A quarter century after children with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities demonstrated the benefits of mainstream kindergarten for themselves and their classmates, parents are still finding obstacles to enrolling their 5 year olds in neighborhood schools with their mainstream peers.

My son has been a fan of baseball since he was a toddler. Many other children and teens with Down syndrome love the game, just like their mainstream peers.

Mothers of children with disabilities can feel isolated due to insensitive comments and discrimination against their children; feelings of failing at being congenial 'ambassadors' - as well as the usual reasons mainstream moms feel they not living up to an ideal vision of perfect mothering. Whew!

Adoption or foster care of babies and children with disabilities by gay or lesbian parents requires attention to be paid to the issues that may otherwise create greater challenges during childhood.

Respectful language means using "person first" word order, and avoiding use of the "R-word" and hate language. But being aware of the damage that hate language and bullying causes means that we can no longer be bystanders when others use derogatory words and comments to tease vulnerable children.

Children and teens with Down syndrome have been models in catalogs and newspaper advertisements for the past quarter century, delighting and inspiring families and communities.

Shopping for shoes, wearing and caring for them can be a challenge with any child. Down syndrome adds to the difficulty due to some physical differences common in children with DS as well as sensory issues and developmental delays that are also challenging for other children with special needs.

The R-word is hate language offensive to individuals with developmental delays or intellectual disability. Individuals and advocates can help ban the R-word by raising awareness, urging everyone to pledge not to use the word, and expressing expectations that scripts include people with disabilities.

When my son was a baby I did not consider what he might think about growing up with Down syndrome. He did let me know all along that he has a very different perspective on his life and diagnosis than I could have predicted. We are both so fortunate he had role models and media representation of DS.

Some children with Down syndrome have sensory issues or are especially troubled by shoes that have not been properly fitted and will kick them off at the worst possible times. Custom orthotics that fit in shoes half a size larger often help children and teens with balance and gait anomalies.