Explore our Week-by-Week Resource Guide—packed with helpful info and tips for each stage of your journey. This easy-to-use, printable PDF is designed to support you with timely suggestions and resources right when you need them most.

In collaboration with Dr. Libby Kumin, CCC-SLP, DSAmd created an advocacy one-pager to help families request early language and feeding evaluations. With Dr. Kumin’s permission, we also share two helpful forms to complete with your speech therapist: the Pre-speech Recording Form, and the Early Social Interactions form.

The purpose of the Facebook group is to provide a private, secure and safe place for parents and families of people with Down syndrome and self-advocates to have respectful discussions and to provide each other with useful support and information. For our newest families, this is a critical space for them to find family connections and support to help them through these first months or years.

If you have recently learned that your baby has Down syndrome, if you need answers, support or just need to talk to someone who's been through this, please contact our First Call team at 443-300-6972 or FirstCall@DSAmd.org. All correspondences are confidential.

The purpose of the Eastern Shore family Facebook group is to provide a private, secure and safe place for parents and families of people with Down syndrome and self-advocates to have respectful discussions and to provide each other with useful support and information.

The First Call National Training Center, established in 2011, offers support and training for local and state Down syndrome organizations to design and implement a Parents First Call program in their area.

Resources from the Office of Children and Youth with Specific Health Care Needs. This includes family checklists, health care providers, and parents, including face sheets and guides.

The Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN) was launched on World Down Syndrome Day, March 21, 2014. Today, our focus remains the same — improving the diagnosis experience for parents and providing a framework of support.

The material in this publication is intended to provide a general overview of Down syndrome and select, reliable resources.

This book is specifically written for expectant mothers who are preparing for the birth of a baby with Down syndrome. It will answer your pregnancy and birth questions, validate your emotions, provide coping advice, and give you hope for the future.

Now you can make a referral to the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program at your convenience using the Online Referral System.  This fully encrypted web-based application will ensure the security of your information while saving you time and increasing efficiency.

Complete the DDA application as early as possible—even at birth. While services may not be immediately available, you'll receive a case worker, and early application supports access to vital transition services in adulthood.

This clinical report is designed to assist the pediatrician in caring for the child, adolescent, and family in whom a diagnosis of Down syndrome has been confirmed by chromosome analysis or suspected by prenatal screening.

Down Syndrome Clinic to You (DSC2U) was created to bring the best of health and wellness information about Down syndrome to caregivers and primary care physicians around the globe.

The Down Syndrome Clinic and Research Center provides interdisciplinary and comprehensive evaluations and treatment services from birth to adulthood to patients from all over the United States.

Children's National Hospital has the only dedicated Down syndrome clinic in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The pediatric specialists provide personalized care for your child’s physical, mental and emotional health needs.

PPMD helps families obtain education and health care services for their children with disabilities; work to improve education and health care for all children; train and inform parents and professionals on a variety of topics; and connect children with disabilities to community resources that address their needs.

The Maryland Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition (MDAC) is a statewide alliance of self-advocates, families, and allies working to ensure people with Down syndrome have the support to lead self-determined lives.

The GLOBAL Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome (GLOBAL Adult Guideline) provide first in-kind, evidence-based medical recommendations to support clinicians in their care of adults with Down syndrome

The Down Syndrome Registry enables people with Down syndrome and their families to contribute to research studies, connect with Down syndrome researchers, and find resources and community events.

Thanks to improved care for individuals, people with Down syndrome are living longer. Aging may occur earlier, and clinical staff work with families to monitor related issues while researchers explore long-term solutions.

Transitioning from high school is an exciting time for young adults and their families as they consider options for the future. The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) offers services that help youth and their families navigate a path toward a “good life” as adults.

The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.

Check out this DSAmd-curated, crowd-sourced list of physicians celebrated for Doctors’ Day! Updated annually, it's organized by location, name, and specialty—browse the tabs in the spreadsheet to find providers recognized as awesome by our community.

A helpful guide for families supporting individuals with Down syndrome, this cell phone resource document offers tips on safety, accessibility features, and age-appropriate use to promote independence, communication, and digital responsibility.

