tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76052909414690707402024-03-15T21:10:12.036-04:00Livin for the LoveI've learned that you can't literally live on love, but you can certainly live for it. There is a lot of love in our home with 1 mom, 4 kids, 2 cats and 1 extra chromosome.Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.comBlogger182125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-1352100286407848512011-05-13T17:49:00.002-04:002013-10-25T11:16:52.591-04:00Mother's Day Reality CheckGoldie is seldom is sick, so it is easy for me to slip into a mindset that we have beat the "low immunity" aspect of Down syndrome. And maybe she has, but what has yet to be conquered is the darn dysphagia. So, on Mother's day, I sung my baby girl through IV sticks (3) and breathing treatments while my would be dinner of pasture raised filet mignon and NY strip, still wrapped in white butcher paper, lay in a pool of red juice. <br />
While Goldie may catch less than half of the bugs I do, her low fluid intake makes fighting what she does come down with very difficult. This is compounded by the increased difficulty in swallowing when her sinuses are draining. A cold was making its way through our house and I had been worried that she wasn't coughing as much as her siblings and that mucous was, instead, settling in her chest. Mother's intuition, trust it. When I got her to the ER Sunday morning her oxygen levels were in the low 80's! A chest x-ray showed that Goldie had pneumonia. The rest of the day included IVs, oxygen, breathing treatments, antibiotics, and an ambulance ride. Listening to some folksy kid's music on Pandora, we rounded out the afternoon snuggled up in the hospital bed for a nap.<br />
Hank still needs me at night, so I left Goldie in the capable arms of her Daddy. Then, I drove home, crying and feeling torn between my children. Repeat all of this for night two and add in a couple middle of the night phone calls with Goldie SCREAMING in the background. While all of this really stunk, my husband mentioned how much closer he feels to his little girl and I have found even more trust in him as her father, advocate, and protector.<br />
She is home. She is tired. A trip to the post office yesterday, yielded a three hour nap! As for the rest of us, Hank has a double ear infection, the nine year old woke up with the stomach flu, and my hubby worked over fourteen hours yesterday. (I'm thankful for that because it means he has a job and we need the money to cover visits to the hospital). My promise to him when he left earlier: I will not crack up, today.Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-91771898630307749442011-05-05T22:22:00.002-04:002011-05-13T17:51:17.299-04:00Finding a Preschool<p>Well over a year ago, while I was pregnant with Hank we looked at some preschools for Goldie. I did this as part of the transition process when she turned 3. I didn't see a place that I loved, so we decided to utilize some community programs this year and revisit the preschool options when she was turning 4. </p><p>I began my search anew in February when I saw that a Montessori school was having an open house. It was nice, but it seemed like there would be a lot of rules for Goldie to remember and the room had a lot of furniture for her to navigate around. Goldie also learns best in an environment that is free of visual clutter. I spoke with the teacher and explained what Goldie's strengths and weaknesses were. I did not tell her my daughter has Down syndrome. In my experience, it brings up too many stereotypes. </p><p>The school's only tuition option was for 5 days a week, so I decided to keep looking. It would cost us a fortune in gas to make 10 trips a week! My next call was to my neighbor. Her kids went to a Montessori school that was 5 minutes away, but only advertises by word-of-mouth. She was happy to call the owner and talk to her about Goldie. </p><p>The owner, Miss M, has really exceeded all of my expectations. She has met Goldie one-on-one twice and has had me observe the classroom one morning by myself. Before I sat in on a class, she told me "I don't want you to get overwhelmed and think that Goldie can't do this, because she CAN." Miss M. has asked me to bring Goldie once a week for 1/2 just to get her used to the classroom and allow them to get to know her. I must have looked a little nervous because she assured me that Goldie will be going to school there as long is that is what I want. The plan right now is for Goldie to attend two mornings a week in the fall and maybe add a third day after the Christmas break.</p><p>A couple months ago I was asking myself, "Am I crazy to think that my child with Down syndrome can go to a typical preschool without an IEP and supports?". But, after seeing Goldie in the classroom and feeling the kindness of the students and teachers, I know Goldie will just blossom at school next year. She is already requesting "school" on a daily basis.</p><h5>This is my first post using a blogging app. If it works out, I may be able to post more often than once a month!</h5><p></p>Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-83461039451074954802011-04-10T23:55:00.000-04:002011-04-10T23:55:23.784-04:00Down Syndrome and ADHD: Our Diagnosis StoryIf you would have told me 4 years ago that I would be medicating my child to treat ADHD I would have scoffed and presented you with a bottle of fish oil. Just one of many alternative treatments for attention deficit disorders. I have the Down syndrome to thank for keeping me humble and teaching me that I don't know as much as I'd like to think I do.<br />
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I'm sure other parents of children with Down syndrome wonder if their child's attention span is typical of a child with developmental delays or has it gone into the realm of ADD/ADHD. I'm not a medical expert, but I can tell you how we made that determination.<br />
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In September (Goldie was 3 1/2) I noticed that I was redirecting her towards acceptable activities every couple of minutes. In addition to the redirection and positive reinforcement, we also started explaining consequences and using time-outs. Goldie responded very well, but it illuminated the fact that the problem was not behavioral. Even when I was sitting on the floor playing with her, she wasn't able to stick with an activity for more than 2 minutes. <br />
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My next thought was that the problem was developmental. Was I expecting too much from her? Were her developmental delays responsible for her lack of focus? I did what all mothers do and began comparing her to my other children at that age. My oldest could sit and listen to me read all day at the age of two. Daughter number two couldn't sit through anything longer than a board book until she was 5 and would not watch t.v. until she was 4. Yet, she could still stay on task longer than Goldie. Which brings us to Hank. At 15 months he will sit and play with a toy for 3-10 minutes. <br />
