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Post by CC on Jan 29, 2007 22:22:39 GMT -5
How much do you think your child with DS is who they are and would be who they are no matter what compared to what you did for your child to help them get where they are?? Hmmm did that make sense?? I guess I mean that sometimes I see Chris surprise the heck out of us doing things that neither I nor the school really worked on that much very easy but then some things we both worked on that seems forever seems to take forever  SO I guess what I am asking is how much do you think your input, therapies and such... how much of a difference do you really think they have made. I know thats a question that is hard, cause who is to say where they would be without the intervention BUT I wonder sometimes, KWIM  CC ~ |
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Post by Kristin on Jan 29, 2007 23:29:40 GMT -5
I think the studies are clear. Early intervention works! I think Clarice would still have people feeding her, changing her, and not communicating if we didn't help "motivate" her on a regular basis. For a long time medical professionals didn't think children with DS could learn, so they were institutionalized and not taught. Children rise to the level of expectations we set for them, as long as the goals are attainable.
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Post by CC on Jan 29, 2007 23:41:20 GMT -5
Oh YES I agree early intervention is a GREAT thing and teaching too. I guess what I am trying to ask and I am sure I have asked this here before, sorry if a repeat BUT seems to me say just for my guy teaching him certain things were as easy as 1 2 3 KWIM and yet teaching him other things are so dang hard and still are, KWIM?? Just wondering how much comes natural to each child like as we have read some are so much better with speech or the gross motor or the fine motor?? Just thinking out loud here, why some areas seem to be more affected then the next  CC ~ |
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Post by trishasmom on Jan 30, 2007 6:38:17 GMT -5
Just wondering how much comes natural to each child like as we have read some are so much better with speech or the gross motor or the fine motor?? Just thinking out loud here, why some areas seem to be more affected then the next CC ~ The same can be said for everyone, why do some people continue to go to college and become teachers, professors etc. and others either drop out of school or just get by with a high school diploma? We are all individuals and what might be easy for one is hard for another. If all of a sudden you would remove the DS from our kids they would still all function at different levels just like their typical peers do. Making friends generally comes easier to me than to my sister, English grammer comes easier to my sister than me, etc. My sister does great with book learning but not so great on the common sense whereas I do better on the common sense and it's harder for the book learning for me (as in I'd rather see it in action than to read about it or see it up close and personal when I can) :-) Some times with both our special children and our typical children we can do too much or not enough, trying to keep that balance is what is so hard. |
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Post by laurasmom on Jan 30, 2007 7:59:08 GMT -5
I agree, genetics play such a part in our kids lives.
Where would Laura be without EI and the other therapies post-EI? I really don't think about it, can't really imagine.
She amazes me with things that she absorbs and learns just from living life, stuff that neither the school nor I have emphasized, she just "gets it".
And also, she loves to read. I love to read, Mike doesn't. She hates math. I hate math, Mike likes it. She loves basketball and is good at it, so is Mike. The simplest things in the world make her happy, that is so like me.
So, to see if I can answer. The therapies helped amazingly. The school helps amazingly. A lot is just "inherited". A lot comes from just being with us, maybe not real teaching, but working alongside, observation, "soaking it in". Everything comes together for one unique package that is Laura!
Sharon
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Post by Jessie on Jan 30, 2007 8:34:58 GMT -5
Yup, we wonder that all the time, especially the stage of life that Jason is in right now. When he has an attitude is it because of his communication problems, his cognitive impairment . . . or simply because he is a 13-year old BOY?!! We had that conversation last night while trying to figure out what to do with Mr. Attitude. And, well, we have no idea! LOL
As far as learning different things, maybe we look at things too black and white, KWIM? People with Ds have a hard time with abstract thinking and maybe there are some things that we just assume are easy but if we really break it down to what we are really teaching, it is more abstract than what we think and that's why it's a little tougher for them. Also, it sounds like we all choose to work on things at different times with our kids. Maybe Jason could have learned to tie his own shoes when he was 7 like some other kids, but honestly, we haven't pushed the issue as we have chosen to work on other things.
So, I guess I just look at it likes it's a big mixture of their natural abilities, therapy work, at-home work, when things are focused on, what's important to the family, etc.
Jessie
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Post by Pat on Jan 30, 2007 13:22:54 GMT -5
Yes I agree EI helps. In my case did the school help is a big question mark  GRRRRRR! Yes there are lots of things John-John has done on his own & some so age appropriate too ;D w/o ever asking. Examples: Saying mama & dada at 5 mths I yelled at him for trashing his bedroom (not the first time that day he trashed it) & he cleaned the floor by hiding them under the bed LOL not in the toy box. I remember the girls doing that at 7 also. heehee, UGH The million dollar question, "What makes them do some things & struggle w/ others?" Don't tell me DS  Pat |
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Post by marisa on Jan 30, 2007 14:18:09 GMT -5
For us, not being at school age yet, I know EI has helped tremendously. That aside, I have to say that when Laura wants to learn/do something that interests her she does it. For instance, if we are working on speech and she doesn't want to say something, she flat out won't do it. However, if she is watching Go Diego GO (her fav. show) she will repeat the words they ask her to (they will say "say click" and she says "click" , etc). I find she is motivated by what SHE wants. I sometimes think my typical child will do the tasks even if it is not something she is interested in because she knows once she learns/does it she will get to move on to something else. I think Laura does not really think about things that way. Hope that makes some sense.
Marisa
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GRRRRRR!