When Down Syndrome and Autism Intersect: A Guide to DS-ASD for Parents and Professionals Paperback – December 17, 2012

I wish I'd known when my daughter was young that the interesection of DS and autism is not unusual. I'm grateful to have discovered this book now, even though she's an adult. It's well-written, informative, and helpful in understanding her beyond-Down syndrome needs and speaking to her doctor about them.

This book is the first of its kind in sharing with the world and the medical community that yes, Down syndrome and autism can and do co-occur for some of our children. This acknowledgment is a big first step for many families in understanding that their journey with their child will be different than others. And just as those with autism exhibit a range of abilities, people with DS-autism will also have a varying range of issues. The book cannot provide answers to all of them, but provides examples of ways to address them and how it is helpful to develop a team approach across the medical and therapy communities. This book is thoughtfully written through the eyes of experience and gives parents a sense of knowing they are not alone on what at first can seem like uncharted waters. It also can be hard to read, getting hit in the face with the knowledge that you have an incredibly complex child that you are entrusted to care for can seem daunting (I admit I had to stop reading it for awhile), but knowing you have a resource and that there others who understand provides a level of comfort that no other resource can provide.

This is an amazing book. A handbook disclosing unchartered symptoms, challenges and causes of 2 serious medical tragedies which effect so many families and their suffering children. A thoughful first hand approach from the eyes of families with their afflicted children which helped them manuever the difficulties as they await medicine and supportive programs to catch up. The families enlist caring medical professionals and together thru their experiences and trials discover there can be a link resulting in both Downs Syndrome and Autism. It is evidence again that the determination and love for a child results in break-thrus that the medical community has yet to catch up with. Common sense solutions to assist afflicted families and their childern in getting thru the tough days ahead in a positive way.

I'm so thankful to have found this! Felt like an instruction manual for my kids, and has helped me understand them so much more.

Great resource and well written. Some things I already knew, but helpful and nice to have a book on both diagnoses.

This is great book and an invaluable resource for those families and professionals who are new to the DS-ASD journey. There is no other book like it out there and for many of these families it is what they need to help understand more about the co-occurring diagnosis. I highly recommend it!!

If you haven't had previous research this is a fantastic book. I was looking more for a book that helped us design an education program for my son and only 10-20 pages really were dedicated to that. Still a stellar book for parents. Great for medical stuff too.

Some great information in here, not often discussed about. Very helpful in understanding some "extra behavior" that can accompany Down Syndrome. Hopeful, positive, understanding.

it's been very helpful information

Great book, very informative! Highly recommend for parents, caregivers and support staff! A+

For those of us with kids who have DS and autism, this book is like finding a treasure. It is reassuring, informative, grounding and inspiring. My only wish is that there was a Canadian version.