Hello once again....I'm back! It's been a long time since I was here last. Lots of things have been happening in my life....most not on the good side of things for almost two years now. I'm hoping to be able to find a bit of time once again to be here with you all. 

HELLO to all that I have missed saying welcome to!

Hi rbel! Welcome!

All children are like little sponges...they soak up information. Give them tiny bits at a time, keep it fun, and give lots of praise...you will see amazing results!

Keep smiling!

@Sunnys Mother...

We have found that if you have high expectations for children with DS concerning their learning and you find innovative ways to teach them, then you will have them achieving a great deal more. When you lower the bar for them because of thinking it's beyond their comprehension and skills, which is what most "special needs" classes in regular school systems do, then the child will reach that level of expectation.

So...keep your lessons fun but always strive for the high expectations that your child can achieve great things. Individuals with DS have graduated High School , have gone onto University and have earned degrees!

I would suggest checking out NACD programs also. Children with DS have different ways of learning...it may take the child longer to grasp a lesson and retain the information. Neurodevelopmental programs like the NACD , are geared to each individual child's abilities.

lelask...

Has your friend discussed this with the young girl's mother? My opinion being that even if your friend does work through this with her son...if the little girl keeps on with her telling him that she doesn't want to play with him because he's a boy, it won't change much.....

I'm of the feeling that the little boy is feeling that it's bad to be a boy. Hiis Mom is going to have to sit down and find out the truth of why he's all of a sudden not liking being a boy. Why he thinks it would be so much better to be a girl.

Welcome Sarah!

Ayusmom...

Where I am in Canada, we do not need a special certificate to home school. We have many home schooling school boards to chose from. Our ICAN folks, actually helped us find the one we are using. They have been very accomodating!

Our son had been on a program called "PUFF" for speech therapy. It was part of the Provincial school programming. It really wasn't helping any! So, we started checking out some things....we went into our Provincial Education requirements on-line...this is where we found out that any child who was in the "Special Needs" program didn't get a Graduation Diploma after 12 years of schooling. Their theory is...that at some point the child will be able to integrate into a regular classroom. Obviously this hardly ( if ever) really happens due to the fact that they aren't being taught what the other students are being taught. They just don't get the credits that they need to actually graduate.

With this PUFF program our son was actually categorized and if we had started school in a school setting this would have led to him having an IEP and labelled.

We also held back for a year...our son started grade 1 when he was 6 yr. old. We also repeated the year as he had not finished all the curriculum to what we had found suitable.

I understand how tuff it can be with only one parent working in the household. We have been doing this for many years! What I would suggest is to find out what the Education system in your area has for information on the "Special Needs" program....go talk to a school in your area and see what they say about placing your child in a regular classroom without an Assistant. If these things actually work against your child....you may have to find another way to do the home schooling...such as having someone you know and trust to come into your home to teach while you are working.

Don't get discouraged....find out all you can. Then figure out how you can make it work so that your child wins! Follow your instincts also....they usually will never lead you wrong!

@TeachingMyToddlers...

Thanks! I will definitely check those out!!

Our Programmer for ICAN is not able to get us the "SAMONAS" CD's any longer. The distibutor quit. She suggested using Classical music. I did some research on that and found the information I was looking for.

We have found since using the Mozart Symphonies that our son's speech has improved, which is about the only challenge we are having at this time.

Thanks again!

Hi Love,

I am homeschooling our 9 yr. old son. w/ DS.....In our situation we found that the school system was very unwilling to have him in a regular classroom learning what the other children were learning due to his DS. They wanted to put him a special needs class. We said NO...that would kill his chances of going to University.

We had already been in touch with the University of Notre Dame..asking questions. They had told us that the requirements for their University for a student with DS was....no assistants or aides during the school years ( which blew the special needs out the window!), had to have a graduation Diploma ( this also blew out Special needs as all in that class don't aquire a Graduation Diploma due to their not having enough credits! They would perhaps get a certificate of completion if they are lucky!!).

So.....since the system was not being co-operative we decided the best way to teach our son was home schooling. I also didn't think I was capable of teaching but I found that actually, I teach him everyday, it's not been that much different. Other than what the curriculum says he needs to know. Doing the Neurodevelopmental Program also with ICAN, which helps with just about every school subject. We do what we can do. Just remember to keep it fun for everyone....there's more than one way to teach!

 I've also heard of a teaching method where all subjects use music! Play lots of Mozart and Beethoven also as they actually help in growing neuro-pathways in the brain!! I suggest.... Mozart "Rhapsody in Blue", Beethoven " Symphonies Nos. 5, 4 and 9 (Opus 125) .

We also use Music from "THE MOZART EFFECT"..... http://www.mozarteffect.com

As for socializing....you can always enroll her in some swimming classes, art classes, music, drama, etcetera! She will get the same benefit while learning!

We also found....schools are notorious for being havens for viruses and bacteria. If his older sister wouldn't bring home those nasties we'd all be healthier! He always gets sick after his sister.....

Just some things to think about....

Hi there!

Congratulations on your new little bundle of joy!!!

I'm new here also. Trying to figure out my way around....Am I confused? It will take some time for me to figure it out I fear as my computer skills are not that great!

Anyways...as an old mom, my advice to you is to just give all the love and support you can to your boy. Show him and teach him and take a look through his eyes every now and then....allow the youngster in you to come out and play. Above all else...follow your mommy instincts, listen to them.

You found this site which shows you are going to do just fine as a parent. Relax and have fun!! 

Hi everyone!

I have two children...my youngest is J. and he is 9 years old. He also has Trisomy 21 ( AKA...Down Syndrome) though we call it Einstein Challenged.

We have been on a Neurodevelopmental program for the past 4 years and a Nutrivene-D supplement. Both have been remarkable in terms of development and health.

J. is also homeschooled as we found the school system was just not in tune with what our son needed to reach his full potential.

I'm excited that J. will have some new material that he can have fun learning with! Now that I won't be spending as much time making flash cards I'm also excited that I can chat with everyone here!!

We both win!!!