Better Sleep, Brighter Days: Supporting Individuals with Down syndrome
Every parent knows how much a good night’s sleep can change the day. When our children sleep well, they’re more focused, happier, and ready to take on the world. In the Down syndrome community, sleep is a much bigger challenge than most people realize. One common but often overlooked health concern is obstructive...
Participant Best of All: Jimmie Warren Jr.
Jimmie Warren Jr. has been a continual fun-loving, helpful and determined presence across all the adult programs he has recently participated in. Whether it is during Saturday programs in GiGiFIT Adult and GiGi’s Kitchen Adult, or in the long-running Thursday evening Fantastic Friends Program. Jimmie is consistently one of the...
Shining Bright with Structure: Holiday Tips for a Joyful Christmas Season
Hello, our GiGi’s Playhouse Community! We are here to give you some insight and tips on how to keep structure during the Christmas season. The holiday season is a time filled with excitement like bright lights, cheerful music, and gatherings of all sizes. But for individuals with Down syndrome, all...
Volunteer Spotlight: Emma Brkljacic
This month we spotlight our absolutely incredible Fall intern Emma Brkljacic for all the positive & meaningful impact she has made across multiple GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa programs & enhancements made to the day-to-day operations at the Tampa Playhouse. Since beginning her internship as Health Coordinator in August, Emma has supplied...
All About Behavior and ABA
Welcome back, our GiGi’s community! During our recent Family Speaker: Parent University Program, Behavior and ABA, we had the pleasure of welcoming representatives from BCOTB, who shared valuable strategies and practical insights with our families. Their guidance helped caregivers better understand how to navigate challenging behaviors using ABA techniques, empowering...
Participant Best of All: Valencia Trujillo
Valencia Trujillo has recently taken both literal and figurative big steps toward achieving her Best of All moments.As one of the first participants selected for the 1-on-1 Occupational Therapy pilot program in Tampa, Valencia has gained confidence in walking independently and improving her balance. Through Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) therapy...
Growing Together: How GiGi’s Playhouse Transformed Nick’s Journey
GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa takes the time to highlight one of our participants and his mom as to how GiGi’s has impacted their life. These questions were answered by Nick who is a participant in our Group Speech Program: What’s your favorite thing to do at GiGi’s Playhouse? I go to...
Making Play Meaningful for Every Child
Welcome back, our GiGi’s community! At GiGi’s Playhouse, we know that play is more than just fun - it’s how children learn, connect, and grow!During our recent Parent University session, Building Social Play Skills in Children with SensoryProcessing Challenges, BayCare representatives joined us to share strategies and insights on howfamilies...
Participant Best of All: Jenna Brennan
This months participant 'Best of All' goes to Jenna Brennan. Jenna has been taking part in various 1-on-1 programs at GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa for many years and recently made noticeable progress in our 1-on-1 Speech Program. Both Jenna’s mom Susan and Speech coordinator Kyle Hollis have verbalized that Jenna has...
Make Halloween Magical (Yet Manageable) for Children with Down syndrome
Hello, our GiGi’s Playhouse community! We are here to give you some insight and tips on how to makeHalloween magical and manageable for your child with Down syndrome. Halloween is an exciting timeand experience, but for children with Down syndrome, the experience can often feel overwhelming. Brightlights, loud noises, scary...
Volunteer Spotlight and Survey: Madeline DiPasquale
We want to shine a spotlight on one of our volunteers, Madeline DiPasquale, who served as an intern over the summer at GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa. Madeline is currently studying for her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, with a minor in Psychology. Throughout the summer, Madeline was pivotal in her contributions...
Participant Best of All: James Randolph
This month's participant 'Best of All' goes to James Randolph. James made many noticeable strides in the GiGiFIT Adult and GiGi's Kitchen Adult programs on Saturdays. By having our program leads and assistants provide occasional 1-on-1 attention in order to adapt movements in the kitchen & gym, James was able...