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During this time I happened to be talking with a friend who has a daughter with DS that is a year older than Goldie. We both agreed that our children needed help choosing an activity, but in Goldie's case it would only keep her occupied for 2 minutes. Times like these are when I wish I was active in a real life DS support group so that I could have more exposure to other children. <br />
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For as long as I can remember, I kept telling myself, that when Goldie's vision and fine motor skills improved she would be able to sit and play. Her vision improved tremendously and she is able to do many things, but her ability to focus on an activity never improved. As she grows we see her making progress in so many areas. Attention has just not been one of them. <br />
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After implementing a list of alternative remedies as long as my arm and finding no relief I placed calls to Goldie's pediatrician, the Psychology department and the Down Syndrome Center at Pittsburgh Children's Hospital. The DS center was very helpful. One of the first things they asked was for Goldie's evaluation scores from her IEP. I know most of us don't like these evaluations, but I was glad to see that the scores were useful to ME for once. In most areas Goldie had a 25% or less delay. Except in Attention and Memory where she had a 50% delay. <br />
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The final step was having her therapists complete evaluation forms for the Down Syndrome Center. I recieved my own parent survey to fill out. The results? In her doctor's words "She is off the charts for ADHD. I am surprised she is as well behaved as she is. I expected her to be all over the place." (Thanks go to the iPad for keeping Goldie seated. She must have gone through 10 different apps in just as many minutes.) He pointed to the chart and showed me the range in which children with DS normally fall and the range in which Goldie was. We discussed treatment options and possible interactions between Goldie's supplements and medications. Later, I received a large packet in the mail on Down syndrome and ADHD. What I've read so far has been both disturbing and helpful. <br />
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I'm sure your wondering how the things are going with the medication. While I worry tremendously about the long term consequences and side effects, right now things are much better. Goldie has not had any negative side effects from the medication and I feel like it has bought us some time to continue exploring other treatments.<br />
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If you are looking for more information here is a link to get you started.<br />
<a href="http://www.riverbendds.org/index.htm">http://www.riverbendds.org/index.htm</a> Click on Medical Series, then ADHD.Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-38337293191791799062011-04-04T23:48:00.000-04:002011-04-04T23:48:32.528-04:00Free Kindergarten ABA Apps for Autism Awareness Month<a href="http://kindergarten.com/">Kindergarten.com</a> is offering all of their ABA apps free for the month of April in honor of Autism Awareness Month. I was actually going to purchase some this week after hearing about them over at <a href="http://unringingthebell.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/03/short-little-thumbs.html">Unringing the Bell</a>. Really, I bought an iTunes card at the grocery store this weekend so I could get my fuel discount. Glad I didn't have time to use it!<br />
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FYI: The ones listed under the heading Flashcards were always free and the rest of them were 99 cents. <br />
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I would recommend the <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/aba-receptive-identification/id346469797?mt=8">receptive language</a> ones and I downloaded the <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aba-flash-cards-actions/id342235464?mt=8">Action Flashcards</a> for Goldie because verbs are something she has been working on in speech.Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-84125986513653785612011-03-19T00:00:00.005-04:002011-03-19T00:09:04.291-04:00March 21st is World Down Syndrome DayJust a reminder that Monday, March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day. March 21st was also my due date when I was pregnant with Goldie. I guess she didn't want to be defined by her diagnosis since she chose to make her entrance ten days sooner! <br />
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Here is a link to the events going on in the United States on 3/21.<br />
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<a href="http://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org/usa.htm">http://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org/usa.htm</a>Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-20618930447324945492011-03-18T22:08:00.001-04:002011-03-18T22:09:28.747-04:00Down Syndrome Deals!<b>Woodbine House 25% OFF</b><br />
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MARCH 21 only!! Woodbine House is offering an online sale of 25% off 40 products on Down syndrome and related issues in honor of World Down Syndrome Day. The sale lasts just for one day -- March 21, 2011, so be sure to order online on Monday at <a href="http://www.woodbinehouse.com">www.woodbinehouse.com</a> <br />
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<b>Talk Tools 40% OFF DVD Sale</b><br />
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TalkTools is offering 40% off of their <a href="http://www.talktools.com/s.nl/sc.19/category.1339/.f?utm_source=TalkTools+List&utm_campaign=0409aacc54-Talktools+Newsletter+3+3-13-11&utm_medium=email&mc_cid=0409aacc54&mc_eid=2d11b241e2">self-study dvds</a>. I've also heard that if you call these dvds are available to parents for 50% off. Wish I had known that! If you are looking at the <a href="http://www.talktools.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1133/.f?sc=19&category=1339">Down Syndrome Population dvd</a>, mine is for sale. I have the CEU paperwork to go with it, as Goldie's therapists didn't need it. Just leave a comment or send me an email. <br />
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<b>Down Syndrome: What You CAN Do</b><br />
<b>by Kim & Qadoshyah Fish </b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwDCn3ZMHF0pGwEtWbGd2cIkP2z3XW92LQ5jyWS_42ATzlZlTw_3ZjDlsmMm2EJu3DfdOjmvPUGEfwZDZUCjc9FkiSiNzDnN8UQ1LJTHoJOY1TkeCeflMi65s-fVV90bN_xwq6Epb_bhU/s1600/320.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwDCn3ZMHF0pGwEtWbGd2cIkP2z3XW92LQ5jyWS_42ATzlZlTw_3ZjDlsmMm2EJu3DfdOjmvPUGEfwZDZUCjc9FkiSiNzDnN8UQ1LJTHoJOY1TkeCeflMi65s-fVV90bN_xwq6Epb_bhU/s200/320.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
