Post by Emilysmom on Dec 11, 2005 19:33:18 GMT -5
LOL I wasn't sure if this was interesting to anyone, but thought I'd post up about Em's check up at the Down syndrome clinic last week. It had been over a year and a half, so we went and I had a list of questions for the doc. We did not see the speech therapist or any of the other people that are usually there this time........just the doc.
Emily weighs 97lbs (50th percentile for girls with Ds) and is 57 inches (75th percentile for girls with Ds).
She told me on the way to the doctor that she was NOT going to "do the talking". She asked me to answer all the docs questions and I said "no way". You could tell that she was nervous, shy, and reluctant to answer his questions at first.....but by the end of the visit, she was telling the doc about her favorite TV programs, her favorite teacher, what grade she was in, etc. When he said "It's time for her thyroid and celiac screen", her response took me by surprise! She looked at me and said "Mom, you took my bandaid off at Baja Fresh". The doc and I both looked really surprised until I realized that the last time she had blood work for thyroid and celiac, we left the clinic and went to eat at Baja Fresh, and she was acting like the silly bandaid on her arm was preventing her from eating.........so I took it off right there. So, after a year and a half....her first response to the words "thyroid and celiac screen", was to NOT remember the pain of the venipuncture, but her MOM pulling off her bandaid! The girl is a trip.
We went over her IEP a bit. He said that he had just seen a young man, a 16 year old boy, in the clinic who was totally included at school..............but during Algebra class, this boy was COLORING! He said that "if not done correctly" inclusion can serve to loudly point out differences, rather than to make kids feel the same. And I could not agree more.
One thing he asked me was "hypothetical situation: Say you have a grocery store 2 blocks away from your house. Could you give Emily money and send her there to get a gallon of milk"??? I could easily tell him "DEFINITELY". (However, we don't have any stores within 2 miles or more from us. ) But, Emily certainly could be sent on errands like that if we lived closer.
One of the things we talked about was the little "shuddering" thing Emily does with her hands. She did it when she first sat down in the examining room, and the doc asked me how often that occurs. I asked him "WHAT IS THAT?????" She has done it since she was about 2 years old and I have always wondered! He says it is a type of "tic", and not to be worried about UNLESS it starts to get in the way of her doing stuff she needs to do. So far, that has never been the case.....just sort of an unusual thing she does from time to time. (and in this case, I think because she was nervous).
Last but not least, we talked at length about ARICEPT. I've been reading about it's use in adults (and teens) with Ds for years and have been following the studies on it. Anyway, I now have a prescription for it for Emily that I'm tightly holding onto until I read a bit more about it. I know it's another one of those controversial things.............any ideas???
Edit: I forgot........we also talked about TNI and flax seed and Melatonin. (all stuff Emily takes) He said he feels strongly that none of it is harmful and the "good night's sleep" that Em gets from the Melatonin is worth a LOT!!
Susan
Emily weighs 97lbs (50th percentile for girls with Ds) and is 57 inches (75th percentile for girls with Ds).
She told me on the way to the doctor that she was NOT going to "do the talking". She asked me to answer all the docs questions and I said "no way". You could tell that she was nervous, shy, and reluctant to answer his questions at first.....but by the end of the visit, she was telling the doc about her favorite TV programs, her favorite teacher, what grade she was in, etc. When he said "It's time for her thyroid and celiac screen", her response took me by surprise! She looked at me and said "Mom, you took my bandaid off at Baja Fresh". The doc and I both looked really surprised until I realized that the last time she had blood work for thyroid and celiac, we left the clinic and went to eat at Baja Fresh, and she was acting like the silly bandaid on her arm was preventing her from eating.........so I took it off right there. So, after a year and a half....her first response to the words "thyroid and celiac screen", was to NOT remember the pain of the venipuncture, but her MOM pulling off her bandaid! The girl is a trip.
We went over her IEP a bit. He said that he had just seen a young man, a 16 year old boy, in the clinic who was totally included at school..............but during Algebra class, this boy was COLORING! He said that "if not done correctly" inclusion can serve to loudly point out differences, rather than to make kids feel the same. And I could not agree more.
One thing he asked me was "hypothetical situation: Say you have a grocery store 2 blocks away from your house. Could you give Emily money and send her there to get a gallon of milk"??? I could easily tell him "DEFINITELY". (However, we don't have any stores within 2 miles or more from us. ) But, Emily certainly could be sent on errands like that if we lived closer.
One of the things we talked about was the little "shuddering" thing Emily does with her hands. She did it when she first sat down in the examining room, and the doc asked me how often that occurs. I asked him "WHAT IS THAT?????" She has done it since she was about 2 years old and I have always wondered! He says it is a type of "tic", and not to be worried about UNLESS it starts to get in the way of her doing stuff she needs to do. So far, that has never been the case.....just sort of an unusual thing she does from time to time. (and in this case, I think because she was nervous).
Last but not least, we talked at length about ARICEPT. I've been reading about it's use in adults (and teens) with Ds for years and have been following the studies on it. Anyway, I now have a prescription for it for Emily that I'm tightly holding onto until I read a bit more about it. I know it's another one of those controversial things.............any ideas???
Edit: I forgot........we also talked about TNI and flax seed and Melatonin. (all stuff Emily takes) He said he feels strongly that none of it is harmful and the "good night's sleep" that Em gets from the Melatonin is worth a LOT!!
Susan
&
Susan, Proud mom of Michael (32), Justin (25) Emily (22ds), and Jordan (20).
)
I know you and I chatted some the other night bout all this BUT Hmmm I didn't get to ask you then, what exactly is ARICEPT?? Hmmm or maybe I did ask is this to help one sleep better ? or a vitamin? I forget if we talked bout it. BUT inquiring minds would love to know 
For us I can't do that yet with Chris and we do have a local deli just a few blocks away. Although I will say my guy has gotten so much better with going from point A to point B, I just never know when he might decide to make a detour, KWIM YIKES 
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&&Mommy to Griffin (96), Gray (97) Collin (00) enhanced and Lauren (02) the little princess.