Here is another beautiful conversation we had with Dr. Vaish Sarathy and her son, poet Sid Ghosh who has published a book of poetry titled Yellow Flower Fills Me Whole. Sid has a duel diagnosis of Autism and Down syndrome and previously appeared on the podcast, with Vaish, to discuss non-linear education and how he communicates using a letter board.  Sid’s poetry book is available through Amazon or at this Milkweed link: https://milkweed.org/book/yellow-flower-gills-me-whole Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2025/11/10/195-yellow-flower-gills-me-whole-poetry-by-sid-ghosh/2/ Please follow us on X @ifweknewthenPOD, you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. Also join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

In this episode, we sit down with How I Met Your Mother co-creator Craig Thomas to talk about his new novel, That’s Not How It Happened. The novel is about a family whose lives are thrown into turmoil when a Hollywood producer turns their story into a movie, forcing them to confront their differing perspectives on their past and the challenges of raising their son, Emmett, who has Down syndrome. It was inspired by Craig’s son, Elliott, who lives with a rare condition called Jacobsen Syndrome and is on sale starting November 4, 2025. We were introduced to Craig through our dear friends Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, the hosts of the Office Ladies podcast. Jenna and Angela have been such loyal supporters of If We Knew Then and we’re so grateful to them for connecting us with Craig. That introduction led to a heartfelt and honest conversation that we are excited to share with you. You can order Craig Thomas's new book from major booksellers like Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, HarperCollins Publishers, and other retailers. Also, check out Craig’s How I Met Your Mother rewatch podcast called How We Made Your Mother, which he co-hosts with Josh Radnor. Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/194-thats-not-how-it-happened-a-novel-by-craig-thomas/2/ Please follow us on X @ifweknewthenPOD, you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. Also join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

When schools treat accommodations like a gift instead of a legal right, students with disabilities are the ones who pay the price. In this episode, we share our firsthand experiences navigating our son's high school IEP. From unimplemented accommodations to misplaced assessments and the constant reminder that equity isn’t optional. We unpack what it really means to “access the curriculum,” how IDEA protects that access and why families must sometimes become both teachers and advocates. This conversation is a call to action for educators and parents alike to stop seeing accommodations as extra work and start recognizing them as keys to inclusion and an equal education. Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2025/10/18/193-accommodations-in-an-iep-are-a-right-not-a-favor/2/ Please follow us on X @ifweknewthenPOD, you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. Also join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

In this episode we revisit a conversation with our longtime pediatrician, Dr. Ilona Kleiner, who has been with our family since the day Sophia was born and has guided us through Liam’s journey with wisdom, honesty and compassion. Dr. Kleiner shares her perspective on treating children as whole individuals far beyond a diagnoses or statistics and the profound impact that kind of care can have on both medical outcomes and family life. Together, we talk about navigating the fears that often surround a Down syndrome diagnosis, the importance of preventative medicine and what it means to advocate for our children day by day. Dr. Kleiner also offers practical insights on vaccines, inclusion and supporting children’s mental health by reminding us that every child deserves to be seen, respected and treated with dignity. This heartfelt conversation is a reminder of the power of compassionate care and our hope that every family finds a physician who sees their child for exactly who they are. Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2025/09/15/192-choosing-a-pediatrician-with-dr-ilona-kleiner/2/ Please follow us on X @ifweknewthenPOD, you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. Also join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

Today we  sit down with speech-language pathologist and author Janine Tang to talk about her new book "Play Dumb and Sabotage: Mindfully Under-Anticipating the Child’s Needs and Creating Opportunities to Practice Language". Drawing from more than two decades as a therapist and her personal journey as a parent of a child with a brain injury, Jeaneen shares practical strategies parents can use every day to support speech development. We discuss the challenges families face in accessing quality speech therapy, how to advocate for services and why creating small opportunities for communication can have lasting impact. Jeaneen also opens up about her son’s diagnosis, how it shifted her perspective as both a mother and a professional and the importance of empowering parents to see that they are doing a good job. Jeaneen fills this conversation with hope, compassion and actionable tools for parents navigating speech development and early intervention. She reminds us that our children can achieve more when we give them space, support and belief in their potential. Website: https://www.playdumbandsabotage.com IG: @playdumbandsabotage Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2025/09/07/191-play-dumb-and-sabotage-with-jeaneen-yang/2/ Please follow us on X @ifweknewthenPOD, you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. Also join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

In this episode, we discuss the challenges of a new school year and how we advocate to create a foundation of support for Liam, with the intentions of creating a narrative of inclusion. Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2025/08/30/190-advocating-through-the-challenges-of-a-new-school-year/2/ Please follow us on X @ifweknewthenPOD, you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. Also join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

