Writing IEP goals for children with special needs can be a challenge for teachers and other school personnel who are not yet familiar with your child as an individual

With a greater online audience for articles and interviews about the potential and accomplishments of children and teens with Down syndrome, there is also a higher incidence of negative comment and ignorant prejudice expressed that can distract us from advocacy and awareness messages.

Children with verbal apraxia have a diverse set of speech and communication challenges that make it almost impossible for them to speak clearly without specific help with motor planning and other issues. They deserve community support, interested listeners, and alternative ways to communicate.

Only a few more children with Down syndrome develop insulin dependent diabetes than their mainstream peers. My son developed Type 1 diabetes when he was a slender seven year old, suddenly losing weight. He was diagnosed early because I read about symptoms reading about his sister's T1D classmate.

When my son was born with Down syndrome, I could not imagine his kindergarten year in a mainstream classroom, with friends and birthday parties, learning to read and write, or sharing his thoughts during story time. I thank all the moms looking forward, who are always reaching back to help others.

Children with special needs often have the same transition issues, instincts and preferences as their mainstream peers, and benefit from programs that address these as well as their individual needs

Our sympathies are with those affected by the terrible events at the Boston Marathon, especially families of those who were injured or killed.

Teaching children what Mother's Day means and seeing them delight their moms with gifts and cards is why the holiday was invented. Many kids with disabilities enjoy making a macaroni necklace, one of a kind bracelet, decorated photograph, computer designed artwork, advocacy pin or thank you note.

An unexpected opportunity to be a gladiator advocate at a candy store found me unprepared to respond when a store employee singled out my son for humiliation. Stunned and confused, I said nothing. Identifying as an ambassador rather than an activist left my son vulnerable as a customer. Never again.

Families whose children with Down syndrome have autism or an autism spectrum disorder can find support and information online for this dual diagnosis