Special Needs New Parents

Here is a basic suggestion list of things to do first:

• If you haven't already, contact these two groups. Broward Gold Coast Down syndrome Organization and PODS Angels Support Group Foundation. This lets you talk to other parents with children who were at one time, exactly where you are now. They are here for you! They are not on the outside looking in, because like you, they also have children with Down syndrome. Simply call or email them right away.
• The next thing you may want to do is call Child Find. Their local office is 954-767-8522. They do evaluations (from birth to 21 years of age) to identilfy educational program needs. Child Find 'sets up' the appointments with CDTC for 0-3. Child Find is the one that calls CDTC and sets up your 1st appointment. They are a central control of sorts, of documents that show where, how, who referred, what hospital, the stats on how and where the children come from for statistic purposes. They
  have charts and graphs on this kind of information. Once again, they help you determine what kind of help you can arrange for your child. They are not Down syndrome specific, but help all children.