Focus on Oliver Hellowell: Photographer with Down's syndrome

I am very excited and proud to present an interview with the supremely talented photographer Oliver Hellowell. 

Photo courtesy of Oliver Hellowell

At nearly 18, Oliver is already carving a reputation for himself as a respected wildlife and landscape photographer. The Oliver Hellowell website showcases his unique work which is available for sale. Oliver also has Down's syndrome.

Learn to Expect the Unexpected When You're Expecting

I firmly believe most Mums-to-be have rose-tinted expectations of what pregnancy, birth and beyond is going to be like. So what are the realities of motherhood? What did I wish I had known before our family expanded? What's it really like to have a baby...?

Being something of an eternal student, I approached my first pregnancy in much the same way as a very exciting and practical college course. Books on ovulation, conception, pregnancy, nutrition, exercise, breathing, visualisation, birth, and beyond lined my shelves. I read and devoured the facts within their pages as if memorising them would help me gain the planned top grades in the final assessment.

Natty's breakthrough moments: writing, sewing, staying dry

Does your child go through times when development stops still or even seems to regress? Are they then suddenly able to do several new skills all at once? We've just had one such Eureka moment with Natty.

She is a visual learner, as most children with Down's syndrome are, and she watches, waits, practises quietly and independently in her own time and almost seems to want to be sure of absolute success before she demonstrates any new trick. Perhaps she is afraid of getting egg on her face! Or maybe this is a trait other children and young people with Trisomy 21 share?

10 Top Speech Therapy Tips for Children with Down Syndrome

The following list of SALT ideas for young children with Down syndrome might help you and your child develop their oral motor skills.

A few of the speech therapy tools for children with Down syndrome

Every child is a unique individual.  Each one develops at their own pace, responds well to their favourite toys and has their own strengths and areas that need support. This is no less true for children with Down's Syndrome, so trust your instincts.

Getting Kids Outdoors in Winter

What's that famous Scandinavian saying? 

"There's no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing"

by somebody who loved the great outdoors

The statistics about children sitting for hours at a school desk and then more hours in front of a pc at home scare me. I love to get the children outside when I can for so many reasons, not least:

Silent Sunday

Clever Captions Please!

Last month, Natty was invited to a very special party at the Lord Mayor of London's home. 

(Like you do!) 

Off she trotted, in fancy dress, a little ambassador for children with Learning Disabilities everywhere, and representing Mencap charity. You can read her exciting tale here in Little Red Riding Hood: A Hero with Down's Syndrome

The official photographs have just arrived, taken by Gerald Sharp Photography, London and I thought this one was simply begging to be linked up to Saturday Caption hosted by Mammasaurus. 

So, captions on a postcard in the comments box below please.