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Topic: Learning difficulties / please help me understand

03-05-2006 12:21 AM

Adens mummy   Member Location: Australia Registered: Jan 2006 Posts: 34 Last visit: 03-24-2006

Can some-one explain to me the learning difficulties our children have. I don't really understand All I know is that Aden will have learning problems the degree we don't know (just like most kids I would think) but then I'm told he will develop slower learn at a slower pace but still get to the same level as his peers. If he eventually gets there how is he then any different to any-one else other than low tone and appearance? One Doctor said that he will get there but he might only ever reach an age 12, 24 or say age 28 age level he said you just don't know. If say he reached the age 21 year old level (well I would prefer that to say a teenager forever HOROMES !!!!Lol ) dose that mean equal to most 21year olds or is it still different? If so how???? I realize I have to wait and let Aden developed at his own level. I feel fine about it I just don't understand how his learning is effected and how to explain it to others that ask and some think DS kids have brain damage (I know that’s not true). Ever-one thinks I’m an expert just because my baby has DS but I’m still just learning myself. Also do a lot of DS children take along time to talk? Hi I have noticed a few mums talking about teaching there baby's to sign words. Just wondering why? How dose signing effect there speech development? I haven't ever used it for my other children and even my boy who had speech problems (cleft palate baby) could communicate without signing and all my children have there own little way of signing until they learn to say a word. Would teaching DS children just make it harder for them (I know they can learn) but wouldn’t it be easier for them to teach us there own signs? I don’t have a clue sorry for all the questions. But until I ask they just keep going around in my head and every-one keeps asking me and I don’t have the answers Thanks if any-one can clear it all up for me I will be very grateful. __________________

03-05-2006 01:03 AM

cymorales   Senior Member Location: Colorado Registered: Apr 2005 Posts: 988 Last visit: 03-23-2006

You know I have wondered this myself. Dr.s say that they are developmentally delayed. Physically and mentally. Ok, well when does that happen? I mean does Jaemen get it when I tell him NO!? I think so, he babbles to me when I talk. He signs more, all done, mommy, and says mama, dada, YIII for Hi and Yet for yes... We tell him to say hi and he says Yiii and waves. You ask him where his sissy is and he points to his sister. He'll blow us kisses, play patty cake, claps when he does something good like sits up on his own or crawls. I just don't want to expect that he understands if he doesn't. You know? Do I cut him some slack on understanding? I'm curious what other mothers say. Cognitivly were your babies with Ds like your other children? [Edited by cymorales on 03-05-2006 at 01:09 AM] __________________ Carmen "The joys of parents are secret, and so are their griefs and fears: they cannot utter the one, nor will they utter the other." (Francis Bacon) Wife to Judah Jayvier 4/4/96, Hailey 7/8/00, Jaemen 2/20/05(DS) http://www.moralesfamilysite.com

03-05-2006 04:46 AM

Mashpotato_69   Senior Member Location: Birchington, Thanet, Kent, England, UK Registered: Aug 2005 Posts: 136 Last visit: 03-24-2006

from what ive experienced in Sauls 2 n half yrs so far is everything is slower to be learnt but then he'll have periods where he'll learn a few things at once. He commando crawled at about 8 months but didn't bother to crawl properly until he was nearly two. At 14 months he suddenly got his first tooth, sat up unaided, stood and began cruising the furniture. A couple of weeks before his 2nd birthday he suddenly began to walk. He used to make all the baby noises and slight mum n dad sounds but they didn't really mean us. After his 2nd birthday he started signing back and now can pick up a sign after seeing it just once, he knows more signs than i do. In the last 5 months he has about 100 signs, and says, mum, dad, mo (his cat), almost says dog, carl (his uncle), bye, almost says drink He understands a lot more than he can reply to, but with everything improving daily i'm hoping he'll be able to say sentances before his sibling is born in august. When ever we have a developmental assessment they put him about 12 months behind his peers. we have these yearly, and they often tell us kids with Downs are about 12 months behind, obviously some children are much further behind. They still learn at there own pace, like a 9 month old at our support group sits unaided and Saul didn't do that till 14 months. __________________

03-05-2006 04:54 AM

Mashpotato_69   Senior Member Location: Birchington, Thanet, Kent, England, UK Registered: Aug 2005 Posts: 136 Last visit: 03-24-2006

