The Voiceless Minority

Did you know that there’s research out there that children with Down Syndrome meet developmental milestones much later than neurotypical children?  According to a 2024 study done by the American Academy of Pediatrics , there was a significant difference in developmental progress. In the study, 842 children and adults with Down syndrome enrolled in the Boston Children’s Hospital Down Syndrome Program were evaluated. It was reported that on average, most children with Down Syndrome walk without help by 4.5 years old, follow one-step directions (e.g., “come here”, “pick up _____”, etc.) by 5.5 years old, and drink from an open-cup without any assistance at 12 years old. In addition, it was reported that by their teenage years, 75% of children with Down Syndrome can follow two-step directions and use at least 50 words, signs, or pictures. By comparison, the average for neurotypical children meeting these milestones is when they are 2.5 years old. Now, if you know me, you know that I wa...

 When this blog began 11 years ago, it was fueled by anger and restriction, but it has since morphed into a platform for disability advocacy. I started the voiceless minority because I was denied the opportunity to even attempt to teach because of some people’s short-sightedness and preconceived notions of people with disabilities. Even though that was almost another lifetime ago, the article I read on Thursday has me wondering if I let society cut me out of my dream. They say things happen for a reason, and I am not looking to go backward and redo my life, but the accomplishments of Ana Victoria Espino, a young lady in Mexico with Down Syndrome, make me wonder if I am really doing all I can to advocate for myself and others with disabilities. I will provide a short summary of the article in this post, but I recommend you click the link at the bottom and read the article about this outstanding young woman for yourself. Ana was born with Down syndrome. Down syndrome is caused by...