Blog #253~Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Blog #253~Down Syndrome Awareness Month

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. My son, Nick is 29 years old and has a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism (DS-ASD). As a parent, writer and advocate, my mission is to educate others to better understand more about Down syndrome and autism. Down syndrome awareness is about promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion of all individuals with Down syndrome in all aspects of our society.

Down syndrome also called Trisomy 21, is a condition in which a person is born with an extra chromosome.

For more information about Down syndrome click here @ http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/What-Is-Down-Syndrome/

Here are 7 easy ways that you can promote Down syndrome awareness and acceptance:

1. Post information and stories about individuals with Down syndrome on your social media platforms. You can follow many inspiring individuals on Facebook and Instagram like Nick at #Down Syndrome with a Slice of Autism. Here are a few of my favorites: #noahsdaddotcom #calebs_crew #brittanysbaskets #chrisnikic #dsdn #chucklesandmeatloaf #nothingdownaboutit #sean_from_born_this_way #troymadeit #abigail_the_advocate #theluckyfew #aceismyfriend #ndss #ndsc

2. Use and promote “person first language” to respectively speak about a person with a disability. Individuals with Down syndrome should always be referred to as people first. Instead of “a Down syndrome child,” it should be “a child with Down syndrome.” Also avoid “Down’s child” and describing the condition as “Down’s,” as in, “He has Down’s.”

3. Check with your local Down syndrome support group to see if they have promotional materials, like books and bookmarks that can be distributed at libraries and schools.

4. Many local Down syndrome support groups have public speakers available to talk with schools, businesses, community groups, hospitals, and other organizations.

5. Support or volunteer for local fundraisers like the Buddy Walk in your community @ https://www.ndss.org/play/national-buddy-walk-program/ .

6. Encourage your kids to volunteer for Special Olympics and Best Buddies programs through their school.

7. Check out my book A New Course: A Mother’s Journey Navigating Down Syndrome and Autism is helping so many readers understand both Down syndrome and a co-occurring Down syndrome and autism (DS-ASD). It’s available on Amazon. Please utilize the share buttons on social media and order your copy here: @ https://amzn.to/2W3Un6X 

Advocates for Down syndrome will tell you that “Down syndrome is just a part of who they are, not a definition of who they are”. The first step is awareness, the second step is acceptance and inclusion. Individuals with Down syndrome and their families want to encourage acceptance without judgement and change perception to see the whole person for who they are. Thank you for supporting and sharing information about Down syndrome awareness this month. Together we can promote understanding, acceptance and inclusion of all individuals with Down syndrome. That’s what is in my noggin this week.

~Teresa 🙂

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