By Amanda Schlegel

Hello! My name is Amanda Schlegel and my son, Milo, has a KCNH1 genetic mutation. Milo was born in April 2020, and we had no idea he had this mutation. He slept a LOT as a baby and was not very responsive or smiley (as most babies are). He would wake up very drowsy and slow, dropping his head and looking half asleep. It often took him a few minutes to fully wake up. By around 8-9 months he wasn’t able to sit up as he should and was labeled with “failure to thrive,” so we started investigating why. Long story short, we eventually learned of his mutation. We were given basically no direct resources or support other than it’s a “rare disease.” My internet searches felt futile. No discoveries were similar to Milo. He is on the more mild end of the impact of this mutation. I felt like we were basically all alone, pioneers, with most likely any similar cases not reported. I was almost offended our neurologist didn’t get more involved or seem to care, if he was essentially 1 in a million as they told us. But we just pushed on. He had horrible eczema and constipation around his first birthday. To combat that I sought the help of a nutrition expert and determined he needed to go gluten and egg free. Ever since, he’s had no problems there.

We focused a lot on what went into his body with a very strict diet, avoiding food dyes and limiting processed foods as well. I also focused on quality supplements: cod liver oil, a multivitamin, and a probiotic. Beyond that I am more than grateful God brought us to that nutrition counselor because she also connected me with another mom who utilized an amazing program called NACD (National Association for Child Development). “Brain trainers” is the easiest way for me to describe them. We knew Milo was behind developmentally and I wanted to do what I could to help him catch up. Beyond cognitive ability, he was also limited with his physical development because he had hypotonia. A local resource took us to get ankle/foot orthotics to support his incredibly loose ankles. But my gut thought was, why? As a trained strength and conditioning coach, it made no sense to me to do that. How would his ability to stabilize his joints improve with a band aid? NACD matched my thinking. When we got started it felt like a great fit right away. We were on the same page, a different one than standard therapists. We were working more from a function and root cause standpoint, rather than generic cover ups or blanket protocols. Through a variety of home exercises, my NACD coach and Developmentalist trained me to work with Milo, and he gained the strength and ability to walk, run, jump, climb, etc. with no AFOs over the first couple of years. The coaches continue to guide me through more than physical development. It is full-child. We work on language, speech, and importantly, cognitive development through a wide variety of tasks. It is an ongoing process. I never do it perfectly, and we continue to work on his overall growth and development. This fall I will be homeschooling him with their guidance as a kindergartner.

He is one of the most joyful, friendly little people you could ever meet. He is such a light to those around him, and he is often well known. Even at a 5-day family camp a state away from home last summer, nearly everyone knew who Milo was because he cheers and claps loudly during worship and encourages others, and he loves chatting with people (even when it doesn’t always make sense!). His two older siblings adore him, and their friends and teammates all know him well as he cheers them on from the sideline, and now from the dugout, as he worked himself into the bat boy position for 8U softball and 10U baseball. He does a great job, but he just gets distracted sometimes because he has to cheer on the last batter before running to the dugout with their bat.

I firmly believe the guidance from NACD has made a MASSIVE impact on his development, and I HIGHLY suggest checking them out for anyone at truly any level. They work with literally anyone of any ability or age. They never function off labels or testing, or put you in a box. Your child is your child, and they work with you where your child is to help them improve with whatever they need most. I wholeheartedly believe they can help anyone advance. The impact on Milo and our family is enormous. We are a very active family, and as Milo grows up he fits right in. He is able to join us for day-long softball tournaments; he attended half-day preschool for 2 years, leaving the staff disappointed he wasn’t coming back for Kindergarten. We can travel, participate in sports/activities, with no issues. Milo gets along great! He is dying to play his first T-Ball game soon. It has also been a joy and so heartwarming to see our coach and Developmentalist share in his victories and enjoy the process alongside us. It is hard to know exactly where Milo would be without NACD. It could be a very different story. That is why I’m so thankful NACD is part of his.

Curious whether NACD could help your child? Join our free Get Started program to learn how individualized programs work.

The post Milo’s Story: Thriving with a KCNH1 Mutation appeared first on NACD International | The National Association for Child Development.

