237 Books About Down Syndrome You Should Definitely Add to Your Library

A common question among parents in the Down syndrome community is, “What are some books including kids with Down syndrome?” Regardless of what online support group you’re in, there’s always a post naming off several books that promote inclusion and the disability community but those lists never quite capture the vast collection that actually exists. Nelly Pujalt, mother to two year old Ariel, took several days and put together an entire document containing the name of every book she could find. It’s “a collection of books relating to Down syndrome for children, parents and professionals for a variety of subjects such as behavior, sexuality, dating, education, memoirs, resources and children’s books.” We’ve posted the entire list here for your reference. - Lindsay Robertson

Advocacy and Awareness, Inclusion, EducationNelly PujaltJuly 6, 2020Awareness, educationComment

Call to Action: Tell Your Congressmen No IDEA Waivers During COVID-19 Pandemic

More than 54 million American school children are learning at home right now. Seven million of those students have disabilities. Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus in March, 45 states have ordered schools closed, and 15 states are keeping schools closed until the end of the school year. That list will surely grow as the virus peaks (find an updated list here).

EducationCourtney HansenApril 20, 2020education, IDEA, Special Education, IEPComment

Tips For Including Kids with Down syndrome

Having your student with Down syndrome included in the general education classroom with proper supports can often seem like a pipe dream. Just look at the statistics: only 16% of our loved ones with intellectual disabilities (ID) are included in general education classrooms most of their school day.

But the research and federal law back up full inclusion with support, so how do we get there? Well, I was lucky enough to find inclusion expert, Nicole Eredics from The Inclusive Class. This amazing inclusion teacher has created a huge database of resources to support full inclusion for even students with Down syndrome. You can also buy her book (shown below) with over 40 modifications for students with the most significant needs.

Education, InclusionCourtney HansenFebruary 24, 2020Down Syndrome, Inclusion, advocacy, AwarenessComment

Clearing the Way for Systems Change in 2020

11-year-old Salome is a female of color with a disability. English is a second language for her immigrant parents, and her extended family lives far away. Many students like Salome and their families are disenfranchised by the special education process, and don’t feel like they can adequately advocate for inclusion and proper supports under the law.

“I’m always mindful of our privileges and challenges,” says Salome’s mother, Catalina Angel. “In many ways we are like any family with dreams of a good future and in may ways we struggle in a place where we constantly have to demonstrate that we have worth.”

Education, Advocacy and AwarenessCourtney HansenFebruary 3, 2020Inclusion, advocacy, EducationComment

Students with Intellectual Disabilities Can Use Federal Funds for College Opportunities

With more than 260 College Programs available for students with Intellectual Disabilities (ID), it’s no longer a question of whether the new generation of students with ID can go to college but how to pay for it…..College programs are expensive. Tuition is often as much or more than tuition for typical college students. This coupled with the fact that most families of children with ID have no savings for their adult child really creates a real barrier to these new college opportunities.

Education, InclusionCourtney HansenDecember 2, 2019education, InclusionComment

Recognizing Trauma In Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities

From talking to a wide number of parents, care-givers, family members, healthcare professionals and the like, recognizing trauma in individuals who are intellectually delayed, or those who may be nonverbal, is a big concern; “What if something happens and we can’t tell?,” “What if they can’t express what’s going on and it continues?” The list of questions and concerns over this one topic are endless and I’ll admit, I’ve thought about it myself. As a mother of a daughter who has Down syndrome, the very last thing I want to think about is the possibility of some kind of abuse occurring and my daughter unable to tell me about it.

So what can we do? We educate ourselves on the signs and symptoms of abuse and the steps we take if it does occur.

Advocacy and Awareness, EducationLindsay RobertsonJuly 22, 2019Abuse, discrimination, Down Syndrome, educationComment

Ninth Circuit Court Rules Student with Down syndrome Can Be Moved to Life Skills Class at New School

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled an Arizona school district can move an elementary student with Down syndrome to a public school outside his neighborhood. The student would receive an additional 20 minutes of Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) in an “academic SCILLS classroom” at this new school.

Education, Inclusion, DiscriminationCourtney HansenJune 24, 2019down syndrome, education, supreme court, InclusionComment

Why Your Child Needs a "No Consent" Letter For Restraint and Seclusion

A study of 99% of public schools by the United States Office of Civil Rights found that students with disabilities are restrained and secluded at a much higher rate than their typical peers. The office found that although students served under IDEA make up only 12% of the U.S. public school population, they make up 67% of students who were restrained or secluded.

That’s 70,000 students with disabilities who were restrained or secluded in the 2013-14 school year, for which the last data was recorded. Let that sink in for a moment. And assuredly there’s a lot more incidents that are not reported.

Discrimination, EducationCourtney HansenJune 10, 2019down syndrome, abuse, neglectComment

Important Facts About Down syndrome

Many of the facts people know about Down syndrome are actually stereotypes, or are “facts” based on observing the impacts of discrimination and mistreatment. Here is a list of facts that you may not know and as we confirm others we will add them here.

Advocacy and Awareness, EducationLindsay RobertsonFebruary 4, 2019facts, down syndrome, stereotypesComment

3 Words That Will Transform Your Next IEP Meeting

Parents often think they can shutdown an IEP meeting by refusing to sign the actual IEP. In most states, failure to sign means nothing. In the worst case scenario, an IEP immediately takes effect if you DON’T sign. Your signature doesn’t hold as much weight as you might think. And you can ALWAYS revoke your signature… it’s not a permanent thing.

Education, IEPCourtney HansenJanuary 28, 2019IEP, EducationComment