New resources

Racing Toward Better Speech: #NDSC14 Presentation 
Cincinnati speech and language therapist Jennifer Bekins  has generously made the slides from her presentation at the (US) National Down Syndrome Congress's annual convention available via her blog, Talk - Down Syndrome. The convention was held in Indianapolis, 12th - 13th July 2014

Newly published book for littlies
Animal Fun for Everyone!

Marjorie Pitzer , Woodine House, 2014
This photo-filled board book shows young kids with Down syndrome enjoying themselves with a veritable menagerie of animal friends—goats, dogs, cats, horses, fish, ducks, and more! Readers will smile as they see children hugging, petting, tickling, riding, and feeding these furry, feathery, and scaly creatures.

Excerpt from Animal Fun for Everyone
... images of less-commonly seen animals

In this latest book, author Marjorie Pitzer (I Can, Can You?, I Like Berries, Do You?) mixes fun with ample opportunity to learn and practice action and noun words (Talking to a parrot. Giggling at a guinea pig.). Youngsters will be entertained by the sheer variety of animals (there’s even a ferret!) and the obvious delight and wonder they inspire. (Publisher's notes).

Review by Peter Dabbene, for Foreword Reviews:

This unique board book is recommended for children of all colors, shapes, sizes, and abilities ... Many board books contain pictures of animals, but less common are those that contain photographs of real children interacting with real animals. Animal Fun for Everyone! offers a closer connection to real interaction, instead of the more typical illustrations of children, or photos of animals alone ... read the whole review.