Hope with Summer Reign

 “If there is hope in the future, there is literally power in the present.” Zig Ziglar In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Beyond the Waiting Room is featuring an incredible mom of four children. Clarice exemplifies hope as she cares for her growing family and manages the care of her fourth child, Summer Reign, […]

Hope with Summer Reign

Finding Your Way

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Catherine Takes on The Big Apple 2.0! (Roosevelt Island Style)

This was Catherine’s second trip to The Big Apple. Just two years earlier, we took to the streets of New York with a rush of excitement to explore new sights and take in fun events. This second trip was very different. We went to help her sister, Christina, settle into her new home. Our journey […]

Catherine Takes on The Big Apple! (Roosevelt Island Style)

Navigating Daily Life

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Preparing Your Child for Their Older Sibling Leaving Home

The last 18 months have been challenging, to say the least. My family has been hunkered down in quarantine, with Merle and I working from home, Catherine virtually learning and Christina working her NYC-based job remotely, as well. We had a full house and with COVID-19 essentially shutting down most outside activities, Catherine and her […]

Preparing Your Child for Their Older Sibling Leaving Home

Back to School

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Transition to Back To School

We are in the heat of summer and the fall 2021 school year is only a few weeks away. With the unique experiences our students encountered over the last year and half, it’s never too early to prepare for the coming year. This is especially true when we consider the traumatic educational challenges our children […]

Transition to Back To School

Back to School

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Create Print Rich Environments to Explore Vocabulary

Reading is an essential part of every child’s education. We know letter recognition leads to phonemic awareness and develops a robust vocabulary. We’ve found an exciting way to expand Catherine’s vocabulary by creating “Print Rich Environments.” Take look a look at these easy steps: Select a room in your home, restaurant, grocery store or special […]

Create Print Rich Environments to Explore Vocabulary

Resources and Guides

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Returning to the Everyday Experiences We Lost During COVID-19

In early August of 2019, we surprised my mom and went home to celebrate her 80th birthday with my family. A few months later, we made plans to return in the spring of 2020. With COVID-19 and the shutdown, we were not able see my parents or my husband’s mom for almost 2 years. We’ve […]

Returning to the Everyday Experiences We Lost During COVID-19

Navigating Daily Life

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Summer Gardening Fun for Kids

It’s summer and our kiddos are home for another short break. Once we’ve exhausted summer camps, swimming lessons, vacation bible school and family vacation, we still have time left on the calendar to fill up with activities. If you’re looking for an educational project that’s proven to be tons of fun, consider planting a garden […]

Summer Gardening Fun for Kids

Resources and Guides

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Mother’s Day: How to Show Support to Moms of Special Needs Children

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 9, 2021, and I am flooded with memories of my first Mother’s Day with Catherine – May 14, 2006. A week prior, she had undergone heart surgery and was in critical condition. Doctors had placed her in a medically induced coma to manage her challenges with pulmonary hypertension. Celebrating Mother’s Day […]

Mother’s Day: How to Show Support to Mom's of Special Needs Children

Supporting Caregivers

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Sisterly Love, Simply the Best

National Siblings Day was officially on April 10th, but I think it should be celebrated every day, which is why I’m excited and a bit biased about our featured profile this week. From the moment Catherine was born, Christina has been a loving and devoted big sister and I thank God every day that I […]

Sisterly Love, Simply the Best

Navigating Daily Life

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Magnusmode promotes independence for people with cognitive disabilities

In honor of World Autism Awareness Day, we’re featuring, Nadia Hamilton, founder and president of Magnusmode, a company that provides assistive technology to people with autism and cognitive disabilities. I’m so excited Nadia was able to stop by and share her story.  Lillian Magnusmode’s origin story dates all the way back to the late eighties […]

Magnusmode Promotes Independence For People With Autism And Cognitive Disabilities.

In the News

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