Down Syndrome or Living with Germs

Down Syndrome: The Facts

Author: Mark Selikowitz

Dr. Mark Selikowitz, a consultant paediatrician, has drawn on his extensive experience with children with Down syndrome to write this sympathetic and authoritative book, widely regarded as the definitive guide for parents. In this new edition, he looks at the many new opportunities that have appeared over the past few years in the educational, social, and employment spheres for people with Down syndrome. These have been accompanied by favorable changes in community attitudes. A particularly encouraging development is the greater attention paid to the wishes of people with Down syndrome.
The book offers advice and reassurance to these people and provides an essential guide to their parents and the many health workers who come in contact with Down syndrome children and adults.

"Excellent book. Its open and sensitive approach is aimed principallu at parents. However the breadth and depth of coverage is such that it will be of interest to most professionals working in this field. All the important areas are covered, including some such as marriage and procreation, which are not always considered. The issues are presented in a clear factual manner, emphasising at all times the characteristics that people with Down Syndrome have in common with all people - their individuality, dignity, right of choice and potential to benefit from appropriate opportunity"--Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health (on the first edition)

William I. Cohen

Dr. Selikowitz has updated his 1990 book designed for parents of children with Down syndrome. This book is notable in that it covers the whole life span, from infancy to adulthood and deals with the developmental, educational, and social-sexual needs of individuals with Down syndrome as well as their medical needs. "The author successfully meets his objective of providing a concise, readable discussion of Down syndrome and its impact on the child and family in an upbeat, positive manner. This book will be especially useful to new parents of a child with Down syndrome, although it does present excellent information about the needs of adolescents and adults as well. "Designed for parents, this book certainly has the potential to be useful to a variety of other professionals, such as medical students, educators, early intervention providers, and social workers. The medical material is well presented, in a fashion that is clear and free of jargon. The author is a recognized authority on this subject; he speaks authoritatively and compassionately. "There are a few figures to illustrate some of the genetics of Down syndrome. Most of the illustrations are pictures of individuals with Down syndrome. I think more of these would be helpful to parents, to see the child in his or her natural environment. The book is small in size and is very inviting; it is easy to read and does not overwhelm the reader. The absence of references is a minor fault, overcome by the names and addresses of a variety of national organizations that can provide current information. "This concise, appealing book is encyclopedic in breadth, yet it never overwhelms the reader with too much detail. It is current, witha good description of the alternative (controversial) therapies that are currently the rage around the world. This book should be available in every obstetric department and every public library.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer: William I. Cohen, MD (Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh)
Description: Dr. Selikowitz has updated his 1990 book designed for parents of children with Down syndrome. This book is notable in that it covers the whole life span, from infancy to adulthood and deals with the developmental, educational, and social-sexual needs of individuals with Down syndrome as well as their medical needs.
Purpose: The author successfully meets his objective of providing a concise, readable discussion of Down syndrome and its impact on the child and family in an upbeat, positive manner. This book will be especially useful to new parents of a child with Down syndrome, although it does present excellent information about the needs of adolescents and adults as well.
Audience: Designed for parents, this book certainly has the potential to be useful to a variety of other professionals, such as medical students, educators, early intervention providers, and social workers. The medical material is well presented, in a fashion that is clear and free of jargon. The author is a recognized authority on this subject; he speaks authoritatively and compassionately.
Features: There are a few figures to illustrate some of the genetics of Down syndrome. Most of the illustrations are pictures of individuals with Down syndrome. I think more of these would be helpful to parents, to see the child in his or her natural environment. The book is small in size and is very inviting; it is easy to read and does not overwhelm the reader. The absence of references is a minor fault, overcome by the names and addresses of a variety of national organizations that can provide current information.
Assessment: This concise, appealing book is encyclopedic in breadth, yet it never overwhelms the reader with too much detail. It is current, with a good description of the alternative (controversial) therapies that are currently the rage around the world. This book should be available in every obstetric department and every public library.

Rating

4 Stars! from Doody

Table of Contents:

1	The first days are the hardest	1
2	Coping with family and friends	12
3	What is Down syndrome?	24
4	How Down syndrome comes about	31
5	Your child's development	41
6	Your child's health	63
7	The heart	83
8	Your child's behaviour	91
9	A guide to services	102
10	Assessment	109
11	Early intervention and pre-school groups	118
12	Which school?	129
13	Adolescence	138
14	Adulthood	149
15	Controversial treatments	169
16	Future pregnancies	176
	Conclusion	186
	Appendix: Useful addresses	187
	Index	188

Read also Grundsätze der Buchhaltung

Living with Germs: In Health and Disease

Author: John Playfair

The word germ is defined as 'a microbe that causes disease'. The vast majority of microbes do not infect us at all: it is pathogens that make us ill. These include bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi, worms, and prions. Living with Germs not only looks at all of these in detail, but also at the defense mechanisms by which we come to terms with pathogens, whether by eliminating them, stopping them from eliminating us, or simply learning to live with them. This is the first book to look at the subject of immunology in a relevant and approachable style. Using anecdotal and autobiographical material, John Playfair has produced a lively, well-written, and up-to-date look at immunology. Timely and topical, this will appeal to all those who want to know the facts behind the 'germ' scare stories.