Humor is a wonderful way to connect and establish a good working relationship with the person with PWS. Avoid using sarcasm, as this may be confusing and cause the person to feel picked on/teased. People with PWS often do not understand sarcasm. Today is the 9th day of PWS Awareness Month. Today’s Video: Quinn’s PWS…
If you have the option to ignore unwanted behaviors, do so. Focusing on what is going well in the moment allows for the child or adult to feel accomplished as opposed to criticized, and will ultimately decrease unwanted behaviors over time. Today’s Video: Matthew’s PWS Awareness Month Fact of the Day “Happy PWS Awareness Month!…
Many people with PWS enjoy working with animals. Individuals should be monitored when in close proximity to animals until you can determine their comfort level and skills needed to safely do what is being asked of them. Today’s Video: Chris H’s PWS Awareness Month Fact of the Day “Happy PWS Awareness Month! People with PWS…
PWS is a spectrum disorder with people on both ends and at every point in-between. Where your child falls on the spectrum is a random act and not a reflection on parenting or educational options. Today’s Video: Annika’s PWS Awareness Month Fact of the Day “Happy PWS Awareness Month! Sometimes emotional support animals help people…
Self-stimulation like hand flapping, rocking, etc. are coping skills that release dopamine and ultimately make the person feel good. It is counter-productive to say things like “quiet hands” without then giving the person another option to self-soothe. Some may see these behaviors as distracting, but they are simply a way for the person to remain…
Calming techniques can help during times of change, transition, or anything that provokes a stress response. Practice these skills when the child or adult is at baseline to help them master these skills and use them when they are most needed. Examples of calming techniques are deep breathing, rhythmic tapping, sensory play, and guided,…
Remember that basic demands can be extremely challenging for people with PWS during times of stress. At their baseline, people with PWS can perform everyday tasks with little to no prompts, but when stress and anxiety go up, those same tasks become overwhelming. Today’s Video: Ryan’s PWS Awareness Month Fact of the Day “Happy…
People with PWS may present with uneven skills. It is common for there to be a large gap between competencies, making standardized testing difficult and not a good reflection of overall abilities. Don’t get stuck on the numbers from testing. Instead, build up their strengths and make a plan to slowly and steadily tackle…
This month we celebrate the extraordinary people in our lives living with PWS! Please join us every day throughout the month of May for tips from Patrice and videos from our students and friends diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome. Today’s Video: Scott’s PWS Awareness Month Fact of the Day: “Happy PWS Awareness Month! In May, we…
Beginning tomorrow, we’ll be posting Patrice Carroll’s daily Prader-Willi syndrome TIP in honor of PWS Awareness Month. New this year, each tip will be accompanied by a student “Fact of the Day” video. Thank you so much to our students, friends, and staff for your outstanding PWS education and outreach! Patrice Carroll, Latham Centers’ Director…
Latham School:
Reaching for the Future
At Latham School, children from 8 years to young adults of 22 years are under the care of a special needs teacher and aide. In small home room classes of eight or fewer students. …Read more.
Latham Centers:
Safe Passage to Adulthood
While some Latham children return home to family or enroll in programs closer to home, others may transition to our Adult Programs or remain on Cape Cod to live independently …Read more.
Ways to Give
You can Make a Difference
A gift to Latham Centers will make a difference in the life of each and every individual we serve. To make it as easy as possible for you to donate, we offer a variety of gift vehicles …Read more.