PWS Tips

The holiday season – especially Thanksgiving – can be stressful for any family, especially families creating a safe environment for someone with PWS! GRANDMA is an acronym that Patrice Carroll and her PWS Outreach Team created for families of someone with Prader-Willi syndrome. They are hopeful it helps you and your loved ones throughout the…

The advocacy meeting this afternoon hosted by CCDN (Cape Cod Disability Network) Advocacy Event: Please join CCDN’s meeting with Cape & Plymouth legislators – Latham Centers is so much more than a meeting about budgets. It is a way for us to show that the people we support deserve care, hope, and opportunities to live meaningful lives.…

Never underestimate the power of community. Many children and adults with PWS come to us without ever having the experience of being part of a community of their peers. Having true friends that understand you is something that we take for granted. When you see people with PWS discover their community and start forming friendships…

Recognizing the importance of employment in the lives of people with disabilities is a crucial step towards gaining independence and self-respect. Those who are able-bodied and of typical intellect take for granted the immense importance of being able to earn and spend our own money independently. This is true in the PWS community and the…

On the last day of February every year we celebrate Rare Disease Day to acknowledge and bring awareness of both children and adults living with rare diseases. This year we will be highlighting our students with PWS and other rare diseases with pictures, both old and new, and quotes from their families about what makes…

Superbowl Sunday is here, and we have a few ideas for fun and low-calorie snacks for the big game! Make fun sliders by replacing the buns with thick slices of tomato and either bean, veggie, or turkey burgers. Want stuffed potato skins but the calories are just too high? Simply replace the potato skin with…

With a big storm hitting the Northeast tonight, we have some tips for getting through the next few days: Plan for no power. Many of us will lose power, even temporarily, and being prepared will help the person with PWS feel calmer and less anxious. Have a food plan and share it with your child,…

Our Program and Vocational teams work hard to ensure that our students and residents find jobs that reflect their passions and interests. Adult resident Brian’s experience is the perfect example of “Loving what you do” success.  He always wanted to work at an airport, and Brian’s passion for all-things-aviation continued after he transitioned from Latham School into our…

Especially for our Latham staff, families and friends, and greater PWS Community: It can be very challenging to see and hear about all of the resolutions people have made for the new year. If you are just getting by, just making it through the day, that is OK. Give yourself permission to just keep going,…

Compliance starts with small cooperative tasks. Build momentum with small requests met with lots of praise.  Asking someone with PWS to get dressed may be overwhelming to them, but try breaking it down into small steps:  “Hey, do you want to wear white socks or blue socks?”  Act really happy when they choose and repeat with…