Medical Information
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
According to the CDC:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. CDC is committed to continuing to provide essential data on ASD, search for factors that put children at risk for ASD and possible causes, and develop resources that help identify children with ASD as early as possible.
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES
A Parent’s Guide to Assessment
Alzheimer’s Disease & Down Syndrome: A Practical Guidebook for Caregivers
Autism Spectrum Disorder (Spanish Version here)
Autism, My Sibling, and Me: A Guide for Children with an Autistic Sibling
Life as an Autism Sibling: A Guide for Teens
Life Journey Through Autism: A Guide to Safety
Life Journey Through Autism: A Guide for Transition to Adulthood (Spanish Version Here)
Life Journey through Autism: Navigating the Special Education System
Next Steps: A Guide for Families New to Autism
Puberty and Children on the Autism Spectrum
ARTICLES
Autistic Girls Going Undiagnosed Due to ‘Camouflaging’ Behaviour
Autism Spectrum Disorder: Engaging in a Social World
Depression and the Autism Spectrum
How to Prepare for a DDA Assessment
Is a Therapy Dog Right for Your Child with Autism
WEBSITES
Autism Case Training Landing Page
Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules (AFIRM)
CDC: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Northwest Autism Center
Organization for Autism Research (OAR)
Washington Autism Alliance and Advocacy (WAAA)
DOWN SYNDROME
As defined by the CDC:
Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome. Chromosomes are small “packages” of genes in the body. They determine how a baby’s body forms during pregnancy and how the baby’s body functions as it grows in the womb and after birth. Typically, a baby is born with 46 chromosomes. Babies with Down syndrome have an extra copy of one of these chromosomes, chromosome 21. A medical term for having an extra copy of a chromosome is ‘trisomy.’ Down syndrome is also referred to as Trisomy 21. This extra copy changes how the baby’s body and brain develop, which can cause both mental and physical challenges for the baby.
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES
A Promising Future Together: A Guide for New and Expectant Parents (Spanish Version Here)
About Down Syndrome (Spanish Version Here)
Aging and Down Syndrome (Spanish Version Here)
Genetics Home Reference: Down Syndrome
ARTICLES
A Mother Shares her Personal Journey of Welcoming a Baby with Down Syndrome
Mark’s Story—Written by his sister, Sonja
Megan’s Story
WEBSITES
CDC: Facts about Down Syndrome
Global Down Syndrome Foundation
National Down Syndrome Congress
National Down Syndrome Society
FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS
According to the Centers of Disease Control:
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are a group of conditions that can occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects can include physical problems and problems with behavior and learning. Often, a person with an FASD has a mix of these problems.
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES
Fetal Alcohol Exposure
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (Spanish Version available here)
Flow Diagram for Medical Home Evaluation of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Parenting Children Affected by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
So You Have Been Diagnosed with FASD: Now What?
Strategies Parents Find Helpful In Raising Their Children Living With FASD
The Basics of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Information for Families
ARTICLES
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Is Quite Common — And Most Children Aren’t Diagnosed
Living with FASD: Brenna
My Mother, the Alcoholic: Living with Foetal Alcohol Syndrome
WEBSITES
CDC: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs)
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Toolkit
National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS)
FRAGILE X
Harvard Medical School states:
Fragile X syndrome is an inherited disorder associated with mental retardation and a particular appearance. It is caused by an error in a small piece of the DNA (genetic blueprint) for the FMR1 gene. This gene is found on the X chromosome, one of the two chromosomes (X and Y) that determine gender.
In people with fragile X, a particular section of the DNA code — CGG — is “fragile” and gets repeated an unusually large number of times, compared with the normal 5 to 50 times. As a result, the FMR1 gene is not expressed (turned on), and the body cannot produce FMR1 protein, which is related to nerve function.
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES
Behavioral Challenges in Fragile X Syndrome
Early Childhood Developmental and Educational Guidelines for Children with Fragile X Syndrome
Facts About Fragile X Syndrome
Fragile X-associated Disorders: A Handbook for Families, Health Care Providers, Counselors, and Educators
Genetic Counseling & Family Support
Myth Busters For Patients and Families: Fragile X Syndrome
ARTICLES
Are There Treatments for Fragile X Syndrome?
Carrier Testing for Fragile X Syndrome
Fragile X and Autism
WEBSITES
CDC: Fragile X Syndrome (FXS)
FRAXA Research Foundation
Genetics Home Reference: Fragile X Syndrome
National Fragile X Foundation