Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Getting Our Groove Back
We really enjoyed summer break. My son played with his siblings, spent a lot of time jumping on the trampoline, played with toys, went swimming, and used his educational computer games.
I try very hard each summer to have a schedule, but it's a much different schedule than the school year. I like to let my kids have plenty of time to play, make crafts, read, practice the piano, and relax after a school year filled with so many demands. We also do chores, weed the garden, and work on bigger projects like deep cleaning bedrooms (not my kids' favorite).
I started my son in his online school last week and we are still struggling to find that groove. He'd rather play than do school. Well, of course he would. Who wouldn't? I'm hoping this week will allow us to get back into a schedule so we can get more school work done.
I'm looking forward to this school year and the possibilities ahead. I'm excited for him to learn and grow this year. We just need to get our groove back :).
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Reading and Down Syndrome
Last night I went to the open house for our middle school so I could meet my kids' teachers. One of the classes offered is called Kids-to-Kids. It's a special education, center-based class for kids who have special needs. Kids without special needs can sign up for the class to serve as helpers, mentors, and friends of those with special needs.
Seven of my kids have worked in this class and they have all loved it. I think it's an excellent way for typical kids to meet and mingle with those with special needs. It helps typical kids see beyond themselves and serve others.
I met a young man last night who has Down syndrome. His mom taught him to read and she said he loves to read. Another young man in the class, also with DS, reads. I was so happy to hear about it because I really want my son to read. Reading is such a wonderful thing and I hope he'll be able to enjoy it.
He already recognizes many sight words and I am doing a specific reading program with him that's designed for kids with DS. I spoke to his teacher for his online schooling program and she's enrolling him in an individualized reading program that will not only track his skills, but give him work relevant to his skills. We'll know exactly where his strengths and weaknesses are. I'm very excited. I intend to do all in my power to get him reading so he can enjoy all the stories out there.
Seven of my kids have worked in this class and they have all loved it. I think it's an excellent way for typical kids to meet and mingle with those with special needs. It helps typical kids see beyond themselves and serve others.
I met a young man last night who has Down syndrome. His mom taught him to read and she said he loves to read. Another young man in the class, also with DS, reads. I was so happy to hear about it because I really want my son to read. Reading is such a wonderful thing and I hope he'll be able to enjoy it.
He already recognizes many sight words and I am doing a specific reading program with him that's designed for kids with DS. I spoke to his teacher for his online schooling program and she's enrolling him in an individualized reading program that will not only track his skills, but give him work relevant to his skills. We'll know exactly where his strengths and weaknesses are. I'm very excited. I intend to do all in my power to get him reading so he can enjoy all the stories out there.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Starting School
I've enrolled my son in an online school this year. It's the same program he did last year. He seemed to do well and he really enjoyed the technology part of it.
I plan to supplement it with my own reading program designed for children with Down syndrome. I will also supplement his school learning with sound cards to help him with his verbal skills.
Our plan is to enroll him in the local public school next year but we want him to be able to verbally communicate much better so that's what I'll work on with him throughout this year.
I was surprised last year by all that he learned through this online program. Yesterday and today we've been doing some review and he's retained quite a bit. One of the fallacies I've heard about kids with DS is that they can't really learn. So not true. My son has learned, and knows, his letters, numbers, many sight words, concepts such as in and out and up and down. He is now spelling his name orally. He can definitely learn and anyone who thinks differently is just wrong.
I'm looking forward to this school year to see what he'll learn and how he'll grow. Mostly, I'm hoping he'll be more verbal by the end of the year so that he can go to public school and be able to communicate with his peers and teachers.
I plan to supplement it with my own reading program designed for children with Down syndrome. I will also supplement his school learning with sound cards to help him with his verbal skills.
Our plan is to enroll him in the local public school next year but we want him to be able to verbally communicate much better so that's what I'll work on with him throughout this year.
I was surprised last year by all that he learned through this online program. Yesterday and today we've been doing some review and he's retained quite a bit. One of the fallacies I've heard about kids with DS is that they can't really learn. So not true. My son has learned, and knows, his letters, numbers, many sight words, concepts such as in and out and up and down. He is now spelling his name orally. He can definitely learn and anyone who thinks differently is just wrong.
