GiGi 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...
Why 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...
Support 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...
GiGi’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...
Meet 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......
GiGiFIT 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...
Why 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...
April 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...
Solid 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!...
Facilitating Language in Toddlers and Preschoolers
“So what kind of homework can you give my child to work on... they’re so young?” As a therapist, I LOVE THIS QUESTION. Play is work for our littles and the “homework” actually is something you as a parent can do! Below are some things YOU can do at home...
Spring Means Exciting Updates!
Spring is finally here! This means warmer weather, spring cleaning, and refreshing new activities and updates with the programs at GiGi's Playhouse. A few of our programs have awesome new program leaders who are fully dedicated to making the programs the best they can be! Here are some of the...
March Speech Participant Spotlight!
“Nora loves participating in the GiGi’s Playhouse Amina Grace Speech and Language Program with Taylor! Since beginning the program in Fall 2018, we have seen her speech progress into attempting to make a wide range of sounds, forming new words weekly, labeling with sounds/words, and communicating better with us her...