Sarah, 7, is a happy, healthy six-year-old who does her homework after school, all the while fighting to go out and ride her bike with her sister Hannah, 9. She leads the life of a child much like any other, except Sarah has Down syndrome.

Sarah receives treatment for an hour twice a week by an occupational therapist from "Behavior Links," a non-profit organization that specializes in training families and friends of children with disabilities. In just over one year, Behavior Links has helped close to 140 families, both in the United States and abroad.

The organization's therapist is Liliana Dietsch-Vazquez, a Florida International University graduate who realized that although there were several organizations that focused on children with disabilities, there was a lack of institutions that supported and engaged with their families.

"As a therapist, you want to see a child succeed and create awareness in the community," said Dietsch-Vazquez. Maria J. Brun, Sarah's mother and the Vice-President of "Behavior Links," noticed a significant change in her daughter's behavior after treatments with the organization ensued. "We've been blessed since we met Lily," said Brun, "awareness is a must and she's needed out there."

Most children with Down syndrome have mild to moderate impairments, but are "more like other children than they are different," according to the National Association for Down Syndrome (NADS).

"We don't want people to feel pity for these children," said Dietsch-Vazquez, "they are actually blessed."

The organization is a family-based operation, with Lily working with both her husband, Steve Vazquez, and brother, Gabriel Dietsch, a registered nurse and a member of the organization's board of directors. "It was really hard not to fall into that pool of optimism," said Dietsch, "being around so many people you can help humbles you."

Behavior Links stresses behavioral modification not only within the family, it also stretches out to the rest of the community.

"The main focus of Behavior Links is to change the preconceptions that exist," said Vazquez-Dietsch, "because of a lack of education and awareness." Sarah's teachers recently altered the fonts on her exams. Now, Sarah is able to take the same tests her classmates are taking.

"Children learn in a specific way," said Dietsch-Vazquez, "what we try to do is individualize it." The organization recently partook in a trip to Guatemala, where Dietsch-Vazquez treated close to 100 families.

The therapy circumvents around positive approaches to presenting children with visuals and playing games, in an individualized or small-group setting to enhance the "mastery of functional skills." Something as minute as changing a person's tone can alter the child's grasp of the information.

However, family-involvement continues to be a key factor in developing a healthier child with disabilities and big sister Hannah realized that early on.

"She's like a second mom," said Brun, "like a role-model." The organization has a workshop scheduled in Miami within the next few weeks. "We want to push toward letting family's know that every child has potential," said Dietsch-Vazquez.


For further information visit www.behaviorlinks.org.