The Rosilios have been an NACD family since Liran was one year old. Liran has Down syndrome. This powerful essay, written by her older brother Eytan, shares the impact Liran has had on his life. – Sara Erling

Essay

By Eytan Rosilio

Just a day after my younger sister was born, a woman working at the hospital approached my father. “Do you want to put her up for adoption?”

My sister, Liran, was born with Down syndrome. I was 4 years old at the time and didn’t understand what this meant. She would take longer to develop, learning to walk, talk and grow later than most girls her age. All I knew was that I had become a big brother, and I was ecstatic.

Liran is 13 now, and she’s the most affectionate and supportive sister I could have ever asked for. She idolizes me, always trying to imitate everything I do. She has helped me discover so much about myself, more than anyone could’ve ever imagined.

Growing up with Liran has often been a challenge. Strangers stare, make assumptions, and judge her. Some kids tease or bully her simply because she is different. When my sister and I are in public, people will sometimes gaze at her with awful facial expressions. As a result, Liran struggles to make friends and is often not accepted by others. As her older brother, it pains me to witness this happening to her, and I wish I could shield her from it all. Somehow, Liran doesn’t let people’s cruel words or judgments affect her, and she persists, demonstrating her strength and mindset.

From a young age, I noticed her rare ability to view the world through a different lens. She savors every little moment and is always grateful for what she has. The most positive person I know, she smiles through everything. When someone is upset, Liran offers comfort and always manages to bring a smile to their face. Judging others by their backgrounds or appearances is something she never does. She has shown me how to truly value every moment. I’ve realized that happiness isn’t about what you own but how you approach each day. Her ability to find light in every situation has become my guide for how to live my life.

Liran’s influence has changed the way I see the world and the way I treat others. I strive to make the most of every day and live it to the fullest. I’ve learned not to judge people based on first impressions and to try to give everyone a chance. Growing up with Liran also inspired me to volunteer with programs like Yachad NJ and Friendship Circle, where I support kids and families who feel unseen. I organize activities, give genuine friendship, and simply offer a listening ear, small actions that can make a big difference. I want to be there for them, just as I have always been for my sister. This experience continues to teach me different skills, such as patience, kindness, and recognizing the significance of creating an inclusive community.

Liran is my biggest fan, and she motivates me to become greater every day. Her unwavering belief in me has shaped the way I pursue my passions. Seeing her cheer on the sidelines drives me to perform better at my soccer matches. She loves listening to me DJ, and she listens to my tracks on repeat. Her dancing pushes me to be the most creative and hardworking music producer I can be. I was blessed with a sibling who will support me no matter what, a rare gift I will never take for granted.

Spending my childhood with Liran reshaped my personality and taught me many essential lessons. She opened my eyes to notice finer details, cherish simple joys, embrace differences, and approach others with empathy. People don’t realize that if they weren’t instantly judging Liran’s differences, they could learn meaningful lessons from her. She may view me as her role model, but the truth is, she is mine. My family won the lottery; she isn’t a burden—but a gift from God.

Author bio

Eytan Rosilio is a senior at The Frisch School from New Milford, New Jersey. He is passionate about soccer and music and runs his own entertainment business. Through his deep involvement with Yachad NJ and The Friendship Circle, he is committed to creating meaningful connections and building a more inclusive community.

Attribution

Originally published in The Jewish Link, Issue #621, March 5, 2026. Shared with permission from the Rosilio family.

The post A Gift From Hashem: Growing Up With a Sister With Down Syndrome appeared first on NACD International | The National Association for Child Development.

I just returned from my annual trip to the beautiful pastoral mountains of Transylvania. Once a year I travel to the family friendly resort Cheile Gradistei to see our Eastern European families whom we work with via Zoom throughout the year. Over the course of the three weeks, my staff and I met with about 50 families who were able to join us. Some of these families we have worked with for over a decade. One of these is the Spatariu family, who has done a terrific job with their lovely daughter, Monica. Monica is a model for families with children who have Down syndrome.

Monica is now thirteen, and we have been helping her since she was eleven months old. Monica is in Romanian public school, and her parents work with her around her mandatory school hours. Monica is and has always been in a typical class, and on recent national testing received all A’s. She is proud to be at the top of her English class at school. The only thing I heard regarding issues at school was that Monica tends to argue with the boys because she doesn’t like how they behave. I gave her a point for that. Monica, like many of my children over there, gives me the great compliment of working hard on her English at least partially so she can speak with me. I still can’t speak Romanian or Bulgarian or any of the other languages my kids over there can speak.

