adults with Down syndrome
New Year, New Career Skills!
It’s hard to believe that 2018 is almost over and 2019 is right around the corner! And with 2019 comes a new batch of students leaving their high school transition programs. While completing the transition program is an exciting time, it can also be full of unknowns with a lot of questions going through your…
Read MoreA Very Special Visitor
At GiGi’s Playhouse, we are lucky to get the most amazing people walk through our doors on a daily basis. John Manley, who is a longtime friend of GiGi’s and was on the board for the Special Olympics, came to visit us. His son, Charlie, had Down syndrome, coined the term “Best of All” and…
Read MoreWhat are you Thankful For?
GiGi U is Thankful It’s that time of year when everyone is asking, “what are you thankful for?” This week, I asked GiGi U participants that very question and their answers truly made me realize how much of a difference we make here at GiGi’s Playhouse! I was pleasantly surprised to hear that most of…
Read MoreThe Life of an Amazing Volunteer!
GiGi’s Playhouse is very fortunate to have the dedicated hard work of some amazing volunteers to keep us going strong! One of these volunteers is Lauren Abry. We had one of our GiGi Professionals, Brian Rogala, interview her in our new GiGi Professional space to find out more about her. Here’s how it went: Brian:…
Read MoreOctober Participant Spotlight!
“Cristina has been in the GiGi’s Playhouse Amina Grace Speech & Language Program for only four months. However, within that short amount of time, her speech and clarity has improved immensely. Cristina has worked with Taylor on a speech she gave to over 75 people in early October. We had many people come up to…
Read MoreGiGi University in the House!!
Have you even come into the Playhouse on a Monday, Wednesday, or a Friday and seen a group of adults working incredibly hard while having the time of their lives? Working out? Or working incredibly hard in the classroom? If you answered YES to any of these questions, then you have had the privilege of…
Read MoreMy Experience as a Literacy Tutor!
My name is Gene and I wanted to share a little bit about my experience as a literacy tutor at GiGi’s Playhouse Hoffman Estates. I have spent almost 30 hours so far working with Chris. Chris is an adult student that I work with in literacy every week. At first, Chris was a very slow…
Read MoreArticulation Station APP!
Are you looking for a fun, practical way for your child to practice his or her speech sounds? Well, look no further! Our on-staff SLP, Sarah Buti, has just the app for you. Created by a certified Speech-Language Pathologist, Articulation Station is a full featured articulation application to help children as well as adults learn…
Read MoreFall Into Acceptance: Generation G
Generation G is an ongoing journey of global acceptance. Differences do not discriminate. We are all one birth, one accident, one diagnosis or one other defining moment away from being different, or loving someone who may be different. Program achievements at GiGi’s Playhouse are great victories. These achievements do not guarantee lasting acceptance for someone with…
Read MoreFirst Week of GiGi U!
We have a great group of new students this fall for GiGi U! Our session started August 31st and we had an amazing first week! GiGi U is a progressive learning program for adults, comprised of a 12-week instructional program, followed by an internship with the GiGi’s Playhouse Cafe, Hugs & Mugs. GiGi U is designed to…
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