Re: Kids start dance lessons

[Guest guest]

is taking dance lessons. This is her 4th year. We skipped last year

as we had just moved here and all the schools were full. She is taking

lyrical ballet, and she absolutely loves it. She has been in the recital

every year and done very well. We have been very fortunate in finding

schools and teachers that have welcomed her with open arms, and been willing

to work with her, learn her personality, and adjust.

When I learn to use my scanner, I will post some pictures of her in her

costumes from past years.

Sharon

Pawleys Island, SC

Mom to , (10, DS) and , (7)

Kids start dance lessons

> Do any of the other kids take dance lessons? Last night, , Kristi,

and started dance lessons. Mom took them and I didn't get to see

their first night as I was a bit under the weather. They did really well.

This will be a perfect accompaniment to their music lessons.

>

>

> Dad to , , Kristi (all three Ds) and (Cri du chat)

> Husband to C.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

will start dance lessons next week. My oldest has taken dance for

3 years at our local community center from a wonderful woman, Ms. Debra.

When turned 3, Ms. Debra asked when would be joining the

3 year old class! Wow, I just love it when people invite to

participate in " typical " classes and activities. We decided to wait then,

since she was attending both special day and typical preschools and was

pretty worn out from her schedule. This year, at age 4 1/2, we had the

choice of " Dance for Children " , which is movement, ballet, & tumbling, or

" Tap/Ballet Combo " . Although LOVES to wear her sister's tap shoes

and walk around, I don't think her balance is ready for shuffle steps yet,

so we picked the Dance for Children class. I am already " readying " myself

for her inability to participate in the recital at the end of the year

:-( It will be too much sensory input, and she can barely sit and watch

her sister at past recitals. Ususally, she holds her ears (from the

clapping and music), cries a little, then falls asleep (her way to " tune

out " sensory overload). I know I will be a little sad to see her class in

the adorable costumes, but maybe some day she'll be able to particpate in

that too.... after all, she's still little :-) I'm really hopeful that this

will be a good experience for her, the teacher, and her classmates.

, mom to , and , who all love to dance, but

unfortunately have their mommy's uncoordinated genes!

[Guest guest]

Kaitlyn has taken dance lesson for three years. She has taken a pre-ballet and

tap class and now is taking jazz and tap. She loves it. She really loves the

recital because she gets to wear lots of makeup!

I'll bet your kids will love it.

Darcy Mom to 11, Kaitlyn 8 ds , and Grant 6

Kids start dance lessons

Do any of the other kids take dance lessons? Last night, , Kristi, and

started dance lessons. Mom took them and I didn't get to see their first

night as I was a bit under the weather. They did really well. This will be a

perfect accompaniment to their music lessons.

Dad to , , Kristi (all three Ds) and (Cri du chat)

Husband to C.

[Guest guest]

There is no reason why your kids shouldn't take dance classes. I am so

pleased to hear that they have started. Please make sure that they stay with

their peer group. If I can be of any help at all please don't be afraid to

ask.

Allyson

[Guest guest]

Why ever on earth will you not allow her to be in the recital? Trust me she

will surprise you and be absolutely fine. I have also taught children with

DS to do tap. Let her try next year. I have 2 little boys in my school

right now who are autistic. Their mother was tautly convinced that they

wouldn't be able to do the recital. How wrong she was. The elder one is

almost 5 now and has already taken 4 exams. Let her have a go, she will love

it, and so will you. I am so pleased that you have managed to find a teacher

who is so positive. I wish you could have all seen the young people who

danced two dances from the ballet Coppelia for me in Pittsburgh. Anyway,

let's hope by the time the recital comes around you will have changed your

mind and she will be there for you to be as proud of as you are your elder

daughter. Her teacher sounds just the right kind of person to help her

achieve a performance you will all be proud of.

Allyson

[Guest guest]

Allyson,

Many of our children have sensory issues. My daughter

for one would not do the recital for the vary reason

of performing in front of a large crowd that she could

not see. Our recitals are done at the auditorium with

the lights down on the audience and bright on the

stage. She does not do well in large arenas even as a

spectator. Bridget has been dancing now for 3 years

with a small group of girls with special needs. We do

a recital in the same dance studio they practice in

and they are the STARS!!!

I am glad that some of your are able to have your kids

in regular dance class and perform in recitals and

shows. For us this is a good exercise outlet and fun

time.

mom to Bridget 9 ds

__________________________________________________

- We Remember

9-11: A tribute to the more than 3,000 lives lost

http://dir.remember./tribute

[Guest guest]

I thought I was very clear in my last post, but apparently not, so let me try

again. Don't get me wrong..... I would absolutely LOVE her to be in the

recital. However, since birth she has been EXTREMELY sensitive to noise.

