Childhood (0-12)

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

4 days ago
5 min

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...

5 Common Health Risks to Prepare for Now

Steve Friedman

May 9
7 min

Childhood (0-12)

5 Common Health Risks to Prepare for Now

The prevalence of these conditions within our community will shock you and become an urgent call to action! In addition to the various...

Steve Friedman

May 2
4 min

Childhood (0-12)

Dale is Empowered for Independence

Unique Approach Sparks Confidence and Independence In the 1990s I was an educator for adults with learning difficulties. I met loads of...

Steve Friedman

Apr 26
6 min

Childhood (0-12)

What Goes on in Their Head?

Adults with Down syndrome often drop subtle clues to their thoughts & dreams "Gwen May Not Speak" I've always been curious about the...

Steve Friedman

Apr 19
6 min

Childhood (0-12)

Noah's Family Bursts with Determination

Early Questions Spark Initiative and Possibilities Noah was born in June 2018, and we had no idea that he was going to have Down...

Introducing the Black Down Syndrome Association

Steve Friedman

Apr 5
6 min

Childhood (0-12)

Introducing the Black Down Syndrome Association

Connecting black families to resources to improve lives in a most fulfilling way March 10, 2019 changed my life forever. The eager...

Steve Friedman

Mar 29
7 min

Childhood (0-12)

Sibling Relationships & Responsibility

Maddie shares her personal story of love & duty in our first Family Feature "This is Maddie, my big-little sister!” Gwendolyn exclaims...

Celebrate WDSD with your Essential Guide

Steve Friedman

Mar 21
6 min

Childhood (0-12)

Celebrate WDSD with your Essential Guide

Independence is for everyone: get the guidance to develop your roadmap and make it happen! Life is Full of Surprises Unplanned events are...

Steve Friedman

Mar 8
6 min

Childhood (0-12)

Working with the Professionals

How to Learn, Challenge, Teach, and Partner with Teachers, Doctors, and More As parents, our relationship with teachers, doctors, and...

Steve Friedman

Mar 1
7 min

Childhood (0-12)

Four Essential Tips for New Parents

It's Never Too Early to Prepare for Independence For new parents, independence for their child with Down syndrome may seem like only a...

The Facts & History of Down Syndrome: just the interesting stuff we should all know

Steve Friedman

Feb 22
5 min

General

The Facts & History of Down Syndrome: just the interesting stuff we should all know

Despite tremendous recent advances in the knowledge and inclusion of those with Down syndrome, there remain many misconceptions even...

5 Strategies to Achieve Self-Sufficiency

Steve Friedman

Nov 10, 2022
5 min

Childhood (0-12)

5 Strategies to Achieve Self-Sufficiency

As many of you know, I've been deeply engaged in The UPLifting Guidebook Project to help guide parents and caregivers in the pursuit of...

The Who, What, When, Where, and How of Independence for our Loved Ones with DS

Steve Friedman

Oct 7, 2022
4 min

Childhood (0-12)

The Who, What, When, Where, and How of Independence for our Loved Ones with DS

Independence. It sounds so freeing, so autonomous, and so empowering! Yet when we consider independence in terms of our loved ones with...

Inclusion: Lifelong Choices Each Family Should Consider

Steve Friedman

Sep 11, 2022
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 had...

Independence Resources for Adults with Down Syndrome

Steve Friedman

Dec 13, 2021
3 min

General

Independence Resources for Adults with Down Syndrome

It's never too early...or too late...to plan Through the Beyond Down Syndrome blogs over the last 18 months, we've covered a wide variety...

Steve Friedman

May 23, 2021
4 min

General

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

Mar 21, 2021
5 min

Childhood (0-12)

7 Steps That Can Make a Difference Now

Understanding the Spectrum of Down Syndrome and What We Can Do Now Including Gwendolyn performing "I Am Beautiful" in commemoration of DS...

It's Never Too Early to Prepare for Independence

Steve Friedman

Feb 14, 2021
6 min

Childhood (0-12)

It's Never Too Early to Prepare for Independence

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...