Woodbine House has published another book in their Topics in Down Syndrome series, The Down Syndrome Transition Handbook: Charting your child's course to adulthood by Jo Ann Simons, (2010). Although it is definitely geared to the American experience, it has much to offer any family of an adolescent with Down syndrome.The author uses her experience as a mother of a young man with Down syndrome to help others as their child moves from school to adult life. The book is detailed about things to think about and plan for throughout the transition period. It discusses using high school to start to prepare, post-secondary options, employment, housing, family and other support networks, health and emotional well-being, funding, transport, and more. Included within each chapter are stories from many parents about their experiences.
I thought it was a valuable book not only for the information but also to help families explore their feelings about the process they are all going to go through as their child becomes an adult. I especially enjoyed Simon's son's thoughts on his mother learning to let go.
There are other good books on planning for adult life, but I found this one a worthy addition to those because of its personal touches (among them is the unmailed response to a department's request for yet another assessment). Unless you find it annoying to have to skim through the bits on American requirements and systems, I would highly recommend this book for all parents of teenagers.
- Safe and secure, Al Etmanski, PLAN, 2008.
- Transition to Employment for Adults with Down Syndrome, Down Syndrome Issues and Information, Down Syndrome Education International, 2006.
- What kind of a future?: Supporting young people with Down’s syndrome to lead full lives after they leave school, Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities,UK, 2007.
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