If We Knew Then - Down Syndrome Podcast
We are parents of two children and one of them just happens to have Down syndrome. When Liam was born we didn’t know very much about Down syndrome and most of the information we did have didn’t seem very hopeful and positive. Well this podcast aims to share stories, break down stereotypes and help change the narrative by redefining Down syndrome.
Episodes

Thursday Mar 20, 2025
182. World Down Syndrome Day - March 21, 2025
Thursday Mar 20, 2025
Thursday Mar 20, 2025
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.

Sunday Mar 02, 2025
181. Olivier and Hilda Bernier and Their IEP Experience
Sunday Mar 02, 2025
Sunday Mar 02, 2025
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.

Monday Feb 24, 2025
180. Liam Turns 15: What Have We Learned In This Journey?
Monday Feb 24, 2025
Monday Feb 24, 2025
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.

Sunday Feb 09, 2025
Sunday Feb 09, 2025
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.

Sunday Feb 02, 2025
178. The 2025 DSDN Rockin' Dad Retreat with Ben Hughes
Sunday Feb 02, 2025
Sunday Feb 02, 2025
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.

Sunday Jan 26, 2025
177. Showing Up For The Challenges - Karen Maezen Miller
Sunday Jan 26, 2025
Sunday Jan 26, 2025
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.

Saturday Jul 20, 2024
176. Revisiting 10,000 Maniacs Founding Member Steven Gustafson
Saturday Jul 20, 2024
Saturday Jul 20, 2024
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.

Sunday Jun 16, 2024
175. Communicating Our Stories with Sid and Vaish Sarathy
Sunday Jun 16, 2024
Sunday Jun 16, 2024
This week we revisit our conversation with Sid and Vaish Sarathy. Sid, who has the duel diagnoses of autism and Down syndrome. Although he is non-Speaking, Sid is a poet with two published books. Dr. Vaish Sarathy is a functional nutrition practitioner and science educator. She is the founder of Functional Nutrition for Kids and Plum Pudding Chemistry, both practices designed to optimize the learning potential of kids with Down syndrome and/or autism using both functional medicine and non-linear education principles. In this episode, we discuss their journey with communication, breaking down barriers of misperception and limiting thoughts to support Sid in freeing his voice and the responsibility that freedom brings with it.
Sid’s Poetry Books: https://push-press.blogspot.com
Sid’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/downlikesid/
Vaish’s Website: https://functionalnutritionforkids.com
Vaish’s Podcast Funtional Nutrition & Learning For Kids: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/functional-nutrition-and-learning-for-kids/id1478145610
Rapid Prompting Method (RPM): https://www.halo-soma.org
Chris Martin’s Website: www.UnrestrictedInterest.com
Connections Academy: https://www.connectionsacademy.com
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2024/06/15/175-communicating-our-stories-with-sid-and-vaish-sarathy/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.

Sunday Jun 09, 2024
174. Advocating For Speech Therapy - Julie Picot
Sunday Jun 09, 2024
Sunday Jun 09, 2024
This week we once again sit down with Julie Picot but this time we are briefly joined by her daughter Elyse. We take a deep dive on the speech and reading journey in our community and discuss different ways to advocate for our children.
Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons: https://a.co/d/3CEtpLY
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2024/06/09/174-advocating-for-speech-therapy-julie-picot/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.

Monday May 27, 2024
Monday May 27, 2024
This week we revisit our interview with Jake Pratt, who with support, advocacy and inclusion is living his dreams and changing the narrative for people with Down syndrome.
Jake’s UPS Commercial: https://youtu.be/fw97dqK6uiM
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2024/05/27/173-the-endless-possibilities-of-people-with-down-syndrome/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.

Saturday May 11, 2024
172. Happy Mothers Day: We Celebrate You
Saturday May 11, 2024
Saturday May 11, 2024
Today we celebrate all the powerful mothers who give so much to their children day in and day out. Remember how strong you are. The world runs on that power and we thank you.
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2024/05/11/172-happy-mothers-day-we-celebrate-you/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.

Sunday Apr 28, 2024
171. Alzheimer’s Disease In People with Down Syndrome - Dr. Elizabeth Head
Sunday Apr 28, 2024
Sunday Apr 28, 2024
This week we had the privilege to talk to Dr. Elizabeth Head, Professor and Vice Chair for research at the University of California, Irvine in the department of Pathology. Dr. Head has published more than 150 peer reviewed papers and has dedicated over 20 years to the study of aging and Alzheimer’s disease with a focus on people with Down syndrome.
Head Lab: https://sites.mind.uci.edu/headlab/
ABC-DS study - https://www.nia.nih.gov/research/abc-ds
DSConnect - https://dsconnect.nih.gov/
Center for Aging Research – Down syndrome - https://sites.mind.uci.edu/cfar-ds/
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2024/04/27/171-alzheimers-disease-in-people-with-down-syndrome-dr-elizabeth-head/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.

Thank you for listening!
We are so happy that we can connect with people from all over the world and we appreciate you. If you would be so kind to rate, subscribe and comment where ever you listen to podcasts, it would help us reach an even larger audience.
All the best to you and please stay in touch. Stephen and Lori Saux