During Monica’s evaluation I asked if I could record her speaking English. I wanted to be able to share how well she was doing with her second language. Her English is already dramatically better than my Spanish was after two years of Spanish in high school and another in college. My intention was to ask her a simple question and record a brief sample of her English to share with our speech pathologist. As she often does, Monica surprised me with her response to a very simple question, “Monica, tell me about your cat.” I loved her response, which I think speaks volumes of what can be, should be and needs to be.

Our Eastern European families are helping to approach a tipping point in thier respective countries, demonstrating what special needs children, from those labeled as autistic to those with Down syndrome like Monica, can achieve.

Reprinted by permission of The NACD Foundation, Volume 39, No.4 , 2025 ©NACD

The post Why We Do What We Do: Monica appeared first on NACD International | The National Association for Child Development.

by Bob Doman

Our perception of our children’s potential is limited by what we believe is possible. The opportunities we provide for them reflect that perceived potential, and the opportunities determine the outcomes.

Let me start by getting your attention. I want to introduce you to Ellen, a not-so-typical, “typical” child who just turned 6.  

This list of names Ellen was hearing for the first time and recalling represents her processing and short-term memory; and repeating the names backward represents her working memory, which is exceptional. Ellen’s cognitive function permits her to do amazingly well in everything she does, and she is just getting started.

Ellen’s parents understand neuroplasticity because of what they have seen with her big brother, Coco. Coco is a brilliant ten-year-old who exceeds the perceptions of what the professional world believes could be. However, NACD and Coco‘s parents believe that he has unlimited potential and are providing him with opportunities commensurate with those perceptions. 

Please watch Coco’s demonstration of his working memory. Neither Ellen nor Coco are using memory strategies or tricks; they are using the short-term and working memory that has been developed.

Coco is demonstrating his processing power and working memory. Working memory is now appropriately being called the new IQ. Coco was brain-injured at birth and would be identified as having Cerebral Palsy. However, to his family (who, with NACD’s guidance, is providing all his therapy and education themselves at home), he is their son, Coco. Coco needs no other labels; “Coco” suffices, and he is given the opportunities of a child with unlimited potential. Physically, Coco still has many challenges but has already surpassed traditional expectations and is not stopping.  

Coco’s and Ellen’s parents can see the potential in their children; because they can see it, they are doing everything they can to help them achieve it.

Step 1: Understand that through neuroplasticity, almost anything is possible.

Step 2: Do not be limited by labels & associated baggage.

Step 3: Provide the child opportunities to achieve their unique innate potential.

Note: Coco’s parents read our articles and watched our videos before Coco’s first NACD evaluation and TDI (Targeted Developmental Intervention) Program, which he received just before his second birthday. They understood neuroplasticity and knew that they were responsible for their son’s future and that they needed to be all that they could be. In preparation, they started using our online Simply Smarter program. Both parents developed superior processing and working memory—exceptional parents doing exceptional things. No limits. 

Reprinted by permission of The NACD Foundation, Volume 38 No. 5, 2024 ©NACD

The post If You Can’t See It, You Can’t Achieve It appeared first on NACD International | The National Association for Child Development.

By Carolyn Takos

Intro by Lyn Waldeck

In many of our recent newsletters, NACD has been focusing on creating and changing behavior for the better by the feedback the child is given. Carolyn Takos is a very dedicated NACD mom who first came to us in desperation to reverse a behavioral nightmare created during their time with ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis). We have asked Carolyn to tell her story of how the wrong feedback affected her son and their family.

Carolyn:

For many years, ABA therapy has been the “cure-all” for everyone on the Autism Spectrum; our experience has been one where the bad consequences have far outweighed any benefits from it. My son was diagnosed with High Functioning Level One Autism, formerly known as Aspergers. ABA therapy was recommended for him, and I, not knowing any better, got him signed up. They had him for almost a year for 20 hours a week. It’s been two years since he “graduated” and I’m still trying to undo some of the things that they did to him. They left us with eightproblems that needed correction. It’s important to know that during ABA therapy, each child is assigned to a one-on-one therapist.

The positive outcome from ABA might be an acceptance of differences among children; but the negatives are:

1. Needs “help” with everything – If he didn’t want to do something, he’d say he needed help and they were quick to do it for him. And I mean everything, from putting on shoes to coloring to writing his name; everything.

