Welcome to Down Syndrome With a Slice of Autism….
This blog is all about Nick’s world….The rest of us are just trying to keep up. Each blog post gives a glimpse into how I navigate co-occurring Down syndrome and autism (DS-ASD) with my son, Nick who is 30 years old. Topics are geared towards a dual diagnosis of DS-ASD. The information is provided for parents, teachers, caregivers, physicians, therapists, and anyone touched by a child or adult with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Blog categories include:
Autism
Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC)
Adult Day Programs
Safety/Wandering
Behavior/ABA
Down syndrome
Dual Diagnosis Down syndrome and autism (DS-ASD)
Doctors and Dentists
Down syndrome Awareness
Education/IEP’s
Feeding/Hygiene
Government funding and legal issues
Health Issues and Down Syndrome
Parenting and Special Needs
Special Needs Resources
Special Needs Parenting
Therapies (OT, Speech, and PT)
Toileting
Recreation/Leisure
Tech/AAC (communication devices)
The Fun Side of Nick
About Teresa Unnerstall:
Teresa is the author of A New Course: A Mother’s Journey Navigating Down Syndrome and Autism available now on Amazon order here at: https://amzn.to/2W3Un6X
Teresa is also a consultant, for the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area, offering expertise on co-occurring Down syndrome and autism (DS-ASD). She is the mother of two boys and lives in the Chicago area along with her husband, Alan. Her youngest son, Nick has a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism (DS-ASD). She has published articles for The Mighty, book reviews, and recorded numerous podcasts and webinars. Teresa is a national speaker and advocate including giving presentations for NDSC, NDSS, MDSC, DSCBA and many more organizations across the country. She has given guest lectures at Aurora University and Northern Illinois University. Teresa also serves on the board of The Down Syndrome-Autism Connection. In addition, Teresa has worked in the fitness field teaching for over 30 years. Her passion is fitness, along with writing, speaking, consulting and advocacy to offer information, insight and hope for those working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
About Nick Unnerstall:
Nick is a spirited young man with an infectious smile, who loves life. He graduated from Metea Valley High School and the STEPS post-secondary transition program, where he worked on vocational skills along with having jobs both at the campus and in the community. Currently, Nick attends an adult developmental day training program which provides a wide range of skill development, vocational opportunities, and community trips. Outside of his day program, Nick loves helping out at home, music, movies, swimming, going out to eat and to the movies,
Having a dual diagnosis of DS-ASD presents unique challenges with behavior and speech. There are speech and cognitive delays, associated with DS-ASD. Teresa has put an emphasis on focusing on Nick’s strengths while working with his IEP teams and currently as a young adult.
In Teresa’s book, A New Course: A Mother’s Journey Navigating Down Syndrome and Autism, she writes about the many gifts that Nick has given to her and those fortunate to be a part of his life. Nick has taught the world many things such as patience, compassion, unconditional love and humor. One of those “gifts” is sharp reflexes. You see, Nick has a passion for pulling fire alarms. Whatever you do, make sure you scout the area for those fire alarms….otherwise he will beat you to it! That’s Nick’s world, the rest of us are just trying to keep up…..
Nick riding in the fire truck at the Outer Banks, in Duck, NC. So, how many fire alarms has Nick pulled?
CURRENT FIRE ALARM PULL COUNT=56!
E-mail: tjunnerstall@comcast.net
Follow Nick on Social Media:
Facebook page, Instagram and Pinterest: Down Syndrome With A Slice of Autism
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/downsyndromewithasliceofautism/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/downsyndromewithasliceofautism/
LINKEDIN: Teresa Unnerstall
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/tjunnerstall
Down Syndrome with a Slice of Autism 
Is there a way to subscribe to this blog or does it have a FB link? Very good blog. Would you mind emaling me the info ? thank you very much
At the top of the page on the gray bar there is a place on the left side to click on and follow. Let me know if this doesn’t send you an alert. I think that should do it. Thank you for reading 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your life!!!!!!!! I have 3 sons- one severely Autistic+ADHD, one very high functioning+gifted autistic, and one just a regular kid (well as much as he can be growing up in our households). Kendra turned me on to your site, I haven’t had a chance to read all of it yet, but especially loved the ‘Brotherly Love’
Thanks again
-Nikki P. in Pleasanton
Nikki, glad you enjoyed the post. How old are your sons? Wishing you well and keep in touch. 🙂
Teresa, I so enjoy reading your posts. You are an inspiration to me. My son, Ian age 6, diagnosed DS-ASD greets every day with a big infectious smile. I am very thankful to happen upon your blog.
Those smiles are the best (and make up for all the other things we deal with our kids) don’t they? Thanks for reading and let me know if you have anything you’d like to know more about. Keep in touch! 🙂
I love your blog – thank you so so so much for sharing your life with Nick! My little guy Dale is 15. He also has Down syndrome and autism, along with a host of other health problems. He is nonverbal, but with the help of aba and a behavior specialist, is finally communicating with a picture system. He is doing great now, and I love that every day is a new adventure for him!
Nick is so beautiful – he and Dale look a lot alike!
It is so great to connect with other families out there. It really helps me when things get a little wild around here :-).
Have a great day!