Downsyndromeprenataltesting

Recommendations for Improving How Prenatal Genetic Testing is Done

From a historic summit of stakeholders come 20 recommendations for improving prenatal genetic testing to avoid bias against those with disabilities. (more…)

Down Syndrome Abortion Ban Laws to be Upheld as Constitutional

8th Circuit Court of Appeals Courthouse (pyramid-topped building) Without a doubt, in the post-Roe world, Down syndrome abortion ban laws will be upheld. (more…)

National Down Syndrome Organizations Respond to Overturning of Roe v. Wade

The Supreme Court of the United States Well, actually, at the time of this writing, neither national Down syndrome advocacy organization has issued a statement concerning the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, issued Friday, June 24, 2022. Here’s what they should say: (more…)

Support for New & Expected Parents of Children with Down syndrome at the 2022 Down Syndrome Affiliates In Action Conference

This past weekend, I exhibited and presented at the 2022 Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action (DSAIA) Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. I discovered a resource I have not highlighted here and wanted to list other resources present that are recognized by professional guidelines to be given to new and expectant parents. (more…)

NY Times: Prenatal Tests for Rare Disorders “Usually Wrong”

A New York Times report finds that prenatal genetic tests advertised for their accuracy are usually wrong when reporting results for rare genetic conditions. (more…)

Supreme Court Allowing Texas Abortion Law: Further Evidence Prenatal Testing is about Abortion

J&J circa 2008 The above photo was shared by my kids’ maternal grandmother today, and it made me very happy and winsome for a time of such innocence. Elsewhere, someone wrote something stupid and bigoted on Twitter that made me sad and infuriated. But, unfortunately, it was further evidence that, in the end, prenatal genetic testing’s administration is to allow for eugenic abortions. (more…)

Ch. 5, Part 5: National Down Syndrome Support Organizations

After covering a few other written resources not mentioned in a previous section of this chapter, I then turn our attention to the existing national Down syndrome support organizations. (more…)

Ch. 5, Part 4: A Nationwide Down syndrome First Call Program

Screenshot from MDSC’s First Call Program Without any federal support, the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress has launched a nationwide first call program for new and expectant parents learning their child has Down syndrome. Read on about this excellent resources and why it launches over a decade after Congress authorized exactly this resource by a unanimous vote. (more…)

Ch. 5, Part 3: Written & online resources for parents about Down syndrome

Downsyndromepregnancy’s logo The previous section of Chapter 5’s exploration of available supporting resources for new and expectant parents discussed the importance of accurate, up-to-date, balanced resources about Down syndrome. This section describes the three resources identified by major medical organizations to be provided to parents. (more…)

Ch. 5, Part 2: Accurate, balanced, up-to-date information about Down syndrome

In this second section of Chapter Five’s discussion of the available support resources for new and expectant parents of children with Down syndrome, I discuss what every medical guideline recommends and what all parents want–accurate, balanced, up-to-date information–and how the resource providing that information was developed. (more…)

Chapter 5, Part 1: Support for Individuals with Down syndrome & their families

Juliet’s Walk Team, 2013 Having covered Prenatal Testing (Ch. 2), Abortion (Ch. 3), and Down syndrome (Ch. 4), we now turn to the subject that most new and expectant parents wonder about and are surprised to learn about: the support that is available for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. (more…)

The Sixth Circuit Dissents: If You Call Something an Abortion Ban, It’s Not Constitutional

The Sixth Circuit en banc decision upholding the constitutionality of Ohio’s law on Down syndrome abortions is 111 pages long–57 of which are the dissenting opinions. As with the majority and concurring opinions, I’ll do my best to summarize them. (more…)

Ch. 4, Part 8: What “Down syndrome” is to me

Juliet at Valley View in Yosemite National Park, 2019 In the final section of Chapter 4’s exploration of Down syndrome, I first address generalizations about Down syndrome and then detail working through the stages of grief to coming to acceptance of my daughter’s Down syndrome. I would welcome you sharing in the comments either [1] how you would describe Down syndrome to a new or expectant…

The Sixth Circuit Concurrences — Novel Theories Beyond Abortion Precedence

A previous post covered the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals decision on Ohio’s “Down syndrome Abortion Ban” law that I expect will lead to Supreme Court review. In this post, I cover the four concurring opinions, several of which offer novel theories beyond abortion precedence for evaluating these laws. (more…)

Ch. 4, Part 7: Down syndrome & behavior (or, “I’m no Angel.”)

The penultimate section of Chapter 4‘s exploration of “Down syndrome” turns to certain behaviors associated with those with the condition. You are welcome to argue in support of my position or against it that, however sweet many people with Down syndrome are, they ain’t no angels. (more…)

Sixth Circuit Creates Split on Down Syndrome Abortion Laws; Invites Supreme Court Review

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has created a split amongst the Circuit Court of Appeals, inviting the Supreme Court to decide on whether state laws criminalizing Down syndrome selective abortions are constitutional. This is a significant ruling that could challenge the way physicians counsel expectant mothers and the availability of reproductive choice. (more…)

Ch. 4, Part 7: Down syndrome and the heart, reproductive system, leukemia, & Alzheimer’s

Juliet’s transcription of the Atlas of the Human Body Continuing Chapter 4’s discussion of Down syndrome and conditions associated with it, this section covers the remaining common internal conditions associated with Down syndrome. (BTW: as the caption describes the photo above, my daughter is enrolled in the Allied Health certificate program at her high school. She has loved her classes on…