Posts by hjaffry
Meet our New Literacy Coordinator!
With our booming and ever-growing tutoring program at GiGi’s Playhouse, we needed some extra help! Meet Lizbeth Rodriguez, who is our new Literacy Coordinator and will be helping with anything tutors and families need during their sessions. We’ve been hard at work creating the schedule for the Summer 2019 session for literacy and math tutoring.…
Read MoreGiGi U is Doing ALL the Things!
The Summer 2019 session of GiGi U is well underway and boy have we been busy! The past couple weeks, we have been working on improving our money skills. Every Wednesday, Miss Nancy and Miss Martie come in to play math games and we use pretend cash registers to practice counting and buying things. Something…
Read MoreWhy We Run for James!
James was diagnosed with Down syndrome the day after he was born. It was a shocking and scary diagnosis to receive, especially as new parents, and we weren’t sure how to be parents to this complex little baby. After the initial shock, we hit the ground running and began doing research. I had some experience…
Read MoreSupport Comes From Everywhere!
The Huntley Fire Department was the first fire department to make at team page for this year’s GiGi’s Playhouse 5K! Some of these amazing firefighters were not even aware of what GiGi’s Playhouse was, so it was great to visit the station with some of our adult interns to show them what we are all…
Read MoreGiGi’s Career Development!
Most people strive for a successful career from the time they are very young. Unfortunately, for those with a developmental disability, the work opportunities are much more slim. According to The Arc, only 15% of people with DD (developmental disabilities) are currently employed and there are three main areas that need improvement. The transition from…
Read MoreMeet Your Therapist!
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month in the realm of all things speech, language, and audiology! This wonderful month is the time the community of speech language pathologists and audiologists work together to raise awareness about communication disorders and the role they play in providing LIFE-changing treatments. That being said… what better way to kick…
Read MoreGiGiFIT Infant Spotlight!
GiGiFIT Infant launched in March at the Hoffman Playhouse. 10 participants were a part of this pilot program that focuses on infants being introduced the concepts of foundational movements, mobility activities, visual-vestibular activities, and reflex integration. Three-month-old Grace Greengard was one of the initial participants and has continued to enjoy her time at GiGiFIT Infant…
Read MoreWhy We Run and Why You Should Too!!
Nearly four years ago, I received a prenatal diagnosis at 22 weeks that my son Cody would have Down syndrome. To say I was devasted was an understatement. I was scared and angry and did not want to be a mom of a child with special needs. I felt like my life was over as…
Read MoreApril Speech Participant Spotlight!
“Zach’s speech and communication has come so far since attending the GiGi’s Playhouse Amina Grace Speech and Language Program. I really love that the therapists go above and beyond to coordinate with Zach’s speech therapists at school to be able to focus on the same skills. Zach has been taught so many skills at GiGi’s…
Read MoreSolid Job-Hunting Advice for People with Disabilities
Searching for a job is hard for anyone, but people with disabilities may face a few unique challenges, such as social stigma, a lack of understanding by hiring managers, and inaccessible work environments, to name a few. But don’t let this stop you from going after the job you want! Follow these simple tips to…
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