Down Syndrome & Autism Spectrum Disorder
Dual Diagnosis Support - Down Syndrome & Autism Spectrum Disorder
DSCBA is committed to provide support for families whose children have an additional diagnosis such as autism.
DSCBA Dual Diagnosis Support: Bay Area Down Syndrome & Autism Alliance | Facebook Group
This group is also open to parents (or persons,) seeking more information about co-occurring Down syndrome and autism.
This private Facebook Group is a place for families to ask questions, share advice, strategies resources, and experiences about the unique challenges, added stress, struggles and successes of raising a child with a dual diagnosis. The focus is on helping each other to find possible solutions, along with humorous stories, in a safe, non-judgmental environment.This group is open to parents, family members, caregivers, and others working with a child or adult having Down syndrome and autism in the Bay Area.
Free Consultative Services For Our Members:
The DSCBA is happy to have a specialized resource on our team...Teresa Unnerstall. Teresa is on the DSCBA staff working as the dual diagnosis DS-ASD Consultant. Teresa is the author of A New Course: A Mother’s Journey Navigating Down Syndrome and Autism. She has also met and tackled many challenges with her son Nick over the past 29 years and has documented that journey in her book and in an amazing blog (Down Syndrome with a Slice of Autism) rich with empowering information, much of which you may be able to relate to and or benefit from. https://nickspecialneeds.com
Phone Consultation Hours: please text to schedule an appointment via phone or Zoom: (630) 341-3037
Email Consultation: tjunnerstall@comcast.net - (response within 48 hours)
The DSCBA is collaborating with Teresa to provide webinars, quarterly newsletters and other varying types of support opportunities based on the calls/emails she receives and your feedback.
Click here to receive email notifications for DS-ASD events and newsletters.
FREE Online Support (Facebook and Zoom) through Down Syndrome - Autism Connection
Families with loved ones with DS-ASD are invited to join other families through their world-wide community via their closed Facebook support page. They also offer a monthly Zoom support meeting on the last Wednesday each month at 8pm EST. These 2 platforms allow you to ask more personal questions and share your experiences with others who are also looking for support and resources within a caring DS-ASD community. Post photos and videos and share the journey! Please contact them to sign up.
Facebook Support Page
Resources:
- Activities / Story Boards
- A Picture is Worth, PECS and Other Visual Communication Strategies in Autism, 2nd edition, Bondy, Andy and Lori Frost. An introduction to the Picture Exchange Communication System, which is used by many people with disabilities to communicate basic needs.
- Activity Schedules for Children with Autism, McClannahan, Lynn, 2nd edition (Woodbine House, 2010). Covers how to use activity schedules to structure tasks and teach skills
- Organizations
- Down Syndrome-Autism Connection- ds-asd-connection.org - Non-profit organization serving individuals and families affected by both Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorders.
- Charlie’s Clinic: The Down Syndrome Clinic of UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals
- NDSS Down Syndrome and Autism Information- The National Down Syndrome Society provides an overview of Down syndrome and autism.
- Kennedy Krieger Institute- Based in Baltimore, MD
- National Association for the Dually Diagnosed- thenadd.org
- Autism Speaks- An organization with the goal to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders. www.autismspeaks.org
- Autism Society of America- An organization dedicated to improving the lives of all affected by autism. www.autism-society.org
- DSE Down Syndrome and Autism Information- Down Syndrome Education International summarizes educational research on children with Down syndrome and autism or an autistic spectrum disorder. www.dseinternational.org/en-us/education21/10/
- Catherine Whitcher- Nationwide speaker, advocate, trainer and IEP Consultant. catherinewhitcher.com
- Blogs / Articles
- Down Syndrome With A Slice Of Autism- Blog and Facebook page by a parent who has a son with Down syndrome and autism. www.nickspecialneeds.com
- The Autism Discussion Page on Anxiety, Behavior, School and Parenting Strategies- A Toolbox for Helping Children Feel Safe, Accepted and Competent. Bill Nason (Jessica Kingsley, 2014). Autism Discussion Page on Facebook
- Neuroanatomic Correlates of Autism and Stereotypy in Children With Down Syndrome, Carter JC, Capone GT, Kaufmann WE (2008)
- Assessment: A Case for Neurobiological Work-up in Autism, Vatter G (1998)
- Creating Support for Families of Children With Down Syndrome With a Co-Diagnosis: A Survey, Medlen J (1999)
- Down Syndrome & Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Nordhauser M (1997)
- Down Syndrome and Autistic Spectrum Disorder: A Look at What We Know, George Capone, MD (1999)
- Books
- When Down Syndrome and Autism Intersect- Froehlke, Margaret and Robin Sattel Zaborek, editors (Woodbine House, 2013). Survey of best practices for diagnosing, treating and providing care to children with both Down syndrome and Autism.
- A New Course: A Mother’s Journey Navigating Down Syndrome and Autism-Unnerstall, Teresa (Kat Biggie Press, 2020). https://amzn.to/2W3Un6X
- Supporting Positive Behavior in Children and Teens with Down Syndrome-Stein, David (Woodbine House, 2016) https://www.woodbinehouse.com/product/supporting-positive-behavior-children-teens-down-syndrome/
ABA and Behavior Management to Support Individuals with a Dual Diagnosis of DS-ASD |
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AAC Systems and Strategies (Session 3) |
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Structured Home Teaching Activities for DS-ASD Families (Session 2) |
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The Dual Diagnosis of Down Syndrome & Autism Webinar (Session 1). |
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Mid-Year School Check InPresented by Teresa Unnerstall Mid-Year School Check-In Webinar is a practical guide for parents working with the school staff and IEP team when checking in the mid-school year. The content includes specific questions to ask at the midway point regarding the progress of your child. The material will explore effective communication, reviewing the IEP, along with behavior and communication concerns related to having a child with a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism. |
Our Mission
To empower, inspire and support people with Down Syndrome, their families and the community that serves them, while fostering awareness and acceptance in all areas of life.
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