Not autism BUT special needs related.

I wanted to share with everyone about a documentary I was given a chance to view and review.  I came across the trailer on Facebook from a friend of mine and decided I HAD to get my hands on this dvd and see it for myself..It is called DEEDAH.

First, I must say how incredibly moved I was by this film.  I laughed and teared up all at the same time.  My oldest daughter watched it with me, and  she didn't even have to ask questions because the documentary explained down syndrome to a "T" by a young girl who happens to be DEEDAH. She is the sister to Johnathan who has down syndrome.  I felt as though it would be a great addition to an elementary school setting for all young children to watch.  I am sure many children do not realize how special these children are and how bright and capable they also are.  This documentary sheds light on everything from bullying and name calling to the capability and successes of a young boy with down syndrome.  

I was very humbled to be given an opportunity to watch it and review and and I personally give it 2 thumbs up and I hope to encourage others in the education field as well and parents and loved ones watch this documentary. 

http://www.deedahandme.com/index.php/

Initiating social play....

So Katlynn was in the trampoline and She said to Audrie, "hold my hand, hold my hand".  Audrie did take her hand and it only lasted about a minute before Katlynn was done with the physical contact of hand holding, but it is still very sweet to see her initiating it.  I think the music and movement class is really helping with that.

This was really nice to see after a rough week with Katlynn.  Moody and somewhat irritable.  Nothing super bad but just not her typical self, which is normally more typical.  She was just cranky.  Hoping that it was short lived and she'll be back to herself this week.  I think she was having gas and constipation issues.  We still haven't really resolved them permanently as they come and go. Anyone with suggestions?  My Dr. suggests prune juice, but K doesn't like it.  I don't give her OTC stuff, because the kid versions don't do anything and I am not comfortable with her having adult versions for a 3 year old regardless of dosage.  If a Pharmacist is telling me it can be harmful because it is not designed for children under age 6, I am going to believe them.

Self initiated pretend play

We went to a Music and Movement class last night and the Kinder-music teacher passed out some of those rhythm sticks to the kids.  Well... Katlynn crossed hers over each other and made an airplane out of them.  She was flying them in the air saying, "It's an airplane zoom-zoom".

It's the little things.

She amazes me everyday.

Keeping track of Katlynn's ever expanding vocabulary

So I decided I am going to track in this post new things she says daily or at least weekly.

 9/29/10- "I want to go down stairs. C'mon Audrie let's go!"
10/05/10- "Hair pitty fall.  Put my hair pitty in." (she meant pretty because that's what I call it. She had it in her hand and gave it to me)
10/05/10- "Open da gate. I wanna play train table (waits for a minute then says) PPLLEESSEEE."
10/08/10- "Give it me, that's mine!"

Found an Older picture

She was still autistic here I believe, but I just didn't know it yet. 
Katlynn~2008 (10 months old) 

Advocating

Is....

A job a parent with a special needs child will do pretty much forever.  Might as well get good at it right?  Well, I think I am slowly but surely learning how to do this and do it right.  Learning what is right and wrong, all about placements and special education law.  In fact, by learning what I have with Katlynn has helped me catch a HUGE mess up on the school districts part for Halle's IEP.  .  However,  I am not out to be nasty, I am just advocating for my daughters rights.  For her future.  What a lot of these IEP teams don't get,  is "we" (the parents) are part of the team.  I have gotten countless apologies and them admitting to screwing up.  But does this make it okay?  Do they think I should just blow it off?  Well, I am sure they don't and they're right.  They will be walking on eggshells with me for the next few years.  I say that with a smile.  I guess they forgot it is a team effort and I am part of the team. While I don't want to ruin my relationship with the school staff, I want to make sure they are aware I am an actively involved parent.  I have heard from them time and time again how very few parents are.  That makes me sad to hear.  Is is really true that parents would not fight and advocate for your child's rights?  To know what is being taught to your child and how they are doing in the school setting or placement?  I just can't imagine it.  I can't but I know it is true and happens quite often.

Maybe that's why they thought they would get off easily with Halle.  They assumed I was one of those parents who just expected the school to teach my child and that's it.  They assumed, I didn't give a damn.  Ha... boy we're they wrong.  As I have said before,  I am nice until you mess with my kids and then I get ugly.

Communication is key.

I know I kind of went off topic since this is Katlynn's blog, but I figure a majority of the readers have children on IEP's.

The faces of katlynn..

She is so photogenic sometimes I can't help it.