Children with Down Syndrome
Children with Down syndrome are unique individuals just as all children are. Although children with DS share a genetic condition, they each have their own personalities, characteristics, strengths and weaknesses. Thus, each child requires their own individualized approach to therapy -- what works for one child won't necessarily work for another.
I earned my graduate degree at Loyola College in Maryland. There, I was lucky enough to study under Dr. Libby Kumin, expert in speech and language development in children with Down syndrome. During that time I was clinically trained at Loyola's Center for Excellence in Down syndrome by Cheryl Councill, and Mina Goodman, two of the most knowledgeable women in the field that I have met to date! Given that start, how could I not hold a special place in my heart for children with Down syndrome.
I was lucky enough to pay it forward when was asked to serve as a clinical supervisor/adjunct at Loyola's Columbia Clinic. An amazing experience indeed to work beside some brilliant women and mold the future of our field. They say when you teach, often times the teacher becomes the student. Very true. So many times in explaining the "hows" and "whys" of my therapy to the graduate students, I found myself developing a deeper understanding as well.
I earned my graduate degree at Loyola College in Maryland. There, I was lucky enough to study under Dr. Libby Kumin, expert in speech and language development in children with Down syndrome. During that time I was clinically trained at Loyola's Center for Excellence in Down syndrome by Cheryl Councill, and Mina Goodman, two of the most knowledgeable women in the field that I have met to date! Given that start, how could I not hold a special place in my heart for children with Down syndrome.
I was lucky enough to pay it forward when was asked to serve as a clinical supervisor/adjunct at Loyola's Columbia Clinic. An amazing experience indeed to work beside some brilliant women and mold the future of our field. They say when you teach, often times the teacher becomes the student. Very true. So many times in explaining the "hows" and "whys" of my therapy to the graduate students, I found myself developing a deeper understanding as well.
My First Attempt at Therapy
The first day I entered the clinic at Loyola, I met Ariana. She was a beautiful 5 year old girl with DS...and turned out to be quite a challenge for me. I thought I was ready ... I had sat up the night before reviewing my lesson for her, certain of exactly how it would play out. I planned that we would move gracefully from one activity to the next and by the end of the session she would have mastered a few new words and signs. I had whistles, bubbles, a nuk brush, music, a mirror, a pacing board ... everything I needed for the perfect therapy session. Only, it didn't turn out even a little bit perfect... Ariana didn't want to talk to me ... not that she couldn't -- she just wouldn't!
It was my first day as a graduate clinician -- I had a whole lot of book knowledge about how to "do therapy", but I had never actually tried my hand at it before. And now there I was, stuck in a room with a 5 year old who had no interest in talking to me in front of a one way mirror. I knew full well that on the other side of the mirror sat Ariana's mother and at least one of my graduate supervisor whose job it was to critique my every move. Not only couldn't I get her to say (or sign) a word to me ... I couldn't even get her to look at me!
This went on for 3 weeks! 3 weeks where I learned all about being child-directed! I tried everything possible from bringing in baby dolls to play with and bathe to creating special snacks involving frosting and graham crackers (her favorite), to filling the therapy room with leaves that we raked together. On the third session, we had a pretend birthday party for Elmo (another favorite)-- the whole thing from balloons to blowing out candles on a cupcake ...and FINALLY!!! She spoke!! I'll never forget the look in her eyes, or the relief that I felt! I learned more about therapy in those 3 weeks then I did in my entire 4 years as an undergraduate.
That was 16 years ago, and I am lucky enough to have worked with Ariana on a somewhat regular basis for many of the years since then, watching her grow into a lovely young woman. No more Elmo parties, but we do on occasion sing a High School Musical Song together!
I work with a number of children with Down syndrome. I feel especially connected to these kids and their families, as it is a more long-term relationship I get to build with them as I watch them grow and develop over the years. I feel my time at Loyola and my experiences with other families of children with DS has helped me immensely.
If you are looking for a therapist for your child with Down syndrome, please keep me in mind. I offer individual as well as small group therapy.
It was my first day as a graduate clinician -- I had a whole lot of book knowledge about how to "do therapy", but I had never actually tried my hand at it before. And now there I was, stuck in a room with a 5 year old who had no interest in talking to me in front of a one way mirror. I knew full well that on the other side of the mirror sat Ariana's mother and at least one of my graduate supervisor whose job it was to critique my every move. Not only couldn't I get her to say (or sign) a word to me ... I couldn't even get her to look at me!
This went on for 3 weeks! 3 weeks where I learned all about being child-directed! I tried everything possible from bringing in baby dolls to play with and bathe to creating special snacks involving frosting and graham crackers (her favorite), to filling the therapy room with leaves that we raked together. On the third session, we had a pretend birthday party for Elmo (another favorite)-- the whole thing from balloons to blowing out candles on a cupcake ...and FINALLY!!! She spoke!! I'll never forget the look in her eyes, or the relief that I felt! I learned more about therapy in those 3 weeks then I did in my entire 4 years as an undergraduate.
That was 16 years ago, and I am lucky enough to have worked with Ariana on a somewhat regular basis for many of the years since then, watching her grow into a lovely young woman. No more Elmo parties, but we do on occasion sing a High School Musical Song together!
I work with a number of children with Down syndrome. I feel especially connected to these kids and their families, as it is a more long-term relationship I get to build with them as I watch them grow and develop over the years. I feel my time at Loyola and my experiences with other families of children with DS has helped me immensely.
If you are looking for a therapist for your child with Down syndrome, please keep me in mind. I offer individual as well as small group therapy.