March 21, 2010 8:58 AM
School/home communication helps for special needs kids
With four sons with Down syndrome (most of you know that three are adopted, but I feel like I have to qualify this because people joust don't give birth to that many children with Down syndrome) we have come up with some ways to compensate for the speech delays or lack of vocabulary for our kids. Also one of our boys has a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome/autism so he doesn't initiate conversation.While their teachers are good about communicating what is going on during their school days, the gap seemed to be in Jonny's, Jesse's. Daniel's and Justin's ability to share with teachers and friends what they were doing in their off hours.
A few years ago, I began putting together a little update to send to school with them. Here's a sample:
I also keep all the old reports in a notebook with sheet protectors so they can look at them as much as they like. They chronicle weddings, trips to the beach, outings around DC and just hanging out when nieces and nephews come to visit.
Next year my goal is to empower them to take their own pictures and work on the reports together.
Posted in Disabilities, Special education | Permalink
Comments
I just sent a link to this in an e-mail to my son's sped teacher saying "I thought I was really good at communicating with you but I've been 'powned' (as my 14-yr-old says)" I'm sure their teachers appreciate it. My son's teacher usually e-mails me the last day or so of a break to see how he's doing so he knows what to expect. I beat him to it today, thanks to you reminding me. ;)
BTW - I was going to send him (the sped teacher) a link to the video of Jonny singing the national anthem but I can't find it.
Posted by: Susan M | March 21, 2010 10:50 AM
Great idea!
Posted by: Michelle | March 21, 2010 1:03 PM
Hi Barbara-
I love the weekend updates! Now the teacher can prompt dialouge with your boys.
My brother John, also down's syndrome rarely initiated conversation. We would typically prompt and he would give us 1-2 word repsonses.
Sometimes he would initiate. He would say: "Do you like me?" and then smile because he knew we loved him. He would say "I'm cute!" and we would respond with how adorable he was. He loved ot hear it. He had great seld-esteem.
There are things he would say non-stop, around the clock: "What time is it?" He was obsessed with time. And just before sitting down to breakfast he was would always ask "What's for lunch?" He did this before EVERY meal.
Some things he did quietly that would make you laugh. One night we were at dinner in Georgetown and John took the lime off the rim of my beverage and began to suck on it. He made a horrible face and said "yuk!!!" My husband and I started cracking up. When he saw how funny we tought it as, he did it again and started laughing. We all died laughing. He was really funny.
I would be out with him and run into an old teacher and some friends. I would say "John, this is Tina, my old teacher", and John would say "Kiss my grits!". (he was an 80's child and watched a lot of TV). We would laugh and I would correct him and tell him to be polite. Then, "Tina" would ask, "how old are you John?" or simlar and John would reply "When donkey's fly!". He was hysterical.
He was also my best friend. He passed away this past Christmas eve.
Anyway, I love your blog Barbara. My Mom would love it too if I could get her on a computer.
Your boys are adorable and Jonny looks so much Like our John. I saw Maddie on A.I. and I cried at how beautiful the story, her music and her love for Jonny.
Good luck with the protests!!!!
Martha Looney
John McConnell's sister
Posted by: Martha | March 21, 2010 3:19 PM
What a wonderful idea! I think that it is always important for the school to know what is happening in young kids' lives when it can affect behavior and performance in school. So even kids who are not dxed with communication issues, can benefit if parents let the teachers have a peek in the home life and activities.
Posted by: Cath young | March 21, 2010 9:02 PM
Oh my goodness, Martha, your comment made me bawl! What beautiful memories of your sweet brother. He was so blessed to have a wonderful sister like you. Thanks so much for sharing your memories!
Posted by: Sue | March 21, 2010 9:50 PM