If you don't already have this awesome book now is the time to get it with free shipping until 3/21. Go <a href="http://stores.lulu.com/gotdownsyndrome">here</a> and use code GROUND305. I won a copy back in December and have referred to it numerous times since then. It is all the research I've been finding here and there, plus some a whole lot more, put together in one easy to use book. Just today I was ready the articles on Neurodevelopmental Therapy. This book is so positive and comprehensive; I wish it had been available when Goldie was born.Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-82909033422985439382011-03-18T08:00:00.001-04:002011-03-18T08:00:07.581-04:00Goldie Knows the AlphabetOne thing I've learned is that Goldie is not a performer. She does not like to be tested on what she knows. A couple nights ago, Goldie got out her alphabet letters, so I grabbed the camcorder on the off chance that she would show off for me. I got lucky! Her are a couple videos of her identifying the letters of the alphabet. Part 2 includes some lowercase letters. You'll notice that instead of naming a couple of the vowels she tells me what sound they make.<br />
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Warning: the lighting is poor, her pajamas mismatched and the slip cover for our couch was in the laundry, but this is real life with 4 kids! <br />
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<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/oP-2UMNiY8I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gzAEx4U32Pw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-19455596175642378042011-03-17T23:40:00.000-04:002011-03-17T23:40:08.108-04:00Happy Birthday! Goldie is 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxWkJeyMgsupQGkXL40lK8PtYLlcpAwxNZ4-1uQAE0ZxJo3304VQLfRGYzLlxNKdvb1TIA5y62yNE7RRO37rTTGG43LQ2Cqy31Yt9B6B9m5PkCekN83DBFI-upShITp4btvheI8rmZkU3/s1600/P1010043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxWkJeyMgsupQGkXL40lK8PtYLlcpAwxNZ4-1uQAE0ZxJo3304VQLfRGYzLlxNKdvb1TIA5y62yNE7RRO37rTTGG43LQ2Cqy31Yt9B6B9m5PkCekN83DBFI-upShITp4btvheI8rmZkU3/s320/P1010043.JPG" width="241" /></a></div><br />
Goldie had a birthday last week! If you ask how old she is she will proudly hold up four fingers and say "four". After some practice she is even able to get her little thumb against the palm of her hand instead of behind her fingers. I never thought I would enjoy life's little details so much! <br />
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My favorite moment from her birthday this year: Goldie had done something she's not allowed, I don't remember what, and I was explaining why when out of nowhere she says, "Birthday. Four." and rooooolls her eyes. Like "Hello Mom, it's my birthday, I can't be in trouble. I get a free pass today!" Of course I cracked up after that, probably reinforcing whatever behavior I was trying to correct. <br />
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The last year has brought some big accomplishments! I'll list a few that I can think of off the top of my head.<br />
- looking out for her brother (she was yelling "hurt" at him tonight as the went after an electric cord!)<br />
- learning all the letters of the alphabet, upper and lowercase!<br />
- asking and answering questions<br />
- dressing herself<br />
- beginning to sight read<br />
- she can identify 9 different shapes and 10 colors<br />
- growing tall enough to sit on the swing without help<br />
- potty training, it has been over a month since we quit the pull-up habit!<br />
- blowing bubbles<br />
- turning door knobs <br />
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Wow! Just looking at this list has me excited for what the next year may bring!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALWBrNwn0MRJZd-iAXg2RcppUEKFELcZQIaKzzpFriSQMwexEH7_zrrE5nY3uz62xQi1JjG7J83zYEr2IDhD6G04Eobh80lwB04dcvJeYjTh7VZmJWHNL7rhTJxSfnjZcB9H2s1kC71vf/s1600/P1010045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALWBrNwn0MRJZd-iAXg2RcppUEKFELcZQIaKzzpFriSQMwexEH7_zrrE5nY3uz62xQi1JjG7J83zYEr2IDhD6G04Eobh80lwB04dcvJeYjTh7VZmJWHNL7rhTJxSfnjZcB9H2s1kC71vf/s320/P1010045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-59241828608310465052011-03-09T23:38:00.000-05:002012-04-25T15:42:01.028-04:00Down Syndrome, ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhAu45zx_Ie9dPWC1NJ6Z_nCBYX4X3FDVICFV6ZoyjGhUPSDeMGLocOGB-WwK6B_ZtHBVJbrL6btyq1IXo9Yaw5ck8ZfJjyTWGONzNRunw6uD9FIe_tWCoz6yGHpN0N83R1t6Z1yZfjxm/s1600/P1010166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhAu45zx_Ie9dPWC1NJ6Z_nCBYX4X3FDVICFV6ZoyjGhUPSDeMGLocOGB-WwK6B_ZtHBVJbrL6btyq1IXo9Yaw5ck8ZfJjyTWGONzNRunw6uD9FIe_tWCoz6yGHpN0N83R1t6Z1yZfjxm/s200/P1010166.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
For over a month now I've had a half finished blog post titled "Down syndrome and ADHD" waiting for me to find the time to complete. Goldie was diagnosed with ADHD last month. I pursued the diagnosis for her so she would have access to treatments that I can't provide on my own. <br />
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Until recently, Goldie didn't have a consistent OT. I've inquired to her current and old OT about trying <a href="http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/therapeutic-listening.html">Therapeutic Listening</a> or a weighted vest to help with her lack of focus and attention. I was beginning to think they were blowing me off, but I politely persisted. <br />
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Goldie's OT provided me with a sensory inventory to complete. I knew she would have differences in a couple areas, but the inventory revealed her sensory needs are much greater than we had realized. Her OT and Speech Therapist admitted that they had never observed behaviors that would indicate Goldie has a sensory processing disorder. We had a long and productive conversation where I was able to give the Occupational Therapist insight into her behaviors at home. Together we came up with some ideas to help Goldie. <br />
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Initially, it will mean more work on my part. My thoughts are that it can't be worse than redirecting her every two minutes! We already do a lot of sensory activities with Goldie like swinging and sensory tubs (probably why her behaviors weren't more obvious). Overall, I am relieved to know that this isn't just a "DS thing" and there is more that we can do for her. So when I'm not <a href="http://www.child-autism-parent-cafe.com/autism-brushing-protocol.html">brushing</a>, compressing joints and trying to keep the headphones on, I'll be working on some posts about these new diagnosis. If any of these are things you are already dealing with, I would love to know your favorite resources, books, etc...Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-44962951590575699922011-02-21T11:18:00.000-05:002011-02-21T11:18:00.392-05:00So Smart!Goldie was folding laundry today and came across a dress with little hearts all over it. One of the girls at Children's Hour has the same dress and wore it on Wednesday for the Valentine's Party. Goldie wore a different dress, but I still pointed out what her friend had on.<br />
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Sooo, I asked Goldie, "Who has the same dress and wore it to Children's Hour?" <br />
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Goldie replied, "Sydney, Sydney!" <br />