Just to add about the reasons for signing. If you teach your child a standard version of sign language. there are a few in england standard british sign language, makaton (what Saul does) with is easier for kids and a sing and sign similar to makaton but taught trough singing to usually in groups. they all have signs which are the same and some with slight differences. Our speech therapist said a 'normal' child needs to hear a word 50 times before they can attempt to repeat it, but a special needs child needs to hear it 250 times. A child will learn to sign easier than they learn to talk and once they have mastered how to say a word they automatically drop the sign. So even if your child learns sign language to make life easier for you or at nursery by school they will probably have lost most of the signs and be speaking. We found Saul was very angry being 2 and unable to tell us what he wanted. within a couple of days of learning to sign drink, biscuit and cake he was happy as he knew we understood he was thirsty or hungry and could get him some thing. Cake and biscuit are still his most favourite signs along with banana. __________________

03-05-2006 08:48 AM

Hannah's mom   Senior Member Location: Adironadack Mountains, Upstate NY Registered: Jul 2001 Posts: 927 Last visit: 03-24-2006

As a mom of an older child I thought I would jump in.When Hannah was little, other than gross motor skills we did not notice much differences. As she has gotten older we have noticed that the gap between her and her peers has grown much wider.It's very hard to explain but it's like she stays in a develpomental stage so much longer.When she was a baby she was only like a few months behind other babies. Now that she is seven she functions on a level somewhere around a five year old.When you are trying to teach hannah something it takes so much longer and many different approaches to make her understand.She learns differently than typical kids. The weird thing is there are things in everyday life she observes and retains very quickly. I also highly believe that she understands almost everything we say she just has trouble getting it all back out. It's like that knowledge is all locked inside her brain waiting for a way for her to get it out.There are times when I can say something to her and she will get it right away and other times I can say something and she has no clue what I mean.The whole thing is such a mystery to me and hard to explain.As far as catching up eventually I don't think that is really true. Don't get me wrong, I believe Hannah has a lot of potential but she will never be at the level of other adults.Every child is different and maybe there are some that will be close to their peers as adults but I really think our kids will always need support.Now the good news is ever year there are advances and new therapies to help our kids reach their full potential.Most of the adults that are out there now did not have early intervention and many were institutionalized. As far asfor signing,we found it to be a very valuable tool to hepl Hannah commuincate better.She was not capable of saying the word but could sign them.As her speech skills became better she dropped the signs.I would really encourage using a universal sign language as opposed to their own signs. you want EVERYONE to be able to understand them(teachers, peers, therapists) andleft on their own they may never sign their own unless you teach them.I hope I did not upset anyone, I am just trying to be honest. __________________ Heather- Mom to Hannah(7)DS and Logan (3) www.xanga.com/Momof2monkeys

03-05-2006 12:50 PM

marriane   Member Location: Belfast N.Ireland Registered: Jan 2006 Posts: 68 Last visit: 03-23-2006

HI THERE Harrison has been Classed as having severe DS ,that means he has had an even slower development, he only started to walk at 4years, sometime I get angry and say well if he has to have DS couldnt he have the mild one but you know he ,s getting there and most important he,s so happy and after all what more can you want for your child __________________ Mary , Ronnie and son Harrison 4.5 yrs

03-05-2006 01:57 PM

Adens mummy   Member Location: Australia Registered: Jan 2006 Posts: 34 Last visit: 03-24-2006

Thanks for all your replies you have all helped me have a better understanding. Hannas mom I didn’t even think that I could upset any-one sorry if I have, My heart sank when I thought I might have. I know from stories that I’ve read that our children have a great future I hope that all my children have drive and determination like some of the people with DS that I’ve read about.. Carson is one and a young woman here in Australia she is an actor has been on shows like a country practice and she also teaches other people with disabilities to act. She said she still lives at home as she needed help from her parents for some things. I just didn’t understand how she is so high functioning in some areas and so low in others. I realize that we are all good at some things and not at others but she seems from one extreme to the other. Then what the Doctor said made sense but didn’t fit. Marriane I didn’t realize that there was sever DS and mild. Thank you for sharing about your son with me. It helps me to know if we receive the same diagnoses at least now I know it’s a possibility and wont feel surprised. Thanks also for clearing things up for me about signing I will look into it. I remember thinking when Aden’s hearing test results came back thank God I don’t have to learn to sign ( I hope cause I’m worried I will fail him in some way). At least it’s only a few basic words. Thanks again __________________

