[header] How to react if your friend's baby has down syndrome [title] Remember that down syndrome is a disability, not a tragedy. [step] Your friend still has a new baby, and you still have an opportunity to celebrate new life. [title] Avoid cliches and stereotypes. 
[step] These are not very helpful, and often carry insulting implications about the baby. Focus on the baby as an individual, or when using generalizations, generalize about all babies (not babies with down syndrome).