Tag: Books about Down syndrome

Posted in Down syndrome, Down Syndrome Awareness, Dual Diagnosis Down syndrome and autism, Education and Special Needs, Resources for Special Needs

Blog #255~Down Syndrome Awareness Month:Extra Good Reads

Posted on by Teresa Unnerstall

Blog #255~Down Syndrome Awareness Month: Extra Good Reads

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. My son Nick is 29 years old and has a dual diagnosis of DS-ASD. I’ve been writing this blog since 2012, to help educate and inspire families and professionals.

Last week, in blog #254, I put the spotlight on many DS owned businesses check it out here: https://nickspecialneeds.com/2023/10/16/blog254down-syndrome-awareness-monthsupporting-down-syndrome-businesses/

This week I want to highlight some good reads related to Down syndrome. There are many books on Amazon available with a variety of topics related to Down syndrome. Here are a few books that I highly recommend, that will both educate and inspire you.

Extra Good Reads about Down Syndrome:

A New Course: A Mother’s Journey Navigating Down Syndrome and Autism by Teresa Unnerstall order here: https://amzn.to/2W3Un6X

TU_5-5x8-5_WPS_ebook

The Essential Guide for Families with Down Syndrome: Plan and Actions for Independence at Every Stage of Life by Steve Friedman Order your copy here: https://a.co/d/gMxuiU3

The Essential Guide for Families with Down Syndrome: Plans and Actions for Independence at Every Stage of Life

A Parent’s Guide to Down Syndrome, Advice, Information and Support to Raising Your Child from Diagnosis to Adulthood by Jen Jacob and Marda Sikora. Order here: https://a.co/d/5CRwU6R

Supporting Positive Behavior in Children and Teens with Down Syndrome, Revised Edition, The Respond, Don’t React Method by Dr. David Stein, Psy.D. Order here: https://a.co/d/8rlEeJG

Down Syndrome Parenting 101: Must Have Advice for Making Your Life Easier by Natalie Hale order here: https://a.co/d/7LebF7H

Babies with Down Syndrome: A New Parent’s Guide, Edited by Susan J. Skallerup order here: https://a.co/d/bU6CyTv

Scoot Over and Make Some Room: Creating a Space Where Everyone Belongs by Heather Avis order here: https://a.co/d/3QMtl0w

Teaching Children with Down Syndrome about Their Bodies, Boundaries and Sexuality by Terri Couwenhoven, M.S. order here: https://a.co/d/gARb2kE

Fine Motor Skills for Children with Down Syndrome, A Guide for Parents and Professionals (third edition) by Maryanne Bruni, BScOT (Reg) order here: https://a.co/d/8au2far

Gross Motor Skills in Children with Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals by Patricia C. Winders, P.T. order here: https://a.co/d/9F4DUV4

Gifts: Mother’s Reflect on How Children with Down Syndrome Enriched Their Lives, Edited by Kathryn Lynard, order here: https://a.co/d/fJ4ZgAj

Gifts 2: How People with Down Syndrome Enrich the World, Edited by Kathryn Lynard Soper, order here: https://a.co/d/5ltSrSH

Mental Wellness in Adults with Down Syndrome: A Guide to Emotional and Behavioral Strengths and Challenges by Dennis McGuire, Ph.D. and Brian Chicoine, M.D. order here: https://a.co/d/cbOhBLC

Different A Great Thing to Be by Heather Avis and Sarah Mensinga, order: https://a.co/d/3VL4z16

You Are Enough: A Book About Inclusion by Margaret O’Hair and inspired by Sophia Sanchez order: https://a.co/d/hRsKJAu

My Friend Has Down Syndrome by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos, order here: https://a.co/d/aSRCijS

These Down syndrome good reads are excellent resources for parents, families and professionals. Keep them in mind as gifts for the upcoming holiday season. In addition, many local Down syndrome support groups across the country provide lending libraries with these resources for families. Thank you for sharing and supporting us as we raise awareness and acceptance to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

That’s what is in my noggin this week.

