I am 40 years old and pregnant with my third child. The doctor has completed some tests, including amniocentesis and it appears our child has Down syndrome. We need to know more about Down syndrome. Where can we go?

Congratulations on your impending arrival! There are many resources that are available to you: online resources, support organizations, and other parents. Please be selective in what you choose, especially as you seek web based information. Some sites or publications seek the “worst case scenario” for the purpose of illustration. Other sites are designed for teaching purposes, such as medical school sites. Reading and reviewing these sites may just add to the fears or questions you have right now. Remember, your child will be unique in their gifts, talents and struggles, just like any other child. A good place to begin your search is with the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City. You can contact them at 913-384-4848 or visit their website at www.kcdsg.org.

Some other resources include the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Resource Center (MODDRC) and the Sharing Our Strengths Support Matching Network (SOS). MODDRC staff members can provide you with many resources that can help to answer your questions. You can contact the MODDRC by calling 800-444-0821 or visiting www.moddrc.com. Also, it may be beneficial for you to contact SOS at 800-773-8652. They can match you with another individual who has been through some of the same issues or have had some of the same questions that you do.