:: Rotating Picture Information ::

ABOUT FORUMS Helpful Hints Guidelines Forum Index T21 FORUMS General Forum Chit Chat/Off Topic Discussion Adoption Advocacy Book & More Club Buddy Walks Health & Medical Siblings Forum Single Parenting AGES & STAGES Early Intervention Preschool Elementary School Teenagers & Older Home Schooling OTHER FORUMS Graphics & Webs Home & Beyond IRL Meetings The Trading Post Weight Loss SPECIAL FORUMS Gift Exchange Chillin' With Chalk Memory of Eleni Memory of Mikey CHAT ROOM Chat Information Chat Guidelines Chat Room

www.trisomy21online.com

All rights reserved on
the design & content of
this site 2003-07.
Pictures, personal stories
and experiences on this
site are the property of
the owner and may not
be copied or reproduced
without written permission.
 
Site hosted by Fortune City.
Forums hosted by Network 54.

Site designed and
maintained by Katrina.

We are a group of friends who have come together because we share the common bond of caring for someone who has Trisomy 21. We are here to share therapy tips, medical issues, laughs, accomplishments and yes, even frustrations. We embrace what Trisomy 21 has brought into our lives. We feel that it has taught us to appreciate the true meaning of life. We count our children as blessings! We will fiercely protect them and fight for their lives to be valued just as all other peoples' are. We share our pictures, our stories and our hearts here not only to provide friendship and support for each other, but also in the hopes that others will open their minds and their hearts to our unique children and, in turn, make a better world for everyone.

Note: This section is made up of information submitted by or organized by our community members.  Throughout the pages you will see places that you can submit your information to add to the information that is already up.  Your contributions are greatly appreciated!  If you have an idea for a topic and would be willing to do some work in developing it, e-mail Monica with your ideas.

These topics pages are meant to be an area for parents to share information on topics that are relevant to Trisomy 21.  Note that more this is a growing section of our community so keep checking back for a list of more topics.  Our current list of topics includes:

Adoption of Children with Trisomy 21

This page to is for both adoptive and birth family members.  It is meant to be a resource for those who are considering adoption as an option for the child they are carrying or already have as well as a place for information for parents who are in process of adopting a child with Trisomy 21 and a resource for those who have already adopted their child(ren).  Links on this page include:

• Writing by Members:  Personal thoughts, ideas and poems written by community members about adoption and Trisomy 21.  These will be both written by Monica (Topic Developer) and also from submissions by community members.  To submit your writing, see information under the "Can I contribute?" section below.
• Information:  Information about adopting children with special needs (and in particular those with Trisomy 21).  Information about adoption process, subsidies, agencies, home studies...etc.  
• Personal Stories & Profiles:  Profiles of people who have adopted or those who are hoping to adopt.  We are always looking for people to profile.  Please e-mail Monica if you are willing to be profiled in this section!
• List of Links:  A new list will be posted every second month.  Links will be related to adoption of children with Trisomy 21 or general special needs adoption information.  Note that some links may contain controversial material.
•  So What Do You Think?  A link to an article or editorial related to adoption and Trisomy 21 or special needs.  Read the article and respond to it... the following month, your opinions/ideas will be posted in this section!

Conference Notes

This is a place for those who have been to conferences to share the notes that they take while at conference sessions.  All conference topics are fair game here so please share what you have.

Links on this page currently include:
 

Medical Experiences

Some children with trisomy 21 will face certain medical issues.  Most, if not all, of these issues can be treated and managed so that a child will still live a full, productive, long life.  This is a place for those who are facing medical issues to read stories of people who have "been there, done that".  You will find here stories of hope and determination.

• AAI (Atlanto-axial Instability): Approximately 15% of children with trisomy 21 will have AAI.  AAI is instability in the first and second cervical vertebrae.  It is recommended that x-rays be done to check for AAI between 1 and 12 years.
• Alopecia Areata: Alopecia areata is a autoimmune disease that results in the loss of hair.  Children with trisomy 21 are slightly more likely to get Alopecia then the general population.
• Audiology (Hearing)
• Cardiology: About 40 to 45 percent of babies with trisomy 21 are born with heart defects.  Improved medical technology has led to advances in heart repairs and most can be corrected.  Our babies generally do well with this surgery and their overall health greatly improves once it takes place.
• Celiac Disease: Celiac Disease results in the body’s inability to break down glutens (found in oats, barley, rye and wheat).  According to the Down Syndrome Health Care Guidelines, children with trisomy 21 should be checked for celiac disease at age 3.
• Dental Issues
• Dual Diagnosis (CP, CF...etc.)
• ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat)
• Feeding Issues
• Gastro-Intestinal Issues
• Genetics
• Immunology
• Leukemia
• Neurology
• Opthamology (Vision)
• Orthotics
• Pulminology/Respiratory
• Sensory Integration
• Sleep Issues
• Thyroid
• Other Issues

Presentation Ideas

This is a compilation of ideas related to doing information presentations to various age groups.  There will also be ideas in here on how to present the topic of disabilities to groups of children  as well as one on one.
 

Therapy & Learning Tips, Ideas and Notes

This is a compilation of therapy and learning tips that parents have picked up along the way.  Links on this page include:

• Communication & Oral Motor Skills: Tips, Ideas, Questions, Discussions
• Communication & Oral Motor Skills: Links to Related Information and Product Sites
• Fine Motor Skills: Tips, Ideas, Questions, Discussions
• Fine Motor Skils: Links to Related Information and Product Sites

Gross Motor Skills

• Tips, Ideas, Questions, Discussions - A discussion forum for community members to share information, experience, ideas, concerns...etc. related to gross motor skill development.
• Links to Related Information and Product Sites - A permanent page of links to other information about this topic.  If you have a link you would like to add to this page, use the form at the bottom of this page.

Literacy (Reading and Writing)

• Tips, Ideas, Questions, Discussions - A discussion forum for community members to share information, experience, ideas, concerns...etc. related to literacy (reading and writing) skill development.
• Links to Related Information and Product Sites - A permanent page of links to other information about this topic.  If you have a link you would like to add to this page, use the form at the bottom of this page.

Numeracy & Mathematics

• Tips, Ideas, Questions, Discussions - A discussion forum for community members to share information, experience, ideas, concerns...etc. related numeracy and mathematical skill development.
• Links to Related Information and Product Sites - A permanent page of links to other information about this topic.  If you have a link you would like to add to this page, use the form at the bottom of this page.

Self-help and/or Life Skills

• Tips, Ideas, Questions, Discussions - A discussion forum for community members to share information, experience, ideas, concerns...etc. related to self help or life skill development.
• Links to Related Information and Product Sites - A permanent page of links to other information about this topic.  If you have a link you would like to add to this page, use the form at the bottom of this page.

Social Skills

• Tips, Ideas, Questions, Discussions - A discussion forum for community members to share information, experience, ideas, concerns...etc. related to social skill development.
• Links to Related Information and Product Sites - A permanent page of links to other information about this topic.  If you have a link you would like to add to this page, use the form at the bottom of this page.

Transitioning

• Tips, Ideas, Questions, Discussions - A discussion forum for community members to share information, experience, ideas, concerns...etc. related to transitioning issues.
• Links to Related Information and Product Sites - A permanent page of links to other information about this topic.  If you have a link you would like to add to this page, use the form at the bottom of this page.

Educational Experiences