Teresa 🙂

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Down Syndrome with A Slice of Autism

Posted in Down syndrome, Down Syndrome Awareness, Dual Diagnosis Down syndrome and autism

Blog #240~ October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Posted on by Teresa Unnerstall

Blog #240~October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month

down-syndrome-awareness-month

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. My son, Nick is 27 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.

Click here to get the facts about Down syndrome: @ http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/What-Is-Down-Syndrome/

Here’s how YOU can promote Down syndrome awareness and acceptance:

🙂 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

🙂 If you are a parent of a child with Down syndrome, send updates, pictures and tell your story to your family doctor and OB/GYN. Consider becoming a Hope Advocate-You will get a custom hope kit to distribute to your OB/GYN and family doctor. More information @ https://hopestory.org/sign-up/

🙂 Your local Down syndrome support groups have promotional materials, like books and bookmarks that can be distributed at libraries and schools.

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

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

🙂 The Down Syndrome-Autism Connection is the gold standard organization supporting DS-ASD families @ http://www.ds-asd-connection.org/. I am looking for 21 people to donate just $21 for the 3-2-1 Caring and Sharing fundraiser to directly help families navigating a dual diagnosis. Click here to donate @ https://givebutter.com/l6BUl8/teresaunnerstall

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

🙂 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.”

🙂 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, plus there are share buttons you can utilize for social media to help spread awareness. Order and donate a copy to your local library @ https://amzn.to/2W3Un6X 

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Order your copy today at https://amzn.to/2W3Un6X

Thank you for supporting and sharing all about Down syndrome awareness this month! That’s what is in my noggin this week.

~Teresa 🙂

Follow us on Social Media:

Facebook and Pinterest @Down Syndrome With A Slice Of Autism

Instagram @nickdsautism

Twitter @tjunnerstall

Posted in Down syndrome, Down Syndrome Awareness, Dual Diagnosis Down syndrome and autism, Education and Special Needs

Blog #186~Down syndrome:How to Promote Inclusiveness in School

Posted on by Teresa Unnerstall

Blog #186~Down syndrome: How to Promote Inclusiveness in School

DSAwarenessMagnet     Peer Partners

October is Down syndrome Awareness Month.  This is an ideal time to promote inclusiveness in your child’s school.  Forming a partnership with your child’s education team is the key to a successful inclusion experience.

Here are a few resources and suggestions on how to advocate for inclusion in your child’s school environment and classroom:

*Send an “All About Me” introduction about your child to the teacher.  There are many ideas, templates and apps that are available online.  This is especially helpful, if your child’s speech is limited or non-verbal.

all about me app

*Share inclusion resources with your child’s teacher:

  • Meaningful Inclusion for Students With Down Syndrome: A Resource for Elementary Educators. http://www.mdsc.org/infojustforyou/EdManual.cfm
  • The Inclusive Class: http://www.theinclusiveclass.com/
  • Inclusion in the Classroom-Tips and Resources: http://allbornin.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Inclusion_Classroom_Tips.pdf
  • Donate books to the library and classroom:               I can Can you  Paint the Octopus Red  My Friend has DS

*Topics on Down Syndrome, that are helpful for teaching from Woodbine House Publishing: http://www.woodbinehouse.com/  Books related to Down syndrome are ON SALE during the month of October!

Whole Child Reading         Down syndrome and autism intersect2      Teaching Math to DS        fine motor skills and DS

Working with the school team to promote an understanding about Down syndrome, and a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism has many benefits.  It will help students in general education classes feel less anxious and reduce misconceptions they may have had.  Building this bridge together, will lead to a meaningful learning experience for everyone in the school.  That’s what is in my noggin this week.

~Teresa 🙂

Follow Nick:

Facebook & Pinterest @Down Syndrome With A Slice Of Autism

Instgram@ #nickdsautism

Twitter @tjunnerstall