We have playdates and support group meetings with kids with similar issues. Talking to successful adults is great, but my kids seem to get more from kids closer to their own age. My son especially enjoys hanging […]

Before you have your daughter talk to the adult, I would suggest you talk to them. I’m sure they would have some wonderful advice to share with you, too.

My son, Matthew was interviewed a few years ago for our […]

Those are great ideas, Julia. I don’t know what else to add, I am struggling in the same areas myself. D is having a difficult time with his own differences right now. It is so heartbreaking, isn’t it?

It may be too late to add this, but… Scent is a huge way to trigger memory. What about your pillowcase with maybe some extra perfume or your lotion added. Or a small stuffed animal, hankie, lap blanket, friendship bracelet… something his “mom” won’t notice and you can add your scent (even if it’s just [...]

I was thinking the same…something small; stone, coin. For my son, who had terrible anxiety, we tried a lot. Our girl liked the knots on a blanket for a wish/prayer. What about secret knot wishes? Tie some twine or string around his backpack/luggage and say some wishes and tie a knot for each one? Leave [...]

Okay if it can’t be something obvious, what about some sort of item with a “secret” meaning between the two of you that he can carry with him to remind him that you’re thinking of him? My daughter and I squeeze each others’ hands three times to say “I love you” when we can’t talk [...]

Hmmm. I could think about a worry stone or something of that nature, that could work. A picture may be too obvious. If his mother sees that he has a pic of me and daddy…that sucker will be gone. She gets angry with my youngest SD when she talks to me on the phone during [...]

What about a smooth stone that he can rub in his pocket? Or a picture of you and DH that is just HIS?

Michigan has it. My son has a TEFRA waiver right now, but will lose it next year since his trach is now gone.

I wish Ohio had that!

Thanks for the comments, everyone. It’s much appreciated. My sister knows she was violated, but based on the nature of the assault and her cognitive disabilities, the only way of pressing charges (assuming they find the guy, all they have is a crappy security camera picture) is if he’s either known to the police already, [...]

I am so sorry. I agree with Julia that your sister, and probably all of your family, need some counseling. I know many wonderful people with Down’s, and I know the mental impairment is different with each. My advice is that you find the very best counselor for your sister, one with experience working with [...]

I know that my response to a family member’s molestation was similar to your feelings right now: who did it, and how do I get rid of them, preferably as painfully as possible? (and that’s the polite version of my take on it, nearly 20 years after the fact) If necessary, find a punching bag, [...]