I'm looking forward to this school year to see what he'll learn and how he'll grow. Mostly, I'm hoping he'll be more verbal by the end of the year so that he can go to public school and be able to communicate with his peers and teachers.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
New Speech Therapist Impressions
We met with a new speech therapist yesterday and I must say I was very impressed. She was very attentive to my son. She was patient and gave him such positive reinforcement.
She tested him on sounds and his ability to join more than one sound. He did pretty well. He actually made sounds I hadn't heard him make before. Each time he made the right sound, or even attempted the sound, she gave him a sticker. He started to get a little silly by putting his feet up on the table, but she was very kind and patient with him.
She seemed to be impressed that he kept eye contact with her and focused on the activity she was doing (except when he put his feet on the table). He has a long attention span if it's something that interests him--just like the rest of us. I know that my attention span is that of a three-year-old unless I'm interested. She did a good job of keeping him interested by moving to the floor, giving him train tracks to build for a train, and having him give her high fives.
She showed us some of her materials, including a CD with songs that encourage making sounds, and I am so, so excited for the possibilities. I felt like she was very tuned in to my son and very knowledgeable about what we can do to help him use more verbal skills. She's so enthusiastic and I am grateful we found her.
She tested him on sounds and his ability to join more than one sound. He did pretty well. He actually made sounds I hadn't heard him make before. Each time he made the right sound, or even attempted the sound, she gave him a sticker. He started to get a little silly by putting his feet up on the table, but she was very kind and patient with him.
She seemed to be impressed that he kept eye contact with her and focused on the activity she was doing (except when he put his feet on the table). He has a long attention span if it's something that interests him--just like the rest of us. I know that my attention span is that of a three-year-old unless I'm interested. She did a good job of keeping him interested by moving to the floor, giving him train tracks to build for a train, and having him give her high fives.
She showed us some of her materials, including a CD with songs that encourage making sounds, and I am so, so excited for the possibilities. I felt like she was very tuned in to my son and very knowledgeable about what we can do to help him use more verbal skills. She's so enthusiastic and I am grateful we found her.
Monday, August 27, 2012
New Speech Therapist
Today we are meeting with a new speech therapist for an evaluation. I've been in email contact with her and am excited to meet her. She asked for a video recording of my son in his own environment so she could see how he communicates. She also asked me to provide her with a list of words he says and words he signs. So far, she's asked for more information on him than his previous therapists.
Of course, my son is such a performer that as soon as he saw the camera recording him he started acting silly for it. I did finally get him spelling his name, singing the ABCs, reading a book with sign language, playing with toys that were talking to each other, and doing his favorite thing: playing with his fingers. He likes to use his fingers as people and make them talk to each other and chase each other.
It's hard sometimes not to get frustrated that my son isn't speaking more, but when I look back over the last year or so, I can see a dramatic improvement. He isn't carrying on verbal conversations but he's using more words and trying many more sounds. He's also using more signs. He's definitely progressed in his communication skills and in his verbal skills. I just get impatient at times and wish he'd start talking and tell me what's on his mind.
I'm looking forward to working with a new therapist and hope she'll provide me with definitive things to work on at home with him.
Of course, my son is such a performer that as soon as he saw the camera recording him he started acting silly for it. I did finally get him spelling his name, singing the ABCs, reading a book with sign language, playing with toys that were talking to each other, and doing his favorite thing: playing with his fingers. He likes to use his fingers as people and make them talk to each other and chase each other.
It's hard sometimes not to get frustrated that my son isn't speaking more, but when I look back over the last year or so, I can see a dramatic improvement. He isn't carrying on verbal conversations but he's using more words and trying many more sounds. He's also using more signs. He's definitely progressed in his communication skills and in his verbal skills. I just get impatient at times and wish he'd start talking and tell me what's on his mind.
I'm looking forward to working with a new therapist and hope she'll provide me with definitive things to work on at home with him.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Update and Apps
I stopped writing on this blog because it seemed like there wasn't much interest and moved posts about Down syndrome to my personal blog www.rebeccatalleywrites.blogspot.com. However, I've noticed that there are still page views so I assume there are people out there trying to get more information about Down syndrome.
