Down Syndrome: A Day to Day Guide: Children

Jett says, "Welcome!"

I'm so glad you made it here! Your child's future has never looked better (and is looking better every day). I would love to tell you that you can find a physician who will know exactly what to do to best care for your child. As you may already realize, that is not the case. Although your physician may not yet know the best way to treat many aspects of your child's development, rest assured that I will share with you what is working for my son, Jett. And I will help you get in touch with experienced moms, clue you in to great resources and keep you abreast of the most recent research and brainstorming about Down syndrome. You are not alone. You have all the resources you need to be a successful parent. You will be empowered to give your child the best possible future with the best possible treatment. Your child's future is in good hands -- yours!

It's natural to feel overwhelmed.... There's a lot of information here. You can't learn all of this in one day (or month or year...)! I'm hoping to save parents the time and anguish of sorting through all the information that's out there on T21. I want to allow you to spend quality time enjoying and nurturing your child rather than spending the time that I already have going through piles of research. I am open minded and update blog posts according to my latest findings, but I do have specific beliefs about what works best and what doesn't and I only share what I either endorse or am still open to and researching. Feel free to share your experiences, questions and solutions you may have privately (click my profile for my email address) or as a comment for all to see.

Now is a great time to start. Try not to beat yourself up for "lost time." Human's brain-growth peaks in size somewhere between puberty and the early 20's, but the brain remains "plastic" with synapses continuing to develop throughout life. All is not lost! Children benefit greatly from supplementation at any age and I know lots of kids who are showing improvement even as teens in neurodevelopmental programs. No need to look back, there's so much ahead of you!


Jett's excited to meet you, too!

Keep up-to-date by subscribing in a reader to this blog or sign up to get each new post automatically sent to you by entering your email address in the "Follow by Email" box on the right side of your screen. I'd love to know that you are actively reading by adding yourself as a "follower." It's a small way to let me know you are listening! You can follow me on Facebook as well.

Also read New? Start Here to learn more about my philosophy and for updates on Jett's wonderful progress.

Plan of Action

1) Get inspired! Check out how well "treated" children are doing:

Meet Lydia

Six Year Old Mac Austin: In the News

Changing Mind Foundation Success Stories

Gryffin & Lucas
Gregory DeSilva on the Local News

Laura's "K" Reading Ages 2-4 (Neurodevelopment program early on with a healthy, organic diet. Started TNI at age 3.)

Jett at 19 months reading 9 words in 1 minute 40 seconds.

This is a video link of Emmanuel Bishop Suzuki playing the Bach Minuet on violin at age 14. I know he's on TNI, not sure what else. He's also a great swimmer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkOWMhkoQiA

2) Fix the common, overlooked medical and physical situations our children have.

a. How to Find A Quality Physician & Get Organized with a Medical Notebook

b. Treat the Thyroid

c. How to Keep Nasal Passages Clear and Mouths Closed

d. Protect Your Child's Hearing

e. Learn about Immunizations

f. Celiac Disease & Down Syndrome (Sounds scarier than it is--easily controllable & more common than you may realize.)

g. The Heart & Down Syndrome & Preparing for Heart Surgery/Hospital Stay

h. Constipation: Causes and Cures

i. Heal the Gut, Heal the Child

j. Reflux in Down syndrome & Reflux: Treating the Problem Not the Symptoms

k. Signs of Nutritional Deficiency

l. Stimulating Growth

m. Anemia Causes & Cures

3) Clean up your family's diet with non toxic foods & foods that best support healing and health. See Nutritional Page for details. A great book for sneaking in nutrition into your child's meals is Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld.

4) Supplement for body and brain health.

a. Which Multivitamin?

b. Changing Minds Foundation Protocol

c. Learn about Alzheimer's Disease & DS: Connection and Treatments
d. Here is Jett's Supplement List with links to my explanations

5) Start at-home therapy. See Neurodevelopmental Page for details.

6) Detoxify your surroundings. See Environmental Page for details.

7) Learn More & Get Connected

Check out Parent's Resources for Guidance on Down Syndrome

for books, websites, blogs, DVDs and forums that I recommend.

Treatment for Brain Health

We all want a cure for DS. These posts explain the latest treatment plans/biomedical intervention. I have many posts exploring brain support, but if you are new to this concept, it's best to stick with researching proven treatments that offer a lot of guidance. Our children may all share an extra chromosome, but since every child is different; it's important to follow your child's cues & clues.

Overview

Cure for Down Syndrome?

Changing Minds Foundation Protocol

Jett's Supplement List

Details

Gingko: The Hows and Whys for Down Syndrome

Why supplement and monitor zinc?

Folic Acid Cut Alzheimer’s Risk in Half
Cerebral folate deficiency in Down syndrome

EGCG Green Tea Extract For Memory

Longvida Curcumin

Alzheimer's Disease & DS: Connection and Treatments

Why Rhodiola Rosea?