RE: Brigid need update

February 16, 2006

In a message dated 2/16/2006 3:06:13 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

absull@... writes:

So that is a long " update " from me sorry,

but just mentioning 9 kids...takes a while.

Wow! Trisha alone seems like 9 kids sometimes so does that mean that your

9 kids seems like 81 at times? lol

February 16, 2006

Louise.

My husband(recently retired social worker and I have 9 kids..from 36 to 14.

Our oldest is a girl,36, who is a speech path. Our next, a boy, who works as

a house manager in a state run " group home " (for lack of a better

acronym),then # 3 is a boy, who is in development for a private

school(residential center) for folks with developmental disabilities. they

are our biological kids. We then adopted #4, who is 29 and a boy(well man

now) who has some disabilities, but who works and lives in supported apt in

a city(small) near us. He works in a Wal-Mart store and is happy..for the

most part!. The remainder of the " kids " have Down syndrome, and are adopted.

Andy is the oldest and also has Autism(25) Andy moved to a group living

situation just over a year ago..but is only 3 blocks from out home. It is

the best for both of us. Andy doesn't have to do all of the " different "

things that we do(going places, vacation ,weddings, etc) but is home

every " stable " weekend..just hanging out doing his thing(computer,video

games, tapes and DVD,Cd's that he likes) and come home for any other special

occasion during the week. Then comes Matt 22,who goes to a day program..he

doesn't seem to have a strong " work ethic " ..he prefers " field trips " (which

is what he said when being evaluated by VESID(subcontracted with " The ARC " )

He didn't want to work..but he does volunteer through his day program..meals

on wheels, and a nursing home. Then Tim, 18 who is in a spec ed class in our

home school and does a good bit of community theater..and school plays.has

been in Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, King and I, Leader of the Pack and a few

others.Next is 16, was a big behavior rob in our local public school,

but now a day student at Pathfinder Village and doing super there..loves the

school, his pals, and his teachers. Last but not least is Kate, 14, who also

has ASD, but still does well in academics and a real theater gal..she is the

one on the website www.4girls.gov under past spotlights. This is a gov

health site and Kate was the first gal with a disability to be featured on

this site. In some ways I think her autism helps her..to focus on her

music..she plays the clarinet in the jr. high band. She is an excellent

dancer. But she can not hold a " regular " conversation with her peers. It is

her autism that affects her more than the Down syndrome. For awhile I

thought it was shyness and stubbornness, but as time passed and I learned

more about ASD, I changed my tune. So that is a long " update " from me sorry,

but just mentioning 9 kids...takes a while.

Brigid

Re: Re: 'the diagnosis'

>

> Well that is what I was trying to say and I guess I didn't do too well.

> My first son(who we adopted) is " Classically " autistic..in that he has

> echolalic speech..just expresses what he wants(soda,sandwich..very

> concrete..all about him!) Alaways lined up his toys..never played with

> them in a typical manner. Lots of spinning, dangling socks( fixated on

> socks) Very limited diet. Goes wild if changes or new things happen.

> Covers ears on any loud noise. Hates crowds. It all started for him

> around 14 months(along with a VERY difficult heart surgery..we saw a BIG

> change in him after surgery..physically better..all other areas ..worse.

> I would say he is Zcrippled by autism.

> Our daughter(9th of 9 children) and 6th of adopted children) has some of

> Andy's " stuff " so I recognized it right away.( With Andy..I thought it

> was " Down syndrome) She is only " lightly " affected by it if I were to

> compare them..but it is still a big challange.I have to agree with you

> Gigi...get to know " regular " kids who have D. s....and see some kids on

> the spectrum and the difference will be evident.

> Brigid

>

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February 16, 2006

Well, yes, actually..especially when (well now itis down to4..no pun intended!)

we are traveling to Massachusetts in the car for vacation. This coming break we

are going to the Wolfe Lodge ,an indoor water park near Scranton,Pa. We have

never been there but are all looking forward to it. 3 of the kids are good

swimmers and one will go in a wave pool or something calm, he is not a big

swimmer.

Brigid

Re: Brigid need update

In a message dated 2/16/2006 3:06:13 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

absull@... writes:

So that is a long " update " from me sorry,

but just mentioning 9 kids...takes a while.

Wow! Trisha alone seems like 9 kids sometimes so does that mean that your

9 kids seems like 81 at times? lol

February 16, 2006

Brigid: We won a 1 night stay there from our DS Christmas Party. Let us

know how it is! We haven't gotten there yet!

Liz

Re: Brigid need update

>

> In a message dated 2/16/2006 3:06:13 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

> absull@... writes:

>

> So that is a long " update " from me sorry,

> but just mentioning 9 kids...takes a while.

>

> Wow! Trisha alone seems like 9 kids sometimes so does that mean that

> your

> 9 kids seems like 81 at times? lol

>

February 16, 2006

Liz

It was pricey..normally too much for us, but we got some kind of a discount

thing in th mail and combined with Christmas check's from my husbands wonderful

family..we decided to " go for it " . We have never done anything special for the

Feb break. We go on summer vacation and always make it a family type event. The

favorite in Old Forge,Ny we stay in a cottage in Inlet..about 8 miles away from

Old Forge. Thre is a nice WaterPark/dry ride park called Enchanted

Forest/WaterSafari that the kids love. My husbands Unionbenefit has discount

tickets, making it very affordable.

Brigid

Re: Brigid need update

>

> In a message dated 2/16/2006 3:06:13 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

> absull@... writes:

>

> So that is a long " update " from me sorry,

> but just mentioning 9 kids...takes a while.

>

> Wow! Trisha alone seems like 9 kids sometimes so does that mean that

> your

> 9 kids seems like 81 at times? lol

>

February 16, 2006

Brigid,

Wow. I admire you for adopting. I don't know how you do it. There have

been so many times that I have been so overwhelmed with just child with DS.

I just wanted to say that I have a too! Mine is 15. She was diagnosed

with PDDNOS at age 11 and then her diagnosis was revised last year to

Autism. You are very lucky because it sounds like your Kate is extremely

high functioning for a dual dx kid. My daughter is nonverbal. She is loving

to her family but she has never shown any intent to interact socially with

her peers. She uses communication devices and has pretty good life skills

but she doesn't have functional reading, math or writing skills.

I'm amazed that your Kate can play the clarinet. Can she read music? I

wonder if there is such a thing as a DS/Asperger child. You might have one.

Therese

> Last but not least is Kate, 14, who also

> has ASD, but still does well in academics and a real theater gal..she is the

> one on the website www.4girls.gov under past spotlights. This is a gov

> health site and Kate was the first gal with a disability to be featured on

> this site. In some ways I think her autism helps her..to focus on her

> music..she plays the clarinet in the jr. high band. She is an excellent

> dancer. But she can not hold a " regular " conversation with her peers. It is

> her autism that affects her more than the Down syndrome. For awhile I

> thought it was shyness and stubbornness, but as time passed and I learned

> more about ASD, I changed my tune.

February 16, 2006

Brigid that was a nice piece on . You beat us by three we have 6

children, now all adults and 7 grandchildren. I guess you have some

grandchildren as mentioned a niece and nephew who went on vacation

with you. They do keep us all busy. Thanks for the update. Louise

--

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Checked by AVG Free Edition.

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2/16/2006

February 16, 2006

Therese

I actually hought the same thing..about Aspergers....yes, Kate reads music(and I

can't!) We really feel blessed by our children..