Resources for Healthcare Providers
Genetic counselors, obstetricians, pediatricians, nurses, social workers, physical therapists, and many other health professionals rely on organizations like ours to provide accurate, current, unbiased information to help them better serve individuals with Down syndrome from diagnosis through adulthood. We provide medical professionals with up-to-date information about Down syndrome and help them understand all facets of life for families to raise a child with Down syndrome.
Resources for Providers at Diagnosis and Delivery
Receiving a diagnosis of Down syndrome can be very confusing and emotional for families. Parents can find it difficult to know where to turn for information and connections with others, and healthcare providers might be the first person to provide them with their next steps, such as connecting them with DSAMN and other families. We provide materials and services that can help; request resources using the form below.
Download the DSAMn New Parents' Guide
Order printed copies of the DSAMn New Parents' Guide
For parents receiving a birth diagnosis, we highly recommend sharing DSAMn's New Parents' Guide in conjunction with the book Welcoming a Newborn with Down Syndrome: A New Parent's Guide to the First Month.
For parents receiving a prenatal diagnosis, we highly recommend sharing DSAMn's New Parents' Guide in conjunction with the book Diagnosis to Delivery: A Pregnant Mother's Guide to Down Syndrome.
We have copies of the books available at the DSAMn office as well as other reputable resources including Your Loved One Is Having a Baby with Down Syndrome and Coping With Loss: Down Syndrome. These titles are available in English and Spanish from DSAMn or from DownSyndromePregnancy.org.
In addition, we’ve gathered helpful healthcare provider resources below from others in our community.
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Postnatal Diagnosis of Down Syndrome Synthesis of the Evidence on How Best to Deliver the News
- American Journal of Medical Genetics: Prenatal Diagnosis of Down Syndrome How Best to Deliver the News
- How Nurses Can Help New Parents
- MDH Children and Youth With Special Needs Information and Resources for Providers.
- Additional resources can be found online at www.lettercase.org. These are available for free and in different languages through DSAMN.
Resources for Parents at Diagnosis and Delivery
New & Expectant Parent Support Line
New & Expectant Parent Support Line available via call or text at (651) 603-0720. Parents can reach out with questions or concerns as they arise and they will be answered by a member of our staff, 365 days a year.
New Parent Gift and Resource Packet
New Parent Gift and Resource Packet including our new parent guide, helpful books, and a little something to celebrate the birth of their child. Families can request these resources themselves or you can request for them here.
Parent-to-Parent Connections and Visits
Parent-to-Parent Connections and Visits It can be helpful and reassuring for parents to talk to someone who has already walked the road they are on. We match parents with a trained parent volunteer who lives in their community. Our volunteers are willing to visit new families in the hospital or in their own home.
Download the DSAMN Referral Authorization Form here (NEED THIS)
DSAMN Community Parent Groups
DSAMN support groups are available in 17 communities across Minnesota as well as specialty support groups for new parents, grandparents, siblings, Somali families and Latinx families.
Check out our Community Parent Group resources here
Family Connectors
Family Connectors help parents navigate the complexities that come with raising a child with Down syndrome, including guidance regarding health care, education, county services, and other community resources.
Hospital Connections
Hospital Connections Do you have two patients with babies with Down syndrome? We can help you connect them! Download our Hospital Connections Request Form here.
Resources for Health Care Providers for Youth & Adults
We’ve gathered helpful healthcare provider resources below for the healthcare providers for children, adolescents and adults.
- DSAMN Healthcare Provider Webinar: Keeping Children & Adolescents with Down Syndrome Healthy, Overview of Medical Guidelines with Dr. Brian Skotko
- Medical Care Information & Guidelines for Children and Adolescents with Down Syndrome
- Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome
- DSC2U: A personalized care plan for individuals with Down syndrome*
- National Down Syndrome Congress – For Medical Professionals
- Global Down Syndrome Foundation – Research & Medical Care
*A DSAMN subsidy is possible for parents to access DSC2U; contact us for more details.