03-05-2006 02:30 PM

marriane   Member Location: Belfast N.Ireland Registered: Jan 2006 Posts: 68 Last visit: 03-23-2006

learning difficulties Dont worry you a great mum and Im sure you will not fail in any way hope and pray I havent disheartened you in any way about DS children can being sever Like all chilren DS children develop in different stages some quicker than others My friends little girl is classed as mild yet she couldnt sign as well as Harrison My Harrison is coming on in leaps and bounds now that he,s started school he can now sign 27 words and he can sign when he wants a drink or dinner He has a wide understanding of many words but he just cant answer back, I still have very high hopes for Harrison and I know someday he,ll talk because I never yet seen an adult DS person not being able too We love our wee son so much and when he reaches another goal its hard to describe the feeling of acheivement because its taking a while to get there take care and God bless from your extended family all over the world __________________ Mary , Ronnie and son Harrison 4.5 yrs

03-05-2006 05:55 PM

Adens mummy   Member Location: Australia Registered: Jan 2006 Posts: 34 Last visit: 03-24-2006

Hi Marriane No you haven’t disheartened me Aden’s my 4th child so I realize that they all have there own challenges, My eldest child has learning problems and I guess if he was born with DS he would still have his learning challenges. I just didn’t know that there DS could be categorise into levels. That’s great that Harrison is now signing so many words, do you think it’s helped him being with other children? Or do you have a large family and think he just reached that milestones at the same time. I have my goals set high for Aden as well. I might have to adjust them as I have with all my children. __________________

03-05-2006 07:20 PM

DanielsMommy   Super Member Location: Rhode Island Registered: Sep 2005 Posts: 1403 Last visit: 03-24-2006

I have wondered about this myself. As I am learning about Ds and what it will mean for my Daniel, I do sometimes really get afraid and worry. I just had a conversation a few weeks ago with one of my EI educators. I asked her when I would "know". She said, what do you mean?...I said "When will I know about Daniels congitive ability?. I told her right now....if the doctors hadn't told me about Ds...I wouldn't really know he had it. He has been deveoping a little slower...but not out of the typical range. She told me it comes over time...and that as Hannah's mom said...as our kids get older, the harder it is for them to keep up with their typical peers. I have to be honest, I came right out and asked her if Daniel was mentally retarded (please no one be offended...that is still the word they use here in our schools.... MR is still the term). She told me that today at 9 months....he is not. She said his mental abilities are right in line with his age. His brain tells him to pick up and play with toys, respond to his name and things like that. She said the delay will happen as he grows and more is needed from his brain that he may not be able to handle. Today he needs to know how to be a baby....but say when he is in high school and his peers may be learning advanced algebra or geometry....Daniel MAY not be able to handle that at that time. I don't want to set limits for him....but I have to be realistic that he does have Ds and with that comes a certain degree of cognitive delay. I hope this helps...although I think with my long rambling explanation...it might be more confusing!!LOL... __________________ Lisa Mommy to Elayna 10-1-02 and Daniel Ds 6-7-05 Always have hope....Without rain, there can be no rainbows.

03-05-2006 10:58 PM

adamsmommy   Senior Member Location: Ont., Canada Registered: Jun 2003 Posts: 525 Last visit: 03-24-2006

I think Heather really explained this well. I have also noticed the gap between Adam & hai peers has gotten bigger as he aged. The biggest delay is in the speech area. If I were to give any advice at all it would be to use sign language with your child with DS. It has been an absolute Godsend for us. Adam is only saying 10-15 words clearly, but can sign almost 200. He can tell us how he is feeling, what he wants, and what he knows (like his colours, his ABC's & his shapes). He can also tell us he loves us There are quite a few articles out there about signing with children with speech delays. They say that signing doesn't hinder speech, but that it actually helps speech develop. I will try to dig a few of these up & share them with you. __________________ Anjie Proud mom to Laurel(14), Erin (8), & Adam (3 and a half, ds)

03-05-2006 11:18 PM
adamsmommy   Senior Member Location: Ont., Canada Registered: Jun 2003 Posts: 525 Last visit: 03-24-2006	Here's one article: http://aac.unl.edu/yaack/b2.html __________________ Anjie Proud mom to Laurel(14), Erin (8), & Adam (3 and a half, ds)

