Re: Talking to first graders

[Guest guest]

Hi Maureen,

It is funny that you mention this, because this is an article that I was

planning to publish in the fall newsletter! I do understand exactly what

is going through. Tim has struggled with this his whole life and NOW that he is

a senior in high school, I look back and wonder if I had sat down with the kids

and explained to them about Tim having MDS, they may not have picked on him so

much! Good luck on this! I am interested in hearing everyone's comments on how

they would handle it.

Kristy

maureen ferris wrote:

I have never wanted to make a big deal about the fact has MDS. I had

always hoped he would be accepted for who he is without question. And, lucky to

say, he generally is. However, some of 's peers don't understand some of

's behaviors. For instance, if he's not quite sure what to do on his

paper, he may write on his neighbor's. His brain works differently so sometimes

his answers seem inappropriate when they're not, he just has a different way of

looking at the world. As a result, some of the children refuse to interact with

him or just plain ignore him. So I thought maybe it was time to talk to the

class, without in the room, and hopefully give them a better

understanding of him. I honestly feel a little understanding can go a long way.

's teacher has agreed and I will be speaking to them next Wednesday

morning. Has anyone else done this? How do you feel it went? Anyone have any

suggestions? is in first grade. Thanks.

Maureen, mother to Tyler, 11 and , 7 (MDS)

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[Guest guest]

When my daughter, Katy, was in first grade, the teacher read a book about a

child that had down syndrome and they talked about the book in their circle

time. The kids were very receptive and some of them concluded on their own that

Katy had DS. I was in the class later that day and a couple of kids ask me if

Katy had DS. I told them Yes. It was no big deal. One little boy ask me if it

was contagious. <g> Later the same week, I brought Katy's scrapbook to school

and showed the kids Katy's baby picture and pictures of the early intervention

program that she was in. They loved seeing the book and ask questions. It was

a very positive experience. I think kids deal well with honesty and explaining

things to them on their level.

Good luck with your presentation.

Charlotte, mom to Mark (14) and Katy (13) (MDS)

Talking to first graders

I have never wanted to make a big deal about the fact has MDS. I had

always hoped he would be accepted for who he is without question. And, lucky to

say, he generally is. However, some of 's peers don't understand some of

's behaviors. For instance, if he's not quite sure what to do on his

paper, he may write on his neighbor's. His brain works differently so sometimes

his answers seem inappropriate when they're not, he just has a different way of

looking at the world. As a result, some of the children refuse to interact with

him or just plain ignore him. So I thought maybe it was time to talk to the

class, without in the room, and hopefully give them a better

understanding of him. I honestly feel a little understanding can go a long way.

's teacher has agreed and I will be speaking to them next Wednesday

morning. Has anyone else done this? How do you feel it went? Anyone have any

suggestions? is in first grade. Thanks.

Maureen, mother to Tyler, 11 and , 7 (MDS)

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[Guest guest]

Why don't you read to the class What's Wrong With Timmy, by Shriver. It

helps open some conversation. It talks about a boy who is " different " , but

doesn't specify what different is. Warning, it does provoke some tearing action

on mom's part!!! Also, do you have a Kids on the Block puppeteer troupe?? These

puppets talk about all sorts of disabilites, including a puppet named Ellen

Jane, who has DS. I was part of this group when I was in High School. Ellen

Jane was my favorite puppet, go figure!!! The founder is Barb Aeillo(sp?). Her

son had CP and was unsure of how to explain it to his class, so she made up a

puppet named Mark Reiley that talked about his dificulties, and abilities!! I

aslo explained it to my own children that Nat has too much of his " secret " code

and his information system doesn't work as well because it has too much info.

Check with your local Easter Seals, special education depts, pedatrician for

helpful info. Kids take this info better than what we

think.

I hope I was a bit helpful, and good luck!!!

Irene and the gang

maureen ferris wrote:

I have never wanted to make a big deal about the fact has MDS. I had

always hoped he would be accepted for who he is without question. And, lucky to

say, he generally is. However, some of 's peers don't understand some of

's behaviors. For instance, if he's not quite sure what to do on his

paper, he may write on his neighbor's. His brain works differently so sometimes

his answers seem inappropriate when they're not, he just has a different way of

looking at the world. As a result, some of the children refuse to interact with

him or just plain ignore him. So I thought maybe it was time to talk to the

class, without in the room, and hopefully give them a better

understanding of him. I honestly feel a little understanding can go a long way.

's teacher has agreed and I will be speaking to them next Wednesday

morning. Has anyone else done this? How do you feel it went? Anyone have any

suggestions? is in first grade. Thanks.

Maureen, mother to Tyler, 11 and , 7 (MDS)

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[Guest guest]

Thank you, Charlotte. I had pretty much decided not to have in the

class while I talk to the kids but am always open to other ideas. If Katy had

been in class during your talk and it worked out well, I would definetly

considered it for .

Maureen

Talking to first graders

I have never wanted to make a big deal about the fact has

MDS. I had always hoped he would be accepted for who he is without question.

And, lucky to say, he generally is. However, some of 's peers don't

understand some of 's behaviors. For instance, if he's not quite sure

what to do on his paper, he may write on his neighbor's. His brain works

differently so sometimes his answers seem inappropriate when they're not, he

just has a different way of looking at the world. As a result, some of the

children refuse to interact with him or just plain ignore him. So I thought

maybe it was time to talk to the class, without in the room, and

hopefully give them a better understanding of him. I honestly feel a little

understanding can go a long way. 's teacher has agreed and I will be

speaking to them next Wednesday morning. Has anyone else done this? How do you

feel it went? Anyone have any suggestions? is in first grade. Thanks.

Maureen, mother to Tyler, 11 and , 7 (MDS)

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