Certain people's voices would make her wail as a baby (so it's probably the

frequence as well as the volume), now that she is verbal, she will tell us " that

too loud " . Too much of ANY sensory input really makes her very uncomfortable and

she will " shut down " As I said, she care barely tolerate being in the recital

hall for her sister's recital, the music, clapping, lights going on and off, and

noise from people shut her down. This is not in a small room with 10 parents,

but rather at our local performing arts center, which has a huge theater. If

seeing her on stage was the most important thing to me, I would look for a much

smaller, lower-key setting; however, I am interested in her (1) participating in

an activity with age-appropriate peers, (2) learning to do new things, (3)

having fun! The recital would not be fun for her, it would be miserable.

As I am writing this, I am fighting to remain civil because I really resent your

jumping to the conclusion that I would not " allow " my child to do something. If

you knew me, you would know I am a very vocal advocate for children with special

needs being fully included in their communities, and have given many

presentations (including my latest to the California Children and Families

Commisioin yearly meeting) regarding how to best encourage and support

organizations and activities to include children with special needs.

has been fully included in a variety of activities since the day she was born.

I have NEVER held her back from anything our other children did because of her

DS. However, like with all my children, I need to look for situations that are

good (and try to encourage those), as well as potentiall problematic. I am

extremely proud of my daughter, whether or not she ever dances a recital in her

life..... I don't need that sort of display to be proud of any of my children

because I am proud of them every day.

, mom to , and

Re: Kids start dance lessons

Why ever on earth will you not allow her to be in the recital? Trust me she

will surprise you and be absolutely fine. I have also taught children with DS

to do tap. Let her try next year. I have 2 little boys in my school right now

who are autistic. Their mother was tautly convinced that they wouldn't be able

to do the recital. How wrong she was. The elder one is almost 5 now and has

already taken 4 exams. Let her have a go, she will love it, and so will you. I

am so pleased that you have managed to find a teacher who is so positive. I

wish you could have all seen the young people who danced two dances from the

ballet Coppelia for me in Pittsburgh. Anyway, let's hope by the time the

recital comes around you will have changed your mind and she will be there for

you to be as proud of as you are your elder daughter. Her teacher sounds just

the right kind of person to help her achieve a performance you will all be proud

of.

Allyson

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/11/02 10:25:14 AM Central Daylight Time,

leslie-kerrigan@... writes:

> Certain people's voices would make her wail as a baby (so it's probably

> the frequence as well as the volume), now that she is verbal, she will tell

> us " that too loud " .

just out of curiosity have you ever tryed theraphy to 'retrain' her hearing?

or looked into it? I thought I read soemthing about that once upon a time,

hehe. Probably in my quest for info on CAPD. .............since I've

'explored' alot of different things since getting on the net and aways end up

losing interesting links when my system crashes all I have is my vague

recollecting. . LOL

Joy

[Guest guest]

> just out of curiosity have you ever tryed theraphy to 'retrain' her

hearing?

> or looked into it? I thought I read soemthing about that once upon a

time,

> hehe. Probably in my quest for info on CAPD. .............

I have discussed this problem with every teacher, OT, ENT she has ever had.

The short answer is, no one else thinks it's a big problem because in school

settings (which are typically NOT loud and overstimulating), does

not exhibit any problems. Her last sensory eval from the OT (that included

my input) indicated she has " issues " (I can't remember what they were

exactly without the report in front of me, but I know they were indicative

of what we see at home). The OT thought that by exposing her to such

situations periodically (which we do, we can't help it.... life around here

is loud!) would help her to gradually overcome, since we have certainly seen

improvement since she was a baby/toddler. Hey, this year she made it

halfway through the 4th of July fireworks show, hands over her ears, curled

up in a cuddly lap, alternating between saying " that purple, that green,

etc. " and " that too loud " , before she zoned out and fell asleep! Not that

fireworks are typical, but we felt that this was a big change from last

year, when the whole thing was a mess.

Has anyone done anything helpful to " retrain " the hearing of a child who is

overloaded easily with loud noises, etc?

, mom to , (DS) and

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/12/02 8:14:53 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

writes:

> Has anyone done anything helpful to " retrain " the hearing of a child who is

>

Having an older sibling take up the bagpipes. LOL, okay all kidding aside,

the tincture of time and exposing Sheila to, but removing her before she fell

asleep, continuing to increase length of exposure really did it for Sheila.

She loves to go to her older sister's bagpipe band competitions and parades

now. This is something she could not handle as a six or seven year old, but

she does it and won't even let me put the earplugs in anymore.

nancy