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Heck yeah! I always wonder how much she can remember. It's sooo hard to tell when a child has a speech delay and isn't able talk about their day and events like a typical child. So nice to have a little peak as to what she is taking in.Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-66340150495081147542011-02-20T08:26:00.000-05:002011-02-20T08:26:31.249-05:00Down Syndrome Research Plan<a href="http://dsachieves.org/">DownSyndrome Achieves </a>has recently held two web conferences on the abandonment of DS research. Now there's a title that gets your attention! I wasn't able to fully view either one, but the bottom line is that DS research is grossly underfunded and their is a huge disparity between the amount of funding that goes to fund Down syndrome research versus other conditions. You can sign up for more information at http://dsachieves.org/ .<br />
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I also found the <a href="http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/upload/NIH_Downsyndrome_plan.pdf">National Institutes of Health Research Plan on Down Syndrome.</a> It is an eighty page downloadable pdf. I have it downloaded to iBooks on my iPad for reading while Goldie is at therapy. Remember, information is power!Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-67401323167820722242011-02-12T23:34:00.001-05:002011-02-12T23:34:55.764-05:00Research Study - Feeding Infants with Down SyndromeHere is a link to a survey For biological mothers of children with Down syndrome. It doesn't take long to complete and is a great way to use your experience to further research for babies with Down syndrome.<br />
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http://www.mdsc.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=424&Itemid=39Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-70055971187353955522011-01-14T10:47:00.019-05:002011-01-14T10:47:00.283-05:00The Highs and Lows of Applying for Waiver ServicesOne of my grandmother's prized possessions was a dining room suite she was given from her sister. The story goes that it was an expensive antique that her sister didn't have space for after her divorce so she gave it to my grandparents for helping her out. It's four pieces comprised 70% of the space in her dining room. The wood was thick and dark and carved in a gothic style that was completely out of place in her little cape cod home. In addition to the table was a long buffet against one wall and a china cupboard in the corner. <br />
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What I remember most about this table is not the carefully planned holiday meals. It is the layers of tablecloths, placemats and finally papers. Growing up I would walk around the table wondering about all the papers, mail, index cards, and sticky notes that were neatly laid all around it. In the adjacent room was a tiny office with a bulletin board and filing cabinet. The bulletin board was filled with more index cards and a calendar. My grandmother, like myself, was the type of person who needed to see what she had to do next. I think we would be called pile-ers.<br />
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When my husband and I were dating he mentioned how unorganized he thought this was. He couldn't understand why someone so neat and tidy as my grandmother would allow her antique dining room set to be blanketed with papers. <br />
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Today, my husband I both understand her system. She had a child with special needs. <br />
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I'm sitting here with 12 pages of notes detailing phone calls, agencies, numbers etc... In the last two months I've made close to 30 phone calls. All in search of services and supports for Goldie. Our family needs respite care. To get that she has to qualify for waiver services. That requires a psychological evaluation and an IQ test. To make it more complicated "they" can't find a doctor that will take Goldie's medicaid. The details of why are so tedious I don't even want to type them. <br />
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I'd rather talk about paper. I write everything down while on the phone. A name and number isn't enough. I need to know why I'm calling that person. I need to document what I'm told. Which brought me to my low point of the day. (Ironically,it wasn't holding my daughter while she wretched into a bucket at 3am.) It was the woman at the Department of Public Welfare who bore the brunt of my sleepless night. She casually told me Goldie's medicaid case was closing tomorrow and she wouldn't be covered anymore. No reason given. Then she began rattling off names and numbers and what I should ask these people to do. I kept telling her to slow down. (I was nursing Hank in one arm and writing with the other.) Finally, I began to cry and screamed at her to just STOP. "I have 4 kids, I can't remember it ALL. I have to write everything down."<br />
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What good does is it do me to call Mrs. Taylor if I can't remember that she is the person with the special list of doctors that will accept medicaid.<br />
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Except, she's not. She explained that yes, she has a list, but they probably won't take Goldie's medicaid. Then, the best part of my day, was when she told me "the system is horrible at best". At last, someone who will admit it!<br />
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(I just want to add that Goldie's medicaid does not run out tomorrow. She has another 30 days of coverage and they already have her renewal information in the system. So, she is good to go. No, worries.)Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-6108131021406121062011-01-13T22:47:00.000-05:002011-01-13T22:47:36.227-05:00CoincidenceIt's probably not a coincidence that my last blog post was the day before my husband gave me an early Christmas present. Just to prove that men might really be listening when we think they've tuned us out, he gifted me with an iPad. It feels good to be the luckiest girl I know! To top it off, he took charge of the kids for the day so I could play with it. I love it, Goldie loves it, even Hank loves it. But, my PC is definitely jealous. The iPad is so fast, quiet, and portable. It's the clear choice over the computer <s>with a fan that never shuts off and runs so loud that you have to turn it off to watch television</s>. <br />
