31 for 21 Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Jonathon had a pretty good weekend.  Especially today.  Today went really well.

We are working on a new system.  Reward system.  If he is caught being good, he will receive a ticket to McDonalds or the Movie store.  When he collects enough, then he will get a trip to McDonalds or the movie store or both.

He received one McDonalds ticket tonight.  He ate all his dinner.  He then picked up all his toys(which never happens, not all of them in less than 5 minutes), he listened when told to go take a shower and then he got to play Monster Trucks on the Wii for 30 minutes.  He listened when it was time to get off and get a snack.  He then went potty and brushed his teeth and got into bed.

I am so proud of him.  I believe he understands.  That's why I picked 2 of his favorite places.  He loves chocolate shakes from McDonalds and he loves going to the movie store and walking around to get a movie.

Tomorrow I am going to speak to his teachers and have them start using these rewards at school.  He is having a hard time listening to his young 5's teacher.  I was really saddened on Friday when I witnessed just how bad he can be.  I commend his teacher.  She handled it very well.  very calmly.  She is a great teacher.  Anyway I want him to listen to his teachers.  I want him to get the very best education he can get.  So I am willing to try anything for him.  I came up with this idea myself and I am hoping they will be on board to try it out.

Who knows....maybe it will work.

FACT:   All people with Down syndrome experience cognitive delays, but the effect is usually mild to moderate and is not indicative of the many strengths and talents that each individual possesses. http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/Down-Syndrome-Facts/

31 for 21 Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Children that are born with Down Syndrome want what any other child wants.....

To be loved......

To be accepted......

To be able to go to school......

To make friends......

To learn.......

There was a lot happening at Memphis Elementary today.

It was a busy day for Jonathon.

The Firemen were at school today.

It is Fire Safety week.

We had a fire drill.

All the children went outside safely.

All the children and teachers went to the football field to listen to the Firemen talk about fire safety.

Then!

There was a huge surprise!

St. Marys Flight Care Arrived in the sky.  I am glad that I was at school today and got to experience this with Jonathon.  I have never been this close to a helicopter before and to be there and watch with Jonathon was amazing.

He was very excited at first when he was looking up into the sky to see what was coming.  He could hear and at first thought it was an airplane.  As it got closer and the wind picked up it got a little scary, but we were prepared because the Firemen warned us ahead of time to shield our eyes.  Jonathon was very scared as the helicopter came closer and then it was quiet again after it landed.

I am so proud of Jonathon.  Two years ago he would have never been able to stay out there and witness this special day.  The noise and the size of the helicopter would have practically scared him to death.  Yes he was scared, but he stayed, and he listened when I told him it would be okay.  Then we hurried off to use the restroom and when we returned all the students were on the football field up close to the helicopter learning more about what St. Marys Flight Care does.  We did not go close to the helicopter.  He is not ready for that yet.  And that's ok.  I know one day he will be thrilled to get into a helicopter, ambulance, fire truck, and learn and see more.  This was good for now.

Afterwards all the students and teachers got a group photo taken.   I did not get this picture.  Maybe when the teachers have it developed they will share and then I can share too.

Children with down syndrome are like any other child.  Maybe some things may take longer to do or learn. Maybe some things may be a bit more scarier.  Most of all they are children who want to learn and succeed just like you and I!

FACT:   People with Down syndrome attend school, work, participate in decisions that affect them, and contribute to society in many wonderful ways. http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/Down-Syndrome-Facts/

31 for 21 Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Well I did not make it again this year.  I got extremely busy over the weekend and I forgot(embarrassed) to blog.

FACT Life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades - from 25 in 1983 to 60 today.  http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/Down-Syndrome-Facts/


Jonathon is still having some issues at school.  He is not listening.  Which makes me really sad.  Because he is doing it at home too.  But then there is times that he does listen.  Very frustrating.  I hate going into the class and seeing him misbehave.

We started the visual aid this week.  I'm hoping by the end of the week he gets the hang of it.  I want to make him a copy that is smaller that he can carry with him.

Rest time is not going the greatest either.  He just does not like it.  And I can understand why.  He has not napped for over 2 years.  Later this week or the beginning of next week we are going to try his IPAD.  He can sit and work on his IPAD for rest time as long as he is quiet and as long as he gives it back when rest time is over.

Most of all, I love Jonathon very much and I know we will get through this!!!