2. He doesn’t play by himself -Someone was always with him and doing things with him, so now he expects the same treatment at home. Since he is an only child, he expects me to be that one-on-one playmate, 24/7.

3. Candy was given for behaviors they wanted to see, like treat training a dog.

4. He learned the benefits of poor behavior – He learned that if he didn’t want to do something or be somewhere, then all he had to do was act poorly and he would be removed from the situation. This could be anything from a “temper-tantrum” to hitting people in authority. He also learned that if he “recovered” from the poor behavior, he would get candy. Ultimately, he was rewarded for some of the worst behavior a child can do.

5. They used this treat training to reinforce the behaviors they wanted to see; one instance was waiting patiently. At the time of his graduation, they had “worked up” to him waiting patiently for one minute and that would result in a treat.

6. He learned that he could demand the attention of his therapist by acting poorly, even when I was getting a report on his daily progress. She stopped in the middle of a sentence and gave her complete attention to him. Even now, he will rudely demand my attention when I’m trying to talk to someone else. His rudeness can start with just trying to get my attention to making so much noise that I can’t hear or talk over him. He has even used “hugs” as a means to get my attention; not loving hugs, but an aggressive throwing himself at me to interrupt the conversation.

7. Friends aren’t friends. They called everyone there a friend, even though one, maybe two, actually acted like friends. The rest did not display anything friendly toward him. This resulted in finding “friends” at the park from kids who were trying to avoid him or were even being mean to him. It was heartbreaking to watch the treatment of the “friends” from the park and how he would happily tell me he made new friends. I’m happy to say that he doesn’t claim strangers as friends now, but he also doesn’t know how to be a friend either.

8. Sorry is a magic word. And I mean a really magic word. If he said he was sorry, even though he wasn’t, then the consequences for his actions just went away. I spoke with the directer about this; just ask anyone in prison for manslaughter and they’ll tell you “sorry” doesn’t make the consequences go away. He was absolutely shocked the first time I explained to him that you actually, need to feel remorse for your actions for “sorry” to be real and even then it doesn’t magically get you out of the consequences.

If you ask me if ABA helped, I have to say absolutely not. At first, when I looked at this list I thought, “We’ve only corrected half of this;” but reality is, we’re still working on almost every point. It’s been two years since he’s graduated, and we are only a little bit through undoing the damage that ABA caused. At least it’s been forward progress.

Back to Lyn:

Fortunately for this family, NACD understands how to harness neuroplasticity in order to create change in sensory dysfunction, how to build processing, how to develop executive function, and how to use feedback to change behavior patterns. This family is diligent in doing their program and more importantly are good at staying very connected so that we can guide them to a better place in life. From the beginning I knew we were working with a smart boy. I knew there was a sweet kid wanting to emerge. Today life is less of a horror story, and the kind, confident, and well-adjusted kid is shining through.

Reprinted by permission of The NACD Foundation, Volume 37 No. 4, 2024 ©NACD

The post Taming Frankenstein/Reclaiming Jerrard: appeared first on NACD International | The National Association for Child Development.

I have been working with the Allman family for several years now.  As NACD staff, we often talk amongst ourselves about how fortunate we are to work with what we consider to be the cream of the crop parents.  Ken and Julie Allman are fine examples as to the level of dedication that we see every day in our work/mission/life at NACD.   Not only do they strive to provide the best developmental and educational path that they can for their son, Charles, but they are committed to raising a well adjusted, good human being.  I have often been proud of Charles’s advances at his evaluations, but never more proud of him as when I heard about how he spent his 8th birthday.  I was so inspired that I requested that Julie write up a summary to share with all of you.

Good job, Charles!  Excellent job, Ken and Julie!

by Julie Allman

Dear Members of the National Association of Child Development (NACD),

Introduction:

In a world where material possessions often take center stage, it is refreshing to witness acts of selflessness and compassion. Charles Allman, a remarkable young boy, recently celebrated his 8th birthday in a unique and meaningful way. Instead of receiving gifts, Charles elected to collect gently used apparel and toiletries for children in need. Inspired by the principles of NACD, we as parents supported his mission, and together, we created a celebration that left a lasting impact on our community. Let us delve into the heartwarming story of Charles’ birthday party and the impact it had on the Hinton community.