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I'll do a brief recap of the other things that have kept me from sitting at the keyboard. Sick, Christmas, skin cancer (I'm ok, its been removed), Hank's FIRST birthday, cleaning and organizing with super husband, potty training, Mary Poppins, and now more sick. I left an item off of this list. It's something I've been working on for a couple months now and it needs its own post. However, don't get too excited, its about the dirty details of services and the system. Really, I'm writing it more for my sanity than anything else. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MQm6ckvIRl7Hcppku9Ypszp5RuGMpN93k-crepJBB441QWhqKm9ir9fHw-qLpRf01nud2dSNGerOO0_8GydRARv1nBLlFqdxWF3CKcqQbXui8c-DRi1T4G8w-g1uk7imze1sLlfGFTMC/s1600/goldiesantahat2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MQm6ckvIRl7Hcppku9Ypszp5RuGMpN93k-crepJBB441QWhqKm9ir9fHw-qLpRf01nud2dSNGerOO0_8GydRARv1nBLlFqdxWF3CKcqQbXui8c-DRi1T4G8w-g1uk7imze1sLlfGFTMC/s320/goldiesantahat2.JPG" /></a></div>Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-38252964178463045092010-12-15T16:58:00.000-05:002010-12-15T16:58:21.762-05:00Last Call for Shutterfly Holiday Cards!!When I saw Shutterfly's Holiday Card promotion giving bloggers 50 free holiday cards I signed up right away. And that was as far as things got until this morning. I had Christmas ensembles laid out for each of us to wear and Goldie's Christmas party. Then Children's Hour was cancelled and that gave me the time I needed. Imagine my surprise when I logged into Shutterfly and saw that this promotion ends TONIGHT at midnight! Do I have good luck or what?<br />
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I have been a customer of Shutterfly for 8 years. I love their photobooks (Goldie really loves them), cards and invitations. I enjoy being able to pick and choose what I want online and not have to stand in the middle of store with 4 kids running circles around me. If I'm lucky. Sometimes, they just take off in straight line.<br />
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Here is our Christmas card from 2008:<br />
<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="height: 494px; width: 425px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop" style="background-image: url("http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif"); height: 6px;"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="background-image: url("http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif"); background-repeat: repeat-y; height: 482px; padding: 0pt 6px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="height: 34px; padding: 14px 0pt 0pt 14px; width: 105px;"><img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif" /></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height: 350px; padding: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/8UbuWLZm0E/8UbuWLZm0F0M/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1292449759000/0/" /></a></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="background-color: #f4f4e9; height: 55px; line-height: 19px; padding: 15px 0pt; text-align: center;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial,sans-seris; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold;">Plaid Christmas</div><div class="sflyProductPreviewSEOText" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial,sans-seris; font-size: 13px;">Shop Shutterfly for unique, personalized <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards" style="color: #6666cc;">Christmas photo cards</a>.</div><div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial,sans-seris; font-size: 13px;">View the entire <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</div></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="background-image: url("http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif"); height: 6px;"></div></div><br />
Here is a holiday card/birth announcement from last year. I just couldn't send out cards until all my children were here!<br />
<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="height: 494px; width: 425px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop" style="background-image: url("http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif"); height: 6px;"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="background-image: url("http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif"); background-repeat: repeat-y; height: 482px; padding: 0pt 6px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="height: 34px; padding: 14px 0pt 0pt 14px; width: 105px;"><img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif" /></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height: 350px; padding: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/8UbuWLZm0E/8UbuWLZm0FzQ/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1292449621000/0/" /></a></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="background-color: #f4f4e9; height: 55px; line-height: 19px; padding: 15px 0pt; text-align: center;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial,sans-seris; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold;">Family Snowfall Teal Christmas</div><div class="sflyProductPreviewSEOText" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial,sans-seris; font-size: 13px;">Create beautiful <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">photo Christmas cards</a> at Shutterfly.com.</div><div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial,sans-seris; font-size: 13px;">View the entire <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</div></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="background-image: url("http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif"); height: 6px;"></div></div><br />
I've been browsing this year's <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards%20">Christmas cards</a> and here is what I'm looking at so far:<br />
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<a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/sharing-the-love-christmas-5x7-photo-card-5x7-photo?sortType=1&storeNode=93480">Sharing the Love </a> or <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/our-shining-stars-christmas-4x8-photo-card-4x8-photo?sortType=1&storeNode=93480">Our Shining Stars</a>Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-88945153903171899632010-12-14T21:52:00.000-05:002010-12-14T21:52:45.727-05:00Homeschooler with Down Syndrome Signing "It's About the Cross"This video is from a mom on my "local" homeschoolers with special needs email list. She is graciously letting me share her beautiful daughter Abigail signing "It's About the Cross" by The Ball Brothers. <br />
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Sometimes it is hard for me to imagine Goldie's future, both near and distant, because there are so many possibilities on a path that is always changing. Just when I was lamenting over Goldie's lack of fine motor skills in relation to her signing, this popped up on my screen. Watching Abigail reminded me to just be patient and that there are bigger things than how well my daughter can sign. <br />
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<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5HLuVvHAEnY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5HLuVvHAEnY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-31255522975041836572010-12-02T08:00:00.003-05:002010-12-02T15:23:47.262-05:00Homeschool Preschool - Color SortingGoldie has been keeping me very busy this fall doing all kinds of preschooly things. (I've been heating my kitchen with my laminator!) Goldie's latest achievement is sorting by color. <a href="http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3673/is_1_125/ai_n29134301/?tag=content;col1">Sorting</a> is an important part of an early math curriculum. We started working on this around her second birthday at the urging of her vision therapist. I didn't think she was ready for actual sorting so I focused more on just learning colors. Once Goldie was able to sign her colors (thank-you Signing Time) I was able to know how well she could identify and label her colors.<br />
