298. What’s going on with the Department of Education? (Part 2 w/Ashley Barlow)
Overwhelmed by all the news lately? Us too. That’s why Ashley Barlow (@thecollaborativeiep) is back on the show today to breakdown all of the changes to the Department of Education and the impact on students with disabilities. Here’s what we’re discussing today:Budget cuts and the impact on early learning for students with disabilities (no more Head Start program in 2026?!)Pros and cons of school choice and vouchers (What does “welfare for the rich” mean?)Action steps to make sure your child’s educational needs are metWe know that many of these changes have not happened yet, but the current political attitude towards disability has us a little worried. If you’re feeling the same way, stay informed and know that we’re all in this together.SHOW NOTESFollow Ashley at @thecollaborativeiep and find her website here.SHOUT OUTLearn more about The College of Adaptive Arts here and follow them on instagram!SPONSORSLearn more about Jack’s Basket.Learn more about Enable Special Needs Planning.
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297. Extracurricular Activities and Inclusion: How to Make it Work For Our Kids with DS
Picture this: your child with Down syndrome tells you they want to play a sport. You sign them up for the local team, drop them off at practice, and pick them up without any difficulties. Everything goes smoothly… But that’s not always reality is it? Lets break down the complexities of extracurricular activities today:How to ask for accommodations that promote safety, respect, and inclusionSeparate programs designed for people with disabilities.. and what to do when they’re not as inclusive as they seemHow to manage our own expectations of our children and their activitiesHere’s what we’ve learned: the attitude of the people in charge really matters. And if we can find programs with inclusive-minded leaders who understand our kids with DS, then that’s where we need to be. Join us today as we dive into our personal experiences (both positive and negative) with musical theater, gymnastics, and swim. And don’t forget that any program is lucky to have your child! SPONSORSLearn more about Jack’s Basket.Learn more about Enable Special Needs Planning. JOIN THE LUCKY CREWJoin us in celebrating and supporting The Lucky Few Podcast! For just $4.99 a month, you can help us continue shouting worth and shifting narratives for people with Down syndrome. Enjoy bonus episodes where we dive deeper into the most controversial issues, shop discounts, and more! Become an essential part of The Lucky Few movement today! HEATHER’S NEW BOOKPre-order Heather’s newest children’s book: I Like You So Much!DISCOUNT CODEFriends, grab your narrative shifting gear over on The Lucky Few Merch Shop and use code PODCAST for 10% off!
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296. Planes, Trains & Presuming Competence
The Avises are back from an 18-day European vacation with tips, tricks, and travel stories for all of us. So Heather and Josh are here today to answer all the questions: How do you “lean in” to surprising (and sometimes frustrating!) moments with your kids? What to do when your family vacation doesn’t look like other families? What are your major tips for traveling with kids/teens who have Down syndrome? There are so many travel resources out there.. disability discounts, wheelchairs, free transportation, + more! We’re excited to share with you just how we used them. So take some notes then start planning your next trip!--SHOW NOTESSHOUT OUT: Check out Cafe Joyeux on instagram and their websiteWatch 47, a short film produced by Cafe JoyeuxSPONSORSLearn more about Jack’s Basket.Learn more about Enable Special Needs Planning. JOIN THE LUCKY CREWJoin us in celebrating and supporting The Lucky Few Podcast! For just $4.99 a month, you can help us continue shouting worth and shifting narratives for people with Down syndrome. Enjoy bonus episodes where we dive deeper into the most controversial issues, shop discounts, and more! Become an essential part of The Lucky Few movement today!
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295. How can I help my child with a disability sleep better?
How many nights per week would you say your child (with or without a diagnosis) sleeps well? We asked our audience and discovered that sleep is a struggle for a LOT of us! So if you’re feeling like you’ve already tried all the online hacks but your child still wakes you up at the same time each night, this episode might have a new tip for you! Here’s what we’re covering today: What’s the biggest sleep challenge for our kids with Down syndrome? And our kids with a dual diagnosis of DS and autism?Micha’s sleep journey with her son Ace... Does a gluten-free, dairy-free, additive-free diet actually work? What medications have or have not been effective? What is a sensory diet and does it really help? How has an ADHD diagnosis affected Ace and his sleep? Audience input! We’ve crowdsourced the best tips from all of you! Learn how other parents have changed their children's rooms and bedtime routines to promote better sleep.But before we dive into sleep, we’re chatting briefly about the change from Autism Awareness Month to Autism Acceptance Month + the importance of centering Autistic voices in this conversation. For now, wherever you’re at in your sleep journey, we hope this episode helps! You’re not alone out there! --SHOW NOTESSHOUT OUT: Follow Nicole Adler (@nicole_for_love), a speaker and advocate for the disability and LGBTQ communities. SPONSORSLearn more about Jack’s Basket.Learn more about Enable Special Needs Planning. JOIN THE LUCKY CREWJoin us in celebrating and supporting The Lucky Few Podcast! For just $4.99 a month, you can help us continue shouting worth and shifting narratives for people with Down syndrome. Enjoy bonus episodes where we dive deeper into the most controversial issues, shop discounts, and more! Become an essential part of The Lucky Few movement today!
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294. Why Down Syndrome Isn't Something to "Cure"
When we saw this headline, “CRISPR Snips Away Extra Chromosomes, Offering New Hope for Down Syndrome Treatment,” we knew we had to discuss this article together. So that’s what we’re doing today. Here’s what we’re covering in this episode:The ethics of gene editing - What about other conditions with serious life-threatening effects? Why do some people assume that we need to “cure” Down syndrome? What would we do to alleviate some of the medical challenges in the DS community? The problem with not including disabled people in this conversationWe are really digging deep today! And we invite you to read the article (linked here) and join us for this important conversation.--SHOW NOTESRead CRISPR Snips Away Extra Chromosomes, Offering New Hope for Down Syndrome TreatmentKeep this convo going with these past episodes: 161. Let’s Talk About Abortion & Disability; 117. Dignity Beyond Accomplishment; 99. The Last Children of Down SyndromeSHOUT OUT: Follow @amyjuliabecker for thoughtful discussions on hard topics in the DS community. SPONSORSLearn more about Jack’s Basket.Learn more about Enable Special Needs Planning. JOIN THE LUCKY CREWJoin us in celebrating and supporting The Lucky Few Podcast! For just $4.99 a month, you can help us continue shouting worth and shifting narratives for people with Down syndrome. Enjoy bonus episodes where we dive deeper into the most controversial issues, shop discounts, and more! Become an essential part of The Lucky Few movement today!
Hey friends! Welcome to the Lucky Few Podcast where we are shifting the narrative by shouting the worth of people with Down syndrome. With your hosts, Heather Avis, Micha Boyett, and Mercedes Lara.
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