HI!!!! MB gave me the best advice as well... What I did was write a letter to the parents and it was sent home on the first day of class as well as this..... Simple answers to kids not so simple questions about Down's syndrome...
SIMPLE ANSWERS TO KID'S (not-so-simple)
QUESTIONS ABOUT DOWN SYNDROME
WHY DO I NEED THIS INFORMATION?
This is an exciting time. Society is beginning to realize that most
children
with Down Syndrome learn better when taught alongside typically
developing
kids. Including children with disabilities in regular education, with
appropriate
classroom supports, enriches the learning experience for ALL children.
Kids
have questions, and parents have questions. For parents, "those" kids
weren't
in our classes when we went to school, so we don't have much
information about
their unique gifts and challenges.
WHAT IS DOWN SYNDROME?
Down Syndrome is something that cause differences in the way a person
looks
and learns. No two people with Down Syndrome are quite the same, but
they are
often flexible in their joints, have eyes that slant, have small ears
and a
small nose, and grow more slowly than other kids do. People with Down
Syndrome
also tend to learn more slowly than others.
WHY DO SOME PEOPLE HAVE DOWN SYNDROME?
People with Down Syndrome are born with one extra chromosome in some or
all
of their cells. Chromosomes contain the directions that tell your body
how to
grow. These directions tell your body what color your eyes and hair
will be,
how big your nose will be, whether you will be a good singer, and many
other
things. When a person has an extra chromosome, it mixes up their body's
directions a little. That is why people with Down Syndrome look a
little different and
have to try harder to learn. Nobody knows why some babies are born with
Down
Syndrome, but we do know that it is nobody's fault.
WHY IS IT CALLED DOWN SYNDROME?
A doctor named John Langdon Down was the first to write about this
condition.
It's not called that because we should be "down" or depressed about it.
WILL DOWN SYNDROME GO AWAY?
No. Down Syndrome is not a sickness. Most people with Down Syndrome are
very
healthy, although nearly fifty percent are born with heart defects,
most of
which are corrected by surgery. You cannot "catch" Down Syndrome. The
only way
to get Down Syndrome is to be born with it.
WHY CAN'T MY FRIEND WITH DOWN SYNDROME TALK VERY WELL?
Many people with Down Syndrome have trouble learning to talk. Many
little
kids first learn to communicate by using sign language. Kids with Down
Syndrome
also benefit having a teacher help them to talk (a speech and language
pathologist), but the best teachers are other kids. If you do know a
person with Down
Syndrome and you don't understand them, ask them to repeat themselves
or to
show you what they mean. Just because a person with Down Syndrome
doesn't talk
to you doesn't mean they don't want to be your friend. They may just
need extra
time and help.
CAN PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME LEARN?
Yes! People with Down Syndrome can and do learn, but have to work much
harder
than others, and may need more time and extra help. Kids with Down
Syndrome
can participate in all school activities, even though they may not
learn
everything.
DO PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME GROW UP?
Yes, In adulthood, many people with Down Syndrome have jobs, go to
college,
live independently, and support their communities. People with Down
Syndrome
bring to their jobs enthusiasm, reliability, and dedication.
DO PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME HAVE FEELINGS?
Yes, Just like everyone, people with Down Syndrome have feelings. They
can
feel happy, silly, sad, sorry, or upset-just like you. People with Down
Syndrome
enjoy friends and family and can be hurt when someone teases or makes
fun of
them -- just like you.
WHY DOES MY FRIEND WITH DOWN SYNDROME ACT DIFFERENTLY THAN OTHER KIDS?
People with Down Syndrome have difficulty with language and talking.
Many
kids want to interact and play with their friends, but don't know how,
are afraid
they won't be understood, or afraid they will be told "no, you can't
play."
Some kids with Down Syndrome get overwhelmed when too many things are
going on
at the same time.
CAN I HELP MY FRIEND?
Yes! Play with and talk to people with Down Syndrome. If they are
having
trouble playing a game, give them time and extra help, or ask them what
game they
want to play. Be clear in what you are saying. Find out what your
friend likes
to do. Just hang out together and see what happens. You are more alike
than
you are different.
Copyright 1999 by UPS for Downs
If you want to see a copy of the letter I wrote to the parents I'd happily send it to you.I gt a few lines from MB cause she really knows how to write....
((HUGS)))
Steff