It's been almost a year since I last posted here. During this last year, I enrolled my son in a virtual kindergarten program. He did very well. Much of the program was online and he's a whiz on the computer (much to my chagrin most of the time). He struggled with writing letters and some of the offline work so we focused on the online part of the program.
I also spent time each day with him on the iPad with apps. There are so many free apps out there it was hard to sort through them. While he enjoys a lot of apps, his favorite, hands down is the Elmo's ABCs app. He can spend hours on that app and, as a result, has learned his ABCs. He sings the ABC song at least a billion times a day. He knows the names of all of the letters. I think this app is $5.99.
He also likes PocketPhonics. I like that one as well because it teaches him the sounds of the letters and then has him spell out words by sounding them out which is what we're working on now. I think it was $2.99.
In addition to these, I've also gone over sight word flashcards with him and he can sight read at least 100 words, probably more.
He continues to be healthy and very happy. He can also spell his name now.
For anyone who has a child with DS or has recently had a baby with DS, I want you to know your child has a very bright future. Don't let anyone convince you that your child cannot learn or enjoy life as much as any other child. It may be different and you may have to make adjustments, but it's so worth it.
It's been almost a year since I last posted here. During this last year, I enrolled my son in a virtual kindergarten program. He did very well. Much of the program was online and he's a whiz on the computer (much to my chagrin most of the time). He struggled with writing letters and some of the offline work so we focused on the online part of the program.
I also spent time each day with him on the iPad with apps. There are so many free apps out there it was hard to sort through them. While he enjoys a lot of apps, his favorite, hands down is the Elmo's ABCs app. He can spend hours on that app and, as a result, has learned his ABCs. He sings the ABC song at least a billion times a day. He knows the names of all of the letters. I think this app is $5.99.
He also likes PocketPhonics. I like that one as well because it teaches him the sounds of the letters and then has him spell out words by sounding them out which is what we're working on now. I think it was $2.99.
In addition to these, I've also gone over sight word flashcards with him and he can sight read at least 100 words, probably more.
He continues to be healthy and very happy. He can also spell his name now.
For anyone who has a child with DS or has recently had a baby with DS, I want you to know your child has a very bright future. Don't let anyone convince you that your child cannot learn or enjoy life as much as any other child. It may be different and you may have to make adjustments, but it's so worth it.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
My Son Speaks Swahili
I'm thinking that when my son was in line waiting to come down to earth he stood in the wrong line. Instead of standing in the "I'm going to an English-speaking family" he stood in the "I'm going to a Swahili-speaking family."
He has no problems being vocal and even animated as he "speaks." It's just that the "words" he uses are not English. Maybe if we took him to Africa everyone could understand him.
He's been launching into long stories, taking breaks to laugh, and then resuming his discourse. I just wish I could understand some of it. I'm so anxious to know what's on his little mind.
He is recognizing letters. My iPod has an app (free) that shows some letters and then it says, "Pick the letter G," and he taps the screen on the letter G. He gets most of them right. I was surprised when he got the letter Q correct. I'm happy that with audio prompts he's finding the right letters. The best part is he thinks he's playing a game but he's actually learning something. I've found many free educational apps for my iPod and he loves playing them.
I'm sure i's speech will come eventually, but until then, maybe I should start learning Swahili.
He has no problems being vocal and even animated as he "speaks." It's just that the "words" he uses are not English. Maybe if we took him to Africa everyone could understand him.
He's been launching into long stories, taking breaks to laugh, and then resuming his discourse. I just wish I could understand some of it. I'm so anxious to know what's on his little mind.
He is recognizing letters. My iPod has an app (free) that shows some letters and then it says, "Pick the letter G," and he taps the screen on the letter G. He gets most of them right. I was surprised when he got the letter Q correct. I'm happy that with audio prompts he's finding the right letters. The best part is he thinks he's playing a game but he's actually learning something. I've found many free educational apps for my iPod and he loves playing them.
I'm sure i's speech will come eventually, but until then, maybe I should start learning Swahili.
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