Connecting Families
Congratulations on the birth of your child! We are here to help.
Whether you found out prenatally or postnatally that your baby has Down syndrome, we are here for you. Trained volunteers in our First Call program are located all over the state and will talk with you over the phone or meet with you in person as you welcome your little one home.
We offer up-to-date information about Down syndrome, as well as support from other Connecticut parents who were, at one time, in shoes like yours. Take some time to check out the resources listed below, along with the other parts of our website. If you can’t find what you want here, contact us at 888-486-8537 or email us at firstcall@mydsact.org, and we will find the information for you.
We are here for siblings in your family as well. Parents can find themselves overwhelmed with a new diagnosis of Down syndrome, so many families find it helpful for brothers and sisters to talk to someone who has had a similar experience. Our peer-to-peer mentoring program is available for brothers and sisters of any age. Information is available on our Siblings First Call page.
We offer all new parents of children with Down syndrome in Connecticut a welcome package. The package is tailored to meet individual needs and includes a blanket or other item made by volunteers who wish to help us welcome you to our community. If needed, we can connect you with medical specialists and family support groups – both those within and outside of our own organization.
Complimentary Membership
There are nearly 3,000 families in the State of Connecticut who have children with Down syndrome. Many have joined together through DS ACT to find answers and comfort, and to explore all the possibilities life has to offer their children. We welcome you to our community with open arms.
Our First Call coordinator can set up a complimentary one-year DS ACT membership, so you can attend our events, and have ready access to the fellowship and resources we make available to our members.
For those who are seeking information about adoption, the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati supports the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network, which has a waiting list of more than 100 families waiting to adopt a child with Down syndrome
Simply complete the form on this page and our First Call coordinator will contact you within 24 hours.
Below is a video that reflect how life with Down syndrome can be lived. While this might not be the journey you had planned, we think you will still find it is rich with possibilities.
Online Resources
The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC)
The National Down Syndrome Society’s “A Promising Future Together”
The Boston Children’s Hospital hosts the Allen C. Crocker Speaker Series. Open to the public, these free talks are webcast and recorded for easy viewing at home. New parents might be especially interested in “Your Baby’s First Year: What You Should Know.” https://meeting.childrens.harvard.edu/p89r6p6s0fm/
Recommended Books
Down Syndrome Parenting, by Natalie Hale
Gifts, Mothers Reflect on How Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives, edited by Kathryn Lynard Soper
Common Threads: Celebrating Life with Down Syndrome by Cynthia Kidder and Brian Skotko.
The NDSC has a lengthy list of videos and suggested reading materials and Woodbine House Publishers specialize in books about developmental disabilities, including Down Syndrome. We occasionally highlight new publications in our blog.