Here are five great online resources for Down syndrome that have personally helped me along my journey parenting children with special needs.

Six years ago while sitting in my apartment in the former Soviet Union (we were living their as missionaries at the time), eight days after the birth of my third daughter and her surprise diagnosis of Down syndrome, Sergei drove me home from the hospital, I turned on the computer and typed in “New parents of a child with Down syndrome” with shaky fingers.

1. Down syndrome for new parents popped up. There I learned what exactly Down syndrome was. I read a sweet letter from the founders of the site to their child with Down syndrome, and I found a forum of parents waiting and ready to support me along the journey. I am still friends with many of them today. I highly recommend the Downsyn Forum.

Since then, I have found many more helpful places online. Here are just a few more:

2. Also, for new parents, my friend has a great blog called Down syndrome New Mama that I have appreciated.

3. I must give a shout out to my friends at the International Down Syndrome Coalition who are “dedicated to serving individuals with Down syndrome from conception throughout their lives. Right now they have an especially fabulous photo campaign, hundred of gorgeous, heart warming pictures of people with Down syndrome, on Facebook.

4. Another great blog for Down syndrome awareness is the International Alliance of Writers for Down syndrome. It’s a “forum for blogs, posts, books, reviews and a repository of other written information as related to Down Syndrome and advocacy.”

5. I love this one too: Down Syndrome Pregnancy.org. Oh, how I love this site. I wish I would have had when Polly was born. Down Syndrome Pregnancy has a free downloadable eBook (with a suggested donation), a blog, and a place for open dialogue. I’ve read the eBook. Highly informative, sensitive, encouraging, and real. The makers of the site say “We’re here to help you on this journey, prepare you for the immediate future, and give you hope.”

Of course, the internet is full of wonderful blogs and resources to help us all along on our journey. Watch out for another post soon with other links.

And please, share a link that you love in the comments.

*This is a favorite resource post about Down syndrome from the archives.