|  October
is
Down syndrome
Awareness Month!
November is
Prematurity
Awareness Month!
NATIONAL INCLUSIVE
SCHOOLS WEEK
December 1-5, 2008. For
more information, go to InclusiveSchools.org
TASH 2008: SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE 21ST
CENTURY
December 3-6, 2008
The annual TASH convention will be held at the Nashville
Convention Center and Renaissance Hotel. For more information
visit www.tash.org/2008tash.
2009 TASH WEBINAR SERIES:
1) Asset Building for Individuals with Disability (January
21 - March 11, 2009)
"Poverty does not have to be synonymous with disability"
Click to signup online!
2) INCLUSIVE EDUCATIONS: Strategies For Success (February
2 – March 10, 2009)
Click to signup online!
KELLY'S UPSIDE DOWN BALL 2009
Mark your calendars for
Kelly's
Upside Down Ball on Friday,
March 20th, 2009! We'll kick off a weekend
of celebration for World Down Syndrome Weekend! For
more information, contact Robbin Lyons at Robbin@kellysupsidedownball.org.
WORLD DOWN SYNDROME
AWARENESS DAY
March 21, 2009. For more
information, go to worlddownsyndromeday.org
INDIANAPOLIS
MARCH FOR BABIES
It's America's favorite
walking event! When you walk, you give
hope to the families of babies born too soon or sick.
The
money you raise supports programs in your community
that
help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. And it
funds
research to find answers to the serious problems that
threaten
our babies. We've been walking since 1970 and have raised
an incredible $1.8 billion to benefit all babies. The
Indianapolis
event takes place Sunday, April 26, 2009.
For more information, go to March
of Dimes - Indiana.
THE 37th NDSC
NATIONAL CONVENTION
July 31-August 2, 2009
Sacramento, California
For more information, check out the NDSC
website.
2009 DOWN SYNDROME
INDIANA BUDDY WALK
Takes place on Saturday.
October 10, 2009 at Celebration Plaza,
White River State Park,
Indianapolis, IN. For more details, fo to www.downsyndromeindiana.org/buddywalk
Legislative News
and Updates
News from NDSC/NDSS
Congress Reconvenes
The 111th Congress convened last week. Attention is
focused now on
confirmation hearings for Cabinet positions (e.g. Secretary
of State, Education,
Health and Human Services) and the proposed economic
stimulus package. A
big item on the Congressional agenda is increased Medicaid
funding for states
that are being forced to cut services and limit eligibility
to beneficiaries. We will
continue to update you about the impact of Congressional
action on individuals
with Down syndrome and other disabilities.
If you have questions or comments about this Newsline,
please contact Susan Goodman at susan@ndsccenter.org.
Tips
From The Therapist
Some of our contributing
Therapists have shared with me that they take their
cue from the parents on how much to interact with them
during therapy sessions. The Therapists shared that
generally parents who ask to be present at sessions,
ask questions, are actively engaged in the session,
etc. are more likely to want a high level of interaction
with the Therapist. However, if parents "disappear"
during the session, never ask questions, etc., the level
of interaction with the Therapist is much lower. So...
if you were wondering how to become more involved in
your child's therapy session -- be actively engaged
in the session, ask more questions and/or ask the Therapist
show you what activities you can do with your child
until the next session.
 Doesn't
it always look easier while the therapist is there?
Evan's PT, Melissa, always comes up with ways to make
therapy "home work" a little more fun! She
is a firm believer in using every day items in therapy.
Here, Melissa is using "walking sticks" and
a scooter board to help Evan walk across the floor.
The sticks are easy for Evan to hold, and the scooter
board makes it easy for Melissa to move with him. Evan
can also use the sticks to keep his balance when stepping
up. My favorite part of this exercise is that I can
walk behind Evan holding the sticks at the top while
he's holding on at the bottom -- no more back pain from
bending over and holding is hands while he walks, (other
older parents will appreciate that as much as I do).
 To
make the walking sticks, you just need two dowel rods
(you can purchase them at any hardware store). Paint
the rods something fun and decorative that reflects
your child's personality. You can purchase the scooter
board at Target or most toys stores. If you can' find
a scooter board, you can use a rolling gardening bench.
