Author: Amy Bontempo

Amy Bontempo was the Manager of Family and Community Engagement at Penfield Children’s Center. She supervises the Community Outreach Educator, Volunteer Coordinator, Parent Mentor Program, and Family Programs, of which Penfield hosts more than 60 sessions per year. She served on the Board of Directors for the Down Syndrome Association (DSAW) of Wisconsin since 2011 and previously served on the Volunteer Respite Committee for Children’s Service Society now part of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Community Services, and the Family Resource Connection of Milwaukee County.

Person-First Language & Down Syndrome: Words Matter

As a parent or caregiver to a child with Down syndrome, you want to do everything you can to advocate for their needs and celebrate who they are. One of the simplest but most powerful tools you have is your words. How we talk about people—especially individuals with Down syndrome—shapes how they’re seen and treated. […]

Effective Stress Management For Parents of Children With Special Needs

Everyone has sources of stress in their lives. Parents of children with special needs have a completely different list of stressors that can impact them. Are they making the “right” decisions for their children? Are their children going to be accepted? For parents who struggle with the health and development of their children, doing the […]

Teaching Children About Special Needs and Disabilities

Disabilities and special needs cover a wide range and could be anything from a speech delay to a significant medical diagnosis. Some disabilities are obvious, such as a child with a physical disability who uses a wheelchair. Some disabilities, such as speech delays, sensory integration problems, learning disabilities or autism spectrum disorder may not be […]

Nutrition For Kids With Special Needs

For children with special needs it is possible to have a variety of conditions that vary in severity and prognosis. A highly functioning child with autism, for example, may have one set of unique nutritional problems while a child with severe cerebral palsy will have a very different set of nutritional needs. Consultation with a […]