Introduction

[Guest guest]

Hi Ravi and welcome to the group. :-)We have lots of very parents here and parents to all ages which is nice as I like to look down the road a bit too. Carol in IL AIM doihavtasay1 GigaTribe doihavtasayMom to seven including , 7 with TOF, AVcanal, GERD, LS, Asthma, subglottal stenosis, and DS.My problem is not how I look. It's how you see me. Join our Down Syndrome information group - http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/DownSyndromeInfoExchange/ Listen to oldest dd's music http://www.myspace.com/vennamusic----- Original Message ----To: DownSyndromeInfoExchange Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2008 12:54:19 PMSubject: [DownSyndromeInfoExchange] Introduction

Hi everyone, My name is Ravi and I am a new member. My

husband and I have a 6 ½ yr. old son w/ DS along with 3 other kids. We hope to exchange experiences in raising a

child with DS. Thanks and look

forward to “meeting’ everyone. Ravi-

www.raisingdowns. com "Raising our son

with Down Syndrome”

Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

[Guest guest]

Hi Ravi-

My name is Kathy, and my husband and I have a  son, Danny is 9 ½

yrs old. He is the youngest of our 7 kids.

Welcome to the listserv!

KathyR

From: DownSyndromeInfoExchange

[mailto:DownSyndromeInfoExchange ] On Behalf Of RY

Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2008 1:54 PM

To: DownSyndromeInfoExchange

Subject: [DownSyndromeInfoExchange] Introduction

Hi

everyone,

My name is

Ravi and I am a new member. My husband and I

have a 6 ½ yr. old son w/ DS along with 3 other kids. We hope to exchange

experiences in raising a child with DS.

Thanks and

look forward to “meeting’ everyone.

Ravi-

www.raisingdowns.com

" Raising our son with Down

SyndromeNew

Files

[Guest guest]

Hi Ravi, Welcome to the group! I remember you from Homeschooling and DS! I just visited your site and from there I visited the Love and Learning site. Now I am really interested in getting the first couple of kits. So you are using them with your son? What have been the results? The testimonies of parents are amazing! I've been wondering what I can do to help my 2 1/2 yr. old son become more verbal. I was not looking for a program to teach him to read, but it sounds like Love and Learning will help him to become more verbal, and if he learns his ABC's and to sight read that will be an extra bonus--almost more than I could hope for! Blessings, RY wrote: Hi everyone, My name is Ravi and I am a new member. My husband and I have a 6 ½ yr. old son w/ DS along with 3 other kids. We hope to exchange experiences in raising a child with DS. Thanks and look forward to “meeting’ everyone. Ravi- www.raisingdowns.com "Raising our son with Down Syndrome” (one and only wife to Fred;

mom to Kari, Melody, Faith, Heidi, Isaac, Josiah, , Alana, and ! Yes, they're all ours!) Is. 40:31 "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

Hi, I am Tina , I live in Panama city Florida , my son Jordan will be 11 yrs old on tuesday the 26th I have a great time raising him however challenging it may be at any given moment! He is a wonderful character and a popular cool kind of guy so I love talking about him anytime as well anyone who needs or wants to talk about these special people we are so priveleged to have in our lives , they are truely angels unaware. Sincerely, Tina / Florida

[DownSyndromeInfoEx change] Introduction

Hi everyone,

My name is Ravi and I am a new member. My husband and I have a 6 ½ yr. old son w/ DS along with 3 other kids. We hope to exchange experiences in raising a child with DS.

Thanks and look forward to “meeting’ everyone.

Ravi-

www.raisingdowns. com

"Raising our son with Down SyndromeNew Files

Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

[Guest guest]

Hello Ravi. I am and mostly a lurker here but I truly enjoy getting so much info. in this group and the members are fabulous and friendly I am a single mom of 3 sons..my oldest has DS..his name is and he just turned 23 on Feb. 4. He is an amazing boy and at times challenging but he is a gift in my life. Hope you enjoy this group and best wishes always! Mel in Missouri~Devoted mom to (23) DS, Kasey(15), & (13) RY wrote: Hi everyone, My name is Ravi and I am a new member. My husband and I have a 6 ½ yr. old son w/ DS along with 3 other

kids. We hope to exchange experiences in raising a child with DS. Thanks and look forward to “meeting’ everyone. Ravi- www.raisingdowns.com "Raising our son with Down SyndromeNew Files

