T21 Alchemy
T21 Alchemy: Stories of Down Syndrome, Parenting and Belonging
Real talk for parents, carers and allies raising children with Down syndrome, SEND or additional needs; newly diagnosed, pregnant, or supporting loved ones. Also for theatre makers exploring how lived experience becomes performance.
Join Oneness Sankara -a Black British mum, playwright, SEND advocate- as she shares raw family experiences (not leaflets), communication breakthroughs, Black SEND realities, and her spoken word musical *T21 Alchemy*.
New episodes cover:
• Communication and language development
• Independence and future planning
• Parenting identity and relationships
• Turning real stories into theatre
If you've wondered "what does this journey actually become?"—this podcast holds that conversation.
*Early episodes (The Purpose Pod) cover personal growth. New T21 Alchemy episodes focus on Down syndrome parenting, SEND advocacy and theatre.*
T21 Alchemy
Beyond Words: Understanding Speech and Communication in Down Syndrome (with Cathy Johnston)
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Host Oneness Sankara talks with speech therapist Cathy Johnston from the Lejeune Clinic about what parents really need to know about communication for children with Down syndrome (T21).
What you'll learn:
- Speech vs communication—and why the difference changes everything
- Why speech carries such heavy emotional weight for families
- The anatomy behind Down syndrome speech challenges
- When "early intervention" actually starts (it's simpler than you think)
- Practical home tools: Makaton, visual supports, parent-child interaction
- Neuroplasticity truth: there's no "missed boat" for your child
Key takeaways:
- Your child communicates constantly, even without words
- Parent interaction > formal therapy for language growth
- Communication is everyone's job, not just yours
- You're doing enough. You're not alone.
Resources: Lejeune Clinic - Makaton - Hanen "It Takes Two to Talk" - Speech and Language UK
About Cathy Johnston: 20+ years as speech therapist specialising in under-5s with Down syndrome. Works with Lejeune Clinic + NHS, focusing on early intervention and family support.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
00:53 Cathy Johnston introduction
02:40 Kathy's background
05:17 Parents' biggest communication worries
11:00 Speech vs communication
15:20 Why speech matters emotionally
20:00 Speech-biased society
23:00 Rhythm, music, vocalizing
27:00 Speech anatomy
30:00 Down syndrome speech challenges
32:00 Brain development/neuroplasticity
35:00 Early intervention reality
38:00 Parent advocacy balance
42:00 Communication as team effort
52:00 Makaton + visual tools
55:00 Parent-child interaction
60:00 Closing reassurance
#DownSyndrome #T21 #SpeechTherapy #SEND #Parenting
Resources Mentioned:
- Lejeune Clinic: www.lejeuneclinic.com
- Makaton:https: www.makaton.org
- See and Learn: www.seeandlearn.com
- Hanen Program (It Takes Two to Talk): www.hanen.org
- Speech and Language UK: www.speechandlanguage.org.uk
Part of T21 Alchemy: Black SEND parenting, disability inclusion, and theatre storytelling.
Instagram: @t21alchemy
Supported by Arts Council England
T21 Alchemy podcast episodes and theatre R&D supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
Stay connected with T21 Alchemy: @t21alchemy @thepurposementor on Instagram