Down Syndrome??

Question

I have a 4 yr. old with DS. He is my absolute world, I love him so much! I am very concerned about his speech, he doesn't speak much at all. He goes to pre-school for three hours a day where he visits with different therapist for about a half hour. I have asked for different ideas from his teachers to do at home, she gave me everything she had to do as homework. It all worked somewhat, but not as much as I had hoped. I just want the best for my son.. any ideas??

Answer 1

Your son is still your son. Its just that it had a syndrome and you cannot blame anybody for it. Just treat him as a normal kid and show him how you love him and he will feel it. I'm not a therapist or anything, but im commenting because parents are parents, and sons are sons; and the relationship between you both will matter the most, and that is the best for your son.

Answer 2

Hi! when I read your question I thought you might be talking about my son....lol I also have a 4 yr old with DS and we are in the same situation. when I brought up my concerns at my son's IEP meeting last week.  I was basically told not to worry. because his cognitive development is there (meaning he understands what we ask of him).  I have noticed that he is "babbling" and using different combinations of words and when he does "babble" it does have meaning, because he will repeat the same thing over and over (until he shows me what he wants, because mommy didn't "get it"...lol).  I was told this is a precursor to beginning speech and that he will get it....in his own time. I still bumped up the speech therapy to 3 times a week and we work with him daily.  Your son sounds so much like mine in the way he has developed...excels in physical therapy and occupational therapy, but a bit behind in speech.  my take on this is that our son's spent so much of their time working on developing those areas of their development that speech was put on the wayside for a bit. I have met kids that can talk your ear off,  but can't walk yet...it just depends on the individual. I understand your worry, hang in there...he will surprise you one day. just keep doing what you have been doing.

Answer 3

I've worked with children with DS for years.  There are different levels of it.  Some children born with it are fairly eloquent, though have a speech impediment, and there are some who are not able to speak at all.  The first thing to figure out would be is it a matter of can't or won't.  If it's a matter of can't, then trying to force it will only frustrate the little guy.  If it's a matter of won't, there are many things you can do to encourage it.  There's a problem run by people with therapy dogs called "reading to dogs."  Children who are shy about opening up can read books to animals (often children with disabilities) and it's amazing to see how much somebody opens up to an animal who they know won't judge them.  Good luck.  He sounds like a wonderful little boy.

Answer 4

Congratulations in recognizing your son has potential and attempting to support his growth and development.  As you may realize, the thicker tongue that is common with peoplel with DS inhibits the ability to clearly enunciate.   With intervention over the next eighteen years you could find you son reaches those dreams of living in his own home, having a job, dating, etc.,  

Having worked for years with people with various developmental disabilities and related conditions, I strongly recommend you consider the following

Open a case with your state/county mental health developmental disabilities agency who can give you a variety of supports including referrals to sources that will encourage his independence and developmental milestones

Join a support organization for DS which should be in your state.  These are parents and other professionals who have similar experiences and may save you time and frustration.  There is a national organization National Down Syndrome Organization (NDSO) is a fantastic resource for information and referrals.

Besides the therapist and school system (under Federal law he qualifies for free education and therapy from age 3 through 21 so you don't have to pay for pre-school unless you desire to), you should encourage him at home with various methods of speech development, i.e., singing which uses a different part of the brain than talking, looking at books where he can tell you the colors or animal names, etc.  Push him in the areas of motor development though you may not see deficits at this time.  Unfortunately, in time you may see where his developmental in the areas of visual motor, fine motor, and gross motor skills slows compared to his "average" peers.  This therapy is called motor patterning and you can google it and/or have a developmental physical therapy or occupational therapist evaluate and provide exercises for the home.

I congratulation you for having a beautiful child who is loved and who will progress to become an independent adult.