April Update

A successful IDP with Jenny again last month, many thanks to all involved. :)

Some new things to share:

• Matai has started to bang his head on the floor when he is upset or frustrated.  He is hitting it really hard and then becoming even more upset when he realises he has hurt himself.  This is new behaviour and I'm hopeful it has a brief phase but I would love to hear if he is doing it at preschool or if it is just with his parents.  We are trying to use the word 'gentle, be gentle' to draw attention to stopping it.  Would love any advice anyone might have?

• We have had an initial meeting with Jenny re choosing a school for Matai (and with Mia in mind).  We are now slowly in the process of visiting schools to gather information and find the 'best fit' for all of us. 

• Categorising - we have noticed a little more grouping and lining up of objects shapes, game pieces.  He now likes to unload the cutlery from the dishwasher into the right places in the drawer and he makes not a bad effort.  He knows which of his clothes go in which drawers and can make an admirable attempt at putting them back after emptying them... (whilst he is supposed to be sleeping!).

• Playacting - Matai has recently pretended to cry, for fun.  And it is funny too. may be something to look out for though. :)

Speech

• We have been having a few more 3 word phrases from Matai, and have even felt like we have been having a conversation a couple of times!  I am more and more aware of how much Matai is understanding now.  He listens in on our adult conversations and sometimes acts accordingly (eg, gets whatever object we were talking about or gets his coat if we have been discussing what we are going to do next). 

• Over recent weeks, I have heard Matai initiate more single words than ever before.  The key here is initiating because they are all words that we know that he knows but he usually only uses them after we say them first. Examples have been walking out into the rain and him saying 'rain' and 'wet', pulling on my necklace and saying 'pull' and 'push'.

• And we had a very clear question word recently too.  'Daddy, where? (weeya?), directly after Aaron had walked out of the room.  :)

• One of the IDP goals was to sign 'play' with the other kids at preschool and we have seen him do this at home now. It wasn't obvious, but it was repeated when we made a point of asking about it.  It might take a bit longer to build confidence to use it at preschool, but it is awesome to see it eventuating, and especially because it is a direct result of someone else's teaching!  Yay. :)

Anyway that's us.  Nothing really big, but it has been a while since I've been on here.  Thanks for reading.

World Down Syndrome Day 2015

To mark World Down syndrome day a month ago on 21/3  (to signify 3 copies of the 21st chromosome) I made a short video of our little guy.  Thought you might like to see it. :)

January Update

Happy New Year!

Well it's February, I guess we already 1/12th into it!  I hope that everybody has started well and is feeling mainly fresh after a holiday with awesome weather.

We have been easing ourself back into routine and with school going back this week, I think we are there.  We had our first family camping trip to Glendhu Bay last weekend and it went much better than I had anticipated. In fact I am now open to becoming a 'camping family'!  Wow. 

Matai enjoyed the time away.  He initiated a new word 'cold',  which he used a lot when swimming in the lake, and which he later transferred to eating yoghurt (favourite food) here at home.  It has been nice to hear him use a word that we haven't been working on or looking for and more of these are creeping in. 

So new words and topics/concepts that have come out of our 6 week break are:

cold/hot, wet, swimming, beach, tent, towel, togs, sunblock
present (the opening kind)
raining, windy,

I have included some photos below that you are very welcome to print and use with Matai if you wish.  He just love love loves photos with things and people he knows!!

 

(breakfast)

 

 

 

 

(a very conveniently placed hand!  Matai now likes to get his teddy and say '1, 2, 3' and throw him into the air)

 

 

 

 

 

MOE website - specific section for Down syndrome

Just became aware of this - awesome!

The new Ministry of Education website includes a section specifically about students with Down syndrome: http://inclusive.tki.org.nz/guides/down-syndrome-and-learning/

Loads of good info, links and resources about what Down syndrome is and specific challenges that may be encountered in the learning environment.

I will go and have a good old browse one day, way too much info to deal with in one sitting, but a very good resource to have.
Well done MOE!

IDP Tues 16 Dec

This seemed to go very well.  Everyone was very positive and Matai appears to have made progress with his goals that Kath had written down. 

Of course Jenny prepares a report with all of the details of the meeting and so I won't double up but I would just like to say Thank you to all involved and it was lovely to walk out of the meeting feeling that everyone is invested in our little man and that he is coming along well.  We really appreciate all of the input.
Now though everyone needs to go and have a Merry Christmas and not think about children and/or clients until 2015!

Merry Christmas :)

PS - Matai uttered his first 3 word phrase yesterday; 'Daddy, Mia, car', telling me that Dad and Mia were outside playing with the toy car.   A nice little milestone to end our year!

Preschool Bus Trip

Matai loved the bus!!

In the first week of December, Gladstone took the kids to Rowena Jackson to sing carols and on to the McIntyre Christmas house at West Plains Road.

Matai was very surprised (stopped in his tracks) and excited to go on the bus.  He loved looking out the window and it was a kick for me to be along and see his interest. 
It was also nice to see him get involved with the songs at the rest home because he had opted out at the Christmas party a few nights before.

I am not sure he understood why we were at the house or what the fuss was with the lights etc but he really enjoyed being with everyone and with his mum :)!

Thank you preschool teachers, what a lovely morning!

 

 

 

 

December (Weekly Speech Goal included)

11 Dec

Hi.  It is Christmas, and everything is winding down (or up, depending on which way you look at it)!

Matai finished up with Bridget (speech therapist) yesterday and we feel good to have had a term of consistent sessions and great relationship building. I value Bridget's visits because they give me a chance to sit back,watch Matai and take the time to focus on his speech and language for half an hour.  It is also so good to hear about what Bridget notices and what development she spots.  Matai has increased his language usage and comprehension in the last 6 months. 

Anyway, speech goal from now until Christmas:

SANTA!!  Not only will be working on understanding and expression of this word but we will be making a point of introducing the concept of the person!  Matai doesn't understand Christmas yet but we'll see what we can do :)