| Finding a website for teens that can help teach great | | | | planning for college, volunteering and giving back to |
| values, life skills, and independence would seem an | | | | those around them and developing their own special |
| incredible feat, and even more so for those with | | | | talents is addressed. Chris Burke, actor, band member, |
| special needs. However, I have discovered one | | | | and Ambassador for NDSS, along with others, share |
| especially for teens with Down syndrome. | | | | their stories of success in media, art, and music. Their |
| Club NDSS, the National Down Syndrome Society, is | | | | personal stories encourage others to never give up, |
| an excellent resource for these special teens to | | | | and strive for full potential in all that they do. |
| realize their potential and establish goals based upon | | | | Every teen can benefit from the tools and information |
| their abilities. | | | | offered in the Independence area. Housing, |
| Filled with five separate sections, this site contains | | | | employment, finances, money and safety skills are |
| invaluable information for DS teens and their families. | | | | covered. Parents and caregivers can be certain that, |
| Clear and concise, the website opens the door for | | | | along with their guidance, these necessary life skills can |
| communication while encouraging the teen to create | | | | be addressed and successfully implemented, allowing |
| achievable goals for success in life, relationships, | | | | the teen to become independent, successful and |
| education, employment and many other skill sets. | | | | productive. |
| Starting with the basics of the internet and web surfing, | | | | By focusing on the abilities of the teen with Down |
| such as internet safety, teens will learn how to | | | | syndrome and not on the disabilities, this website can |
| navigate the World Wide Web by using web links, | | | | be an effective tool to build self-assurance, esteem, |
| drop down menus and buttons, such as forward and | | | | healthy relationships and every skill in between. They |
| backward. But for those savvier in their internet | | | | can see that others with DS have overcome |
| capabilities, the site offers so much more. | | | | obstacles, and are living independent, successful lives. |
| The section of self-advocacy offers awesome | | | | These incredible testimonies and examples prove that |
| information on self-esteem, while helping those around | | | | he/she is not alone and nothing is impossible with |
| them to understand Down syndrome. It also covers | | | | determination, planning and goal setting. |
| topics regarding leadership, determination, and issues | | | | For most of us, every opportunity offered to our teens |
| surrounding those with DS, such as IDEA (Individuals | | | | to better their lives and become happy, healthy and |
| with Disabilities Education Act), a federal law ensuring | | | | successful adults is welcomed wholeheartedly. This is |
| education equal to those without special needs. ( | | | | one you and your teen will not want to miss! For more |
| Education, volunteering, sports, media and other topics | | | | information, check out Club NDSS.org, or contact them |
| are covered in the Education and free time section. | | | | through e-mail at . |
| Here, encouragement to "shoot for the stars" by | | | | |