03-06-2006 02:42 AM

keri   Member Location: MN Registered: Jan 2006 Posts: 69 Last visit: 03-23-2006

I have a girlfriend whose parents are both deaf. Her mother went deaf at 15 and can talk very clearly. My girlfriend learned to to sign long before she learned how to talk. The speech has more to do with thier tounge and palate (fine motor) than it has to do with how smart they are. From what our doc says kids with DS have a different cranium shape and facial structure from other kids (hence why they look similar to each other) [Edited by keri on 03-06-2006 at 02:49 AM] __________________ Keri Mom to: Sydney 9-25-01 Jack 2-10-03 Kaitlyn DS 7-30-05 Brave Heart 2-24-06

03-06-2006 06:19 AM

marriane   Member Location: Belfast N.Ireland Registered: Jan 2006 Posts: 68 Last visit: 03-23-2006

HI there No Harrison an only child! and yes I do think that DS children learn from there peers, but I do think now that Harrison in a school that is geared towards his difficuilties he's improving alot He also is very happy now to do his speech theraphy at home since he started school, I have heard it said at a speech theraphy evening that If kids with DS think they are not going to get something wright they wont try, but if you give them loads of praise while their doing something they will be much happier to try something new we have tried this with Harrison and it works a treat __________________ Mary , Ronnie and son Harrison 4.5 yrs

03-06-2006 06:48 AM

Adens mummy   Member Location: Australia Registered: Jan 2006 Posts: 34 Last visit: 03-24-2006

That's great you have found a school that works for your son. Sounds like it's not the first school you've tried, your doing really well to have worked out not to just settle for the first school that comes along it took me a few children to work that out and some mums never do. good on you. Oh I have to tell you my daughter when she seen Harrison’s photo said mum that boy smiles with his eyes too, look how happy he is. He is just so gorgeous, Ever time I have seen his photo on here he makes me smile. He looks like he's a lot of fun and joy. __________________

03-06-2006 07:02 AM
marriane   Member Location: Belfast N.Ireland Registered: Jan 2006 Posts: 68 Last visit: 03-23-2006	Hi there sorry I do not know yor name, Harrison a sweatheart He smiles and laughs all the time,the photo is just him I cant believe Im talking to some one in Austraila!!! What time is it by you 12.00 noon here __________________ Mary , Ronnie and son Harrison 4.5 yrs

03-06-2006 07:44 AM

pilgrimhen   Senior Member Location: Bagdad, Ky. Registered: Aug 2004 Posts: 396 Last visit: 03-22-2006

I have seen these charts that have curves on them showing development of our children compaired to typical children (averages). The curves are very close (on top of each other) at first, then you see them separate and the gap gets bigger, then levels off. I'll post one if I can find one. Our DI (Developmental Interventionist - a kind of therapist) says that is why early intervention is impostant, so our children can have help doing their best while in that "flexible" stage, where learning is easier. As they get older, it gets a bit harder. Also, I did want to mention that our children have their strengths and weaknesses like ALL children have. This was really brought home to me when we visited with Drake and Kelley last week. Drake and Daniel are the same age and both have Down syndrome. Daniel points and presses buttons with his pointer and has a great pincer grasp and likes to look at books, turning the pages, but almost all he says is "buh, buh, buh", and he really struggles as he pulls to stand. Drake, though, can stand right up, talks his own language with varied sounds and wonderful expression, and has many signs. All of our children are wonderful and have their own unique "style" as you will see as you look around here more. Don't worry - he will do GREAT in his own time and with a little help from his loved ones. __________________ ~~Bayley~~ Elijah (16), Gracie (14), Anna Joy (12), Rose (9), Zeke (7), Daniel (5/11/04 - DS) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I'm still working on me...

03-06-2006 08:24 AM

LinMac   Senior Member Location: Dublin, Ireland Registered: Oct 2005 Posts: 581 Last visit: 03-24-2006

Here's my take on this.... DS manifest it's self in different ways in each child. Our doctor told us the spectrum is very wide. Some kids can be high functining, others low. We were advise that the parent's genetic make up have a big impact also and the DS is not the only thing to consider when looking at development, behaviour, temperment, etc. Research has shown short term memory is affected and as such they will require more stimuli to retain information. Hence the need to repeat word not 50 time but 250 times. Secondly they may require different method of learning to store and retain information in the short term memory, like use of visual as well as audio stimuli e,g, like using flash cards, etc. I'm sure Leah can explain this better that me. At 22 months I don't see that much delay with Robert, but I know it's early days yet. At 18 months we stared signing to him and he back to us. The sign is so important. It bridges the communication gap until Robert has speech. It has taken the frustration out of him expressing his needs in the family unit. We also noticed that words came very quickly after Robert got the sign. He now has 40 words and 40 signs. We are charting his progress each week with the sign and words so we can understand his pace of language acquisition over a meaningful time frame. That should help us when decided what he'll be able for in the future. Using sign has changed my view on communication. Robert could from very early on request food,drink, play, etc. It's given him power to get what he wants. To think all kids could communicate what they want from 18 months, amazing!! As for the future.....I'm not sure. We just have to keep working with Robert and bring all the opportunities to bear for him. Then it's up to him. __________________ Linda & John mom to Hannah Kate (Age 7), Robert (04/16/2004, DS)