[Guest guest]

Welcome TinaHugsMom to , 9Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2008 7:42 PMTo: DownSyndromeInfoExchange Subject: Re: [DownSyndromeInfoExchange] IntroductionHi, I am Tina , I live in Panama city Florida , my son Jordan will be 11 yrs old on tuesday the 26th I have a great time raising him however challenging it may be at any given moment! He is a wonderful character and a popular cool kind of guy so I love talking about him anytime as well anyone who needs or wants to talk about these special people we are so priveleged to have in our lives , they are truely angels unaware. Sincerely, Tina / Florida [DownSyndromeInfoEx change] Introduction Hi everyone, My name is Ravi and I am a new member. My husband and I have a 6 ½ yr. old son w/ DS along with 3 other kids. We hope to exchange experiences in raising a child with DS. Thanks and look forward to “meeting’ everyone.Ravi- www.raisingdowns. com "Raising our son with Down SyndromeNew Files Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

[Guest guest]

welcomeSent: Thursday, February 21, 2008 11:54 AMTo: DownSyndromeInfoExchange Subject: [DownSyndromeInfoExchange] IntroductionHi everyone, My name is Ravi and I am a new member. My husband and I have a 6 ½ yr. old son w/ DS along with 3 other kids. We hope to exchange experiences in raising a child with DS. Thanks and look forward to “meeting’ everyone.Ravi- www.raisingdowns.com "Raising our son with Down SyndromeNew Files

[Guest guest]

Hi Tina

Thanks for joining us.

Happy early birthday to Jordan;-)

kathyR

Sent: Thursday, February

21, 2008 7:42 PM

To: DownSyndromeInfoExchange

Subject: Re:

[DownSyndromeInfoExchange] Introduction

Hi, I am Tina , I live in Panama city

Florida , my son Jordan will be 11 yrs old on tuesday the 26th I have a

great time raising him however challenging it may be at any given moment! He is

a wonderful character and a popular cool kind of guy so I love talking about

him anytime as well anyone who needs or wants to talk about these special

people we are so priveleged to have in our lives , they are truely angels

unaware. Sincerely, Tina / Florida

[Guest guest]

Welcome.

My name is Qadoshyah and I'm the 19 year old sister to a little 3 year old boy with DS. We live in southern California!

Qadoshyah

Book ~ Down Syndrome: What You CAN Dowww.gotdownsyndrome.net/Book/whatyoucandobook.html

Got Down Syndrome?www.gotdownsyndrome.netBlog: http://gotdownsyndrome.blogspot.com

[DownSyndromeInfoExchange] Introduction

Hi everyone,

My name is Ravi and I am a new member. My husband and I have a 6 ½ yr. old son w/ DS along with 3 other kids. We hope to exchange experiences in raising a child with DS.

Thanks and look forward to “meeting’ everyone.

Ravi-

www.raisingdowns.com

"Raising our son with Down SyndromeNew Files

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.20.9/1292 - Release Date: 2/21/2008 4:09 PM

[Guest guest]

Ravi Welcome!!! Look forward to hearing from you!

Dawn

Mom to angel , 18 mos. DSDelicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch the video on AOL Living.

[Guest guest]

Glad to have you here! My son matthew is 10 yrs.old and quite a character! He has 3 older siblings and 3 nieces and 1 nephew. RY wrote: Hi everyone, My name is Ravi and I am a new member. My husband and I have a 6 ½ yr. old son w/ DS along with 3 other kids. We hope to exchange experiences in raising a child with DS. Thanks and look forward to “meeting’ everyone. Ravi- www.raisingdowns.com "Raising our son with Down SyndromeNew Files

Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

[Guest guest]

LOL Welcome !

"Jules"

Romero

-- [DownSyndromeInfoExchange] introduction

Since I just replied to the toothpaste email, I guess I should introduce myself. I am Regina Karl, Houston-area mom to 5 kids ages 21 down to 4. My 4yo, , has DS. I've been on another list for almost 3 years , and have been a "lurker" with DSIE for a few months now. Problem is: my emails sure pile up!! Over 800 total on the 3 lists I frequent! So much to learn, so little time!

