Down Syndrome Parenting 101: Must-Have Advice for Making Your Life Easier

"Mother of an adult with Down syndrome, Hale (Oh, Brother! Growing Up with a Special Needs Sibling) writes a positive (without being sentimental or syrupy), practical, and realistic (e.g., one chapter is titled 'How To Ruin Your Child') guide to parenting children with special needs. She describes Down syndrome as a kind of yellow raincoat that all children with a 21st chromosome wear: while the raincoat can make them look identical, there are brilliant, individual kids underneath each. It's a compelling image, but it's Hale's practical advice on the next 250 pages that makes this book so worthwhile. She covers everything about raising a special-needs child; nursing, friendships, family dynamics, time-outs, drugs, avoiding pointless arguments (via Hale's 'ZZ Method'), testing and schools, apps, choosing teachers, finding the least-restrictive environments, etc. Chapters can be read here-and-there or straight through. The introduction by sociologist and best-selling author Martha Beck (Expecting Adam) sets the tone: telling parents that they are extraordinary, to trust their intuition, and believe in accepting help. Verdict: An essential book with indispensable advice for parents and teachers of kids with Down syndrome or any other mental disability. Highly recommended." - Linda Beck, Indian Valley P.L., Telford, PA