intellectual disability

Down Syndrome Awareness Month 2024

October 14, 2024

TRIGGER WARNING: mentions miscarriage, still-birth and termination October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Down Syndrome is considered a neurodivergence, as a consistent trait is that their brains work differently to the neurotypical expectation. The brain structure of most Down Syndrome people is noticeably different to the average human brain. All people with Down Syndrome experience some degree of cognitive delay, with most having a mild to moderate intellectual disability. It is said to be the[…]

Academic Limitations: Finding Your Own Goals

August 12, 2024

I recently experienced something really special. A parent of an autistic child in mid-primary school, who expresses concern around behaviours and academic results, showing genuine delight that their teacher had said they had nothing to report except improvement. There was no reference by this parent as to whether this meant the child was now exceeding academic expectations for their age, meeting them, working towards them, or still finding some aspects very challenging. It just didn’t[…]