This guide offers elopement-prevention strategies for individuals with Down syndrome. It includes safety tips, planning tools, and ideas to support families in reducing risk, promoting awareness, and ensuring a secure environment at home and in the community.

REV UP stands for “Register, Educate, Vote, Use your Power!” The REV UP network is composed of grassroots coalitions and partner organizations that work to advance the Disability Vote. REV UP’s mission is to foster civic engagement and protect the voting rights of Americans with disabilities.

DSAmd is excited to announce we are a partner for Disability Voting Rights Week!

Can individuals with Down syndrome vote? YES! Your vote matters, and your vote is powerful! Click here to view the 2022 MDAC voter guide.

We provide education and training programs, events, and resources on practical subjects related to advocacy, disability, inclusion, education, transition, and independence for every age group. Many of our topics are appropriate for families with loved ones with other disabilities that are not Down syndrome, too - all are welcome to attend.

Founded in 1990, the Sibling Support Project is the first national program dedicated to recognizing, promoting and addressing the life-long and ever-changing concerns of millions of siblings of people with developmental, health, and mental health concerns.

These resources are for people who have a brother or sister with a disability.  They offer different kinds of support. Siblings are sometimes called “sibs.” 

Maryland ABLE accounts provide a way to help individuals with disabilities save money and pay for qualified disability-related expenses without jeopardizing state or federal means-tested benefits such as SSI or Medicaid.

The Developmental Disabilities Administration's Low Intensity Support Services (LISS) Program serves children living at home with their family and adults with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities living in their own home in the community who are not receiving any support services from the DDA.

The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) funds employment, day, residential and support services for people with developmental disabilities. In order for the DDA to determine whether a person is eligible for services, the person or someone acting on their behalf must complete an application for DDA services.

Check out this DSAmd-curated list of resources to support families with their financial needs for treatment and care for an individual with Down syndrome.

Check out this DSAmd-curated list of attorneys and resources to support families with guardianship, trusts, wills/estate needs, etc.

The Black Down Syndrome Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing Black families with the resources and support they need for their loved ones with Down Syndrome.

PALS mission is to create inclusive camp experiences for people with and without Down syndrome. Our volunteer-led programs change attitudes, transform lives, and inspire a world of belonging.

The Down Syndrome Association of Southern Maryland represents a group of parents and professionals in Southern Maryland who share a vision for persons with Down syndrome.

The vision of the Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County is to be a comprehensive resource on Down syndrome in the Washington, DC metro area. We envision a community where all people with Down syndrome can achieve their full potential, and where individuals with Down syndrome and their families are welcomed with fairness, enthusiasm and encouragement in the community.

The Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN) was launched on World Down Syndrome Day, March 21, 2014. Today, our focus remains the same — improving the diagnosis experience for parents and providing a framework of support.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S., or Family Resource, Information & Education Network for Down Syndrome is a 501(c)(3) non-profit group of parents re-formed in 1999 in Frederick County, Maryland

GiGi's Playhouse offers FREE therapeutic, educational and research-driven programs to individuals of all ages with Down syndrome.

The Global Down Syndrome Foundation is a public non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to significantly improving the lives of people with Down syndrome through Research, Medical Care, Education and Advocacy.

LuMind IDSC accelerates Down syndrome research to expand access to therapies, diagnostics, and medical care, while empowering families through education, support, and connection. As a vital bridge, we connect the Down syndrome community with cutting-edge research.

The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to an improved world for individuals with Down syndrome. Founded in 1973, we are the leading national resource of support and information for anyone touched by or seeking to learn about Down syndrome, from the moment of diagnosis, whether prenatal or at birth, through adulthood.

Founded in 1979, the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) empowers individuals with Down syndrome and their families by driving policy change, providing resources, engaging with local communities, and shifting public perceptions. The organization’s work is achieved through three key areas of programming: Resources & Support, Advocacy & Policy, and Community Engagement.

The Parents of Children with Down syndrome (PODS) of Prince George’s County is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide support and resources for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. PODS seeks to provide the community and surrounding areas with information and education to broaden awareness and foster positive attitudes regarding people with Down syndrome.