Glad to meet you all,

Regina

[Guest guest]

Regina, welcome. I know what you mean about the emails. I get so many every day. It is hard to keep up. Glad to hear from you. ShirleyRegina Karl wrote: Since I just replied to the toothpaste email, I guess I should introduce myself. I am Regina Karl, Houston-area mom to 5 kids ages 21 down to 4. My 4yo, , has DS. I've been on another list for almost 3 years , and have

been a "lurker" with DSIE for a few months now. Problem is: my emails sure pile up!! Over 800 total on the 3 lists I frequent! So much to learn, so little time! Glad to meet you all, Regina

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue,

BJ has given you a pretty thorough reply so I just wanted to add my

welcome to the group. I'm sure you will find many to relate to who

will have ideas and info to share.

With regard to reassurance questions, I will answer once and then

remind that I have answered. As BJ says you can't convince them with

your answer either way, unfortunately they do have to " sit " with the

doubt of not knowing to " habituate " to it. Not easy. For them or Mum.

Is your daughter in therapy yet? Has medication been suggested?

Hang in there!

I send you hugs!!!

Barb

[Guest guest]

I want to thank all of you who have replied with such helpful

information and support. I am in the process of looking for a

therapist for my daughter (age 9)... I have a list of therapists from

our pediatrician and another from the insurance company and of course

the two lists do not match at all. I live in Fort Worth, TX. Is

anyone familiar with a good therapist in that area? I saw one

recommendation on this group for Kathleen Norris in Bedford, TX.

Any others?

Thanks!

Sue

[Guest guest]

Hi Laurie and welcome! We have children on this list on the autism

spectrum as well, so I'm sure they can help with any questions you may

have. Glad you found us!

Dina

[Guest guest]

Thanks for sharing your son's beautiful piano recital. He is gifted. The

music must relieve him from the OCD rituals as he obviously is heavenly lost in

the melody. About the 10 minutes ---be thrilled he goes to work and is only a

little late. This is workable . Be worrried when he has to get up two hours

earlier and is one hour late.

**************Get the scoop on last night's hottest shows and the live music

scene in your area - Check out TourTracker.com!

(http://www.tourtracker.com?NCID=aolmus00050000000112)

[Guest guest]

Hi Laurie,

Welcome!

i'm sure you will find lots of support and comfort on

this group!!! I too have OCD,and have three children,

two which have been diagnosed with OCD, ages 6 and 11.

My daughter has been diagnosed as having pdd-nos by

one of the doctors I took her too, although the other

psychiatrists have disagreed.They have said this is

all due to her OCD and bipolar diagnosis. She has all

the symptoms you mentioned your son has.She was

diagnosed with OCD at age 5.I'm still very unsure

aobut all of this.

I look forward to hearing more about your story. Is

your son on any medication?

Hugs

Judy

[Guest guest]

> your son on any medication?

Hi and thanks for the warm welcome!

My son is currently on Clomiprimine (Anafranil) 175 mg, Risperal

1mg, and Sertraline (Zoloft) 100mg. He has been on medication since

he was 7, so I don't even know what is working anymore.

At times I go on my pity party. I just wish everything would go away

and he would be like all the other boys that I see having fun with

friends and groups of friends. I morn over my loss of what I perceive

as a " normal " teenage son. Other times I realize what a treasure he

is and rejoice because he is very gifted, diligent and sensitive. He

cares very much for others and is a very good friend to the friends

that he has. What a rollercoaster!

Here is a youtube of him playing piano at a recent recital:

Laurie

[Guest guest]

Yes, it definitely is a rollercoaster ride!!!!

I think all of us here can relate to what your

feeling.It is so sad!! OCD robs our children of the

childhood they should have.They are all so smart and

such strikingly beautiful chidren.

I guess all we can do is cherish the times when the

OCD is waning rather than waxing!

Hugs to you!

