that we have, and help you realize that in very real sense, you are not alone – that others too have heard this unexpected news, and faced the uncertainty of what they should do. It is from their experiences and what they had wished people had told them that we have constructed this website.