Episodes

Wednesday Sep 18, 2019
T21Mom - Episode 18 : Surviving the IEP - Individualized Education Plan
Wednesday Sep 18, 2019
Wednesday Sep 18, 2019
Mary talks about her experiences with creating an Individualized Education Plan for Ainsley and the struggle of getting the school to play a positive role in the process.
Link to the One Pager

Wednesday Sep 11, 2019
T21Mom – Episode 17 : Katie Rinald – Potty Training
Wednesday Sep 11, 2019
Wednesday Sep 11, 2019
Mary talks with Katie Rinald of Blackbird Special Education about her approach to intensive potty training.
Blackbird Special Education http://blackbirdse.com/ Katie@blackbirdse.com
Chummie Alarms https://chummiebedwettingalarm.com/

Wednesday Sep 04, 2019
T21Mom - Episode 16 : Jen Ghioda - Early Intervention Support Worker
Wednesday Sep 04, 2019
Wednesday Sep 04, 2019
Mary talks with Jen Ghioda, an Early Intervention Support Worker, about her role in finding and securing resources for families of children with DS.

Wednesday Aug 28, 2019
Wednesday Aug 28, 2019
Mary talks at length with Susan about 10 strategies for dealing with behavior challenges, including the dreaded “drop and flop”.
Down Syndrome Resource Foundation https://www.dsrf.org/
10 Positive Behavior Support Strategies
1) Down syndrome-specific setting event strategies.
2) Environment-specific setting event strategies.
3) Effective requests.
4) Offering choices.
5) Visual supports for behavioural expectations and predictability.
6) Incorporating preferences.
7) Safety signals.
8) Functional communication training.
9) Positive reinforcement of desired behaviour via praise and other rewards.
10) Actively ignore and positively redirect minor problem behaviour - Stone Face.
Here is the article Susan talked about:
Patel, L., Wolter-Warmerdam, K., Leifer, N., & Hickey, F. (2018). Behavioral characteristics of individuals with Down syndrome. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 11(3), 221-246.
Google scholar link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19315864.2018.1481473

Friday Aug 23, 2019
T21Mom Special Presentation – Brian Donovan & Kelly’s Hollywood
Friday Aug 23, 2019
Friday Aug 23, 2019
Actor, Producer, Director, DS Advocate, and Motivational Speaker Brian Donovan has an in depth conversation with Mary and Ron about his sister Kelly. The conversation roams from Brian & Kelly’s inseparable relationship that he documents in the film “Kelly’s Hollywood”, to his advocacy work, motivational speaking, and growing up in a very special neighbourhood in the ‘60s and ‘70s
Brian Donovan Web http://www.briandonovan.org/
Kelly's Hollywood http://kellyshollywood.com/Welcome.html
Brian Donovan - You Can Change The World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj9TkAwc6-0

Wednesday Aug 21, 2019
T21Mom – Episode 13 : Jen Jacob of the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network
Wednesday Aug 21, 2019
Wednesday Aug 21, 2019
Mary talks with Jen Jacob, Founder of the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network, about their work with health care professionals so they better understand Down syndrome, and issues such as the impact of delivering the diagnosis. They also talk about the increasing success of the Rockin’ Mom’s Retreat.

Wednesday Aug 14, 2019
T21Mom – Episode 12 : Talking Translocation Down Syndrome with Jenna
Wednesday Aug 14, 2019
Wednesday Aug 14, 2019
Mary talks with Jenna about a form of Down syndrome called Translocation that can be inherited under certain circumstances. It’s a fascinating and easy to understand look at the genetics of Down syndrome.

Wednesday Aug 07, 2019
T21Mom – Episode 11 : Cally Wesson of Variety The Children’s Charity BC
Wednesday Aug 07, 2019
Wednesday Aug 07, 2019
Mary has a wide ranging discussion with Cally Wesson, CEO of British Columbia’s chapter of Variety The Children’s Charity. Cally explains the history of Variety, services that they provide, volunteers, and events they put on, including the annual Show Of Hearts Telethon. Recorded on location at the Variety offices in Burnaby B.C.

Wednesday Jul 31, 2019
T21Mom - Episode 10: Walk Run Swim! Physiotherapist Brenda Horton
Wednesday Jul 31, 2019
Wednesday Jul 31, 2019
Mary talks with Physiotherapist Brenda Horton about how she helped Ainsley, and other children with Down syndrome, learn to walk, run, and swim.

Wednesday Jul 24, 2019
T21Mom – Episode 9 : Understanding Occupational Therapy with Hina
Wednesday Jul 24, 2019
Wednesday Jul 24, 2019
T21Mom – Episode 9 : Hina, the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation’s Occupational Therapist joins us for a conversation about how children with Down syndrome can learn to understand and control their body’s feelings and movements, and why the term “Occupational” is a bit of a misnomer.
Understanding Sensory Processing - https://www.spdstar.org/basic/understanding-sensory-processing-disorder
Developmental Progression Pyramid - (the pyramid is included in these presentation notes that can be found on the DSRF website)
When to Consult an OT - Document that outlines what types of skills OTs can work on with kids.