Living With A Sibling With Down Syndrome

BOSTON — There are more than 400,000 people in the United States living with Down syndrome, which means there are even more people living with someone with Down syndrome. There’s been a lot written to help parents better understand Down syndrome in children, but less attention has been paid to those who have a sibling with Down syndrome.

Dr. Brian Skotko of Childrens Hospital in Boston has been holding workshops around the country for teenagers who have a sibling with Down syndrome, and he’s co-written a new book called “Fasten Your Seatbelt: A Crash Course on Down Syndrome for Brother and Sisters.”

Dr. Skotko joins WBUR to discuss the topic, along with 16-year-old Lizzy Myshrall of Worcester, whose brother has Down syndrome.