DownSyn Forum

lesterbell · Posted: August 24 2010, 4:29 PM Post subject: Sick of stereotypes of DS

I want to barf everytime I hear that line"Down's kids are so easy going" I have a wonderful, beautiful, smart kid with DS and she can mock, be argumentative (yes verbally) and tell me off when she doesnt get her way.

Her big thing now is "Duh!" when I don't udnerstand her or forget to give her something,etc...

My daughter is not typical ANYTHING! She blows me away every day how stinkin smart she is.

Sorry, I am just venting. I want to tell people that it's hard distinguishing what is normal kid behavior and what is Down syndrome behaviors and the constant stuggle with those 2 things. She is my only child now and forever so, so I don't have anything to compare to other than what I read here which is so valuble.

What do you all say when someone brings up the stereotype sayings?

Thanks for e-listening

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Mom to Kayla (DS, Polyarticular Arthritis 7/11/2002)

Tigger · Posted: August 28 2010, 7:45 AM Post subject:

I try to put people straight when they feed me those lines. Talitha is very loving but definitely not easy going!!! She is smart, knows how to get what she wants and can be charming one moment and incredibly bossy the next.

She doesn't miss anything and I constantly forget that her lack of expressive language isn't an indicator of her receptive language. She reminds me by a simple comment, by arguing about it or by going to get the thing I am discussing.

I don't like anybody putting anyone in a box.

_________________
Karyn
Mum to Nikki (Jul 89), Stefanie (Sep 96), Joel [June 98] and Talitha (DS) (Nov 05) AVSD/PDA repaired 23 March 06

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." Psalm 139:14

Momtoseven · Posted: August 28 2010, 9:32 AM Post subject:

I really can't stand when people stereotype ds either. Mark is only 2 and he has shown us that he is more like his siblings in so many ways, but especially his moods - uggh - as I write this he is getting angry at his brother who is in his face. Mark is really letting him know how he feels and it's anything but an easy-going attitude - lol!!

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Maureen - Mom to Daniel(24), Brandon(22), Jordan(16), Thomas(14), Carrie(10), Samuel(7) and Mark (4)
https://www.carepages.com/carepages/MarkEdwardC32708

DanielsMommy · Posted: August 28 2010, 2:57 PM Post subject:

We just got home from a neighborhood festival and there was a bouncy house. Daniel had to be pulled out kicking and screaming because he flat out refused to get out. He's NOT easy going all the time, nor is he always so loving Smile

.

Stereotypes get to me as well. However, I usually hear them from people who mean well and are trying to compliment him..and in that case, I don't let it bother me. But it can get frustrating sometimes.

_________________

Lisa - Mommy to Elayna 10-1-02 and Daniel (Ds) 6-7-05
Always have hope....Without rain, there can be no rainbows.

mom2nicole · Posted: August 29 2010, 6:31 PM Post subject:

I actually had a client the other day say "they are so loving" and I out right laughed at her. She was like "what" and I said she can be the most hard headed, back talking stinker. But she will tell me "I love you" and "your the best mom" over and over. So I take everything with a grain of salt most of the time. But sometimes I do snap because I hear it so much with working with the public.

_________________
Michelle
My Angel Nicole (9-12-2000)DS
Faith (2-18-2010)bilateral mild hearing loss

karimomtofourgirls · Posted: September 05 2010, 11:23 PM Post subject:

thanks for making me smile Very Happy

I too have a very sassy, mouthy, sarcastic girl. Just today when we were pulling up to church she said, "I don't want this crap!"

Her sassy mouth is daily; but a couple of days ago I asked her to clean up her littlest pet shop three times. She finally got up and said, "ok, ok... whatever woman. Your so annoying!" Then she stomped off and rolled her eyes. After cleaning up she came back for a high five and hug because "she did so good". I know some of this has to do with having older sisters... but I agree with you. The stereotype gets old Wink

Good luck!