03-06-2006 12:14 PM

elizasmom   Senior Member Location: Marin County, CA Registered: Jul 2005 Posts: 534 Last visit: 03-24-2006

From some of the research i have done and what i have been told by doctors and such. Our children's brain are different than other's so they learn differently etc. One area in their brain that is very underdeveloped is the area of abstract thinking (things like "isms"). One doctor who has hundreds of patients with Ds said he has never seen a person with Ds who can think abstractly. But he also said there are many typical people who can't as it's the most advanced stage of thinking. If you define MR as a IQ number (and I have a personal issue about IQ tests and what they really measure is a specific way of thinking) his guess of his patients was that 25% had IQ's above 70 (MR is 70 or below). And about the highest he's seen is 90. Because of this it seems our kids do better in some areas than others. Making generalizations they tend to be black and white thinkers. Our case worker pointed out that one area where she has seen many children with Ds be ahead of typical kids is in social skills. She says they seem to notice kids, want to play with kids and not parallel play much earlier. I noticed this with Eliza who just turned 10 months when she was with a 13 month old. The 13 month old was running around, but Eliza really wanted to share toys and engage the other baby much more that the other baby was interested in her. [Edited by elizasmom on 03-06-2006 at 12:51 PM] __________________ Liz - Mom to Walker (3/24/02) and Eliza (Ds) (5/6/05)

03-06-2006 12:29 PM

Adens mummy   Member Location: Australia Registered: Jan 2006 Posts: 34 Last visit: 03-24-2006

Hi Marriane I l went to bed I was thinking the same thing I cant believe I'm talking to some-one from Belfast it’s were my FIL was born all his family live there. I said to my husband about what you were told about Harrison being sever and he said remember our Doctor said “you either have DS or you don’t there is no sever or mild it’s a gene not a brain disorder“. Oh I wish I could remember everything when I needed to. I wounder if Harrison just has other things going on, like any other child having a few extra learning difficulties. My eldest son has aspergers social situations are hard and he needs to learn in a different way. Not saying Harrison has aspergers it’s more a social and behaviour thing. But I wounder if Harrison didn’t have DS would the doctor have said oh he just has XXXXXX or something, hope that makes sense. He probably has nothing and your Doctor is nuts hasn’t any tac. He might not have much experience with DS children or he has old out dated thinking. What do the teachers at his school say? Now I have probably caused you to feel disheartened. I think his choice of words were off. Well like you said Harrison is doing better at his new school and I bet that everything will keep changing for the better now. No child can learn in an environment that isn’t suited to them they all learn differently. W Well it’s 3:20 am here and I need to go back to bed (I’m up expressing for Aden’s next feed) I woke up having the worst nightmare and Craig’s at work night shift and I felt to scared to go back to sleep. Hope I can sleep now. PS sorry for going on but I just felt terrible that you were told that. It’ was so important to me in those early days to focus on all the positives and you had that taken away from you. And for no reason as it’s just not true he doesn’t have server DS there is just no such thing he either has an extra chromosome or he doesn’t Love Cathy __________________

03-06-2006 12:43 PM

Adens mummy   Member Location: Australia Registered: Jan 2006 Posts: 34 Last visit: 03-24-2006

Oh Elizasmom Just seen your post after I posted well that makes a lot of sense (so there is a brain difference Harrison’s mum but it doesn’t sound so bad as saying server DS) now how will I ever sleep. Well now I will look even more forward to life with Aden as I said in earlier post my eldest son has Aspergers and social situations were are hard. I don’t ever wan to go through those school days again he’s 16 now and thank GOD he’s left school early and is now working. That must have been such a wonderful moment for you to watch Eliza playing in such a sharing caring way. You’ve also helped me to understand why my 2 year old doesn’t play in this way but his little friend dose. She is always sharing and thinking of him and he just doesn’t care about her, I was thinking he was really mean to her. She just loves him to bit’s and he hardly notices her there. Thanks to every-one I haven’t mentioned as well all your posts have helped. I think I need to get in touch with our local DS association I wasn’t ready before but feel it’s time. Did any-one else take there time with this contact I don’t know why I just haven’t been able to make contact with any-one from DS association in person well over the phone. __________________