Background:

Ken’s hometown of Hinton, West Virginia, nestled in the scenic Summers County, is a part of the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. While surrounded by incredible natural beauty, the area is also home to families and children with many challenges. Shockingly, three out of ten elementary school children in Hinton are supported by the Communities in Schools program. Deeply involved in our local community, the Allmans recognized the opportunity to make a difference and support these children.

Charles’ Mission:

Instead of traditional birthday gifts, Charles selflessly asked his friends and family to contribute gently used children’s apparel and toiletries, specifically targeting grades 1-6. 

The Birthday Party:

The Allman family extended a warm invitation to friends and classmates, inviting them to Charles’ 8th birthday party. On the special day, we gathered with friends, parents, and siblings to celebrate. The atmosphere was filled with joy and a sense of purpose. We provided food and drinks for everyone, ensuring that the celebration was not only about giving but also about coming together as a community

The Impact:

The response to Charles’ mission was wonderful. Friends and family rallied behind his cause, generously donating clothing, shoes, and toiletries. The Allman family recently returned from a trip to Hinton, where they personally delivered these heartfelt contributions. The impact of their efforts was captured in photographs, showcasing Suzie Hudson, the program administrator, and the “store shelves” where students in need can select clothing, toiletries, and food. The gratitude expressed by the Hinton community was very warm, and the Allmans extend their deepest appreciation to all who contributed.

Conclusion:

Charles’ 8th birthday celebration was not just a party; it was a testament to the power of compassion and the difference one person can make. Through his selfless act, Charles inspired those around him to embrace the spirit of giving and support children in need. The Allman family’s involvement in the Hinton community and their dedication to making a positive impact are truly commendable. As we reflect on this heartwarming story, let us remember that even the smallest gestures of kindness can create a ripple effect of change.

As parents, we are immensely proud of Charles for his selflessness and compassion. His decision to forgo traditional gifts and instead focus on helping children in need exemplifies the values we strive to instill in him. We are grateful for the support of the NACD programs, which guided us in facilitating Charles’ mission and creating a celebration that went beyond the ordinary.

In closing, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who contributed to Charles’ mission. Your generosity has made a significant difference in the lives of children in need, and we hope that this heartwarming story inspires others to embrace the spirit of giving and make a positive impact in their communities. The Allman family’s involvement in the Hinton community and their dedication to making a positive impact continues.

Reprinted by permission of The NACD Foundation, Volume 37 No. 1 , 2024 ©NACD

The post A Heartwarming Birthday Celebration: Charles’ Mission to Help Children in Need appeared first on NACD International | The National Association for Child Development.

Our daughter Sanjana was diagnosed with a rare chromosome disorder at five. At around two and half years she took her first steps, and her first words were only after she turned 5. Despite intensive Speech/ OT/ PT, her milestones came painfully slow.

In the following years, she went through inclusive schools; and by the time she was fifteen started attending a pre-vocational skills center. Her pace of progress was painfully slow, but steady, nevertheless.

She was still not reading or writing without substantial help. The snail-paced progress and constant repetition were tiring us both out. It also affected us emotionally, not just physically.

When she was around seventeen, a compassionate fellow mom shared with us about her experience with NACD. We promptly went online to read details and case studies, and with a lot of hope in our hearts, contacted the NACD team.

After the first evaluation, we realized we were working truly hard to teach her, and she was working very hard to learn—but her brain was not ready for any learning! Her processing was at an extremely low level, and it was as if we were simply barking up the wrong tree.

Then came the program. At that point, I was also running a full-fledged design studio and had my hands full. I kept thinking about how I was going to implement this with our already overflowing schedules. But hope is powerful. It makes you stretch and do things you may not think you could do otherwise. We started the program, and just then covid hit India. Suddenly I was at home all day, her Center went online, and I could see her learning and her struggles, and we could manage our time better.

After regular rhythmic work daily, we saw growth pace had picked up. We saw that the otherwise snail-paced progress changed to seeing significant change every 4 months. Her processing level went up substantially and so did her learning! Improving her processing and acing the math facts gave her a much-needed base to proceed further. The reading, which was an activity she would dread and despise because of her intense struggle to perform the activity, changed to her enjoying the process. She still needs help to read, but it is with less struggle, more willingness and joy.

