One got glasses and one had a birthday!

Swatcho got glasses last week.








This baby turned 10!



She wanted to celebrate by going to see the horse exhibit at the museum and having stuffed grape leaves for dinner.





We rolled out 70 of those sought after, sour creations. Well, the Birthday girl didn't start rolling until the end was in sight and there's no pic of the finished meal because we ate them. Quickly. Goldie has eaten them before, but wasn't in the mood this time.

Goldie has a Birthday and an eye Dr. appt this week. This is with a new doc and I'm hoping he can answer some questions we've had about Goldie's vision and nystagmus.


This is her after the museum. Yes, she is still rear facing. Her sisters are way more entertaining than the back of my head. Plus, I'm clinging to every last morsel of her babyhood.

Building On Our Children's Strengths

I read a post at The Rocking Pony which had a link to this great video called Animal School. It felt like a gentle reminder that I need to keep trusting my mother's intuition.

Mini Me is getting a little help in math from her principal. But, I decided to let her focus on what she loves at home. I took her to the library to get some books and bought a book we can both read while I was at Target this week. I was honest with the principal. I told him my one on one time with her is precious and I'm not going to spend it doing math facts. I thanked him for understanding my job as her mom and our needs as a family.

Then, she devoured the library books. I bought her an American Girl book at Barnes & Noble this weekend (yes, I need help with my book addiction) and she made quick work of that one, too. The other book I bought was the young reader's version of Three Cups of Tea. I was looking for a book for myself, but thought this would be a better purchase. Less money and we can both read it. It also has pictures and maps that aren't in the adult version.

Here's a picture from about 5 years ago! She'll be 10 this week so I'm allowed to reminisce.

IQ Tests Suck

I had a meeting with Mini Me's teachers, principal and school psychologist. I was given the scores from her IQ test. It was suprising. I expected her to do better on one portion than the other given her struggles with math and following directions. But, her scores were very similar. So, according to their numbers, she should have difficulties with language arts, reading, spelling etc...

I just can't reconcile that information with the daughter I KNOW. Language has always been her thing. She loves to read at home and excels in reading, grammer, vocabulary and spelling at school. My only guess is that her lack of skills in the direction following department is impacting her test score.

The principal was very positive and genuinely wants to help. He reminded me that there are multiple types of intelligence and this test only measures 2 of them. He will be working with Mini Me himself on some math concepts, since they don't have the staff available at the right time of day.

This was one of those times that I was so thankful for having a child with DS. I know from Goldie's evaluations that how a child performs on one day, at one moment in time, is NO indicator of their true potential or how they will perform 6 months from now. (I told them this) And if those numbers are right, then I guess it shows how far children can go with loving, involved parents who expect the best.

Thanks

Thanks so much for all the support after my last post. I have a meeting next week at Mini Me's school. I can't help but think this is life's way of preparing me for the road ahead.

I can't believe its midnight. Slacker Mom has nothing for V-day for anyone in this house. Ugh. Last year I made the kids "love bucks", homemade coupons they could redeem for things like an extra bed time story, playing a game, a foot rub, etc... Looks like I better get crackin.

More On My Mind

I hope I don't look like a "labeler" after that last post. It's really not my thing. I also don't mean to minimize Goldie's Down syndrome in any way either. Its just that...as their mom I worry about all of them. Mini Me's math struggles are on my mind just as much as Goldie's learning to drink from a cup. kwim?

This is Mini Me's first year in public school and up until now I've placed a lot of blame on myself. For the first time, I've been able to step back and see that I've done so much with her and maybe there is something else going on. I went to the school to ask for extra help for her and was told they already have an aide in the room. She helps all the kids. It wasn't until I suggested my child could have a learning disability did they offer to do anything. Do I think she needs an IEP? Probably not. But, unless I'm willing to speak the Special Needs language, she isn't going to get the help she needs. After talking to the principal for 2 hours (!) he tells me "parents don't usually ask for help for their child" She still hasn't mastered concepts that wre introduced at the end of 2nd grade and she's half way thru 4th! How far behind were they waiting for her to get? This is the only subject she needs support in, so it looks to them like she's just slacking. But I see the tears of frustration at home.

Before Goldie, I don't know if I would have sought help from the school. I would have been too proud. But now that I have a child whose diagnosis includes mental retardation, I don't care what people think.

Aaah. Its nice to get all of that out.

Now, why its really bothering me...

I keep thinking about inclusion. If they can't meet a "typical" child's needs, what will they have to offer Goldie? The Special Needs classroom is at a school on the other side of town and the Autism class is also at another building. I may be new to all of this, but I don't think inclusion means having a seperate class in your district. Then there was the comment to me by one of Mini Me's teacher suggesting that she just doesn't think my daughter is very smart. I wanted to puke. Where did she get that idea? Please tell me its because of the math anxiety and not because she has a sibling with DS. Will I fight for inclusion for Goldie so she can have this woman as a teacher?

I shouldn't even be thinking this far ahead. I have to trust that it will all work out. I'll have the wisdom when the time comes to decide what is best for Goldie.

Now, when I'm not bitching about my kid's school, I'm actually doing things with her. This weekend we made a 3-D version of the North Eastern states to help her learn the landmarks. Mini Me reports that the teacher was way impressed :)

Special Needs Family

Technically speaking Goldie is the first and only member of my immediate family diagnosed with a syndrome that puts her in the special needs category. Since she was born, I've thought to myself MANY times that we all have special needs. Spending time with a variety of therapists who let me pick their brains has confirmed this.

Lets start with Hank and Swatcho. I'm convinced they both have ADHD. I'm sure its genetic because his mom and grandfather exhibit the same traits.(If you know anyone doing a study give us a call) Hank is physically unable to sit still. I have no idea how he made it through school. He says he paid people to do his homework so he could work after school. Then,there are the times he goes completely overboard. For example, he went to buy seeds for our garden last year. We only needed some pumpkin and green pepper seeds. He spent $80! WTH? I was only able to talk him into returning $40 worth. I only send him to the store as a last resort now.

Swatcho has been on the move as long as I can remember. Or not, because I don't actually remember her first steps. They were early and it was just the beginning of many trips to the ER. Broken leg 18 months, split chin 2yrs, stitches in big toe at 2 1/2yrs, and broken arm when she was 5. The arm was fun. She had to go to PT twice a week and we had therapists coming to the house for Goldie.I freak out now anytime she does anything remotely dangerous looking. Swatcho is also my sensory seeking child. She loves jumping, spinning, swinging, bike riding, etc...

So for a while I thought Mini Me was the "typical" one. But, alas, no such luck. I'll spare you all the details today, but let's just say she can't follow directions. I've tried everything. I realized it was a problem when I saw it impacting her school work. She knows the material, but can't remember the steps to complete a problem or answer a test question. One of her teachers has developed a low perception of her because of this. (thats a whole nuther post)

Hank came home today and said he thinks I should look into Executive Function Disorder. Yup, that's my girl. And she probably got it from me. But, when we were kids expectations were lower. I didn't have the amount of stuff to keep track of that she does, and I mean both toys and school work. I can also see why I have always kept our schedule so open. Too many things on the calendar and I get overwhelmed. There are weeks I think the whole therapist thing is going to put me over the edge. I'm thankful for them, but at the same time just want to be done with it already.

So there it is. Now, how do I organize our home lives so everyone's needs are met? Do I pursue a formal diasnosis for any of this or just implement strategies to help them be successful? I've started by boxing up some of Mini Me's toys and 2 bags of clothes. She had the idea that she could trade items so she doesn't have too much stuff out at once. I also do this with Goldie's toys to cut down on the mess.