Delivering the Diagnosis

Recognizing the challenges healthcare providers face when delivering the diagnoses of Down syndrome, the MDSC can provide critical support. As a first step, we recommend the following resources:
                                                                                            Photo by Kendra Dew Phographic Inc.

• Please reference the “best practices” for health care professionals delivering a prenatal or postnatal diagnosis from the American Journal of Medical Genetics.
• The Brighter Tomorrows website includes an interactive tutorial that guides health care professionals in delivering a diagnosis of Down syndrome. You may also want to direct new and expectant parents to this website to for information.
• The MDSC Parents First Call Program provides accurate, up-to-date information, and gives parents an opportunity to speak with a trained parent mentor. Our resources and connections are free and confidential. If you are a healthcare provider, you can connect a new or expectant family to the Parents First Call Program in one of the following ways:
  • Release Form (English) and Release Form (Spanish) for new families
  • Call 800-664-MDSC (6372) any time
  • E-mail MSDC Family Support Director at scullen@mdsc.org
  • Prenatal Release Form (English) and Prenatal Release Form (Spanish) for expectant families

We have also compiled a helpful list of Suggested Resources for Health Care Professionals, which you can see here.

You can also find information for new and expectant parents on our Information for Expectant Parents and Information for New Parents pages.