I now realize the value of a home program and chose to sell my design studio to be more available for Sanjana. While she is progressing well on the academic path, what helped us most is NACD’s focus on chores, independence, and skills. She’s independently doing many chores at home, picking up most skills needed for independent living.

We honed her love for arts and crafts into being a soap artist. She makes lovely natural artisanal soaps which we help her sell through her website www.thebluelephant.in. She’s independent in making soap, inventory logging, and many other tasks around it.

However, her biggest love is coffee and food. She is now a trained barista who makes amazing coffees and is currently pursuing a baking course. Her coffees are popular in the neighborhood, and they often drop in or order her coffee on weekends. Her signature is Orange Coffee!

We are constantly looking for creative ways to build skills in the most normative ways possible. Towards this, Lyn, our coach, gave us a fabulous idea to implement a home economy system where we transact at home to buy food and coffee, etc. This is slowly building her confidence and literacy around money.

In recent times, everyone who meets Sanjana can’t help but notice the change in her confidence, communication, comprehension, and independence.

As parents, what boosts our morale the most is the increased pace of progress and her ability to manage emotional outbursts. There was a time when meltdowns were frequent and would turn violent along with crying and screaming. Now not only have they dramatically reduced in number, but they are also more manageable. She can communicate even through those difficult moments and self-regulate to an extent. It is such a huge relief that they are no longer moments of insanity.

Lyn, our coach, and the team have just been phenomenal. Her advice and motivation keep us going on the right path. We are blessed to have them in our lives. Blessed to have found this wonderful program—NACD. And blessed to be able to hold this wonderful dream for Sanjana’s future of her living an independent, dignified life.

            • Reprinted by permission NACD Newsletter, July 2023 ©NACD

The post Sanjana’s Journey appeared first on NACD International | The National Association for Child Development.

I never tire of hearing stories like the one we are sharing with you today. This family worked together and totally transformed their daughter’s confidence through opening up all new abilities. When I first started with Stella, only a short while ago, it was apparent that we were working with an intelligent, hard working girl with minor issues in several areas. By addressing and accelerating her processing abilities relative to short term memory, working memory, and long term memory, she was able to make great strides in her abilities. In addition to focusing on these pieces, we freed her up from a package of academic busy work and taught her to love learning. Hearing how this has impacted her life and the lives of her family is what keeps the staff at NACD doing what we love to do. Read all about their journey:

From Marie, Stella’s mother

My name is Marie, and I am the mother of Stella. We have been receiving NACD services since September 2022. Over the last nine months our family has gone through multiple challenges and changes, including moving from Texas to Puerto Rico, becoming farmers, and starting homeschooling. NACD has been an important part of this change, as it has provided us with guidance and support. Stella started her education at home with me when she was very small. Before her 1^st year of age, I started reading to her, singing, showing her colors, and stimulating her physical, emotional, and cognitive development as much as I could until the age of 4, when she started going to preschool. She was a smart and eager-to-learn little girl, already bilingual (Spanish and English), even when our main language was Spanish. Later we moved to the States, where Stella started Kindergarten. This is when I started noticing problems with her learning process. The girl that was eager to learn was now crying about sight words, and was struggling switching letters and sounds when reading, and not wanting to go to school. I was heartbroken, but our financial situation would not allow me to stay with her at home, or so I thought. Around that time, we received recommendations to stop reading to her in Spanish, and by the age of 6 she was forgetting Spanish. By second grade we had noticed that the previous issues would not be resolved, and now she was also struggling with mathematical problems. The girl that loved numbers and was able to count and do simple math tasks now was struggling and hating math. Her teachers were instructing us to take her out of her extracurriculars (sports and music), the only areas she was feeling successful about. We refused. Right before we started NACD for her 8^th grade, Stella had good grades at the cost of her peace and rest. She was restless, agitated, and anxious most of the time. Her mood would swing, and she was frequently upset. She would listen to conversations differently than what we said and feel upset about it. She was putting more effort into her schoolwork than any of her peers just to catch up. It was so hard to see her at the dining table completing work from the classroom, and later her homework. When we asked the schools for evaluations or support, they would only notice her excellent grades, but not the extra effort and anxiety she was struggling with. When we started NACD Stella had started a bunch of books but had not finished any yet. She used to say she hated to read and hated math. Now the story is so different. After only nine months of NACD programming, we have seen such a change. Lyn has been an amazing source of wisdom and guidance, and Melody has been the strong and kind hand taking us from point A to point B. Here is a brief list of some of the changes we have noticed:

