Down syndrome | Beyond Down Syndrome

Apr 26
6 min

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...

Age 18: How to Avoid Falling Off the Cliff

Steve Friedman

Apr 12
7 min

Adolescent (13-17)

Age 18: How to Avoid Falling Off the Cliff

Two common predicaments at 18-22 and how to solve them According to many parents, when our self-advocates reach the ages of 18-22 it...

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...

Down Syndrome and Dementia: How We All Can Help

Steve Friedman

Mar 15
6 min

Adulthood (18-88+)

Down Syndrome and Dementia: How We All Can Help

Numerous developments over the last few decades have helped extend the average lifespan for people with Down syndrome from 25 to 65+...

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...

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...

Steve Friedman

Apr 19, 2022
6 min

Adulthood (18-88+)

The Rough Edges of Independence

10 Pitfalls to Prepare for in Advance We may plan for years for independence for our adults with Down syndrome by providing...

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

Aug 15, 2021
4 min

General

A Unique Father-Daughter Bond

How We Played, Teased, Aggravated, and Leaned on Each Other Gwendolyn is nearly 27. She is the oldest of three kids of Steve and...

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...

5 Things Parents of Adults with DS Worry About

Steve Friedman

Apr 25, 2021
4 min

Adulthood (18-88+)

5 Things Parents of Adults with DS Worry About

...and what we can do about them now! Including Cooking with Gwendolyn: French Toast + Sausage...Yum. Being a parent of a child with...

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...

This Just Can't Wait - Resources Due You

Steve Friedman

Jan 22, 2021
6 min

General

This Just Can't Wait - Resources Due You

Too many people are unaware of all the financial resources available Every time I talk to parents (or guardians) at my daughter's school...

The Ten Considerations of Independent Living

Steve Friedman

Dec 19, 2020
5 min

Adulthood (18-88+)

The Ten Considerations of Independent Living

Beginning to understand options and the two hard truths Last month we established a broad definition of independence for adults with Down...

Steve Friedman

Nov 15, 2020
4 min

General

What Does Independence Mean To You?

Planning Futures with our Adults with Down syndrome Earlier this year, I shared how our kids' dreams should be ours. This website is...