My intent is to add more as I go. Do you have any other resources for Down Syndrome you’d like me to add? Are you blogging about your child with Down Syndrome? Let me know in the comments.
Tag: Early Intervention
When I need a high-motivation, movement-based activity for teaching the ability to follow simple one step verbal instructions, I turn to an old classic: “Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, Turn Around!” When I start singing the song, the children know exactly what to do. It’s a joyful, musical cue that instantly gets them moving.
It is important to clarify that a child with violent behavior due to neurological or sensory disorders is not intentionally abusing their parent. However, the emotional and psychological impact on the caregiver is strikingly similar to that of victims of intimate partner violence.
As a teacher and foster parent, I have seen biting behaviors resolve through team-based plans and specific strategies. When these strategies were consistently in place, the biting behavior disappeared. I realized that adults often want the child to simply “stop,” but the most effective interventions begin by changing the environment to reduce triggers like stress, boredom, or competition.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for a small child hurting himself. It’s a difficult situation but it can improve over time. Early Intervention providers working with families going through this need to remember to be supportive and encourage them to focus on one thing at a time one day at a time.
It offered a fast, intense burst of movement followed by a moment of structured stillness. The older siblings could easily join in, and we could execute it anywhere—in a hallway, outside a restaurant, or even at the park—without needing any specialized equipment.
I cried after that session. Stressful situations profoundly affect a parent’s ability to think clearly. As professions, we must be aware of how our helpful information might land on sensitive parents. When parents are overwhelmed, even the most helpful advice can feel like a stinging accusation.
My foster child actively sought this deep pressure. When he was feeling over-excited, overwhelmed, or just needed a reset, he had a request: “Pillow Sandwich!” This was a simple, family-led intervention that provided therapeutic compression.
I spent so much time putting out fires. The meltdowns. The sensory spirals. The “heavy work” sessions just to get through a grocery run. Because her brother’s needs were so loud, I often found myself exhaling in relief when I looked at Little Pumpkin. She was the “easy” one. She was our go-with-the-flow cuddle bug […]
Language starts long before the first word is spoken; it begins with awareness, body movement, and imitation. The mirror is so powerful because it provides immediate visual feedback—a principle supported by speech-language research.
All Things Early Intervention 