• More responsibility.
• Increased comprehension of verbal commands, social cues, and even reading.
• Increased attention span: Able to follow multi-step directions and recall appropriately when asked to complete tasks and chores.
• Better self-regulation in conversations, when upset, and when discussing different points of view.
• Is more self-regulated in terms of how to invest time in different activities (fun vs. responsibilities).
• Able to accept her mistakes and point at mistakes appropriately, not taking it personally, but explaining, or accepting whatever is appropriate in the situation.
• Identifies what is working for her and what is not; negotiates.
• Learning to manage money (math), as before she would avoid trying to pay for things and even look at what she was supposed to pay or receive as change (avoidance of the math process).
• She is interested in audiobooks and in reading paper books, when in the past she had no interest in books in general. Has completed about 5 books (paper books) over the course of the year, and multiple audiobooks, when previously it was impossible for her to complete 1 book per year.
• Overall, she seems more mature.

We are thrilled with her progress and the person she truly is. It is beautiful to see my wonderful teen being able to show her true colors, without the anxiety, without the moods and the exhaustion. We are excited about what is to come, and even though we are not done yet, the current progress is so wonderful, and our family is better because of it. We are living a much simpler life. Currently we are farming, and I am working from home, and even when it took a leap of faith to get here, I wouldn’t change it for the world. My daughter’s peace and healthy development is worth the change! Thanks, NACD, for your support throughout these 9 months! We are excited about the journey to come!

            • Reprinted by permission NACD Newsletter, July 2023 ©NACD

[columns] [span6]

[/span6][span6]

[/span6][/columns]

The post Stella Alvarez-Ruiz appeared first on NACD International | The National Association for Child Development.

An Update on Aliya

Praises and huge accomplishments lately in the Brennan household! This girl has just passed her driver’s test and is fully licensed! We are so excited! Years ago, it had not even crossed my mind that it would have been a possibility, but as the years went by Bob thought otherwise. In the past there were multiple calls to my coach on the days when I was ready to “jump ship” and I am so grateful for their support over the years. For those of you that are where I was years ago, just know it is possible. Persevere even on those tough days when you lose faith and begin to feel the goal that is set is just not obtainable. Do not get discouraged on the days you get lost and overwhelmed in the daily work and do not see any visible progress, because with hard work comes progress. Suddenly a goal is reached, and hope is restored, and we realize that sometimes we do not dream big enough!! This accomplishment created an independence for Aliya that will open so many more possibilities. It was tough and took long hours and many a grey hair, but I believe that to be true for most parents with a new teenage driver in the household. We believed in her, so she believed in herself and continued to strive toward the goal.

Her second accomplishment was the completion of her “Introductory to Pet Grooming” course. Aliya has decided to pursue a career in dog grooming, and this was the first step. The course was not local, and we stayed in an Airbnb accommodation while she attended the course. Aliya struggles with anxiety and was very anxious the first morning, but once there she settled in fine. It was very exhausting for her, but she was a trooper. She was not used to 8-hour days spent on her feet. Each night she came home, showered (she was covered in fur) had dinner and then she prepared her lunch for the next day. Aliya was responsible each day for setting her alarm, preparing her breakfast as well as ensuring she was ready to leave at our predetermined time. We were so impressed with her ability to manage herself without any reminders or intervention from me. Of course, we have been working toward being highly capable for years and I was thrilled to see her put it into practice.

This summer and fall we worked diligently learning skills and putting them into practice. We revisited some old learned skills that she does not use often, like ironing, as well as new skills. While Aliya was working towards her license, we taught her where the spare tire was located and how to change it. The trickiest part was lifting the spare onto the vehicle. This prompted her to work on her arm strength and build some muscle.

One of the biggest tasks this summer was assembling an 8 x 10 shed! Aliya was responsible for all the sub-assembly. It was a herculean task as it was shipped in two huge boxes with what seemed like a thousand pieces. She put her processing to good use by reading the manual, locating the correct pieces and assembling them. I make it sound like it was easy, but it was not. Did it take longer and did parts have to be taken apart and put back together correctly, absolutely, but it was a great lesson for both Aliya and her dad. My husband worked on his patience, it was difficult for him not intervene as he watched her locate a correct piece and then turn the piece around and around until she deciphered how they pieces fit together. With patience and extra time, the result was successful! I should note that it took all of us for the final assembly.

