Over the years I have flip-flopped on which season is my favorite. When I was a kid, winter was the best because of the break from school, the Christmas décor (and presents), and my birthday. Also, who doesn’t love hot chocolate and snow? As a teacher, summer won. Obviously. When my children were young, spring… Continue reading A Non-Comprehensive List of Accessibility-Friendly Fall Activities

Here we are again! It’s September, and it’s back-to-school season.  This new “season” brings on new routines and… anxiety.  For some children, the new year brings on excitement, and for others, it can trigger stress and even resistance to the new routine. This is especially true for our children, teens and young adults with ADHD,… Continue reading Co-Regulating with Your Anxious Child in the New School Year

Raise your hand if you are a people-pleaser. Do you tend to say yes to plans when you do not want to go? Do you give in to an argument even when it is still a hypothetical in your head? Do you avoid holiday gatherings with your family because you can predict the patterns of… Continue reading Everything is Negotiable

Overview According to the CDC, around 1 in 775 children (about 5,000 per year) are born with Down Syndrome, making it the most common chromosomal condition in the US. Down Syndrome occurs when a person has an extra copy of chromosome 21[1] in their DNA, which dictates how the body forms and functions. As the… Continue reading Resources for Parents of Children with Down Syndrome

Ready or not, here it is – the new school year! The first week of school comes with that impending sense of homework, acclimating, and more homework.  Regardless of the age of your child, our children, teens and young adults will need to get through their assignments. It’s a skill, a strategic skill that requires… Continue reading New School Year, New Homework Strategies That Work

2025 National Diaper Need Awareness Week is September 15-21. Join Shield Healthcare in helping end diaper need across the United States.    What is Diaper Need? Did you know that 1 in 2 American families with young kids are unable to afford enough diapers to keep their children clean and healthy[1]? Taking into consideration the… Continue reading Diaper Need Awareness Week 2025

Have you ever had a moment where two seemingly disparate elements in your life collide in a way you never could have predicted? It’s like discovering your childhood best friend is married to your favorite barista.   This collision happened to me as I was standing around my son Charlie’s hospital bed going through pre-op… Continue reading What Do You Value More: Comfort or Productivity?

“We are a team.” This is what I tell my children whenever we have to make compromises as a family. You know the drill – someone wants to go to McDonald’s for lunch and somebody else wants to be taken to a friend’s and then the third has a doctor’s appointment and it is all… Continue reading We Are a Team

Let’s be real – being a teenager isn’t easy. You’re balancing schoolwork, friendships, family expectations, and figuring out who you are, all while trying to keep up with the fast-paced world around you. On top of that, social media, pressure to succeed, and even world events can all weigh your mood down. It’s no surprise… Continue reading Self-Care for Teens