
What?
A sheet or booklet with important information to familiarize staff with your child and facilitate interactions to maximize success.
Why?
For me,
- It makes me feel more comfortable having staff be familiar with Grace
- They have always appreciated the insight
- When people know Grace better, it enhances their ability to successfully work with her from the start, which makes big difference for her and can reduce frustration on both sides
- Especially with Grace starting the year learning virtually, I anticipated that her teacher would have fewer opportunities to observe and interact with her directly, delaying her ability to best support Grace’s learning
When?
I email the booklet to the team upon being introduced to them; this is usually before the school year starts. But it’s never too late! You’ll always be able to offer insights based on the years you’ve spent with your child versus the hours staff will spend with them, no matter how engaged they are.
How?
Start by deciding what information you want to include. Think of ways you interact with and assist your child that help her/him but may not be apparent to others.
Sections of your booklet may include:
- A note from Parent(s)*
- About me (personal information)
- My family
- Me and my friends
- My favorite things
- Things I don’t like
- Sometimes I need help with
- How I communicate
- When I am upset, you can help me by
- What works for me
- What doesn’t work for me
- How I learn best
- A few other things about me
- Down syndrome facts and fiction*
Here are samples of Grace’s books from her first year of inclusive preschool and this year (kindergarten).
Some people make a single bulleted information sheet, but unless you’re new here, you know that brevity isn’t my strength! Here’s a condensed version we shared with Grace’s IEP team in the spring to help inform her goals and supports:

Here’s a template for the bulleted sheet in Word and Google Docs [go to “File” -> “Make a Copy”]
A note if your child is non-verbal but uses signs and/or gestures
When Grace first went to preschool, she was nonverbal but had many signs. I created a visual dictionary using images from Baby Sign Language.com (below) to help her teachers (who had no experience with DS) communicate with her. I’m not sure if they ever looked at it, but giving it to them at least helped ME feel more comfortable!

Here are templates for that document in PowerPoint and Google Slides; I included some common signs, but more can easily be added. I recommend printing them in 6 slides per page format for distribution.
What did I miss?
What other information do you include in your fact sheets or “about me” stories? Comment below.
*A big shout-out to my good friend Missy for suggesting these sections to me! Love you, girl.
This is great! I especially love the sign language pictures. I sat down a few days ago to make a list of signs my son knows but ended up with a blank document. I wasn’t sure how to show how he approximates each sign. Thank you for the wonderful idea!
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This post comes at a great time for you; I’m thrilled you were able to find something useful!
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As usual, you share so many useful ideas to improve the education and understanding of children with DS. Thank you for so many suggestions
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To hear that the blog is useful is one of the greatest compliments I hope for. Thank you!
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LOVE YOU! Awesome post! You know you are more than welcome! John has a new SpEd teacher this year on to of all the anxieties already going on, and I found that when I updated his book this year it not only made me feel better about having a new teacher but also it gave me an opportunity to REALLY examine his growth and development from last year. I kind of wish I had done this for my typical children too. Excellent tool for teachers but good for mom as well!
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Great point, Missy! I also enjoyed looking through old books to prepare for this post. It’s fun and affirming to see the changes – and how some personality traits persist through the years. Definitely nostalgic.
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Amazing as always!! Such a joy to read and I always learn something. 💜
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Always great to have you following along, Kat! Thanks for all of your support.
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Thanks for sharing, I was just telling a coworker today, that Grace started Kindergarten this year and that is was virtual and was wondering how she was doing. I love the fact that you all want her to be challenged and not necessarily pampered. Great job mom and dad!!!!
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Thanks, Sandy! She always manages to surpass expectations, anyway. 🙂 I hope your school year is off to a good start!
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