New Parents

Congratulations on the birth (or expected birth) of your child!  Whether this is your first child or your most recent child, the birth of a baby is an exciting and nerve-racking event.  Learning that your baby has Down syndrome adds to the apprehension which accompanies every birth.

DSAW is made up of parents who have experienced exactly what you are going through right now.  We all experienced the same anxiety when we were told that our child has Down syndrome. Through the support of family, friends, and other parents, we all realized that despite some additional challenges, we were bringing a new child into this world to bring us joy and happiness.

Two national organizations, the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC), have put together excellent information for new parents.  We encourage you to visit both of these web sites and take advantage of the extensive materials they have online for new parents.

For information on local resources and support groups within Westchester and surrounding communities, your best resource is the Parents Assistance Committee for Down Syndrome (PACDS).  Among other programs, PACDS has its own New Parent Package and, upon request, provides trained volunteers, who are also parents of a child with Down syndrome, to meet with new parents.  To reach PACDS, contact them by calling the Down Syndrome Hotline at (914) 739-4085.

This can all be very overwhelming at first.  The most important thing to remember is that you have a new baby.  Just like any other child, your baby requires love, caring, and nurturing from you.  While you may have some additional concerns, don't let those concerns get in the way of enjoying your new child.