Updated to reflect the most current information in the field, this practical reference addresses the early reactions and feelings that parents may have as well as how a family can adapt when a child is diagnosed with Down syndrome. From birth to adulthood, the mental, motor, and social development of those living with the illness are explored in detail. Drawing from a comprehensive study of more than 160 children born with Down syndrome—the largest survey of its type ever carried out—this overview provides a sympathetic and understanding approach to this developmental disability, allowing parents to make the best decisions for their children’s future and their own.