We believe in something deeper than diagnosis and more dynamic than milestones. We believe that our children grow best when we nurture the whole child, and ourselves: mind, body, and spirit. This month’s webinar in the DSAP community is a wide and sweeping overview of ways to put that philosophy into practice.

This topic is the very passion and heart of DSAP, and I’m so excited to share some thoughts!

The Mind

Belief Builds Brains

We start with a simple truth: the brain is always changing. Neuroplasticity tells us that our children’s brains are wired for growth through epigenetic inputs such as sensation, movement, rhythm, breath, safety and love. Neurodevelopment is such a priority we will cover some highlights. For deeper dives check out DSAP’s Blog posts, YouTube Videos, and of course Redefining the Reality of Down Syndrome, The Power of an Integrative Mindset.

We also explore the power of mindset, drawing from the work of Dr. Carol Dweck, and the importance of uncovering and reframing limiting beliefs.

The Body

Movement, Food & Integration

Our children’s bodies are the entry point to the brain. Through functional nutrition, reflex integration, sleep hygiene, and sensory rhythm, we support real neurodevelopment through organized and intentional inputs.

Some key concepts:

• Food is information—not just fuel. Nutrition is so much more than knowing what not to eat. It is understanding the overlap between our children who have overexpressed genes, and ourselves who have some of the same foundational needs as biological mothers of children with Down syndrome. (not to mention we are doing it all with changing biochemistry). There is so much research out there that gives excellent guideline, DSAP attempts to pull in all together!

• Movement organizes the brain. Everything Neurodevelopmental! Crawling, rolling, rhythmic walking—all of it lays the foundation for attention, language, and regulation. Along with integrating systems such as sensory motor, reflex, and cerebellar.

• The vagus nerve, breathwork, and sensory integration are the core of helping our kids feel safe enough to learn, and keeping us regulated as well!

The Spirit: Intuition, Energy & Inner Voice

The final piece is often the most overlooked. Spirit isn’t measureable or objective and therefore it isn’t included in most traditional and performance-based approaches. But, how can one truly be healthy, learn, develop, and grow, if the aproach does not holistically include Mind / Body / Spirt?

We explore:

• Inner voice development, and how high-beta brain waves states increases stress, keeps the sympathetic nervous system in control, continual flight/fight/freeze, and is incompatible with learning.y

• Energy healing modalities like Reiki and EFT for emotional release

• Creative expression as a healing language when words aren’t enough

• The power of gratitude, meditation, and co-regulation in healing the nervous system

A Perspective not a Protocol

When we see our children’s development through a performance and problem-based lens, we see our role as taskmaster. A never ending list of exercises, things to remember, food to make, and expense to consider. Our lives become compartmentalized and chaotic as we attempt to meet our child’s needs, the needs of our families, possibly caring for an elderly parent, and fearing what comes next. We neglect our own needs and kick our own health-can down the road until we don’t know how we will get up and continue on.

We don’t need to do more. We need to be intentional. We need to build routines and environments. We need to take advantage of all the areas our needs and our children’s needs overlap. Then, we need to get quiet. Identify the limits within our own thinking and create new ways forward. Oh, and of course connect with community that intimately understands all of this.

I extend a heartfelt invitation for you to join us in the DS Action Plan Community for this webinar live Wednesday 4/9/2025 at 8:00PM EST. The rest of the month will diving into a month long conversation of creation with interviews with experts to guide us and open community forums where we come together to brainstorm, empower, and inspire one another. Everything is recorded and archived so you can watch if you can’t be with us live!

I can’t wait for the conversations!

Holistically Yours,

Geralyn