Book Review: Advances in down Syndrome Advances in Down SyndromeDmitrievValentine and OelweinPatricia L. (Eds.) Austin, TX:PRO-ED324 pp $29.00

This book broadly surveys current issues pertaining to Down Syndrome. The first section (8 chapters) addresses medical strategies and these chapters are sometimes rather technical. A chapter by Berner on the controversial topic of plastic surgery concludes that the procedures “are new and must be considered unproven.” This chapter has questionable statements like, “The child who is selected for surgery should not be one who is too severely retarded” or “A very positive, supportive, loving family is absolutely essential if surgery is to be successful.” The chapter by Pruess on vitamin and cell therapy clearly shows that there is no empirical evidence demonstrating these procedures to be effective in increasing the intelligence or adaptive functioning of persons with Down Syndrome.