_________________
Kari
Wife to Scott (8/3/91) and mom to Kiersten (5/7/94), Madison (4/1/96), Hannah (11/22/9 Cool

, and Sadie (6/17/04 - ds)

http://teaguetribe.blogspot.com/

MomtoAndrew · Posted: September 06 2010, 10:16 AM Post subject:

Lots of times I've gotten the comment "he's always so happy" in regards to Andrew. I simply respond by saying, "Yes, right now he's happy. But he's also 5 years old and along with that comes the same temper tantrums/arguments/whining/scowling that my other 3 kids did at that age."

Andrew IS the same when it comes to those less-than-desirable behaviors. The thing that's different about him, vs. my other 3 kids, is that he doesn't hold a grudge. If he doesn't get something he wants he'll throw a tantrum.....but I can redirect him pretty easily and then he's *right as rain* again, whereas my other 3 kids scowled at me for hours afterwards! LOL!!!

_________________
Nicki, proud SAHM to:

Brady the Magnificent (1 Cool

Li'l Miss Ellie (12)
Mr. Mikey-Monkey-Man (9.5)
Sir Andrew (DS, 7)
Mr. Owen (chronological age 9.5mos, adjusted age 7mos)

LinMac · Posted: September 06 2010, 11:39 AM Post subject:

When I get
'there lovely kids....always happy'
in my minds eye I see a bubble over their heads like in a cartoon which say

'I don't know what I'm talking about so I'll say something meaningless'

And I nod in agreement!

I often feel they'd be better saying nothing rather than something meaningless! Thats my two cents worth.....

At six we have a lot of lovely temper tantrums with Robert. We are all working on teaching him how to express himself appropriately!

_________________
Linda & John
mom to Hannah Kate (Age 14 ), Robert (Aged 9 - DS)

First Communion Day

DanielsMommy · Posted: September 06 2010, 12:00 PM Post subject:

Quote:

.....but I can redirect him pretty easily and then he's *right as rain* again, whereas my other 3 kids scowled at me for hours afterwards

Nicki, never thought of it that way...but you are totally right. Daniel doesn't hold a grudge either.

_________________

Lisa - Mommy to Elayna 10-1-02 and Daniel (Ds) 6-7-05
Always have hope....Without rain, there can be no rainbows.

Courtney · Posted: September 06 2010, 2:34 PM Post subject:

I correct people all the time. I'll often say something like, "yes, she is very happy/loving/easy going (depending on which stereotype I've just been handed), but she can also be a stinker. She is often bossy, stubborn, strong-willed. She's three, and she's very good at it."

_________________
~Courtney
{Lucy, 5, Ds, AVSD repaired 1/08; Brodie, 3}

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, "What! You too? I thought I was the only one!" -CS Lewis

lesterbell · Posted: September 24 2010, 11:33 AM Post subject:

I totally agree with the "not holding a grudge" thing. Kayla is also very forgiving when mommy loses patience with her. She is and probably will be the most forgiving kid that I know. As long as people are sorry and give hugs, she is "right as rain" also! Very Happy

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Mom to Kayla (DS, Polyarticular Arthritis 7/11/2002)

momofrussell · Posted: September 24 2010, 1:32 PM Post subject:

Unless someone is being mean, which in 12 yrs that has YET to happen, I don't let this stuff bother me. They usually are just trying to connect and have a conversation and just don't know any better. Nothing wrong with that in my book. I can't expect them to accept Russell for who he is if I don't accept they have flaws like that. Wink

That's just me though....at the end of the day it's not that serious....if I corrected everyone that "oopsed" I'd be doing it all the time and that's not my job. YES, I DO educate when I need to, but I don't feel the need to fixate on someone who is trying to be nice and said something THEY feel was nice too. I know I have said things I probably shouldn't have over the years and no one has disowned me yet! LOL

A.

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Adrienne - mom to: Regan 17, Russell 12 DS, Autism, Visually Impaired, Reece 10.

DSAGSL 2009 Buddy Walk