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First I tried having her sort with Busy Bugs. But, she was so distracted by all the different types of bugs that she didn't care what color they were. Spider, caterpillar, fly, etc...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6MyWSGica2K7DwJyhx230xZjgiuNfSDlfvOGrxeIY6Xm0XsXa-v_LHO_OAQqwg565AFrs7a4NHjpzneu5kk-oK_bCnyQYGieSjwCpLn1pxLvm_22fhTo98cr2Q7yckIANRoOlu-8vQv0/s1600/colorsort1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6MyWSGica2K7DwJyhx230xZjgiuNfSDlfvOGrxeIY6Xm0XsXa-v_LHO_OAQqwg565AFrs7a4NHjpzneu5kk-oK_bCnyQYGieSjwCpLn1pxLvm_22fhTo98cr2Q7yckIANRoOlu-8vQv0/s320/colorsort1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Then I had a lightbulb moment when Swatcho left her Sorry! game on the kitchen table. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELB3STewOnD0laLjYO68zOey3kdDpsoDncS9m4DQ8_x0ezN1qk0SCZFwQyrwdks9D7ZaxfhpVFX0EWsEE63WiVTd4Yl48tGqLrZM21bWq03AkeELxF_l89zRtm9ccKmGYAYh_92lGx9JH/s1600/colorsort2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELB3STewOnD0laLjYO68zOey3kdDpsoDncS9m4DQ8_x0ezN1qk0SCZFwQyrwdks9D7ZaxfhpVFX0EWsEE63WiVTd4Yl48tGqLrZM21bWq03AkeELxF_l89zRtm9ccKmGYAYh_92lGx9JH/s320/colorsort2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sure enough, without the distracting bugs, Goldie was able to sort the red from the blue and place them on the correct squares. Another important math concept is one to one correspondence.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewxgmOQUvZg8Rc37kL-8n5ECCrlB4iN7wwwiPs6dK3b62PGpdxmbVR4NcxWNLysOkxUllBPjEWc4tTSj5JCadNc0nHXon_kMNl1yHUwhUGwHqUmILqO_hUxSdWvM2Vd47hr3t_28Oy-w9/s1600/colorsort3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewxgmOQUvZg8Rc37kL-8n5ECCrlB4iN7wwwiPs6dK3b62PGpdxmbVR4NcxWNLysOkxUllBPjEWc4tTSj5JCadNc0nHXon_kMNl1yHUwhUGwHqUmILqO_hUxSdWvM2Vd47hr3t_28Oy-w9/s320/colorsort3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After this, I gave Goldie red, yellow, and blue buckets with a pile of colored cubes. She shocked me by immediately sorting them out. I had to run and get green and white bowls. If more than one color was stuck together she would pull them apart and place each cube in its correct container. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvC9jwmIDpd9F753Pzeq9ZPRbWwlTfl7rS5rstUVqsFF2GDbdOEW3JoSH56v7ofHEC1WkMSRmWg2QEtm6ZIZkA0rAdVKpMWrIzswxm5wdnmz1QuHid5mc_UMf6bLfGxKwH6eypUBG0pcKK/s1600/P1010011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvC9jwmIDpd9F753Pzeq9ZPRbWwlTfl7rS5rstUVqsFF2GDbdOEW3JoSH56v7ofHEC1WkMSRmWg2QEtm6ZIZkA0rAdVKpMWrIzswxm5wdnmz1QuHid5mc_UMf6bLfGxKwH6eypUBG0pcKK/s320/P1010011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lIjvlYWgtTK9fTeD1_TIpTbtZ7Ow_DNw8hwqi_YfzR-1DMAT5JNt0a472GD_0jWkqa-nSw11mBABVhzq47poBsMew_kv6ZcRUhjoFa9WsqTBsf6l7XEFq7ihhgKQ3_LZKbWW6luLajD7/s1600/P1010010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lIjvlYWgtTK9fTeD1_TIpTbtZ7Ow_DNw8hwqi_YfzR-1DMAT5JNt0a472GD_0jWkqa-nSw11mBABVhzq47poBsMew_kv6ZcRUhjoFa9WsqTBsf6l7XEFq7ihhgKQ3_LZKbWW6luLajD7/s320/P1010010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Moments like these just blow me away. I find myself thinking back to when Goldie was born and being told she had Down syndrome and then at a year old when I was told she was legally blind. I wondered then if these days would ever come. Now, I see her love of learning and how she wakes up one day and just does something she's never done, but acts like she's always known how to do it. And my heart overflows.Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-53953413755203945582010-11-30T23:30:00.001-05:002010-12-01T00:11:17.513-05:00Worldless Wednesday - Goodbye Fall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqGA109tbgOeTRgOAdBSYcUa_RiCIlCaIrAVLunvydJ9nZlW0HwVepGiNb2gC_XLQUwZAwcUo_82-Fy1mIX31OVyGtjfabEEUm8rcCFg0UKWt_JdoD1AhRdXVyQ-OSMckf2Lx8KQVyYA-/s1600/P1010068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqGA109tbgOeTRgOAdBSYcUa_RiCIlCaIrAVLunvydJ9nZlW0HwVepGiNb2gC_XLQUwZAwcUo_82-Fy1mIX31OVyGtjfabEEUm8rcCFg0UKWt_JdoD1AhRdXVyQ-OSMckf2Lx8KQVyYA-/s320/P1010068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-7969113441747956942010-10-20T20:45:00.001-04:002010-10-20T20:45:00.143-04:00Buddy Walk 2010<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hLgid1fRKXc/TLuaWVbFCbI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/PhscJMFukds/s320/P1010114.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fam.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWfLEbBDY69PDMl99jN2NGRYn2IvbuZF22RkkEoXmbldHeWeqplpaXD4AVqDITefGFRDVp8x6h1cYy-TpB7PwWesKIylJB09drtVoJ3f0xrLOme5lcTgeWOWgLzV9IVxidbvYfTbi4Mep/s320/P1010103.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldie riding the trackless train.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnZPhdpGk6rxlYp02xgS3zCUEJjeZTeSXRunpgBzIti4-eKFR0SIzZdPZ1bQgB6JhS7EAZTusiZ0fOMAuNcegWglCnWaqDKbPXhQL9eiklVOSpyDDGMZ5uPJAamHIkRYsE9SY9BxPE73Z/s320/P1010105.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swatcho and Goldie riding the train.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWfLEbBDY69PDMl99jN2NGRYn2IvbuZF22RkkEoXmbldHeWeqplpaXD4AVqDITefGFRDVp8x6h1cYy-TpB7PwWesKIylJB09drtVoJ3f0xrLOme5lcTgeWOWgLzV9IVxidbvYfTbi4Mep/s1600/P1010103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYioDEC5ZdO1q99cbHmWdEZb3tKedBXc-VCtap_Qe21HKSlJ4JYQbqG1UVpwJ7eA9h0HNWf8i3TZfVMTRCtRyE-OvkNsLWCw3LjE_uhA__eefqkiCntvKHZXGG_Oq_bZCw1mO6uX8TzSG/s320/P1010110.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entire length of the walk was covered with people from beginning to end! It stretched out behind us just as far.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYioDEC5ZdO1q99cbHmWdEZb3tKedBXc-VCtap_Qe21HKSlJ4JYQbqG1UVpwJ7eA9h0HNWf8i3TZfVMTRCtRyE-OvkNsLWCw3LjE_uhA__eefqkiCntvKHZXGG_Oq_bZCw1mO6uX8TzSG/s1600/P1010110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-33857474394764218422010-10-19T20:12:00.001-04:002010-10-20T17:14:45.131-04:00Fall Sensory TubsI always keep a tub of dried beans around for sensory play. Goldie and my second daughter are the ones who love to play in them the most.<br />
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I decided to change it up for fall. There was a 4 lb bag of popcorn sitting in my pantry for the last 18 months, so I switched beans for popcorn. We've been hiding farm animals in it, but you could also use acorns or small pine cones.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGJWe11cstPlOA7jdJY4k00FCC1qXOJUgTPahwDom22Hi0Q_DwxVmivRiLX57xCtMyIpK7lSNttlERoHCrFdXPBaP7nYg_oo_wOCHSk3xiyVI-CkTx82Y-ixyNPHRY_g9D19Ce6sXKrUi/s1600/P1010001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGJWe11cstPlOA7jdJY4k00FCC1qXOJUgTPahwDom22Hi0Q_DwxVmivRiLX57xCtMyIpK7lSNttlERoHCrFdXPBaP7nYg_oo_wOCHSk3xiyVI-CkTx82Y-ixyNPHRY_g9D19Ce6sXKrUi/s320/P1010001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Goldie is doing well with pouring, so I added these small bottles to give her more of a challenge. FYI: She only plays with these on our enclosed porch where her baby brother is never allowed. <br />