You can finds those in the gardening section at Walmart,
Target, Lowe's, etc.
Show
n' Tell  Another
great discovery! While getting Evan to crawl was fairly
easy, we had such a difficult time finding something
to motivate him to walk! He had the mechanics down,
but just didn't seem that interested. One day, a friend
told me about shoes from China that squeaked and how
kids just loved walking in them. Knowing how much Evan
loves noise, I searched the internet and there they
were - Pip Squeaker Shoes. I ordered two pairs - one
to fit his bare feet and one to fit over his orthotics
(Yes! They come in wide and extra-wide.) Evan put them
on for the first time in a PT session and, of course,
took eight independent steps right away! He's been on
his feet every since then. One of the best things about
them is that the squeaker is in the heel of the shoe,
so to get them to squeak, the child has to walk heel-to-toe.
You can find Pip Squeakers at www.pipsqueakers.com
and at amazon.com. Lots
of styles and colors!
The WubbaNub™ is designed to keep the pacifier conveniently
placed to infant. Soft plush brings soothing comfort
and security. Vibrant colors are stimulating and captivating.
The WubbaNub™ is also an asset helping in the development
of hand-eye coordination.
- Birth (Full Term) to 6 Months
- Latex Free Medical Grade Silicone Pacifier
- Soft Comforting and Soothing Plush Toy
- Stays Close to Baby
- No Pacifier Cords or Clips
 Evan's
WubbaNub was a life saver! It was easy for him to hold
and was key in him learning to later hold his bottle
and self-feed.
 This
is a Bumbo
Seat. It did wonders helping Evan strengthen his
muscles to sit up. It is a European product that is
just now making its way to the US. I shared it with
one of Evan's therapist, and she has shared it with
other parents. You can get it locally from Babies'
Secret Unique Baby Products 317-733-8892. The Bumbo
Seat is now also available at Target, Walmart, Meijer
and Babies-R-Us.
I have
always tried to be careful when buying Evan’s
toys (most of his are Little Tikes), but considering
all the toy scares lately, this may be another good
option. They have a lot of great items to supplement
therapy.
www.novanatural.com
Nova Natural Toys
and Crafts is a small, family owned business
in Shelburne, Vermont. Nova has all sorts of Eco-friendly,
natural toys, from rattles and teethers to blocks and
puzzles.
Nova's Philosophy:
Nova Natural was created 18 years ago out of a desire
to provide families and teachers with a wide variety
of natural products, which are conducive to creative
and wholesome living. We offer finely crafted toys that
inspire imaginative play, beautifully illustrated children's
books, a wide range of parenting and craft books, non-competitive
games which successfully combine action and challenge
with co-operation and compassion and natural craft and
art supplies to create your own works of beauty.
According to the philosophy that guides Nova Natural,
each toy should be age-appropriate in form and in function.
Toys should further the child's inner development allowing
children to express moods and feelings freely and have
an 'open-ended' quality, without the limiting, predetermined
play which can come when toys are too formed or too
fixed in their function. A simple toy allows the child's
imagination, full play. For example, a doll with only
suggested facial features can do anything imaginable,
laugh, cry, talk, etc. Toys should strengthen and encourage
the child's fantasy life so that a child can submerge
himself in play, in the world of myth and fairy tales,
live outside his day-to-day experiences, imitating adult
life with housekeeping toys and through pretend play.
The child is able to solve challenging situations when
he becomes a rescuing hero with his fire engine will
be the adult able to resolve difficulties in the office,
laboratory or factory, and 'rescue' the work situation.
'Play prepares the future, and playthings and the play
environment should give opportunity for this.' (Joan
Salter, The Incarnating Child)
Got drool? Get Bandit
Bib.
"Bandit Bib™ is a small stylish baby bib
that looks more like a fashion accessory. It is 100%
cotton and made in the USA." I have found that
it is perfect for "big boy" Evan who still
struggles with tone around his mouth. He can wear it
school and it does not look like baby bib, but like
he's making a fashion statement.
|
Prince Evan's Parent Network
THE
CHILD KING DVD (
