If We Knew Then Podcast

Learn more by watching The Carl Erskine Story and by listening to our interview with the director Ted Green: ifweknewthen.podbean.com/e/118-the-be...

Their son, Jimmy, was born with Down syndrome in 1960 at a time when children with Down syndrome were often institutionalized. The Erskines never saw that as an option and their advocacy made them pioneers in the movement for inclusion. 2/3

Wonderful seeing the great Dodger, Carl Erskine, come up after tonight’s World Series game in Toronto.

We often think of Carl and his wife Betty’s decades of work that helped change attitudes and improve support systems for individuals with Down syndrome. 1/3

193. Accommodations In An IEP Are A Right Not A Favor - | Listen on... When schools treat accommodations like a gift instead of a legal right, students with disabilities are the ones who pay the price. In this episode...

When schools treat accommodations as a gift instead of a legal right, our students pay the price. This is a call to action for educators to stop seeing accommodations as extra work and start recognizing them as the keys to inclusion & an equal education.
go.goodpods.com/9VChJq

People with Down syndrome, along with their caregivers, respond to one of the big misconceptions out there: that people with Down syndrome can’t learn.

Ability should never be underestimated.
#DownSyndromeAwareness #InclusionMatters #DownSyndrome #inclusion #disability

Our 15-year-old son wrote this poem.
As with everything he does, it is honest and true.
#downsyndrome #DownSyndromeAwarenessmonth
#inclusion #advocacy

Down Syndrome Awareness Month!

7-year-old Ellison and Cincinnati barber Vernon Jackson beautifully connect over a haircut.

#inclusionmatters #inclusion #DownSyndromeAwareness #downsyndrome

People with Down syndrome bring unique skills, perspectives and value to the workforce.

Let’s push past stereotypes and open doors to opportunity. Because true awareness means building a world where everyone belongs. 🌍💛 💙

#DownSyndromeAwareness #InclusionMatters #HireAbility

Typical kids get the grace to have accidents because “that’s how they learn.” Our children deserve that SAME grace. 💙💛
No shame. No judgment.
Just learning, growing and celebrating every step of the journey. #DownSyndromeAwareness #InclusionMatters #PottyTrainingJourney

People with Down syndrome should always be referred to as people first.

Avoid:
"a Down syndrome child" or
"Down's child" - it should be "a child with Down syndrome."

This is living and loving.
#Downsyndrome #advocate #disneyland #disney

After winning the Australian Football League (AFL) championship, Geelong Cats captain Joel Selwood didn’t go straight for the cameras or the trophy. Instead, he made his way into the stands to bring Sam Moorfoot onto the field to celebrate.

#downsyndrome #InclusionMatters

In September of 2017, Frank Stephens testified before U.S. Congress on the importance of Down syndrome research.
#Downsyndrome #advocacy

Carl Erskine’s story is bigger than baseball. It’s about courage, compassion and inclusion.
Stephen shared why Carl’s legacy means so much to our family on Brian Baumgartner’s podcast.
Join us: ifweknewthen.podbean.com/e/170-celebr...
#downsyndrome #InclusionMatters #advocacy

This heartfelt conversation is a reminder of the power of compassionate care and our hope that every family finds a physician who sees their child for exactly who they are.
Listen now - www.ifweknewthen.com
#downsyndrome

Yes!! Go Sam!

Let’s support people with Down syndrome in writing their own story.
#downsyndrome #advocate #inclusion

If you type the words "Down syndrome" in the search engine of this site, you will see that DS is used as a way to mock, shame and make fun of.

This is reflective of a society that still struggles to see people with intellectual disabilities as equal, worthy and fully human.

Jake shares his story of perseverance, possibility and the endless value of believing in our children. His journey reminds us all that people with Down syndrome deserve not just a seat at the table, but the chance to thrive.

Jake Pratt is an inspiring young man who has never let expectations define him.

From scoring a touchdown on his HS football team, to graduating from Clemson LIFE, to working two jobs, Jake continues to show the world what true inclusion & opportunity look like.
#Downsyndrome

YouTube video by To The Moon And Back Again Productions Sharing Speech Therapy Tools - Jeaneen Tang - If We Knew Then - Down Syndrome Podcast

We’re honored to share a conversation with Jeaneen Tang a speech pathologist & mother of a neurodivergent son. Her new book “Play Dumb and Sabotage” is a must read for anyone wanting to nurture early language development with practical, everyday strategies.
youtu.be/4W1Pgf1zuK4?...

Every parent wants to support their child’s communication — but sometimes, we don’t know where to start.

In this week’s episode, we sit down with speech-language pathologist and author Jeaneen Tang to talk about her powerful new book Play Dumb and Sabotage.
#speechtherapy

When we advocate for
supports in school, we
aren’t asking for more.
We are demanding what
should already be there:
access, inclusion, equity.
#downsyndrome #advocate #education #disability #downsyndromeadvocate #iep #disabilitypride #inclusionmatters

Your student’s education is right. Accommodations are a right, not a favor.

Listen to the podcast: www.IfWeKnewThen.com

We sat down with speech-language pathologist and author Jeaneen Tang to talk about her new book Play Dumb & Sabotage and the powerful ways parents can support their child’s speech development every day.

🎧 Listen now for strategies, compassion and encouragement: www.IfWeKnewThen.com

Parenting isn’t about proving worth, it’s about celebrating it. 💙💛

Join us for this important conversation.
#IfWeKnewThen #DisabilityPride #Parenting #Inclusion #DownSyndrome #AutismAcceptance (end)

🎧 Listen here: ifweknewthen.podbean.com/e/185-disabi...

Stephen, Lori and Vaish share what it’s like to advocate:
The fatigue, the frustrations and the hope.

If you’ve ever felt unseen as a parent, this conversation will resonate. 5/6

In this episode we talk with Dr. Vaish Sarathy about the emotional toll of advocacy, why the medical and social models matter and how pride strengthens both parents and kids. 4/6

Disability pride means shifting the focus.
▪️Not waiting for outside validation.
▪️Not measuring by “typical” standards.
▪️But knowing our children’s value and standing firm in it. 3/6

We’ve sat in IEP meetings where people listed what our kids can’t do.
We’ve had to fight for every opportunity and it’s exhausting.

But the truth is: our kids’ worth was never in question. 2/6