Adult Like Observations

[Guest guest]

Very wise words. I know I have a looong way to go with Micah at only 8

years old but being a parent for 33 years helps some lol! I have found this

year

to be the best mix ever for Micah. He starts his day in the general ed

classroom where he does morning routine for about an hour. He then goes into

the

12:1:1 class for his intensive educational portion of the day for 2 and a

half hours. Has lunch with the general ed kids and then goes into the general

ed class for the hour and a half before coming home. It is basically a 50-50

split and I am finding it to be wonderful. He is learning much more this

year and he has all the plus's of the general ed setting. In fact they combine

the two classes for all their parties and field trips and do some crafts

together also. Outside of school he is doing soccer on the " typical " soccer

team

and he takes swimming lessons. Also we have him signed up for special

olympics. I am trying to balance things to see where Micah wants to be. I

love

when he goes into the 12:1:1 class and all the kids are hugging each other.

they really love each other in that classroom. This year the school is

actually going to do a sensitivity training course for the entire elementary

school. It is about time!!! I think we are finally getting the district to

" get "

it and realize that our kids CAN have it all and flourish while balancing

their lives between the both worlds.

Loree

In a message dated 12/24/2008 10:46:13 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

KathyEverett@... writes:

Here are a few of the many things I have learned:

-provide opportunities for social interaction but let take the lead

-don't stress about what " I " want for her, let her decide

-inclusion is not the end all, be all

-self-contained is not the end all, be all

-it is okay if she is 21 and still loves anything Disney! : )

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[Guest guest]

You all have brought up some very good points about socializing and our

children. I have always been advocated for inclusion for , who is

non-verbal; and 21yo. She has always been included in family activities, school

and social activities. But I also felt she needed the opportunity to interact

with people with disabilities through special Olympics and other types of

special programs. I sometimes wondered if what I was doing was the right thing

for her....here is what I have surmised.

I am grateful for the quality of 's life. She has enjoyed school and

participated as much as she can in all social school activities being a team

manager and attending homecoming, football games, senior activities, etc. She

interacts more now as an adult with her friends with disabilities but if asked

to do something with someone will ask for or call a non-disabled friend. I

think part of the reason is that people with DS or other disabilities are not

always able to understand her or to wait and interpret her communication where

as a typical person is. She loves calling people (even tho she is nonverbal)

and will call her typical friends/family . She doesn't have the phone number of

her friends with disabilities in her phone - her choice not mine - and yet she

is not in a transition skills class for her last year. Usually people put their

numbers into her phone.

After all of the opportunities she has had (and that did not come without me

advocating for her), I will still be the one finding her a job, providing a

coach and facilitating friendships and social activities for her after school.

And that is Okay! She is healthy, happy and a contributing member of society.

Here are a few of the many things I have learned:

-provide opportunities for social interaction but let take the lead

-don't stress about what " I " want for her, let her decide

-inclusion is not the end all, be all

-self-contained is not the end all, be all

-it is okay if she is 21 and still loves anything Disney! : )

Love and Happy Holidays to All,

Kathy Everett