EPISODES

(Trigger warning: topics of sexual abuse). Did you know that children with disabilities are 3x more likely to experience sexual abuse? Even though the risk is high, Lindsey Strickland believes that with more conversations, we can prevent sexual abuse in the Down syndrome community. Lindsey has created Worth the Conversation, an online community dedicated to keeping children with disabilities safe from sexual assault. Our kiddos face many risk factors each day.. frequent exposure to adults, limited communication, and often times reliance on others for personal needs. So what does Lindsey recommend? Give them as much body autonomy as possible, establish expectations with adults in their lives, teach them the correct names for their body parts, and so much more. Join us for this important episode full of wisdom from Lindsey Strickland, because our kids are definitely #worththeconversation.

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Anyone else ever felt a little lost (and by that we mean very anxious) when it comes to balancing motherhood, Down syndrome advocacy, and in some cases, international adoption too? There’s a lot to unpack here, so we have an expert on today! Rebekah Lyons is an author, speaker, podcaster, mother to 4 (2 kiddos with DS), and emotional health advocate. She’s sharing her incredible adoption story about bringing home her youngest daughter with DS all the way from China, her battle with panic attacks, and her tips for raising emotionally healthy kiddos. Plus we’re sharing all about how each of us answered “yes” to adopting kiddos with DS.. cue the tears!

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Trigger warning: infant loss, heart defect). Thanks for joining us this week as we discuss a heavy topic: organ transplant discrimination in the Down syndrome community. This topic was born out of a recent tragedy with the passing of Zion Sarmiento, who was born with DS. Zion passed away on October 8th, just a week shy of 4 months old, after being denied a heart transplant by multiple hospitals. And the reasons they were denied are heart breaking. The truth is that many medical professionals, and society as a whole, do not see the worth and value of people with Down syndrome. But thankfully, the National DS Society is working hard to change that. And today, we’re telling you all the ways to take action, how to support Zion’s family, and what we can do everyday to shift the narrative.

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When Alex’s daughter Penny was born with Down syndrome almost 3 years ago, she had no idea how it would impact her family, especially her oldest daughter. But today, Alex and her daughter work together on a special project called: For Kids By Kids where they sell products with a purpose. That’s because each purchase helps support the National Down Syndrome Society. And this month, they’re launching a very special collection of dolls who share features of children with DS, because representation matters! And you can never start too early. So tune in to learn more about how Alex started FKBK, why representation is so important, and how having a child with DS has sparked a creativity in all of us.

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“If you could go back and talk to yourself when you got your diagnosis, what would you say..” Micha grabbed a microphone and walked all around the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network’s Rockin’ Moms Retreat and asked this question. We got the most amazing (and tear-jerking) responses from you rockin’ mamas. And we’re sharing them with you all today. This episode is full of wisdom from mamas of adults, teens, toddlers, and even twins. These perspectives are a whole lot better than a google search. So grab your tissues and get ready to nod your head along with all of these interviews. We think you’ll relate.

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According to Trista Kutcher, the key to being a #bosslady is feeling special and confident, and we totally agree. Trista is a self-advocate with Down syndrome, a business owner, a hip hop extraordinaire, and an IRL friend of the Avis fam! Trista and her business (Trista’s Sunshine Company) are based in Charleston, South Carolina. Not only does she sell products online, she recently got her products into stores in her area! When she’s not being a #bosslady, she’s advocating for DS, hanging out with her family, busting a move, and listening to the Jonas Brothers (honestly, same).

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Raise your hand if you feel like you have no time or energy to work out! And maybe you spend so much time caring for your kiddos that you put your own health on the back-burner. And let’s face it, after a full day of therapies or an intense IEP meeting, the last thing you want to do is head to the gym. We’re so grateful we found Megan Libassi, a fitness coach and a mom to a little one with Down syndrome, who created Oxygen Fitness Coaching! She specializes in work out programs for mamas of children with DS that are sustainable and stress-free, because she gets it! And on today’s episode, Megan is sharing tips for health and wellness + why it’s so important to care for your health (our kids are watching us!)

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Alright friends, you asked for it.. and now it’s time to talk about potty training! And who better to learn from than Dr. Lina Patel? (Psychologist, DS expert, and author of Potty Time for Kids with Down Syndrome: Lose the Diapers, Not Your Patience). She’s breaking it all down for us today.. because there’s more to potty training than we even realize (hint: medical challenges, cognition, language, and motivation)! We’re talking about when to NOT start potty training, why traditional techniques might not work for our kiddos, and of course- all the strategies to use when it’s time! Oh and if you’ve ever felt yourself stuck in some weird unspoken competition on who’s kid is potty trained first, so have we. So we’re chatting about that too!

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Alright friends, it’s time to talk SOCIAL STORIES, those magical little books that help our kiddos with Down syndrome understand what’s expected of them in a new environment. Social stories are game changers when it comes to managing behaviors and transitions.. but don’t just take it from us. We have a social story expert on the show today! Dr. Lina Patel is a speaker, consultant, researcher, professor, and psychologist with almost 10 years of experience in the DS world. She’s breaking down the basics including the key elements (visuals, first person language, problem solving, and simplicity!) + she’s sharing some of her favorite resources for creating social stories.

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Whether you’re a few weeks or a few days into #BACKTOSCHOOL season, you might be feeling it. And by ‘it’ we mean allll the feelings and stress that you’re child is experiencing as they get used to their new classroom. We know we are. That’s why today we’re giving you a (very real) update on how our kids (and us) are doing. We’re talking non-negotiables for our child’s education, how other kids see our kids, and what to do when you might need to switch schools (that’s right friends, it’s reached that point). Consider this episode our diary of feelings on the first few weeks of school complete with all of our struggles and successes. PLUS actual tips for getting through it (from the perspective of 3 mamas who are right here with ya!) We are cheering you and your kiddos on!

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We talk a LOT about inclusion. But why? Why is it important to us to fight for it? Does it actually make a difference in our kids lives? In the lives of their peers? (Yes!) Today we have an inclusion expert.. former teacher + mother to 4 (and all around education rockstar) Kristin Enriquez, back on the show! She’s giving us practical tips to “create a level playing field” at your next IEP meeting, because don’t forget - inclusion is a RIGHT, not a special privilege. We’re also chatting about how full inclusion has impacted Kristin’s son with Down syndrome and why they continue to pursue it. And don’t miss our tips for supporting students with disabilities in their general education classroom, encouraging our children to be proud of who they are, and reminding their schools who is really responsible for creating the inclusive environment!

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