October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month! It is a special time to spread awareness of this developmental disability. More importantly it is a time to celebrate the abilities and accomplishments of individuals with Down syndrome. This is a very important month for me personally because my younger sister has Down syndrome.

Down syndrome is not the same in every person.

Each individual has his or her own personality, temperament, learning style, and style of interacting with the world. One thing, however, is true of every individual with Down syndrome—each person is capable of living a fulfilling life full of working, playing, learning, and growing.

It is important for families, like my own, that have an individual with Down syndrome to have a large support network that helps them make forward progress. Without our support community, my family would never be where we are today. A therapist can be an additional source of love, support, encouragement, and assistance for families.

Therapy can be an invaluable resource for individuals with Down syndrome and their family. 

Therapy can help manage behavioral or emotional problems at home. It can also be a helpful resource for parents who are struggling to manage the stress of raising a child with a disability. Sometimes parents forget to take care of themselves in the midst of doing the very best for their child. Therapy can help parents find the balance of giving support to their children and taking care of their own needs.

A therapist can also be an advocate for effective education in the school system. 

Therapists can help families effectively communicate with the school in order to make sure that the school matches the child’s learning style and temperament. If the child needs additional support behaviorally or emotionally in the classroom setting, a therapist can help come up with interventions that fit the child individually. A one-size fits all approach does not work for children with Down syndrome.

If you are a person with Down syndrome or if you are a loving family member looking to get involved in the community, check out the upcoming Buddy Walk in Centennial Olympic Park! It is a great time to connect with others in the community and promote awareness and acceptance of those with Down syndrome.

Laura Lebovitz

LLebovitz@ GROWcounseling.com