Book Review: Embracing God's Purpose for My Special Child

Your child is God's tool, His special agent, to make you the person He wants you to be.

Embracing God's Purpose for My Special Child is a very personal and prayerful memoir and "parenting guide" written by Malu Tiongson-Ortiz, a Filipino mom and advocate for Down syndrome in the Philippines. Her 3rd and youngest child, Clarissa, has Down syndrome and is 24 years old this year.

Malu Tiongson-Ortiz's religious (Catholic/ Christian) outlook about her experiences with raising Clarissa makes the perspectives in the book different from any other Down syndrome-related memoir I have read so far. She writes about her experience with receiving the diagnosis, various people she has connected with, financial challenges, health, homeschooling, adolescence, sexuality, and how we are stewards, not owners, of our children. It seems the target readers are Filipinos in the Philippines with references to local resources and the section about wills and legal matters only applies within the Philippines.

Reading a non-US based publication was very interesting for me because it offered glimpses and insights into life with Down syndrome in the Philippines. The awareness levels are somewhat different between the US and the Philippines. For example, it seems that first-people language is advocated here where it may not be (yet) in the Philippines. But that may also be due to language translation or pragmatics. Be forewarned that if you are sensitive and easily offended by terms like "Down syndrome daughter", no matter what the circumstance or context, then this book may not be a good reading choice.

Another example is in the local beliefs and misconceptions (many ridiculous ones) about Down syndrome. One mom thought that kids with Down syndrome were only "born to the rich". The author mentions that many believe Down syndrome is a result of an incestuous marriage or karma or punishment from God.

What is most inspiring is seeing how faith can mold beliefs and parenting styles. And while cultural, religious, and socioeconomic differences may provide varying landscapes for Down syndrome in each country, the common denominator that stands out is how we all want what is best for our child with Down syndrome and that we will go the extra mile, and then some.

God's Purposes
Since the Philippines is the 3rd most populous Catholic country in the world, with 75.5 million Catholics in a little over 90 million total population (fact as of February 2011), it's just natural to expect this memoir to be mainly focused on the author's personal reflections and realizations of how God would want us to raise our children with Down syndrome. And needless to say, the author believes that "No special child is an accident".

There are fascinating, heart-wrenching, and inspiring stories of other children and families whom she had the pleasure of meeting in her journey. She writes about how her faith and character were molded throughout her journey, especially the most trying and difficult times. Her work shows an inner peace and strength in believing that God has a special purpose for each child with special needs in every aspect of life.

Drawing upon her own and others' experiences, she shares her personal reflections of God's purposes. "God gave us our special child...

"...to teach us to seek Him and pray to Him."

"...to mold our character."

"...to understand the value of life."

"...so we may learn to have hope."

"...to teach us to have compassion."

"...to teach us to choose better priorities."

"...to teach us to count our blessings."

The reference to bible verses may alienate non-Catholic/ non-Christian readers who are not familiar with bible content but perhaps they can still find appreciation, inspiration, and encouragement within the stories shared in the book. Or perhaps think of how it would relate to their own religions.

Overall, the author serves up a good dose of honesty and positivity. I enjoyed reading it.

Would you like to read it?
I couldn't find this book on amazon or other US online bookstore. If you are interested in borrowing this book from me, please leave a comment on this post or contact me.

Book Review: Fine Motor Skills for Children with Down Syndrome

As an occupational therapist and a mom of a daughter with Down syndrome, Maryanne Bruni, offers a combination of professional knowledge and practical ideas in her book "Fine Motor Skills for Children with Down Syndrome."

I've had this book since before Matthew could roll over. It's been a wonderful resource to have on my bookshelf.

I referred to the book when Matthew was only a few months old, trying to get a better understanding of "fine motor" and what activities can help Matthew's fine motor development. I like the activity and toy ideas. The book served as a good guide when preparing for Matthew's annual IFSP (Individualized Family Services Plan) while in the Early Intervention program and I still find it useful when preparing for Matthew's preschool IEP (Individualized Education Plan).

Also included are practical and useful information on self-help skills, pre-writing skills, and how sensory system affects learning and behavior in individuals with Down syndrome.

I wish I paid more attention to the chapter on sensory processing early on. We did some oral stimulating activities with Matthew when he was in Early Intervention. But understanding how some targeted activities can be calming while others can be awakening or stimulating to all the senses, not just the mouth, would have been useful for me to know even when Matthew was a baby. Looking back with the knowledge I have not, I think I could have done more for Matthew when he was only a few months old. He didn't use his arms and hands much actively until he was maybe 7 months old. Knowing what I know now, I might have asked about and researched more proprioceptive activities for his arms and hands to give them the input they would ordinarily be getting if his upper extremities were more active.

Some of the information was good for me to re-read as reminders. Some of the information is more relevant to me now than they were 2 years ago so I am able to get more out of the material. Now I understand that Matthew's high tolerance for pain is probably due to his under-responsiveness to sensations. I also thought the table comparing "typical behaviors for many children with Down syndrome" and "behavior that may indicate sensory processing difficulties" was very interesting.

According to the table, Matthew mostly exhibits "typical behavior" except for he was only eating a limited selection of food and was extremely picky about consistency and texture. Thank goodness that has slowly been changing since the beginning of this year! It was addressed as a sensory difficulty so facial and oral stimulation activities were applied. In fact, we still do them everyday. Seeing other kids eat and being with persistent, patient teachers at preschool has also helped him overcome his food aversion.

