| No matter how you decide to educate your child | | | | acceptance. |
| with Down syndrome, there will still be the issue of | | | | This does not mean that your child will never be |
| socialization - making friends. One of the biggest | | | | teased or never be hurt. The fact is that most |
| worries of parents with a Down syndrome child is: | | | | children, with or without Down syndrome experience |
| Will my child be teased? How will I help my child with | | | | some teasing and hurtful comments. This does not |
| this and any hurt feelings? | | | | make it right, but it is a sad fact of life. |
| Believe it or not, it is not typically the children you | | | | One of the best defenses is to let your child know |
| have to worry about - it is their parents. Most | | | | from the very beginning that she is different, but |
| children will be accepting of your child. Parents, | | | | that differences are OK. Let her know that we all are |
| however, have often been taught that Down | | | | different! This way, if your child encounters teasing, |
| syndrome children need to be isolated and can't do | | | | she will be able to say, "Yes I am different. All people |
| much. They may think that your child should not be | | | | are different, and so am I." |
| included in activities with their child. | | | | By Jane Orville |
| The best thing you can do is to invite other children | | | | Jane Orville is the mother of a 17 year old Daughter |
| over to play. Make friends with the other child and | | | | with Down Syndrome and has spent years |
| their parents. Let them know about Down syndrome. | | | | researching and compiling all the wisdom she has |
| Help them to understand that your child is more like | | | | gained into a simple guide to assist parents deal with |
| their child than different. It is amazing what happens | | | | the concerns of raising a child with Down Syndrome. |
| as people begin to understand. Understanding leads to | | | | |