Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Thursday, February 18, 2016
World Down Syndrome Day...welcome to our world!
March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day
On March 21, the entire world will join together CELEBRATING people with Down syndrome. Our Down Syndrome Center utilizes a strength-based approach to assist families in best meeting their child's needs in the classroom, the community and family life. If you would like more information about our services, please email us at
downsyndromecenter@hope-haven.org
Please join us on Saturday, March 19th, as we celebrate World Down Syndrome Day in Jacksonville. We will be at Unity Plaza in Riverside. This event is open to the public and will include an evening of dinner,
dancing, entertainment and a live auction. This event will bring over 300
residents of Jacksonville and the surrounding areas to raise public awareness and create a single voice of
advocacy in honor of World Down Syndrome Day (3/21/16).
Click here to register: World Down Syndrome Day
Who loves you baby?
Do you love someone with Down syndrome? Share your pictures and stories by sending them to us at:
downsyndromecenter@hope-haven.org
and we'll share them with the world by putting them on our blog!
Comment and share our blog on Facebook for a chance to win one of our 2016 calendars. We will pick 5 winners at random who comment and share by Sunday, 2-21-16!
Comment and share our blog on Facebook for a chance to win one of our 2016 calendars. We will pick 5 winners at random who comment and share by Sunday, 2-21-16!
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Surviving the Holidays
We all have a picture in mind of the perfect holiday. The kids would be dressed in their sweet holiday outfits, singing songs, decorating cookies and behaving like perfect angels. Unfortunately...at my house, that never happens! We finally got our tree up and last night, the cat knocked it over just after midnight. Some gifts have been purchased, none have been wrapped. I think I have some paper somewhere but the tape has disappeared. Instead of Christmas carols the sounds I hear are my kids fighting...and the days keeping passing by! It feels like the holidays will be over before I am even ready for them to begin.
If you are feeling the stress of the season, imagine how it feels for children. Especially children with language delays, sensory issues and other disabilities. There are lots of things you can do to help your child enjoy this time without becoming overwhelmed and in turn, it will help you out as well.
1. Keep it simple! The truth is, what your kids really want is more of you. Not more stuff, more toys, more candy, more parties...they want to be with you doing simple things like reading stories, making simple crafts and helping in the kitchen. It doesn't have to be anything big and fancy, keep the holidays simple and you'll find your kids are calmer and happier.
2. Stay on a routine. Even if your routine for the holidays is different from your usual routine, kids need predictability. They need to know what is going to happen before it actually happens. A printed schedule of pictures or words can be helpful for the child who thrives on structure. Some parts of your child's normal routine like wake-up and bedtime routines, household responsibilities and mealtimes should remain consistent throughout the holiday season. It makes getting back on track in the new year much easier.
3. Create a quiet place. If you entertain in your own home, designate a space that your child can go to if he or she feels the needs to escape the crowd. If you are going out, discuss ahead of time a way your child can alert you if he or she becomes overwhelmed and needs some down time.
Not Just Surviving the Holidays
The 12 Days of Coping
Holiday Survival Guide
1. Keep it simple! The truth is, what your kids really want is more of you. Not more stuff, more toys, more candy, more parties...they want to be with you doing simple things like reading stories, making simple crafts and helping in the kitchen. It doesn't have to be anything big and fancy, keep the holidays simple and you'll find your kids are calmer and happier.
2. Stay on a routine. Even if your routine for the holidays is different from your usual routine, kids need predictability. They need to know what is going to happen before it actually happens. A printed schedule of pictures or words can be helpful for the child who thrives on structure. Some parts of your child's normal routine like wake-up and bedtime routines, household responsibilities and mealtimes should remain consistent throughout the holiday season. It makes getting back on track in the new year much easier.
3. Create a quiet place. If you entertain in your own home, designate a space that your child can go to if he or she feels the needs to escape the crowd. If you are going out, discuss ahead of time a way your child can alert you if he or she becomes overwhelmed and needs some down time.
Check out these other online resources for more helpful holiday tips:
Not Just Surviving the Holidays
The 12 Days of Coping
Holiday Survival Guide
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Down Syndrome Center
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
2016 Down Syndrome Center calendars are here!
The Down Syndrome Center
2016 Calendars are in!!!
Hope Haven website
Hope Haven on Facebook
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Down Syndrome Awareness Month Spotlight on Kennedy
The Down Syndrome Center at Hope Haven
We are off to a wonderful October and heading toward our Buddy Walk on November 7th. This month we are celebrating some of our past and present clients with that little something extra. Today our star is...drum-roll please...
KENNEDY!!!
From Kennedy's mom:
What
a great idea to celebrate Down syndrome awareness month and I love any chance I
get to brag on Hope Haven. As Kennedy just celebrated her 3rd birthday, I'm
especially thankful for Mrs. Kris. When we first started regular therapy with
Kris, at about 4 months old, we had no idea we'd be meeting one of our biggest
cheerleaders. One of my favorite things about Mrs. Kris, aside from her singing,
is the fact that she always treats Kennedy as a unique individual. She never
uses the diagnosis to classify what our girl is or isn't capable of or how she
should be treated. Kennedy is her own unique person in Kris' eyes and is always
loved and challenged with a fun mix of songs and play with her
"work." Mrs. Kris deserves so much praise for her dedication to
excellent service.
We
are thankful for all of the growth that Kennedy has experienced at Hope Haven
and look forward to continuing that growth with your wonder team of
therapists.
Thank you for sharing your experience with Hope Haven and Mrs. Kris. We think she's awesome too!
If you'd like more information on our Down Syndrome Center,
please email us at downsyndromecenter@hope-haven.org
.
Friday, October 2, 2015
Boys Will Be Boys!
Today we celebrate 2 of our little buddies from our kindergarten class. Before school started, they did not know each other. As you can see, they are now great friends. They love to greet each other each morning and they get into lots of mischief together. They can usually be found in the reading center looking at books, laughing, talking and making noises that little boys like to make. These 2 seem to find each other no matter what we are doing at school, they just want to be together.
Isn't that what we want for all our kids? To find meaningful friendships with others who like the same things. To be a valued part of a classroom community is the right of every child. We are so thankful to have these 2 friends be a part of our first kindergarten class. A class where every child is included, valued, loved and cherished. A great beginning to a wonderful school year.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Today is October 1st and also the first day of Down Syndrome Awareness Month. We are going to take this month to share with you some of our favorite people. They are our favorites because they make us laugh, they inspire us, they make us wonder and they bring us joy. They can also exasperate us, aggravate us, exhaust us and make us question our own sanity! They are sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, students, friends and family. Oh...and they also have Down syndrome. It is not who they are, it's just a part of them. One part of the many things that make a person who they are. And while that part makes them different, there is much more that is alike than different.
People with Down syndrome have hopes, dreams and desires like we all do. Fortunately, more of them are able to realize those dreams but we still have a long way to go. Although there are now many more opportunities for people with all types of disabilities, we are a long way from where we need to be. Until then, we must continue to do the hard work, have the uncomfortable conversations and press forward to ensure all people with Down syndrome are provided with what they need to be successful.
The Down Syndrome Center at Hope Haven is proud to be a service provider for families of children with Down syndrome and other special needs. From brand new babies to young adults and every age in between, we can help you navigate the journey of parenting a child with a disability. We can also provide you with therapies, educational advocacy, summer camps, preschool, kindergarten and tutoring. Please contact us with any questions.
terrig@hope-haven.org
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