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Then I found some <a href="http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2010/10/spooky-halloween-sensory-tub.html">Halloween inspiration</a> at <a href="http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/">No Time for Flash Cards</a>. I decided to put the black beans in a plastic orange pumpkin and use some counting bugs we already had.<br />
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That was to make and eye-spy container. I took a large plastic container that used to have almonds in it. Have I mentioned how much Goldie loves almonds? I had to start buying them at Sam's Club. I put the beans, bugs and some other toys in it. This will allow both Goldie and Hank to play, since the beans are safely inside.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdOQ3mfskHxu3YP7j40SCPeZaVLseKbFhbtwOGgylS8m1c4c11o9mfcobYyQiQx_ZzLJVE9lyQN4p2ROLQBBqgmuPkQ1JlI0cOh13W3YHN6NoDtzK-rL0On7W80hWm5SXZMM1yhMUgvW-/s1600/P1010009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdOQ3mfskHxu3YP7j40SCPeZaVLseKbFhbtwOGgylS8m1c4c11o9mfcobYyQiQx_ZzLJVE9lyQN4p2ROLQBBqgmuPkQ1JlI0cOh13W3YHN6NoDtzK-rL0On7W80hWm5SXZMM1yhMUgvW-/s320/P1010009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>If you have any great ideas, please share them. Once fall is over, we have a long winter ahead of us. Its always good to have a few tricks up my sleeve.Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-91700248502879382372010-10-18T12:36:00.007-04:002010-10-18T16:32:28.287-04:00OT for Girls!This post is full of gender stereotypes. As a mother of girls and now a boy, I gave up long ago on staying gender neutral when it comes to toys. You see, they know from birth that they are boys or girls. I gave my oldest a toy drill and she used it as a hair dryer. Hank loves to flip the baby doll stroller over and play with the wheels. Of course, I do have my limits. Our house is a Barbie and Bratz free zone.<br />
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About three years ago, my daughters begged me to buy them <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=snap+%27n+style&x=0&y=0">Snap 'n Style dolls</a>. I resisted as long as I could because we already had Madeline, her friends, babies, and American Girl dolls. But, Grandma bought some and I eventually caved. I really thought they were too babyish. So, they've sat in the basement until this summer. Goldie and the neighbor girl, she's 8, play with them everyday. I love this toy because Goldie doesn't need any help. She can just be one of the girls, enjoying her dolls. The clothes snap onto the front of the dolls with one finger, or several fingers if you happen to have some low muscle tone. The hat and shoes are hard for her to put on, but she doesn't seem to care and it gives her a challenge.<br />
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Now, I'm not a huge princess fan, but when I saw<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Princess-Accessory-Battery-Operated-Pretend/dp/B003UOBYEY"> this styling kit</a> at my sister-in-law's house, I knew Goldie had to have one. It has a flat iron and a curling iron. The flat iron works like tongs, which the OT has been using to help Goldie develop pre-scissor skills. The curling iron is similar, but you only need to use your thumb to open it. After a couple months of play, Goldie can use the flat iron. She's only doing straight hairstyles, for now! I picked it up at Wal-mart for around $15. I think. I'm sure it was under $20, so don't buy it from Amazon for $35!Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-24332837639578663642010-10-14T23:56:00.000-04:002010-10-14T23:56:24.840-04:00InchstonesGoldie has met some little milestones, some call these inchstones, that I need to document before I forget the details. She is 3 1/2 and moving full steam ahead toward 4!<br />
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- Goldie can dress and undress herself, even in her brother's clothes. She mastered this skill completely on her own, all I did was leave baskets of laundry around for her to practice. BTW, she can also fold washcloths, handtowels, and diapers.<br />
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- Last night, upon noticing that her sisters were dressed for bed, she walked upstairs, got her pajama top and matching bottoms out of her drawer, came back down and threw them at me.<br />
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- At dinner, she served everyone salad, with tongs. Weeks of climbing on the table to get second helpings has finally paid off.<br />
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- At Children's Hour, they ran out of tiny plastic cups for snack time. So the kids had to drink out of regular styrofoam cups. I just <i>knew</i> that Goldie would need help. She told me to go away and drank two servings of apple juice without spilling or choking! <br />
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- Before snack, they had a visit from the fire department. When they asked for a volunteer to demonstrate "stop, drop, and roll" Goldie walked up to the front of the group, dropped to the ground and rolled. She was saying roll the whole time, then she stood up and clapped for herself. All the volunteer fire fighters knew her name before they went home. ;)<br />
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- Wishes do come true, I have another little girl who loves <a href="http://www.madeline.com/">Madeline</a>. My oldest was all about Madeline, so I've been saving all the dolls and books hoping they would get some more love. <br />
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- When I was reading "line", as Goldie calls her new favorite story, I stopped several times (leaving off the last word) and she was able to complete the rhyme! Another first!<br />
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- Goldie is really into learning her colors. She loves to sign and say them. She can sort red, blue, yellow, and green. Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-74026329287837569922010-10-07T23:30:00.003-04:002010-10-07T23:46:05.259-04:00Goldie Goes to Children's HourI've mentioned before that we are not sending Goldie to preschool this year. So, you may be wondering "What does she do?" <br />
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I decided to sign her up for a program at a local church called Children's Hour. Goldie goes once a week for 2 hours. My neighbor is her teacher and I'm the permanent helper in her class. It is an all volunteer program that one of my other children attended for two years. No one has any type of education background, let alone any special ed experience. My mom, who has worked in early childhood classrooms as long as I can remember, described it as "developmentally inappropriate." Which is why I love it!<br />
