From a Mother’s Perspective
The opening of GiGi’s Playhouse in Buffalo in 2020 was a true game changer for my 12-year-old daughter, Rose . This one organization has had an incredible impact on encouraging her developmental growth in areas of speech, literacy, math and gross motor skills as well as making meaningful friendships. Rose has a dual diagnosis of…
Down Syndrome Awareness Month
During this Down syndrome Awareness Month, I’d like to make you aware of a piece of legislation that is very important to those touched by Down syndrome. by Emily Mondschein, Executive Director, GiGi’s Playhouse Buffalo A Mother’s Story When I was 14 weeks into my pregnancy, I learned that my son would be born with…
Inclusion is BEST
Inclusion. It is so important and so rare for students with Down syndrome. Why is it that one student can be fully included with all the necessary supports in place when another student of the same ability level is in a restrictive self-contained setting, lacking all the opportunities his peer is receiving up the road. …
BIG DREAMS for Adults with Down Syndrome
One of the most popular programs we provide at GiGi’s Playhouse is called “GiGi’s Games with Friends” an adult program. This block of time is typically a full day. During this program, we deliver cooking classes, exercise classes, art, music, dance, science, one on one tutoring in speech, literacy, and math, with a strong focus…
Segregated Educational Settings Are Not Beneficial for Students with Down Syndrome
Executive Director, Emily Mondschein, was recently featured in the Buffalo News for her thoughts on inclusion for students with Down syndrome. Check out her story below. It’s Down Syndrome Awareness and Acceptance Month. We will only be aware, understanding, and accepting of people with Down syndrome if we start including students with Down syndrome in…
A Bright Light That Is Missed
This Saturday is our GiGi’s Fitness Acceptance Challenge, and while we are very excited, the day is bittersweet. This was the day that we lost our dear friend, Sara Rogers, 1 year ago. Like every event we’ve had this past year, we’ve felt the absence of the joy and celebration that Sara brought into the…
Inclusion of Students With Down Syndrome
After years of hard work, our Executive Director, Emily Mondschein, was invited to the nation’s capitol to discuss the inclusion of students with Down syndrome in the classroom. Mondschein has spent the past 5 years creating the first ever inclusive education guidance document for students with Down syndrome in the United States. This document was…
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