Is there any help or support available for people with Down’s syndrome?
There is a huge amount of help out there for people with Down’s syndrome and their friends and relatives. Each child that is born with Down’s syndrome will be given a care team, which will consist of a number of different health professionals; this team will be responsible for all aspects of the child’s care and will continue to look after them throughout their adult life as well.
In terms of emotional support, if you need help or you need to talk to somebody you can discuss this with your GP, who can arrange counselling or group therapy. If you don’t want to go to your doctor, you can also contact charities such as the Down’s Syndrome Association, who will be able to offer you advice and support.
There is also help available for practical concerns, such as finance, employment and housing; you can contact your local authority or ask your social worker for more details of financial aid and information about your entitlements.
If you are the parent or relative of a person with Down’s syndrome and you are struggling to cope, you can also seek help from your GP or contact charities who will be able to support you. You may also wish to get in touch with Carers UK, who may be able to help you if you are finding it difficult to care for your child. If you simply want more information about Down’s syndrome or you want to talk to parents in a similar position, contact the Down’s Syndrome Association. You may also find it useful to chat to others in the online forum on the charity’s website.