Down Syndrome - Autism Dual Diagnosis

Katie Smith would like to say hello to the families in Northern Colorado with kids, young adults and adult family members who have Down Syndrome and Autism as a dual diagnosis. My husband Brad and I have two children, Hanna who is 18 and about to head off to college and Junior (also a Bradley) who is 10 and is sporting the dual diagnosis and bright red hair.

We are native Coloradoans and have lived in Fort Collins since 1991. We have also both spent some time living in Florida. Brad is retired from the Army and is a combat vet. He works in the field of fleet management but dreams of becoming a professional walleye fisherman. I have spent most of my working career as an Occupational Therapist, 24 years working with adult populations primarily focusing in physical rehabilitation and a couple years in pediatrics. I also have had a twenty-year obsession with artistic hobbies and have now morphed that passion into a part - time pottery business, selling online and at occasional shows. I am also currently focusing on doing my best to support our family as a Parent CNA and relearning how home cooking saves money!

My desire to find and gather this group of DS/ASD parents is strong because of my own journey. I know it is not the same as everyone’s journey. But, for me it was easy to deal with a Down Syndrome diagnosis, it came on the heels of a traumatic birth and a fairly traumatic time in our lives so we were just at peace with Down Syndrome. But Autism keeps shaking us like a crazy storm in the Bering Sea and it would be just nice to have a cup of coffee with the people who are on this boat with us!

Questions?
Please contact Katie Smith at bkhsmith@msn.com.