Bob’s Message to Our NACD Families, taken from the NACD Newsletter
by Bob Doman As we approach the holidays and get ready to bid 2020, the year of Covid-19, adieu, we can count our blessings and look forward to the future with some optimism. Many of our families have had a difficult, and for some even a painful, year; but fortunately most of those in our NACD family are making it … Read More
by Bob Doman The description of National Down Syndrome Awareness Month is as follows: “The month of October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, where we celebrate and let everyone know our abilities and that we are capable of doing anything we set our minds to.” Children and adults with Down syndrome are near and dear to my heart, having known … Read More
by Bob Doman Are the schools going to be open this fall? Will our kids wear masks? Will school be five days a week or three or two? Are they going to find enough teachers willing to be in the classrooms? Or is it going to be more distance “learning?” Most families who experienced this at the end of the … Read More
by Bob Doman For many preschool children and children with special needs, particularly those on the autism spectrum, getting them to tolerate a mask can be a daunting task. For a child who doesn’t understand the need for a mask and who has some tactile defensiveness, getting them to wear a mask can be extremely difficult. Some of you might … Read More
Unintended, Potential Harmful and Addictive Effects of YouTube on Children and Young Adults with Developmental Issues by Bob Doman Who would have thought that one of the potentially most harmful “tools” available to our children was something as educational and entertaining as YouTube? For many children and young adults with developmental issues, it is. Our work at the National Association … Read More
by Bob Doman As we start the first tentative steps to come out of the COVID-19 lockdown, there is a lot of discussion as to what this coming school year is going to look like. It is perhaps time to become proactive and establish your own course for this coming school year. I suggest that you look at 2020 as … Read More
by Bob Doman These COVID-19 Coronavirus times have certainly turned many of our worlds upside down. We now virtually have a world full of homeschoolers; more parents are at home with their children than at any time in the history of the world. Exceptional times and exceptional circumstances can also result in exceptional opportunities. Many of us are rediscovering and … Read More
by Bob Doman You say nice things –I like you! You’re fun to be around! You think I’m good-you like me! I’ll be good for you and try hard! You just say ugly things to me! You think I’m bad and dumb—then I’ll be bad and dumb! Simple statements: The more positive you are with a child, the … Read More
Was That Right or Wrong? (And does it matter?) by Bob Doman Was that right or wrong? Did I do well or not? Was that important or not? Does getting it right matter, and if so how much? Should I care—do I care? Is it fun? Do I like this and want to do it again? Am I good at … Read More
You Like Things You Think You’re Good At by Bob Doman I’m good at reading! I love to read! I stink at reading—I hate it! I’m great at soccer! I really like playing soccer; let’s play some more! I’m lousy at soccer—I hate it, I quit! Simple statement: You like what you think you’re good at. The ramifications of this … Read More