Month: March 2016

Posted in Autism, Down syndrome, Dual Diagnosis Down syndrome and autism, Uncategorized

Blog #140~Home Chores and Your Special Needs Child

Posted on by Teresa Unnerstall

Blog #140~Home Chores and Your Special Needs Child

I was doing a little spring cleaning the other day.  I ran across a nice checklist of housekeeping activities to foster independence and build confidence.  My son, Nick is 22 years old and has Down syndrome and autism.  He takes great pride in doing his chores around the house.

Nick watering plants

One of Nick’s strengths is remembering where things go.  He does a great job unloading the dishwasher and putting the dishes away.  Other jobs he has are recycling, emptying the garbage cans, laundry.  He also assists with cooking along with his all time favorite, vacuuming!

Nick cooking

Here is the checklist of housekeeping activities:

Household chores checklist

I definitely see a few more on this list to add into Nick’s routine (except for #24).  Giving your child opportunities to help around the house is so important.  These jobs are the prerequisite which will lead to more independent living when they become young adults.  These skills may take longer to master.  With that in mind, it is helpful to use prompts.  Model the behavior, use hand over hand technique and visual icons/video modeling to help learn the sequence.  Set a regular routine where the chores would normally be done during the day and evening.

Nick vacumming_Tabor Hills (3)

Nick is happy to help out and beams with pride when I say, “Good job big guy” (followed by an elbow bump)!  As adults, we all like to be complimented for doing a good job.  Our kids and adults with special needs are no exception.  Pick a household task and give it a try with your child; never set limits.  You’d be surprised at what they can accomplish, and help you out in the process.  That’s what is in my noggin this week.

~Teresa

Follow Nick:

Facebook @Down Syndrome With A Slice Of Autism

instagram-logo#nickdsautism

 

 

 

 

Posted in Autism, Down syndrome, Dual Diagnosis Down syndrome and autism

Blog 139~World Down Syndrome Day 2016

Posted on by Teresa Unnerstall

Blog 139~World Down Syndrome Day 2016

wdsd2016

Today is the United Nations official recognition of World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD)!   The date for WDSD being the 21st day of the 3rd month was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.”

trisomy 21

“Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition, being universally present across racial, gender or socio-economic lines, and affecting approximately 1 in 800 live births, although there is considerable variation worldwide. Down syndrome usually causes varying degrees of intellectual and physical disability and associated medical issues” Courtesy of Wikipedia

Each year the voice of people with Down’s syndrome and those who live and work with them join together to focus attention on what it means to have Down syndrome and how those with the condition play a vital role in communities across the world.  My son, Nick is 22 years old and has Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) and autism.  He has touched more lives than I could have ever imagined.

IMG01

Events to raise public awareness to create a single global voice are listed on their website: www.worlddownsyndromeday.org.

Our local support group here in Chicago has been a lifesaver for 15 years. Check out their site, it’s loaded with good information:  National Association for Down Syndrome (NADS) http://www.nads.org.

Nick participating in music therapy at the NADS Retreat….

Nick

NADS is doing a 21 Day challenge.  Click here if you would like donate just $21 @http://nads.us10.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=9922ff656d4cb30bb58c685cc&id=26f657228a&e=9cb0029bf5

How does the future look regarding research and Down syndrome?  LuMind Research Down Syndrome Foundation leads the charge in cognition science and research http://www.lumindrds.org:

Their mission is to stimulate biomedical research that will accelerate the development of treatments to improve cognition, including memory, learning and speech for individuals with Down syndrome so they can:

*Lead more active independent lives

*Participate more successfully in school

*Avoid early onset of Alzheimer’s disease

In the U.S., there are 250,000-400,000 persons with Down syndrome and these individuals are 3-5 times more likely to develop early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Despite these numbers, there remains a great need for pharmacologic therapies to improve learning and behavioral challenges, as well as the increased likelihood for Alzheimer’s disease in persons with Down syndrome.

