Post by steffnliv on Nov 6, 2011 12:46:34 GMT -5
Hi my name is stephanie Lipton mom to Olivia Lipton who will be in
kindergarten with your children.
As I am terrible speaking in crowds a nervous wreck generally) I
decided to type up a few words to you the parents….
My daughter Olivia is 5 years old and was born with Down syndrome. She
is the light of our eyes. Olivia will join the "typical" classroom
this year. Last year she attended a special education class for
kindergarten. Now we feel she is ready for the L.V. kindergarten
program. I have attached a few sheets of information about down
syndrome and simple answers to any questions your children may have
regarding downs syndrome.
Please feel free to call me Stephanie Lipton or my husband Jeffrey
Lipton at (310) with any questions , comments or concerns. We will
respect all comments and questions you may have.
Okay here goes. I wanted to tell you all what happens when a child
with a disability attends a typical classroom.
1) Olivia will have a wonderful one on one aide to guide her through
the morning kindergarten program.
2) Olivia has what you call an IEP (individualized education plan).
SO… if the material is over her head, her aide will modify the
curriculum to a level she can work on. In no WAY,SHAPE, or FORM will
the class be slowed down for your children.
I have had the pleasure of working with Miss S, Miss N and miss F 2
years ago when my son was in kindy. You will be amazed at what your
kids are going to learn.
Last thing here. We have established 3 long term goals for Olivia.
1) get a job
2) have a social life
3) move away from home
These 3 long term goals require independence. AND I know looking this
far ahead may look CRAZY to you all. BUT hey CALL ME CRAZY!!!
I have one favor to ask of you as parents and hopefully future
friends. PLEASE do NOT "do for" or "fix" things for Olivia. You can
show and guide her "that's GREAT." I ask this of you because we want
Olivia to OWN her skills rather than have everyone "fix" things for
her. This is the only way we can help Olivia reach her long –term goals.
Olivia is a GREAT kid and an even better friend. I KNOW in my heart of
hearts your children will learn to be much more patient, tolerant and
compassionate human beings after having met my girl. If you read
through this whole thing THANK YOU. And remember please call us with
any comments concerns or positive feedback. Thanks again
Stephanie Lipton
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 Down
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