preparing for an iep meeting
It is important to always keep an open line of communication with your child’s IEP team, especially in the weeks leading up to your meeting. Be sure to touch base with your child’s teacher and each therapist to discuss areas of strength, concern, progress on goals, and their thoughts for...
Six Tips to help learners with Down Syndrome be their best of all
Children with Down syndrome are capable learners who are excited and eager to learn. They just need to be given the opportunity to excel. They may learn at a slower pace, but are more than capable of learning. They are strong visual learners. This means that they understand what they...
Wisconsin Stories
By Michaela Wagner Wisconsin is home to many wonderful things such as Summerfest, cheese, brats and the great outdoors. Wisconsin is also home to two GiGi's Playhouses, the Madison location and the Milwaukee location. Here at Milwaukee we LOVE to share up lifting news and heartfelt stories with you, our readers. Sticking...
october 1 begins down syndrome “awareness” month but awareness is not nearly enough.
By: GiGi's Playhouse INC Awareness is simply acknowledging an existence, a challenge, etc. Human beings are so more than an existence or a challenge. Acceptance is an ACTION and a commitment to extend consistent value, approval, and empowerment. I’m very fortunate to work at GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers and...
Ten Questions You Always Wanted to Ask a Person with Down Syndrome
By Johannes Musial Jonas is 22 now and lives with his parents in the town of Rangsdorf, just outside Berlin. He used to want to be James Bond or a paleontologist, but after doing an internship at Berlin's RambaZamba theater, he grew passionate about acting. Since then, he's appeared in...
MY SON, BIG-C, HAS DOWN SYNDROME
by: Kim My husband and I were expecting our second son. I was pregnant and enjoying my pregnancy. This pregnancy was different from my last in that my leg cramps at night were so much worse, I wasn’t able to rest as much ( I was chasing my first born...
GiGi’s Playhouse Tinley Park- A Follow up about Jeff
At almost 40 years old, Jeff’s dream is to get a job at McDonald’s. His sister brought him to GiGi’s for literacy tutoring in an attempt to retrieve some dormant skills. From day one, Jeff has come to weekly tutoring with a pen in his pocket and a smile on...
Best of All Moments
BEST OF ALL is the daily challenge to do a little better than you did the day before. It is continual, measurable, celebrated and it never ends. I have asked some of our families to share their best of all moment with us and here are their stories: Brittany and Ethan:...
five instructional strategies for children with down syndrome
Children with Down syndrome are capable learners who are excited and eager to learn. They just need to be given the opportunity to excel. They may learn at a slower pace, but are more than capable of learning. They are strong visual learners. This means that they understand what they...
july programming!
We have a few new programs this month!! "Field Day on the West Side!" On Monday, July 11 between 10-3, we will have a Play Date at Malone Park All Abilities Playground in New Berlin https://www.playgroundatmalone.org/. Pack a lunch, bring some friends and see you then! "Adventures in Play" will be...