Judy

[Guest guest]

Hi Laurie. I know just how you feel. I agree that it's hard not to

see our kids being able to just " normal " like the other carefree

kids.

I does seem that so many of our kids with ocd are wonderful sensitive

children. It just makes it that much harder I think.

I wish you and your son the best. This is a great place to visit when

you are feeling down. Though I don't wish this on anyone it's so nice

to share with others when you are feeling down.

>

> > your son on any medication?

>

> Hi and thanks for the warm welcome!

> My son is currently on Clomiprimine (Anafranil) 175 mg, Risperal

> 1mg, and Sertraline (Zoloft) 100mg. He has been on medication since

> he was 7, so I don't even know what is working anymore.

>

> At times I go on my pity party. I just wish everything would go

away

> and he would be like all the other boys that I see having fun with

> friends and groups of friends. I morn over my loss of what I

perceive

> as a " normal " teenage son. Other times I realize what a treasure he

> is and rejoice because he is very gifted, diligent and sensitive.

He

> cares very much for others and is a very good friend to the friends

> that he has. What a rollercoaster!

>

> Here is a youtube of him playing piano at a recent recital:

>

>

>

> Laurie

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Laurie, welcome! I have a son, 19, whose OCD began back in 6th

grade. I joined this group soon after. It's been my best " sanity

saver " over the years!

My son's OCD began, seemingly overnight, with all these physical type

compulsions, touching things, repeating things.... No contamination

issues (huge anyway) that he has had to work on. Well, that OCD

stopped (some calm times) and now he suffers from " bad thoughts " ,

mostly to do with God, Jesus...scrupulosity type OCD. Though I do

think that he probably has other type thoughts, maybe about other

people, which then makes him feel like a bad person.... Anyway, he

is also on the " autism spectrum " with a diagnosis of Aspergers

Syndrome. He is gifted regarding school; no outside interests or

hobbies. I watched your video re your son's piano recital, VERY

GOOD!

also suffers socially, no friends outside school and church

to hang out with. People are nice to him, he joins in activities and

clubs but just never has " clicked " with anyone he could call a " best

friend " and hang out with or talk to on phone.... Ahem, no

girlfriend yet either. Though girls are all nice to him and many of

them (thru church and growing up together) do invite him to parties,

etc.

also is depressed. I know that fear about they might harm

themselves. will, behind closed doors, be " ranting and

raving " due to his thoughts and I really wonder how he stands it, the

constant OCD, daily suffering.... SIGH! I thought at one time if he

would just get " fed up " and mad enough maybe he could ignore them or

fight back, etc., but, well, he still is suffering. He won't talk

about his OCD to me and over time I have already said " everything " I

can think of to guide/help him. No therapist now, and he refuses

medication! Was on Celexa in high school for a while and things were

fine. He quit Celexa and these thoughts began months later. This

week he has been away with his church at some program that is held

every summer, with churches/people from everywhere, and then at the

end of the month he goes, again, to Mexico with his church mission

group. So he does still participate in life, is doing great in

college, is in clubs there, but is still depressed and constantly

nagged at by OCD (and sometimes me, LOL).

I see from some of what you wrote why someone wonders about a

possible autism connection with your son. But you don't feel it

fits? I didn't get evaluated until 8th grade, but I had

always felt he had some traits.

>

> Hi, My name is Laurie and I am new to the list.

> I am not new to OCD as I have been diagnosed with OCD myself and am

> mostly symptom free at the moment. My dear 15 yo son is not as

> fortunate at this time as he has been suffering from his OCD since

he

> was 7years old. He currently suffers from compulsive reassurance,

>

[Guest guest]

Hello, I should like to introduce myself because I believe that my lover has Asperger's syndrome. If possible, and if it's okay with him, I should like to get him a diagnosis. I look forward to learning more about this condition and I look forward reading e-mails in the future. I also believe that I may have a somewhat mild case of it. I have always had a hard time fitting into society, and as I read about it and study it, I relate myself to this condition. I think that I have unusual thoughts and interests that sound somewhat like Asperger's. I have lived a somewhat normal life, but not really. If you have advice on getting a diagnosis where there are no advanced psychologists I suspect, can you help me with this? Thank you for allowing me to join.