Children with verbal apraxia have a diverse set of speech and communication challenges that make it almost impossible for them to speak clearly without specific help with motor planning and other issues. They deserve community support, interested listeners, and alternative ways to communicate.

With a greater online audience for articles and interviews about the potential and accomplishments of children and teens with Down syndrome, there is also a higher incidence of negative comment and ignorant prejudice expressed that can distract us from advocacy and awareness messages.

Our sympathies are with those affected by the terrible events at the Boston Marathon, especially families of those who were injured or killed.

Understanding the spectrum of experiences possible when students qualify for an IEP helps prepare parents to be strong advocates no matter what challenges they experience with school administrators, teachers or staff. It is better to hold on to high expectations and fall short than to give up.

Mothers of young, non-verbal students seek to reduce the risk of their children being left at the wrong stop; or overlooked and forgotten by transportation and school personnel when asleep. Children may endure hours in extreme temperatures, or find their way off the bus and wander unsupervised.

Parents of newly diagnosed babies or young children may assume that staff and volunteers at EICs. schools and community have the training or experience to dispel prejudice, and implement best practices while interacting with children and teens. Some pay a terrible price to learn never to assume.

My son had what looked like eyelash dandruff with redness at the root of his eyelashes when he was a baby. His pediatric opthamologist diagnosed him with Blepharitis and gave me directions on how to clean the roots of his eyelashes twice a day. Warm compresses and eyedrops were later prescribed.

For individuals with a developmental disability, texting or social media offer opportunities to connect, communicate and participate without a diagnosis getting in the way. But it can be as difficult to 'read between the lines' in texts, phone calls and status updates as understanding in person.

The beauty of multicultural communities is how we benefit from the diversity of families, traditions and ways of viewing the world. Providing information about childhood disabilities in many languages helps educate families, translators, and whole communities where our children grow and thrive.

Some teens faint due to vasovagal episodes: a drop in blood pressure and heart rate with a pooling of blood in the legs and lack of oxygen to the brain, usually caused by fear; anticipation of injury or pain; the sight of blood or needles; heat exposure; extended standing; straining or shock.