I may have shared in the past that Aliya is a drummer. She has been drumming since she was about 4. When my husband, who is musically inclined, thought we should encourage it, I was hesitant. How could she play when she was dealing with so many other issues. I admit that sometimes as Ellen alluded to in her recent email, we need to encourage our children and not hold them back based on our beliefs. Aliya is a talented drummer and I have no idea how she is able have all appendages moving in different directions at the same time, but she is! If I had let my limiting belief that because she was not able to do XYZ hold her back, she would not have been able to enjoy the gift she has been given.

Sometimes it’s hard to fathom how far Aliya has come and while she still has goals to achieve, I’m excited to see what’s next.

[clear]

Click here read the previous article about Aliya and her sister, Aidia

An Update on Aidia (Aliya’s Sister)

We could not be prouder of Aidia as she continues to amaze us. Aidia sets goals for herself and lays plans in place in order for them to be achieved. In February 2022 she graduated with a First Class Honours Degree from the University of Chester, in England, with a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre. She then embarked on her Master’s program at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. In February 2023 she graduated with a Master’s in Professional Voice Practice where she also earned a First Class Honours Degree!

Being proactive during her Master’s program, Aidia began seeking positions while attaining her degree. She returned to the University of Chester, this time as a visiting lecturer on her previously studied course. Aidia then went on to work at the Arden School of Theatre as a Voice Lecturer, even before graduating from her Master’s program! It was such a rewarding experience for her to be able to work with students in a field she loves! She then was offered a position from one of the leading drama schools in the UK, Mountview, where she worked as a Voice Tutor. With her contract ending in the middle of the school year further teaching opportunities were slim. That did not deter her in the least, she does what she does best and was open to all opportunities available and broadened her skillset. Aidia’s newest position is Head of Recruitment, Outreach and Admissions for UCEN Manchester!

    Reprinted by permission of The NACD Foundation, Volume 36 No. 2, 2023 ©NACD

The post Aliya Brennan appeared first on NACD International | The National Association for Child Development.

Last year Arianna, along with 1,050 other people applied for a job offer to work at the city hall doing administrative tasks. It was a specific job position for people with functional diversity; there were only 27 job positions to fill in.  She passed the first two tests and from the initial 1,050 candidates, after the test, ended up being the number 108. Only the first 27 candidates got the job, but it was a good learning curve for her. This experience made her realize that the more skills she has the more opportunities she might have in the future to find a job. For this reason, she has enrolled in a course to learn the program Excel Level I, she is learning to do above the basic knowledge people in general have about this program.

Arianna likes acting and public speaking. When she was younger, she was giving speeches in different events to represent the Best Buddy Spain foundation to talk about what they did and to raise money for the organization.  Last year she participated in a video against female violence done by the Down Syndrome foundation, the video was released on March 8th, The International Women’s Day.  Last June she did the introductory inauguration of the Virtual Conference T21 Research where the Spanish research doctor and Arianna welcomed the attendees.  Arianna takes every opportunity that comes alone to have her voice heard, to show that she can do the same that others do.

She recently was selected in a casting for a tv commercial. When she saw the casting ad, she wrote the script by herself to present her candidacy to participate. The guidelines the casting agency gave was to make a video showing themselves, being natural and expressing who they were. Arianna wrote her candidacy script in Catalan, Spanish, and English, the three languages she speaks. One of the parts, she wrote for the candidacy script was:

“I think people need to see us for how we are not for how we look, I´m tired of hiding in the shadow, I want to be in a place where my voice can be heard and being here people can see my face.”

She was selected to do the TV commercial. The commercial is in Catalan but her part was in English. Her line was “and you can say it loud and clear”. She is definitely saying to the world that she deserves a place like everyone else and that she is proud of who she is.

Reprinted by permission of The NACD Foundation, Volume 35 No. 2, 2022 ©NACD

Watch a special message from Arianna below (English begins at 0:51)

Watch the commercial featuring Arianna! below (She appears at 0:16)

The post Arianna: You Can Say It Loud & Clear appeared first on NACD International | The National Association for Child Development.