Observing someone demonstrate appropriate behavior, watching a parent or friend model healthy activity, or having a mentor to observe and imitate are all ways we learn a variety of healthy behaviors in a variety of settings.
We find this is true for people with Down syndrome as well.
For many of us, if the family is sitting in the TV room, watching a show, and eating ice cream, it is pretty hard for us to go jump on the treadmill or exercise bike and sweat.
We have repeatedly seen and heard success stories of people with Down syndrome modeling healthy behavior or having healthy behavior modeled for them. So many of our patients enjoy socialization, participate better in healthy behaviors in a group, and can be both wonderful “teachers” and “students.”
One might call that “inclusion.” Perhaps a better term is “mutual participation.”
It should be noted that, in the picture above, it was Billy who got Drs. Dominiak and Chicoine involved in the run and not the other way around.