Friday, October 25, 2013

High School Waterboy with Down Syndrome Scores Touchdown, Crowd Goes Wild



Read On: http://goo.gl/nwf

Courtesy:Jake silver

Watch Video:http://goo.gl/C4V9dC



Fans of the Little Chute Mustangs got a special surprise for their team's matchup with Clintonville High on Oct. 18. Longtime waterboy Noah VanVooren was made honorary team captain, much to his parents' delight.
What they and the fans didn't know, however, was that VanVoorenan 18-year-old senior with Down Syndromewould score a touchdown in the final minute.
Naturally, the crowd went wild.

Yoga With Down Syndrome: Sarah Schaffer's Story


Yoga For Special Needs


Read On:  http://goo.gl/YovTz0





Courtesy: Laura McMullen

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

A Couple With Down Syndrome is Voted Homecoming King and Queen For the First Time Ever in Florida

Read On: http://goo.gl/6H0LPt

Courtesy: Chris Miles

Down syndrome and Alzheimers

Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s Disease

The APP protein, which is the product of a gene on human chromosome 21, contributes to the degeneration of specific neuronal circuits important for learning and memory. This same neuronal degeneration is also a characteristic feature of Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Mobley and his colleagues at UCSD are continuing to investigate the genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms that lead to learning and memory difficulties, including association with Alzheimer’s disease and to test small molecules and compounds that would reduce the level of the APP protein in mice and lead to the improvements in cognition and halt neurodegeneration of affected neuronal circuits.
Courtesy:DSRTF
Read On:http://goo.gl/GSy8VZ

Parents of special children......chosen ones

Read On:

Is the birth of our special need child an accident or are we chosen carefully?



http://goo.gl/TgAi8W




Friday, October 4, 2013

Behavioral Education in Down syndrome

Down Syndrome kids are usually less likely to misbehave but in case they do,as any ways they are kids.They have to be softly and strategically handled.Sometimes when they wish to escape some task they may behave in an absurd manner .In such cases either fun filled activities should be introduced that may bring some fun and encourage to perform or task can be simplified in to smaller steps so that child may find it easy to perform.If child behavior has sudden changes then his day to day activities should be closely observed and reason for such an activity can be easily derived. It may be the environment or peers that is actual reason of misconduct . In such case cause should be eliminated in a manner that child understands relevance of act.Study place can be designed in such a way that child does not find it a punishment to study.Study routine should be inculcated with different areas like sports,music,dance,drama where the child   should be comfortable as well excited to learn.When during the activities child gets stuck and is unable to perform then if in case he needs help he should not hesitate to ask for help.
These kids where they should be demotivated for bad behavior on the other hand should be applauded for good behavior.Any activity given to child should be properly explained or enacted before them in a way we expect from them to perform.Still if any furious reaction comes,time should be given to child to settle himself  and then amicably things should be explained. Once child understands the gravity he should be asked to apologize, to make him differentiate negative behavior.Slowly child understands impact of positive and negative behavior.At times when negative behavior persists then it becomes important to ignore the behavior.As child is doing  it purposely to draw attention from the instructor or his peers.When this behavior distracts other kids then teacher ignores his behavior and praises other children behavior.Child when feels ignored he repeats same things again and again . He is advised not to to repeat the wrong practice,initially patiently later firmly.Child if still does not understands then change of activity or giving some other responsibility  that may divert his mind can be of some help.When he performs that activity then praise of child can deviate him completely from doing negative task. Mending the wrong thing into right direction and lastly some incentives or token of appreciation pre handed can be with held on every wrong task done will motivate child to self regulate his behavior.Punishment should be the last option as it barely ever helps.






Thursday, October 3, 2013

Education in down syndrome




Down syndrome students have mild to moderate IQ levels.These kids should be imparted education under inclusive set ups.As Inclusive set up gives opportunity to interact and communicate with normal kids. Encouragement is an important aspect of education.The focus of education is never to highlight brilliance but to provide an environment which helps them attain basic knowledge which can help them live with confidence and make their living.Learning disabilities if strategically handled can give real good results.A qualified special instructor can be an asset for such kids.His experience can set guidance children with down syndrome.These kids have good short term memory.They quickly pick up things and retain for small time,if the same thing is continuously practiced with them then there are higher chances they retain the knowledge gained.Interaction is most important to derive more and more output.Somehow in case of  the children with down syndrome they have less concentration power.They get distracted soon.Study place should always have minimum distractions so that educator can put in maximum effort.

Initially it takes more time for such kids to absorb the concept but once they develop interest and learn maximum out of time.The capability of child is not the genes or IQ ,actually it is the effort that is being poured in.Small activities should be targeted that get finished  soon.The interesting they are the easily they perform.While explaining or giving commands the clarity of speech should be clear from our side.The important commands should be given stress and slowly pronounced .firm behavior while giving commands  is must.In UK and America lot of research is being done on intellectual growth.Researched educational material is being provided which really helps to support these kids in mainstream educational system.







Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Speech Therapy In Down Syndrome


Speech and language skills are somewhat delayed due to hypo tonicity of muscles.Rather non verbal skills or communication skills are much better as these kids can very well explain all their needs in the form of gestures.Speech skills still vary in children with down syndrome from individual to individual .It depends a lot on IQ level,environment they live ,inputs that being poured in  order to support them,socialization that is being provided.Initially sounds are focused,which are converted in to words.These words are matched with images and joined together to form short and long sentences .The more the vocabulary the fine the language is.Down syndrome kids still have somewhat delayed as well unclear speech.Language is the base of communication.The verbal skills if tuned at the right age ,the child adjusts in education with the same pace.Speech is what one see and hear and how it is intercepted individually.Most of down syndrome cases have vision and hearing issues.These issues if not resolved in early years,they poorly affect mental development of child and further leads to delayed speech.The retention of knowledge for long term is also an issue for them.Downs kids quickly imitate any thing done before them.But when it comes to retention they need frequent repeated inputs.Speech therapy starts with early intervention program.Exercises along with playful activities to enhance oral motor skills are mostly done to begin with.These exercises are tailor made as per individual.As physical and mental development may vary among all kids.Regular input through play therapy is the key to success.