General

Inclusion: Lifelong Choices Each Family Should Consider

Oct 25
7 min

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...

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...

Individuals with Down Syndrome are NOT Always Happy: This is How You Can Help

Steve Friedman

Aug 23
8 min

Adolescent (13-17)

Individuals with Down Syndrome are NOT Always Happy: This is How You Can Help

Guest blogger Michele Mattox provides lots of essential and sage advice to help address mental health challenges for our loved ones with...

Steve Friedman

Aug 16
6 min

Adulthood (18-88+)

Gwendolyn Moves Out

How it feels when it really happens... For Gwendolyn and our family we believe, as with her siblings, she can have it all. Each would...

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...

Fionn's Story of Determination is Inspiring

Steve Friedman

Jul 26
4 min

Adolescent (13-17)

Fionn's Story of Determination is Inspiring

We are Jonathan, Veronica, and Fionn. We currently live in Ireland. Fionn is 26 and has Down syndrome. Years ago, we asked our teenage...

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...

Red Flags Warnings During Your Housing Search

Steve Friedman

Jun 28
8 min

Adulthood (18-88+)

Red Flags Warnings During Your Housing Search

How to Identify The Warning Signs Before It's Too Late Congratulations! You've prepared your family for the big move for your adult...

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...