In this episode Dr. Abbie Smith (a pediatrician and mother of a child with Down syndrome) shares what parents need to know about Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Down syndrome. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or by clicking play below.
Listen on iTunes | Listen on Spotify
Show Notes
- Coronavirus.org
- CDC’s COVID-19 Page
- Down Syndrome Center of Western Pennsylvania Podcast: #68 – Coronavirus (with Dr. Andrew Nowalk)
- National Down syndrome Society COVID-19 Resources Page
- Free Social Story About the Coronavirus
- 7 Ways to Support Kids and Teens Through the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Fine Motor Skills in Children With Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals
- Gross Motor Skills for Children With Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals
- Early Communication Skills for Children with Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals
Comments 4
Thank you
Thank you for the podcast. As a mother of six children, one with Down Syndrome I noticed some similarities in Noah’s story and our own. In our journey of discovery of all things DS we have found doctors to be resistant at times to checking for things like low vitamin D levels when frequent infections occur.After repeated discussions with the health care team one doctor did order a vitamin D level which was far below the established normal level. We have also found proactive pulmonary hygiene to be extremely helpful in preventing more serious complications like pneumonia from exposure to common colds and viruses. Our child uses an Aerobika device for 3 puffs, 2x a day morning and night, This routine and added vitamin D3 (monitored by our doctor ) has been life changing.We have also found that protecting our child’s sleep at all costs aids in health promotion. Where our typically developing child might be able to tough out a day at school when the sniffles start, our child with DS is much better served and recovers more quickly with an agressive enforced rest response. As far as social distancing goes, this was a problem before it was a necessity s/p Covid-19. Our child with DS seems to have an affinity for affection and sharing love as only comes from the purest of hearts. This will be the toughest lesson of all to teach. Stay safe!
is keeping my other kids home from school the right choice. im just concerned that they will bring home illnesses, especially covid. as school reopens i just hope ive made the best decision to protect my kids health. my daughter is 8 and has down syndrome. she has had surgery to repair a ventricule septal defect when she was 4 months old and has been diagnosed with sleep apnea at 3 years old. she also has auto immune issues like alopecia. shes on a myriad of medications and gets sick often when shes in school. I just feel so bad for her because she loves to socialize with her friends at school. so this has been a difficult decision that my husband and i had to make. my other kids are 4 and 17. theyre ok with being home but my down syndrome social butterfly is having a difficult time. she keeps saying shes going to see her friends at school. and i have to remind her that shes not.
Should I consider covid vaccination for my 31 year old child with Downs syndrome or not?