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There is no formal instruction or curriculum. No IEPs, no therapists to count how many times she gets something right. Just Goldie and 8 of her peers. <br />
They do have free time with play-do or puzzles, opening songs, weather bear, craft, snack, gym or music, and a bible story. <br />
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I expected the first couple of months to be pretty rough. After an awful summer of "Story Time for Children of All Abilities" at the library, I set very low expectations. Sitting still while someone reads to a large group is not one of Goldie's abilities. Yet. I even second guessed my decision to sign her up for a program with only typical children and no adaptations. However, she has been doing great!<br />
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My proudest moments are when I see her at snack time, eating and DRINKING from a cup, and holding her hand as she walks down the steps. I had set a goal at the beginning of summer that she would be able to do both of these things by September. Goldie has worked so hard and I love to see the joy on her face when she has her own miniature cup of juice just like all her little friends. Sometimes, after snack is over, she'll sneak over and try to pour herself another drink. <br />
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During music, Goldie does all the hand motions that go with the songs or she and I use ASL signs. In the gym she has been able to do all of the activities with no more help than the other children need. <br />
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I've been observing how the children relate to each other. There are two boys that come together and I also bring my niece with us. I have yet to see the children really talk to each other and try to form new friendships. The boys stick together and my niece always wants to be near Goldie. Goldie is ready to be friends with anyone, especially the boys. She likes to sit by them and put her hand on their backs. One of them even seems to be looking out for her when she needs help. <br />
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The biggest challenge is craft time. The first week wasn't bad, just coloring and some tiny stickers. Then, they moved craft to a room with bins of toys. So, now she wants to ditch the hard fine motor work to go play in the toys. I keep redirecting her back to the craft table and try to give her enough help that it isn't overwhelming to her. At home she has shown a big interest in coloring. I keep a desk with paper, crayons, and markers in the kitchen for her. When they sent home a coloring page I put it on her desk. She sat down on her own and colored each flower yellow. This is the first time she has ever done anything like this! My pile of Goldie's artwork is growing.<br />
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At this point, I'm very happy with our decision and the activities we've chosen for Goldie. I think between Speech, OT, Children's Hour and our homeschool field trips, she's got plenty of learning opportunities, but she isn't over scheduled. Which is good for me too!Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-62155802817293208302010-10-06T11:21:00.002-04:002010-10-06T16:19:50.569-04:00Wordless Wednesday - Fall Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9X7VQhYtZUBF_BWVHZJrVt46wJK_v_A9GbLQKRgOJxAFZNE6ksviCw26XKe6OpVjxuwWUxthp3JWKaHjGkcGvBpYrxUYqjRHPwUkiIzmrxKeAMtaiwOkHdQ1fwtb65GRI2Gv50rrfP1y8/s1600/fall+dot+paint.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9X7VQhYtZUBF_BWVHZJrVt46wJK_v_A9GbLQKRgOJxAFZNE6ksviCw26XKe6OpVjxuwWUxthp3JWKaHjGkcGvBpYrxUYqjRHPwUkiIzmrxKeAMtaiwOkHdQ1fwtb65GRI2Gv50rrfP1y8/s320/fall+dot+paint.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7K-3jEkc7C-kibjAokl-Me6pfXZPGQQxP_pCL9Ekqg7exDXVIrIhAhBgfRpuC5d38dOM-3HLQqpZMDKRcSDAWt84GPptpMYDTExeT0sbnIgrs9DsLLnr7vHX4LDAXLm4FEvwLNK02YO4H/s1600/fall+dot+paint2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7K-3jEkc7C-kibjAokl-Me6pfXZPGQQxP_pCL9Ekqg7exDXVIrIhAhBgfRpuC5d38dOM-3HLQqpZMDKRcSDAWt84GPptpMYDTExeT0sbnIgrs9DsLLnr7vHX4LDAXLm4FEvwLNK02YO4H/s320/fall+dot+paint2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605290941469070740.post-53881891429964538542010-10-05T23:21:00.000-04:002010-10-05T23:21:30.588-04:00Comparing Therapy Service Providers - Part 3 or Let's Talk MoneyThis is the last in a series of posts comparing the public and private therapy providers we've used since Goldie turned 3. Part 1 is <a href="http://livinforthelove.blogspot.com/2010/09/comparing-therapy-service-providers.html">here</a> and Part 2 is <a href="http://livinforthelove.blogspot.com/2010/09/comparing-therapy-service-providers_07.html">here</a>. This is only the experience of one family living in a fairly rural county in Pennsylvania.<br />
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One thing I didn't mention in the previous posts was how these services were paid for. I believe the Early Intervention program receives county, state and federal funds. I'm not completely sure, but there is no cost to use their services. The private speech and OT are billed to our private health insurance through my husband's employer. (We exhausted that coverage a couple months ago.) Then, whatever isn't covered is paid by Medicaid. Goldie qualifies for this because she has a diagnosis of Down syndrome.<br />
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Another program we utilize is HIPP, Health Insurance Premium Payment. HIPP pays the insurance premium for the employee and the child with the disability if it is more cost effective than adding the child onto one of the state's insurance plans. I've learned this program can work a couple different ways.<br />
1. My husband's current employer deducts the employee portion of a family policy directly from his paycheck. Then, they asked that HIPP send the reimbursement directly to us.<br />
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2. His previous employer (where he worked when Goldie was born) continued deducting the employee portion of the health insurance premium, had the reimbursement from HIPP sent directly to themselves, and kept it all. <br />
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When I talked to the very nice HR lady about these two scenarios her reply was that "We will pay the same for your family's insurance that we would pay for any of our employees. You are the one's raising Goldie, that money should go to you." You could have knocked me over with a feather. My husband drive too far to work hours that are too long, so it warmed my heart to know that he works for a company that is honest and caring.<br />
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Back to my comparison, I've thought about what we would do if Goldie's private therapy wasn't covered. I know that in some states these services wouldn't be covered. Would we give it up? No way! We would find a way to pay for it because it is making a difference in our lives. Even if it meant organizing fundraisers and picking up a part time job.Brandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01704697731192764110noreply@blogger.com0