• nutrition coaching for people with and without developmental disabilities
• nutrition counseling
• education programs in community hospitals
• writing, editing, and publishing materials for both the general public and professionals
• designing educational materials, and conducting research
• menu and recipe analysis and modifications to fit lifestyle and medical needs
• providing inpatient services.

Joan is the author of The Down Syndrome Nutrition Handbook: A Guide to Promoting Healthy Lifestyles (2002, 2006), the first, and only, text dedicated to promoting healthy living for people with Down syndrome at any age. She is the Clinical Advisor for Health Literacy and Communications for Special Olympics Inc. Healthy Athletes Health Promotion Program. She writes for a variety of publications, including Disability Solutions, book chapters about healthy living for people with Down syndrome, and presents workshops for parents, professionals, and people with Down syndrome and developmental and intellectual disabilities around the world.

What Joan enjoys most in her work is supporting people in their decision to choose a healthier lifestyle. She works with individuals, families, staff, and consultants to make conscious choices for tangible changes. She guides clients to see that they can make changes that are in balance with all areas of their lives. She believes improving health is not supposed to increase stress. Her innovative,often playful activities are designed to be fun, informative and a positive experience.

Joan understands that knowing what choices are available and having easy-to-use tools to act on those choices are key links that are missing in daily life to help people choose to improve their health.

”Your personal healthful lifestyle is not something you can find in a one-size-fits-all diet or fitness program or from someone else making decisions for you. A healthy lifestyle is one that is unique to you and is easy to sustain. My job is to enrich your understanding of how you can reach your goal and encourage you as you reach them.”

Joan is the mother of two young men, one of whom has autism, Down syndrome and celiac disease. In her free time she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, doing calligraphy, attempting pilates, and going on long bike rides along the Columbia River--even when it's raining (but not necessarily in the winds!).

Click here for Joan's presentation schedule for 2007.

For more information, you can download Joan’s vitae (pdf). here.

If you would like to talk with Joan about nutrition coaching for yourself, yoru child, yoru family, or work place send an email.