31 for 21 Down Syndrome Awareness Month day 5

Visual Aid.

That is our word of the day.

I had a meeting with the speech teacher - Miss O this morning.  We discussed how to help Jonathon through out his day.  And I asked her if she could make up some pec cards for him.  And of course she said sure.

So she made him some signs and also put a book together for him.  I'm sorry to say I did not get time to take a picture of it to post.  But I will this weekend and then add an updated post to show all what we are doing.

I really hope this helps Jonathon out.

Mrs. Claeys (his young 5 teacher) said he had a better day today.  He still wants to run into other classrooms at times.  And he didn't listen at quiet time 100% so he got some activities taken away.  I firmly believe that he will get it.  IT's just going to take time and alot of patience on his teachers end.

We are keeping the lines of communication open.  This is great.  Because together we will be able to help Jonathon.

I love my little boy so very much!  And just like everything else he has learned and accomplished so far.  He too will learn this new routine.  And one day we will all sit back and laugh about it.
"remember when Jonathon........

FACT: Down syndrome occurs in people of all races and economic levels.
http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/Down-Syndrome-Facts/

31 for 21 Down Syndrome Awareness Month Day 4

So Jonathon did not have a good day at school today.  He was very fidgety and hyper.

It's hard for me to fix or help the problem turn into a solution when I am not there to see exactly what is taking place.  I just want Jonathon to have a good day.  I know that he loves to go to school. I know that sometimes he gets hyper.  I know that sometimes he just needs to focus.

At rest time he is taking a book to look at now.  At first this was helping.  Today it did not help.  Today he thought it was a joke and read his book out loud(which is disturbing the class) and then kept trying to get up(which is disturbing the class).  I will keep rest time going on the weekends now.  Maybe this will help.

As far as everything else that is going on, his teacher and I will have to keep the lines of communication open and do what we can to help Jonathon.

I have started doing research about sensory disorder.  I believe he has this even though he has never been diagnosed with it.  I have just figured it out on our own and so far the things that I have bought to help him(headphones for noise issues) have worked so I will keep researching and keep trying until Jonathon and I figure it out.  And we will!

Known Fact:   There are more than 400,000 people living with Down syndrome in the United States.  http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/Down-Syndrome-Facts/

31 for 21 Down Syndrome Awareness Month ..Day 3

FACT:  Down Syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition.  One in every 691 babies in the United States is born with Down Syndrome.  http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/Down-Syndrome-Facts/

31 for 21 Down Syndrome Awareness Month

I was able to speak with Jonathon's P.T. for a brief moment today.  She informed me that Jonathon is doing great in therapy.

I told her that at our Buddy Walk on Saturday he was jumping over cracks in the sidewalk.  And he was doing it very well.  And that we have been working on standing on 1 foot for 3 sec.  He can do 2 seconds with me.  And we have been throwing his balloons around the house and he has been catching them!  Well until our pumpkin cat popped them all.  But we will just get more!

We love Miss Jen.  She has been Jonathon's P.T. since he was an infant.  I am very happy to have her.  She is an amazing woman.  Thank you for choosing this career Jennifer.  You are great at your job.

Known Fact...There are three types of Down Syndrome....trisomy 21(nondisjunction) accounts for 95% of cases.  translocation accounts for about 4% and mosaicism accounts for about 1%.  http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/Down-Syndrome-Facts/

Jonathon has trisomy 21.

31 for 21 Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Well our county was a little ahead of schedule this year and we already walked last Saturday.  Our team raised $1,941.00 for St. Clair County Down Syndrome Group.

Jonathon started back to school in September.  He is continuing with his ECDD class and then he is mainstreamed the second half of the day in young 5's.

As we were walking through school last Thursday, I walked behind and watched.  I was/am so proud to be his mom.  I swear EVERYONE knows my son.  All you hear down the hall is "Hi Jonathon", "Hey Jonathon"  and some of the kids will say to me "Are you Jonathon's mom?"  " He is my friend".  My son knows alot of people.  From teachers to class room aides, to kitchen help, to principal and lots of kids.

I hope and pray that this never changes.  I hope that Jonathon is always treated equal.  I hope Jonathon is never bullied.

I am going to leave you with one known fact. Down Syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. This additonal genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down Syndrome.http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/Down-Syndrome-Facts/