Childhood (0-12)

The Other 'D' Word: Divorce and How to Get Through It

Nov 15
7 min

The Other 'D' Word: Divorce and How to Get Through It

The other D-word. Divorce. It’s a word we hate to think about, or even say. It’s not something we think will ever happen to us. Sure...

Steve Friedman

Nov 8
4 min

Childhood (0-12)

Ms. Boyd Shares Her Teaching Gifts

My name is Calista Boyd and I have been teaching all ages from preschool to college remedial reading over the past 40 years. I enjoyed...

Inclusion: Lifelong Choices Each Family Should Consider

Steve Friedman

Oct 25
7 min

Childhood (0-12)

Inclusion: Lifelong Choices Each Family Should Consider

To be honest, "inclusion" was always a sensitive word for us. Sure, as new parents of a beautiful daughter with Down syndrome, we have...

Tips and Resources for Dual Diagnosis Families

Steve Friedman

Oct 18
6 min

Childhood (0-12)

Tips and Resources for Dual Diagnosis Families

As a parent walking the road alongside many families who have a child with Down syndrome, we’ve had both challenging and rewarding...

Rosaura Shares the Pain of Dual-Diagnosis

Steve Friedman

Oct 11
7 min

Childhood (0-12)

Rosaura Shares the Pain of Dual-Diagnosis

When Ethan was discharged from the hospital, they sent us to meet with the social worker. I don’t remember much of our conversation, but...

Rediscover Best Buddies: Building a More Inclusive World

Steve Friedman

Oct 4
5 min

Childhood (0-12)

Rediscover Best Buddies: Building a More Inclusive World

Guest blogger Tracy Churchman shares the amazing offerings and wonders of today's Best Buddies program Hi, my name is Tracy Churchman and...

Carolyn's Inspiring Story of Daniel Overcoming Communication Challenges

Steve Friedman

Sep 27
5 min

Childhood (0-12)

Carolyn's Inspiring Story of Daniel Overcoming Communication Challenges

My name is Carolyn and I started out my career in education and have worked with people with disabilities for 40 years. I had been...

Steve Friedman

Sep 20
6 min

Childhood (0-12)

Their Dream Must Be Our Dream

Putting Our Loved Ones First We all want our independence. It's a natural human drive. A recent study showed personal happiness is most...

Chatty Camille Still Tackling Social Challenges

Steve Friedman

Sep 13
5 min

Childhood (0-12)

Chatty Camille Still Tackling Social Challenges

Camille and her mom Larina tackle the hidden challenges of socializing with DS Brian and I live in Davidson, a vibrant college town just...

Valuable Resources for Families with Down Syndrome

Steve Friedman

Sep 6
3 min

Childhood (0-12)

Valuable Resources for Families with Down Syndrome

50 linked resources to support your self-advocate's independence journey During Gwendolyn's independence journey, we've gathered some...

Dutch is Paving his Own Independence Path

Steve Friedman

Aug 9
5 min

Childhood (0-12)

Dutch is Paving his Own Independence Path

Rebekah shares her heartwarming story of goal setting and support to help Dutch gain employment and a place of his own. Dutch was born in...

Steve Friedman

Jul 18
5 min

Childhood (0-12)

Overcoming Down Syndrome Plateaus

What to do when your adult with Down syndrome feels sluggish We all plateau at times. We get kinda sluggish, stuck in a rut, losing some...

Steve Friedman

Jul 12
6 min

Childhood (0-12)

Ayla's Journey Through the Storm

A heartbreaking story of personal regression and the journey to return Something was happening to my stepdaughter, Ayla, in the fall of...

3 Legal Documents You Should Have in Place Now

Steve Friedman

Jul 5
7 min

Childhood (0-12)

3 Legal Documents You Should Have in Place Now

Including a free Letter of Intent template Give yourself and your family the peace of mind that your loved one is being properly taken...

Start Your Independence Plan Early...and How

Steve Friedman

Jun 21
7 min

Childhood (0-12)

Start Your Independence Plan Early...and How

4 Tips for New Parents For new parents, independence for their child with Down syndrome may seem like only a distant dream. It is so far...

For Chaya, Her Parents Nurtured Her Independence and It's Paying Off

Steve Friedman

Jun 13
4 min

EG Family Feature

For Chaya, Her Parents Nurtured Her Independence and It's Paying Off

Chaya's energy and initiative shine through and she continues to blossom Our entire philosophy in raising Chaya has been: accommodate,...

Steve Friedman

Jun 7
7 min

Childhood (0-12)

10 Pillars of Independence Made Simple

It's never too early nor too late to make a plan! Whether your loved one with Down syndrome is 1 or 51, contemplating independence can be...

For Slayton, Chores Have Paved The Way to Skills and Confidence

Steve Friedman

May 30
5 min

EG Family Feature

For Slayton, Chores Have Paved The Way to Skills and Confidence

Stacy Lynn shares the inspiring story of her son, Slayton Little By Little Slayton is a kind, strong, well-adjusted 16-year-old now, but...

Steve Friedman

May 24
5 min

Childhood (0-12)

Independence Can be Scary!

Planning Futures with our Adults with Down Syndrome Independence for our children with Down syndrome can be quite scary, regardless of...

Amanda's Story: Independent from Day One

Steve Friedman

May 17
4 min

Childhood (0-12)

Amanda's Story: Independent from Day One

Support is a springboard to a vibrant life! From the day Amanda was born, she was fighting for her life, her breath, and her...