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When raising a child with Angelman syndrome, life can be stressful. Taking vacations to ease that stress can sometimes have the opposite effect. Although my family doesn’t have picture-perfect exotic getaways, we do have a plan for relaxing that works for us. We don’t take a lot of vacations,…

Because many Angels are considered nonverbal, it is important for parents to get creative to help them communicate. My 11-year-old daughter, Juliana, is beginning to use her talker to communicate, but it will take some time. Through the years, I have relied on labels, notes, and even…

The Angelman Syndrome Foundation (ASF) is a bedrock for both families who are newly diagnosed and those continuing their journey with Angelman syndrome (AS). Every other year, ASF hosts a conference to bring together experts, doctors, and families in the AS community. Our daughter Juliana is 11, and we…

Practice and repetition are important factors in helping Angels learn. My 11-year-old Angel, Juliana, completes Mom-appointed homework to reinforce what she learns at school. Homework also makes a strong connection between school and home. The idea for homework for Juliana came from my 10-year-old daughter, Jessa. Jessa is a fifth-grader…

In a special needs life, change is the everyday normal. This can be a challenging realization to embrace. But once you wrap your head around it, the winding path of an Angelman syndrome caregiver becomes a tad bit easier to navigate. My 11-year-old daughter, Juliana, headed off to school this…

I love it when my 11-year-old Angel Juliana attends summer camp. But I found out the hard way that too much of a good thing can change the course of an entire school year. A few years ago, we had our worst back-to-school experience to date. It’s one I won’t…

First, she got her socks and shoes. Then her hat, Talker, and my pocketbook. When she handed her father the car keys, we knew she meant business. Maybe she’s stir crazy, or maybe she had something specific in mind to shop for, like ice cream? It could…

When raising a child with Angelman syndrome, run-of-the-mill products don’t always provide what you need. That isn’t always a bad thing, though. Not finding what you need could serve as a catalyst to release creativity you might not have known you had. Some of the best creations come from necessity.

Ask an Angel’s parent if their kid loves water and you may not get the answer you expect. Do most children love water? Probably. Are all Angels fascinated with water? Perhaps. My 11-year-old daughter, Juliana, is one of those Angels who love water play. Shortly after her diagnosis, I…

Early intervention efforts for my 11-year-old daughter, Juliana, who has Angelman syndrome, were not greeted warmly in my house. I can admit that now. These early intervention services included in-home therapy and pre-K programs for babies and toddlers with special needs. The fact that I didn’t previously understand the process…