03-06-2006 01:18 PM
LinMac   Senior Member Location: Dublin, Ireland Registered: Oct 2005 Posts: 581 Last visit: 03-24-2006	Robert is 22 months. I still havn't contacted our DS society. We have made contact with our service provider and all goes well there. Just don't feel the need. __________________ Linda & John mom to Hannah Kate (Age 7), Robert (04/16/2004, DS)

03-06-2006 01:29 PM

kfurnival   New Member Location: Baltimore, MD Registered: Mar 2006 Posts: 10 Last visit: 03-23-2006

I have no personal experience as of yet, but This is sort of how the doctors and genetisist explained it to me when I first got news that Skyler may have DS. They can easily take a blood test and tell you your child has DS. It is a concrete fact: she has 3 copies of the 21st chromosome. So there is no having "a little DS" or alot. That's all it will really tell you though, the rest is just as inconclusive as with any other child. They cannot tell you What medical problems they'll have before hand, but they can tell you what they may be more likely to have. They cannot tell you what level of mental retardation(excuse my lack of a more politically correct term)they'll have, but they can tell you the statistics. Most children with DS fall into the mild to moderate range but some are much more ,or less, severe. Every aspect will affect every other aspect of development. So if a child with DS has a more severe level of MR all delays will be more severe. Also, Many times children w/DS and several health problems are behind there other peers w/DS and only few health issues. PS-I LOVE the name Harrison, that was my grandfather's name.

03-06-2006 02:40 PM

marriane   Member Location: Belfast N.Ireland Registered: Jan 2006 Posts: 68 Last visit: 03-23-2006

Dear everyone Thanks to you cathy and all the others who replied The same doctoc/paed thinks that Harrison may be on the Ausistic spectrum somewhere His teacher thinks not, His teacher says that he one bright little spark He just cant speak, my feeling are that I just want to enjoy my wee man and watch his acheivments through life as he makes them wheter that be fast or slow we just love him and after that every things a bonus cathy you said FIL was born all his family live there. Who is FIL sorry if I sound stupid, and I wanted to add you look so young to have a sixteen yr old and also how is your son affected with aspergers? my real name Mary my Dad always calls me Marriane thats why I used it as my username It so lovely to talk to you What part of Austriala are you from Its probably very sunny with you Im green with envy Ronnie my hubby,s father died when he was very young he was called Harry we named Harrison after him its not a common name in Ireland catch ya later __________________ Mary , Ronnie and son Harrison 4.5 yrs

03-07-2006 04:30 AM

Mashpotato_69   Senior Member Location: Birchington, Thanet, Kent, England, UK Registered: Aug 2005 Posts: 136 Last visit: 03-24-2006

It is definately that every child is different and the Downs syndrome affects there abilities differently. in my support group there are teenagers that are slightly behind their peers in terms of interests - they're still not into boys and dating where as the otehrs are. But in educational terms they just need a bit extra help to do the school work. My consultant at the hosp told me that children who have no markers for Downs so aren't picked up till after birth usually do better than the ones picked up during pregnancy. It may be because the ones picked up during are likely to have health problems, such as needing surgery that may cause a delay to them. If you see what i mean, one boy in our support group has had lots of operations, is nearly 2 and just starting to sit unaided but doesn't move about. In my area there is a man with DS who owns his own home, car and buisness. I believe he lives alone and cares for his elderly parents. Sadly i haven't had the opportunity to meet him, but he gives me hope for Saul __________________

03-08-2006 07:57 AM

marriane   Member Location: Belfast N.Ireland Registered: Jan 2006 Posts: 68 Last visit: 03-23-2006

Harrisons DS was not picked till the day after he was born and still they were not sure till they did the blood tests I think their were quite confident that he hadnt got it I have the simean creases in both hands yet I dont have DS and appartenely this is quite rare, to have these creases and not have DS we have nobody else with DS in our family so I dont know where it came from !!! Saul mammy it was nice to here about all your experiences with older kids with DS It gave me such hope so thanks so much __________________ Mary , Ronnie and son Harrison 4.5 yrs

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