Coffee & Chromosomes

We welcome back Leela Baksi from Symbol. This time to talk about secondary school choices. A conversation everyone needs to listen to when faced with that tough secondary school decision. This chat gives food for thought, insight, inspiration and hope. We all know how tough the battles in school can be to get young people the support they need, its soul destroying. Sometimes its easy to lose sight...

A question many struggle to answer, articulate and understand is where and how the role of OT fits in supporting a young person with additional needs. We discuss sensory processing challenges and WHY this therapy benefits so many struggling to make sense of the world around them, and the impact simple things in your environment like the sounds, noises, smells, feel and more have such a huge impact...

In this episode Una Monaghan, Clinical Director of special care – dental service, at Hertfordshire community trust. We talk about the Special dental care service available to those who have additional/complex needs. What the service offers, why its so important and how its different to community high street dentists. Gum and mouth care is so important, taking a proactive approach rather than react...

Kicking off series 2 with a bang! It was an absolute pleasure to start the series with this absolute legend! George is 22 years old, and already has so many strings to his bow!! He’s an actor, presenter, dancer….and now an author! Its George’s passion to show the world that people with disabilities can dream big and be employed, and give back to society. If you want to be inspired, and have a spri...

Do you find it hard or feel guilty to admit it can be hard to be the parent of a child with additional needs sometimes?  Do you find comfort in hearing other parents open and honest accounts of their experiences? We speak with Sarah Roberts - mum of 3, author, public speaker, counsellor in training and award winning writer of the blog "Don't Be Sorry."  Having found out postnatally that...

Episode 8: The importance of lifestyle, gut health, supplements and more! Is there a way to suppress the 3rd copy of chromosome 21 in people with Down syndrome? Do you give your young person who has Down syndrome any supplements, or wonder what you could do to further support their health and development? Have you ever looked into gut health and supporting your child's genetic make up? Are we too...

A lady who needs little introduction, but for those who may not know, Sue Buckley OBE is a global leading expert in education & development for young people with Down Syndrome.  She began research in 1980 and founded Down Syndrome Education International in 1986.  Her research and contributions to the lives of young people with Down Syndrome has been globally recognised through multi...

A candid conversation Have you ever wondered how and why the charity Wouldn't Change a Thing came about?   Do you have any opinions on the chosen name of the charity?  Would you take Down Syndrome away from your child if you had the choice?   Are you clear on what the charity seeks to do and where they see their place amongst the number of organisations that exist?&nb...

Does your child with Down Syndrome watch their ipad far to close?  Do they go right up to the TV screen to watch their favourite show? Want to know why? This episode reveals all! In our latest podcast we spoke with the wonder Maggie Woodhouse.  Maggie is a specialist Optometrist and Senior lecturer at Cardiff university. Excuse the pun – but what an eye opener this chat was!  It’s a...

Episode 4: How far would you go to change the world for your child? Would you take the government to court if you felt so passionately their laws were unfair? If I told you the general time limit to have an abortion is 24 weeks across the UK yet you could terminate a foetus with Down Syndrome right up until the moment that baby enters the birth canal - what would you think? Is it morally wron...

Find out exactly how your speech therapists should be supporting your child in early years, how to get the right support, and what to do to find a way forward for your child if things aren’t going the way you had hoped. Speech and language therapy is about so much more than just verbal speech.  Your therapist should not only be able to support you in sound production, but in vocabulary develo...

Do you pull your hair out trying to figure out how to help your young person progress in maths? Do you struggle to know where your start point is?  Do you find it overwhelming and could do with some structured guidance? If you answered 'yes to any of those questions then this is an episode you should not miss!  Relevant to ALL parents to typically developing children or otherwise....we s...

Have you ever been in A&E with your child/young person and feel like the doctors just aren’t hearing you, when you say you KNOW something isn’t right? Are things you are pointing out being put down to their pre existing diagnosis? We talk to Liz Herrievan – Consultant in Paediatric Emergency medicine. Liz talks about her professional journey as a doctor alongside her personal journey with her...

How & why Coffee & Chromosomes was born!  Our hosts Nisha & Hamel talk about why it all started and what you’ve got to look forward to.