Frequently Asked Questions
Use the following links to view frequently asked questions
on each topic:
Questions About the
Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta
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Q:
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Does DSAA have regular
meetings for members?
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A:
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DSAA has general meetings throughout the year, usually tied to an educational
program or social activity. It is difficult to find a central, convenient
location in Atlanta to hold regular meetings. We encourage you to
contact a parent networking group near you to meet with other parents
regularly.
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How can DSAA help new parents?
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A:
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DSAA has a wonderful packet of basic information for new parents of a
child with Down syndrome. It includes a new parent booklet, called “See
the Potential”, information about Georgia’s Babies Can’t
Wait Program, contact information for other helpful organizations,
a membership form, and a copy of the poem, “Welcome to Holland”,
by Emily Perl Kingsley. Upon return of the membership form, DSAA
will also send the book, Babies with Down Syndrome, A New Parent’s
Guide, by Karen Stray-Gunderson.
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What services does DSAA provide?
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A:
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DSAA is not actually a “service provider”, but an organization
of parents who provide information and sponsor events to be helpful to
parents in metro-Atlanta. We try to answer your questions or refer you
to someone who can help you with your concerns.
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Questions About Down Syndrome
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Q: |
Did
I do anything wrong to cause my baby to be born
with Down syndrome? |
A:
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Nothing you did or thought caused your child to have
Down syndrome. All individuals who have Down syndrome
were born with extra chromosome material in their
cells. This is a result of an error in cell division,
in either the egg or sperm, prior to conception or
very soon afterward. At this time it is not know
why the extra genetic material causes Down syndrome.
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Q:
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Do I need a “special pediatrician” to care
for my child with Down syndrome?
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A:
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Your pediatrician for routine care does not need to be a “Down syndrome
specialist”. It is more important for you to choose a doctor you are
comfortable with and whom you believe will treat your child like any other.
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Q:
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What should I be doing to help my baby?
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A:
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Soon after birth, early intervention specialists including physical, occupational,
and speech therapists can guide you in how to promote your baby’s progress.
Talk to other parents who live near you. They are often the best source of
information for people and programs that can help maximize your child’s
potential.
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How do I explain Down syndrome to my other children?
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A:
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We recommend a terrific book, We’ll Paint the Octopus Red, by Stephanie
Stuve-Bodeen for pre-school and early elementary-aged children. The story is
easy to understand and there is a question and answer section in the back that
addresses many concerns that a young child may have.
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