Heather Villagomez, functional math and social skills Teacher At Notre Dame School

Hi, I’m Heather Villagomez. I have taught functional math and social skills at Notre Dame School of Dallas for 3 years. I have a dual bachelors degree in Elementary Education and Cross Categorical Special Education from Northern Arizona University. I am originally from Arizona. There I have taught at a public Junior High School in […]

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Kelly Kile, Intermediate Reading Teacher at Notre Dame School

I’m very excited to share my conversation with Kelly Kile, Intermediate Reading Teacher at Notre Dame School here in Dallas, Texas. Catherine has been in Kelly’s home room for the past three years and she’s played such an integral part in Catherine’s growth. Because Kelly has walked this journey with her own daughter, I truly […]

A mother’s unique Down syndrome story.

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Megan Moyer, Intermediate Daily Living Skills Teacher at Notre Dame School

I’m very excited to share our next guest with the BTWR family. Megan Moyer is an Intermediate Daily Living Skills Teacher at Catherine’s school, Notre Dame here in Dallas, Texas. We truly love Notre Dame and it has made a huge difference in Catherine’s growth and independence. Read on for Megan’s perspective on teaching “Daily […]

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Master Shoe Tying – A Technique to Get You Going Faster

Shoe tying is one of those rites of passage that we’ve all brokered through in our early years and is one of those skills that all kids (and parents) still have to deal with at some time or another. For some kids, this ability doesn’t come easily. Individuals with low hypotonia (low muscle tone) find […]

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Back-To-School: Re-establishing Routines

Summer can be hard for parents, especially for parents with children who have special needs. Finding activities that keep them busy while also being fun and productive can be challenging.  And without a daily routine, kids get used to an unstructured schedule or no schedule at all, which can make it difficult to get them […]

Back-To-School: Re-establishing Routines

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How to Find the Perfect Pair of Kicks to Start the School Year

A fresh start to a school year is not complete without a brand new pair of shoes. Children need the best support as they are on their feet a large part of the day. Their shoes have to take them from the classroom to playground and so much more. This is especially true when a […]

How to Find the Perfect Pair of Kicks to Start the School Year for Special Needs Children

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Back to School: The Importance of the Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN)

As we approach the new school year and summer vacations are winding down, many of our children will complete annual visits to the physician, dentist, or specialist. In many cases, it is essential to obtain approval for medical services to ensure insurance coverage associated with the cost of their care. For more than ten years, […]

The Importance of the Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN)

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Back to School: How to Prepare for a visit to the Ophthalmologist

A visit to the ophthalmologist is highly probable in the life of a child with special needs. Catherine was diagnosed with nystagmus right after birth. Her eyesmade involuntary, repetitive side to side movements. She visited a local pediatric ophthalmologist at a very young age to address this issue. During this challenge, I benefited from the […]

How to Prepare for a visit to the Ophthalmologist

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Back to School: Six Tips to Help You Avoid a Stressful Start to the School Year

The new school year is only a few weeks away. I know we are in the middle of summer and our minds are not there yet. It’s been so nice for our kiddos to enjoy a leisure morning with a little extra time to dive into fun activities. You can still relish the summer, but […]

6 Back-to-School Tips for Parents of Children with Special Needs

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The Courage To Let Go, Part Two: Growth through New Experiences

SEEK Camp was a great success for Catherine. The excitement started on the first day where she went on her very first trail ride. She watched her sister ride for years, but was always afraid to get on a horse. There was no hesitation as she was not only able to ride but stayed on […]

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