Mary chats with Inclusion Specialist Sara Jo Soldvieri about how to talk about inclusion, what it is, and what it looks like.

Sara Jo on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sara.soldovieri

Mary talks with T21Mom Amanda Caffrey, mother of Rosie, about her New Jersey school district’s refusal to let Rosie ride the school bus with her brother and care aide.

Link to Public Facebook Group “Let Rosie Ride” https://www.facebook.com/groups/4371696216210598

Mary talks with Nashville based photographer Stephanie Mullowney who specializes in portraits of children with Down syndrome. Stephanie is also a single mother of a 7 year old daughter with Down syndrome.

Paper Dolls Photography Website https://paperdollsphotography.com/

Mary talks with Lindsey Strickland, founder of “Worth The Conversation” about sexual abuse in the Down syndrome community. They discuss tips on prevention, how to talk with your kids about it, and recognizing the signs of abuse.

Worth The Conversation Wbbsite https://www.worththeconversation.com/

Mary talks with Dr. Brian Skotko, founder of the Down Syndrome Clinic To You (DSC2U). DSC2U is a groundbreaking web portal for information and consultations on Down Syndrome.

DSC2U Website https://www.dsc2u.org/

Mary talks with Ella Cullen, author of “Breastfeeding and Down Syndrome: A Comprehensive Guide for Mothers and Medical Professionals”, and founder of Julia’s Way a resource group for mother’s of children with Down syndrome who are having difficulty breastfeeding. Joining the discussion are Jill Rabin, a certified lactation consultant and Rachel Murphy, a mother who has succesfully used the techniques discussed.

https://juliasway.org/

e-mail love@juliasway.org

Mary interviews Lauren Costabile. Lauren is the founder of Hearts Of Joy International, an organization that arranges heart surgeries for children with Down syndrome in less developed countries.

Hearts Of Joy International Website https://www.heartsofjoyinternational.com/

Mary has a conversation with inspirational 16 year old Reilly Cate who runs a non-profit that delivers gift baskets to families who have adopted children with Down syndrome.

The Trium Tribe https://thetriumtribe.com/

Mary welcomes back Behaviour Analyst Katie Rinald for a conversation about toilet training techniques for older kids.

Katie can be reached at katie@blackbirdse.com

Blackbird Special Education http://blackbirdse.com/

** Special Warning** This program involves a very frank discussion of human biology, puberty, and sexual development. Personal discretion is advised.

Mary has a very frank discussion with Andrea Lee of the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation about special needs kids and issues around puberty and sexual health.

Teaching Children with Down Syndrome about their Bodies, Boundaries, and Sexuality: A guide for Parents and Professionals – Terri Couwenhoven
The Girls Guide to Growing Up – Terri Couwenhoven
The Boys Guide to Growing Up – Terri Couwenhoven
Talk Sex Today – Saleema Noon and Meg Hickling (I don’t think I actually mentioned this but it’s a great book that gives scripts for parents to talk about these things with their children, including a chapter on talking to your child with disabilities)
Sex is a Funny Word – Cory Silverberg

LINKS:

Circles of Intimacy – learning about different relationships. https://stanfield.com/product/circles-curriculum-intimacy-relationships-level-1-w1004-18/

Real Talk – Relationship and sexual health education for folks with cognitive disabilities. Lots of great videos to watch that would make for great starts of discussions. https://www.real-talk.org/

Jessy Wollens – Special educator and sexual health educator. https://shift-education.com/

Lindsey Strickland – Sexual abuse prevention worker and Down syndrome parent and advocate. https://www.worththeconversation.com/

Zones of Regulation https://www.zonesofregulation.com/index.html