Today,  LuMind is hosting a virtual run fundraiser. In addition, there are other opportunities for runners to raise money towards this cause.  Click here for more information: http://www.lumindrds.org/ . Follow them on Facebook @LuMind RDS

Happy World Down Syndrome Day from Nick!  He’s an awesome guy.  The future looks bright and I look forward to sharing more about his journey. Thank you for reading and sharing WDSD 2016. Has someone with Down syndrome touched your life? I’d love to hear about it. That’s what is in my noggin this week.

~Teresa

Nick in the Diveheart Scuba Program, never set limits….

Diveheart 2013 336

Follow Nick:

Facebook @Down Syndrome With A Slice Of Autism

instagram-logo#nickdsautism

 

 

Posted in Autism, Down syndrome, Resources for Special Needs

Blog #138~10 Sites Featuring Gift Ideas Designed by Persons with Special needs

Posted on by Teresa Unnerstall

Blog #138~10 Sites Featuring Gift Ideas Designed by Persons with Special Needs

I love to go shopping especially when I find unique gift ideas.  So this week, I am super excited to share this list of 10 sites that feature the talents by persons with special needs. 🙂  My son Nick is 22 years old.  He has Down syndrome and autism.  Many of the people on this list have Down syndrome or autism.  I am so inspired by their work and can’t wait to add some of these to the cart…..

10 Sites Featuring Gift Ideas Designed by Persons with Special needs:

http://papercloudsapparel.com/ T-shirts, hats and totes designed by artists with special needs

nick fire truck shirt

Nick wearing Paper Clouds Apparel “Fire Truck Shirt” designed by artist Justin Lundeen

http://www.christianroyalpottery.com/pages/about  Beautiful pottery (bowls, platters, plates, jewelry) by Christian Royalt

Pottery   christian royal potttery

 

http://specialsparkle.com Kelly designs and makes fashionable jewelry

http://www.brownbearproducts.com/ Erik Behnke, artist

http://oly-wa.us/dkarts/index.php Dylan Kuehl, artist

http://www.cinnamonsfloridakeysart.com/ Cinnamon Edgar, artist

cinnamon edgar

http://www.inspires2aspire.com/ Cards by Todd Eisinger

http://www.artistmichaeljohnson.com/  Michael Johnson, artist

http://www.Facebook.com/NickBurshArt  Nick Bursh, artist

http://www.simplyadorableblankets.org/ Baby, wedding and stadium blankets

weddingBlk_lrg

I hope you find the work of these artists with special needs inspiring.  Please consider their talents the next time you are looking for a unique gift idea. Let me know if you know of any other talented artists with special needs we can add to this list.  That’s what is in my noggin this week.

~Teresa

Follow Nick:

Facebook @Down Syndrome With A Slice of Autism

instagram-logo#nickdsautism

 

 

Posted in Autism, Down syndrome, Dual Diagnosis Down syndrome and autism

Tackling Difficulties

Posted on by Teresa Unnerstall

Tackling Difficulties

Sometimes things can get overwhelming. There is so much to do running the household, work responsibilities and taking care of Nick.  My son is 22 years old and has Down syndrome and autism.  This morning, I can’t seem to catch up.  But it was a fun weekend.  Nick went to a graduation party for one of his peers on Saturday. Yesterday was a full day at the NADS Bowlathon.  I tried to start writing but the laundry pile is weighing on my mind.  So rather than write something mediocre, I decided to post one I wrote a couple of years ago.  The message is fitting for this day.

Are you going through some challenges?  Do you need some inspiration to tackle those difficulties?  Take a look at this blog I wrote a couple of years ago:

@ https://nickspecialneeds.wordpress.com/2014/04/21/blog-92one-yellow-hash-mark-at-a-time/

Chad Hymas

Have a great day and go tackle those challenges.  That’s what is in my noggin this week.

~Teresa

Follow Nick:

scan0016

Facebook @Down Syndrome With A Slice Of Autism

instagram-logo#nickdsautism