Helpful Hints For New Parents
Call Montgomery County Early Intervention when your child arrives home from the hospital at 610-277-7176.
Early Intervention will set up a time for your child to be evaluated in your home by a team of therapists. They will then make recommendations for the types of therapies your child needs based on their assessment.
Therapists will contact you to set up a time to meet with you and your child regularly in your home. Please be aware that this process can take a few weeks to get established so be patient
This and the therapies are no cost to you and are conducted in your home or daycare!
Many times Early Intervention will give them to you. Most of our families get Occupation, Speech, and Physical therapies. Some people get Feeding, Behavioral and therapies as well as a teacher.
You may want to make an appointment to see a genetic counselor. They will evaluate your child and provide you with information about Down Syndrome. They will also be able to tell you what type of Trisomy 21 your child has by examining the chromosome test that was used to confirm the diagnosis of Down Syndrome. Knowing what type of Trisomy 21 your child has may be helpful in planning future pregnancies.
Your child’s doctor in the hospital may be able to set this appointment up for you right away. The number for the genetic counselor at CHOP is 215-590-2920.
You will need to provide a letter stating your child’s diagnosis from your pediatrician. It is a good idea to make copies of this letter for future reference.
At this appointment, your child will be evaluated. Recommendations may be made for further testing in some areas of development, for evaluations by specialists you have not yet seen, or for additional therapies or evaluations by therapists. It is informative and helpful to get the perspective of someone who specializes in children with Down Syndrome. It can be essential in coordinating care between the important persons handling your child’s needs.
The number for the Developmental Pediatrician at the Trisomy 21 Clinic at CHOP, Dr. Pipan is 267-426-5283. (Note, there is a lengthy waiting list for an appointment with Dr. Pipan so it is advised to make this call when the child is about three to six months of age).
You will also want to make copies of each report for the developmental pediatrician so you will be able to accurately relay details about your child’s care. This will aid you, your pediatrician, your developmental pediatrician and your specialists to coordinate care for your child.
We can also try to put you in touch with a family who is similar to yours (dealing with same medical issues, have children same age, live close by).
Hello:
I am a counsleor in the North Penn School district. I am looking for a family support group as well as sibling support for one of our students who has a Down’s syndrome sister. Please contact me at the e-mail address noted here. Any information you can provide will be helpful. Thank you.