296. Planes, Trains & Presuming Competence

04/22/25 • 35 min

The Avises are back from an 18-day European vacation with tips, tricks, and travel stories for all of us. So Heather and Josh are here today to answer all the questions:

How do you “lean in” to surprising (and sometimes frustrating!) moments with your kids?
What to do when your family vacation doesn’t look like other families?
What are your major tips for traveling with kids/teens who have Down syndrome?

There are so many travel resources out there.. disability discounts, wheelchairs, free transportation, + more! We’re excited to share with you just how we used them. So take some notes then start planning your next trip!

SHOW NOTES

SHOUT OUT: Check out Cafe Joyeux on instagram and their website
Watch 47, a short film produced by Cafe Joyeux

SPONSORS

Learn more about Jack’s Basket.
Learn more about Enable Special Needs Planning.

JOIN THE LUCKY CREW

Join us in celebrating and supporting The Lucky Few Podcast! For just $4.99 a month, you can help us continue shouting worth and shifting narratives for people with Down syndrome. Enjoy bonus episodes where we dive deeper into the most controversial issues, shop discounts, and more! Become an essential part of The Lucky Few movement today!

The Avises are back from an 18-day European vacation with tips, tricks, and travel stories for all of us. So Heather and Josh are here today to answer all the questions:

How do you “lean in” to surprising (and sometimes frustrating!) moments with your kids?
What to do when your family vacation doesn’t look like other families?
What are your major tips for traveling with kids/teens who have Down syndrome?

SHOW NOTES

SHOUT OUT: Check out Cafe Joyeux on instagram and their website
Watch 47, a short film produced by Cafe Joyeux

SPONSORS

Learn more about Jack’s Basket.
Learn more about Enable Special Needs Planning.

JOIN THE LUCKY CREW

Previous Episode

295. How can I help my child with a disability sleep better?

How many nights per week would you say your child (with or without a diagnosis) sleeps well? We asked our audience and discovered that sleep is a struggle for a LOT of us! So if you’re feeling like you’ve already tried all the online hacks but your child still wakes you up at the same time each night, this episode might have a new tip for you! Here’s what we’re covering today:

What’s the biggest sleep challenge for our kids with Down syndrome? And our kids with a dual diagnosis of DS and autism?
Micha’s sleep journey with her son Ace... Does a gluten-free, dairy-free, additive-free diet actually work? What medications have or have not been effective? What is a sensory diet and does it really help? How has an ADHD diagnosis affected Ace and his sleep?
Audience input! We’ve crowdsourced the best tips from all of you! Learn how other parents have changed their children's rooms and bedtime routines to promote better sleep.

But before we dive into sleep, we’re chatting briefly about the change from Autism Awareness Month to Autism Acceptance Month + the importance of centering Autistic voices in this conversation. For now, wherever you’re at in your sleep journey, we hope this episode helps! You’re not alone out there!

SHOW NOTES

SHOUT OUT: Follow Nicole Adler ( @nicole_for_love), a speaker and advocate for the disability and LGBTQ communities.

SPONSORS

Learn more about Jack’s Basket.
Learn more about Enable Special Needs Planning.

JOIN THE LUCKY CREW

Next Episode

297. Extracurricular Activities and Inclusion: How to Make it Work For Our Kids with DS

Picture this: your child with Down syndrome tells you they want to play a sport. You sign them up for the local team, drop them off at practice, and pick them up without any difficulties. Everything goes smoothly... But that’s not always reality is it? Lets break down the complexities of extracurricular activities today:

How to ask for accommodations that promote safety, respect, and inclusion
Separate programs designed for people with disabilities.. and what to do when they’re not as inclusive as they seem
How to manage our own expectations of our children and their activities

Here’s what we’ve learned: the attitude of the people in charge really matters. And if we can find programs with inclusive-minded leaders who understand our kids with DS, then that’s where we need to be. Join us today as we dive into our personal experiences (both positive and negative) with musical theater, gymnastics, and swim. And don’t forget that any program is lucky to have your child!

SPONSORS