DownSyn Forum

rachel · Posted: February 21 2003, 4:29 AM Post subject:

I'm a Chinese and I have a 20-month-old boy with ds.
Our country supports little resource for the handicapped. I would like to know what early intervention is and how to do it.
Can anyone give me some information?
Thank you very much.

susanmac · Posted: February 21 2003, 8:42 AM Post subject:

Hi Rachael,

Early intervention is the process of working with children with delays while they are still babies (or toddlers). The thought is that if you start working on it early, many bad habits and overcompensations can be eliminated and the child will learn the proper skills to help develop at or near age level.

One of my sons (without Ds) wasn't talking as he neared the age of three (everyone else in the family was talking for him) - he had some early intervention in speech to facilitate his language.

My son with Ds has had early intervention to help build muscle strength and learn the correct ways to sit, stand and walk, among many other things.

If you don't have access to that - there are many good books that give you ideas on what to do, with pictures and examples. In addition, there are therapy websites.
http://woodbinehouse.com/ has a list of special needs books. Gross Motor Skills and Fine Motor Skills in Children with Down syndrome are two good books. There is also Communication Skills in Children with Down Syndrome.

Your 20 month old would benefit greatly from whatever kind of intervention he receives!

Keep us posted.

Susan

rachel · Posted: February 25 2003, 3:02 AM Post subject:

Susan:

I really appreciate your reply. Thank you so much.

Best regards

Rachel

we6rffh · Posted: February 28 2003, 1:57 PM Post subject:

Rachel,
Where exactly do you live? I know someone who lives in Taiwan, has a little boy with DS. She is extremely proactive in working with her son. Perhaps I could get you in touch with her if you like.

_________________
Michael & Charlene
parents of Ashley,18
Brandon,17
Taylor,12
Courtney,4
and Cameron, 39 months already!, DS,AVSD repaired, VSD closed, and now leaky valves

rachel · Posted: March 03 2003, 9:01 PM Post subject:

I live in Guangzhou,China.

Suri Izuati · Posted: March 04 2003, 11:19 PM Post subject:

I remember there is one friend whose name is Liu xiaohong he lives in HeFei Anhui province. is that near your place?I'm going to send to him a books in Chinese, perhaps if you like it you can e-mail to me your address in China and I will send it to you too. If you want some information you can also browse through the Hong Kong Down Syndrome website.

rachel · Posted: March 05 2003, 12:35 AM Post subject:

Liu xiaohong has sent me e-mail and we keep in touch to communicate the problem of our kids. But he is far away from my place.
BTW,I want to buy some books about the language development, could you give me a piece of advice?