This book is geared towards parents, grandparents, or anyone who has a relationship with a person with Down syndrome. Natalie Hale offers advice on everything from celebrating a child's unique personality and seeing him for who he is to insisting he finish his chores and ensuring he has the space to be his own person as an adult. She leads readers through every stage of growing up, highlighting the experiences and people they will encounter along the way.

Introduction. The yellow raincoat ; Unbutton that raincoat ; Getting started -- Essentials of your parent-friendly manual. Other gifts ; Honestly, now ; Intuition ; Nurturing the parent -- Beginning years. Extraordinary awareness ; A word about doctors ; Self-talk ; Read this : literacy is the new norm ; Your personal humor coach -- Discipline years. Born to rule ; The noncompliance face-off ; If all else fails, try being real ; How to ruin your child ; Communicating emotions ; It takes a crew ; When it's not Down syndrome -- School years. The education battleground ; Student one ; Student two ; Inclusion and testing ; Watch your language! -- Wahoo! years. The transition process ; Traveling alone ; Dance rocks -- The last word. Dance and drum.