RE: Lori/Learning Expectations

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Lori, I forgot about Curious , that's a good idea. I know

will love the IPad when he eventually gets one- in fact, it will be difficult

to take this away from him I'm sure! I love the ABC treasure hunt too.

has become quite social over the past year esp. I can see him being quite

the social fellow, esp. to get out of work and to communicate with pretty girls,

lol, as he already smiles and waves to every single one! It's possible that this

will be 's greatest strength, but we'll keep exposing him to all that is

out there (esp. music motivators for academic learning or whatever it takes), as

none of us ever stop learning. -

To:

From: uccpowell@...

Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 10:46:08 -0500

Subject: RE: Learning Expectations

Tony was like this. I never thought I would find anything that would

motivate him but his kindergarten teacher encouraged me to keep singing the

same made up songs I had been singing - in fact make up a song for

everything! This really grabbed his attention as was motivating.

Then we did the " if this, then this " thing with music. It helped. Music

remains a big motivator but now Curious DVD's are big as well. And

one of the best motivators is the iPad - but I have to be right there. God

forbid we should break it.

Isaac used to like going on an ABC treasure hunt. I would tape the ABC's on

index cards around the house and then he had to go find them and tell me

what letter it was. For some reason he loved this game though I'll admit

that it was kind of tiring after 4 million times!

One of the things that amazes me is that there can be a 12 or even a 17 year

old at Special Olympics that can't read at all but they have good social

skills. They are happy and seem to function.

Lori

Isaac 14 and Tony 12

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

Of McDonnell

Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 8:12 PM

To:

Subject: Learning Expectations

Good Evening Everyone,

's re-evaluation/IEP meeting is coming up, plus an augmentative

communication reeval. The case manager (who is a child psychologist)

interviewed me today for input for the Vineland diagnostic test, one of the

many pieces of the puzzle that we will discuss at these upcoming meetings.

I walked away from today's interview feeling very sad- I was actually not

expecting to be at all, considering 's progress, albeit very gradual,

but he is making his strides.

He still does not know his letters, numbers- just starting to show

recognition of A/B and 1/2 through ABA programming, but not really

motivated.

.. He will be 8 yrs. old on 8/25 and I thought he would have recognized more

of letters and #s by now.

I wonder if I have realistic expectations......is it just more time that is

needed or is it possibly 's reality he will not be able to learn even

basic academics? If this is ultimately the case, I would be OK- I just

wonder if there is anything else we could be doing or is it just patience?

was a very late walker (5 yrs.), limited fine motor skills- he is just

scribbling over this past year, loves music/water, beginning to " socialize "

with others by looking at them, waving, and is adorably stubborn and can be

extremely difficult to motivate.

If there is anyone out there who is or has been in a similar situation, I

would love to hear from you.

Thank you for reading and " listening " .

Best,

Mom to , 7 .5 yrs. old, DS/PDD-NOS

Colon Cancer Survivor- 21 months and counting!