In this episode Stephen and Lori sit down on a quiet summer morning to reflect on the season of transitions, both for their family and for their son Liam, who just graduated middle school. From the stillness of summer mornings to the in-between spaces of growth, they talk about what it means to be present during times of change, the challenges and beauty of navigating education with a child who learns differently and the lessons we can take from something as simple and profound as a caterpillar’s metamorphosis. Along the way, they share honest reflections on judgment, resilience, and the hope that comes from remembering that every transition, messy as it may be, is also a space for transformation. Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2025/08/24/189-lets-talk-about-transitions-middle-school-to-high-school/2/ Please follow us on X @ifweknewthenPOD, you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. Also join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

Every year we face the stresses of annual appointments and assessments. Today we talk about game plans and strategies to help prepare for them. Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2025/05/26/188-preparing-for-annual-appointments/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers in this beautiful Down syndrome community. You are a force and we thank and celebrate you. Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2025/05/11/187-happy-mothers-day/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

This week we are revisiting our interview with Melissa Kynoch, known by many for being featured on the BBC documentary LIFE AND BIRTH. Millions of people have had a chance to watch her positive attitude in the face of her son Bertie's Down syndrome diagnosis. Now, five years later, the docu-series is available in the United States on Amazon Prime. Season 1, Episode 6: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B09LCDLPFV/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2025/05/04/186-life-and-birth-on-amazon-prime-with-melissa-kynoch/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

In this episode we discuss the need and power for us to cultivate self pride and worth within the disability community. In doing so, we nullify the damaging words and opinions of those who wish to label and minimize individuals with disabilities or anyone for that matter. Episode Transcript:  Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

Today we are joined again by Mrs. Christina Aries, the Director of Adult Development at Citizens of the World Charter Schools for the second part of our discussion about brain development in the adolescent years. Episode Transcript: Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

Today we are joined by Mrs. Christina Aries, the Director of Adult Development atCitizens of the World Charter Schools for a two-part discussion about brain development in the adolescent years. Episode Transcript:  Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

It’s World Down Syndrome Day 2025 and we did it! We released an episode on March 21st. Many in our community do so well at preparing for this day every year and we greatly appreciate them but also, here’s to all those that feel like they are always behind or that their ‘to do” list is getting bigger, not smaller. We celebrate you and your loved ones today! Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2025/03/20/182-wdsd-2025/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

This week we have another conversation with filmmakers Olivier and Hilda to discuss their IEP experience featured in their film FORGET ME NOT: INCLUSION IN THE CLASSROOM. These talks not only shows us that we are not alone in this fight, but also gives us some powerful information that we can use in our own IEP meetings. Documentary Website: https://forgetmenotdocumentary.com Streaming FREE On tubi: https://tubitv.com/movies/697442/forget-me-not-inclusion-in-the-classroom?utm_campaign=web-sharing Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2025/03/02/181-olivier-and-hilda-bernier-and-their-iep-experience/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.  

Happy Birthday Liam! In this week’s episode we discuss the lessons we have learned over the last 15 years in both education, behavior and societal changes. Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2025/02/24/180-liam-turns-15-what-have-we-learned-in-this-journey/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

Today we are joined by Hilda and Olivier, who are documentarians of a fantastic film “Forget Me Not”. This film tells the story of our children’s fight for an equal education and raises the question of inclusion versus segregation. It’s a documentary that is so important to making changes in the lives of individuals with Down syndrome. Website: https://forgetmenotdocumentary.com Streaming FREE On tubi: https://tubitv.com/movies/697442/forget-me-not-inclusion-in-the-classroom?utm_campaign=web-sharing Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2025/02/09/179-forget-me-not/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

In July 2025, DSDN will host their annual Rockin' Dad Retreat for fathers of children with Down Syndrome to gather from across the country. We are joined again by Ben Hughes to give us all the details of this year’s event and also an update on his own journey. Retreat Details - WHEN: July 11-12, 2025, WHERE: Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego, CA Registration info: https://www.dsdiagnosisnetwork.org/dad-retreat-registration Ben’s email: ben@dsdiagnosisnetwork.org Ben’s Personal Fundraising Page: https://dsdn.networkforgood.com/projects/237847-ben-hughes-s-fundraiser Get the DSDN App today! https://www.dsdiagnosisnetwork.org/dsdn-app Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2025/02/02/178-the-2025-dsdn-rockin-dad-retreat-ben-hughes/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

Lori recorded this episode in October but what is very apparent is how challenges and the unknown are an everyday thing that helps tell our stories, In this episode Maezen talks about finding our space and our 'me' time. Karen Maezen Miller’s Website: https://karenmaezenmiller.com Maezen’s books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Karen-Maezen-Miller/e/B001JP2RQ0/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1 Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2025/01/27/177-showing-up-for-the-challenges-karen-maezen-miller/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

Steven Gustafson is a founding member and bassist of the band 10,000 Maniacs. His sister, Cathy, had Down syndrome and we got a chance to discuss with him the impact she had on his life and the lives around her. Today we revisit that interview to share this sibling love story. Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2025/01/27/176-revisiting-10000-maniacs-founding-member-steven-gustafson/2/ Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.