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Hi all--Luke and Jake will be turning 4 next week on April 10, and

they are having their first party with friends on Saturday. We have

3 days of parties between friends, family & school, so they are

looking forward to it. I'm glad spring is here and hopefully an end

to colds, etc. that we've had all winter. Their doctor's appointment

is on Friday, and we'll find out the results of Luke's thyroid

screening and the neck x-ray that they do at this age. Hopefully

both are OK. They're loving school and we're seeing great progress

in Luke, especially in speech. He loves numbers and counting, so

we're really focusing on that right now to work on his speech. Jake

is a pistol, and is really trying to exert his independence and can

be quite sassy at times. But mostly he's a sweet boy and loving

brother who is fun to be around.

Like everyone else, we're trying to prepare for annual review. We

attended a good seminar a couple weeks ago, sponsored by our local DS

group on IEPs. One helpful suggestion that some of you may already

do is to prepare a working agenda ahead of time, and give it to those

who will attend the meeting. This encompasses your goals, concerns,

requests, etc. for your child, so the staff is aware of what you'll

be addressing and can prepare accordingly. They also suggested

putting together an informational brochure on your child, including

pictures, " things to know " about the child, likes & dislikes,

strengths & challenges, etc. This can be as simple or elaborate as

you like, but is a way to introduce your child to the staff who will

be working with him/her and helps to personalize your child at the

meeting.

Good luck with IEPs and have a great spring!

--mom to Luke (DS) and Jake, very nearly 4!