Overall, a very useful book.

For more in-depth (but still practical and easy-to-understand) discussion of sensory processing issues, I recommend reading the book Sensational Kids by Lucy Jane Miller, PhD OTR.

Book Review: Poke-A-Dot Old MacDonald's Farm

Almost like popping bubble wrap, the Poke-A-Dot Old MacDonald's Farm book is addictive as much as it is educational. We bought it on amazon.com.

It can also encourage index finger isolation while counting animals and being rewarded with the plastic bubble popping. This book can keep Matthew and Elizabeth busy for a few minutes. Actually, Elizabeth has more staying power than Matthew.

This chunky board book makes for easy page-turning, but it is also heavy - at least for Elizabeth, who is 15 months old. The only flaw I have noticed is that sometimes the plastic dots like to pop more to one side than the other. Maybe a little more use will help fix that issue.

And as fun as it is to pop the plastic dots over and over and over, I must say that I don't let Matthew have this book unsupervised too often. Poke-A-Dot is fun and for Matthew, it can encourage unwanted sensory addictive behavior, when he acts like he's under a "poking spell." It is at that time when I personally feel that the educational value of the book is negated.

Otherwise, it's a neat book. I just have to look through it with Matthew and make it as interactive and engaging as possible without him going into a semi-trance.

Have you read it? What do you think?

Book Review: How Smart Is Your Baby?

Certainly not a "What-to-expect-during-the-first-year" kind of book. It really is a "what-to-do, how-to-do-and why" kind of book.

If I had read "How Smart Is Your Baby?" by Glenn Doman and Janet Doman when Matthew was a baby, it probably would have been the key to convincing me to take Matthew for a neurodevelopmental evaluation with the National Association for Child Development (NACD) when he was younger than 3.

It is a book I wish I had when Elizabeth was born. There were no therapists to guide me with Elizabeth's specific development. I relied on the notes I diligently wrote and saved when Matthew was a baby. However, even with the developmental knowledge I had gained from Matthew's therapy sessions, I felt like I could have done just a little more with Elizabeth when she was a baby after reading this book and after having Matthew in a neurodevelopmental program. Not that Elizabeth needed extra help, but I could have used more activity ideas with baby Elizabeth and give her an even better foundation for her development.

The authors explain their neurodevelopmental approach when working with babies and children. They talk about designing developmental programs for kids with learning challenges, brain injuries, or diagnoses that caused developmental delays and eventually realized that children without delays can greatly benefit from their approach and techniques as well.

The book certainly offers a seemingly unconventional approach, with activities that I did not learn while Matthew was in Early Intervention (EI), even if I felt that EI was sufficient during that time. Specific activities by area of development including visual, auditory, motor, tactile/ sensory, and language are suggested and illustrated according to the baby's developmental stage, not by age. A recommended amount of time and frequency is assigned to each activity, which makes many of the activities easy to fit into the daily schedule. There are some activities that I personally would be hesitant to do without proper guidance unless I became comfortable enough to attempt.
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Overall, I really like this book and I would borrow it from the library again (or buy my own copy) if Matthew and Elizabeth ever have another younger sibling. After implementing Matthew's neurodevelopmental program and seeing progress, this approach makes sense to me. Elizabeth is along for the ride and is benefiting from all we do. Of course, nothing is one-size-fits-all. We all have to do what's best for our own children. But if you have the time, I recommend reading (even just browsing through) this book for a different perspective on development, valuable insights, and interesting ideas.


Have you read it? What did you think?

Book Review: Why Your Child Is Hyperactive

Curiosity led me to borrow "Why Your Child Is Hyperactive" by Dr. Ben Feingold from the library. A friend had told me how this book helped her pin down some of her child's behavior issues to food. The concept intrigued me.

The behavioral effects of artificial colors (dyes), artificial flavorings, additives, and preservatives in food were discussed through case studies and observations made by the author in his many years of being a pediatrician and an allergist. Red and yellow dyes came across as the main culprits in causing undesirable behavioral changes such as unprovoked aggression and learning difficulties. Artificial colors and flavorings were also observed to cause physical symptoms in some people including severe headaches, nausea, and acute hives. Dr. Feingold also warns readers about misleading or incomplete ingredient labels on food, which I think is mostly addressed better today than it was in the 70's when this book was published.

I admit that I skimmed through at least half the book, trying to pick up interesting points and skipped chapters like "The Need For Research". Dr. Feingold suggests the San Francisco Kaiser Permanente Diet (food elimination diet) as an alternative to medication and even provides recipes at the end of his book. He mainly talked about how his clients were able to discontinue medication for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) within days or short weeks after shifting to a dye-free, artificial flavoring-free diet.

In addition to artificial colors and flavorings, he also names fruits and vegetables that should be omitted in all forms from the diet as they contain natural salicylates, which can pose a problem due to their innate chemical structure. The list of taboo foods included many that I like including almonds, apples, tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, oranges, and so on. I think the only fruits that were considered ok were grapefruits and lemons. Of course, all processed food with artificial additions were off limits too.

It's an old book but it served as a good reminder for me to read food labels and whenever possible, steer clear of artificial anything in food. Is this really possible in this day and age?


Have you read it? What did you think?

Book Review: Count Us In - Growing Up With Down Syndrome

"Give a baby with a disability a chance to grow a full life. To experience a half-full glass instead of the half-empty glass. And think of your abilities, not your disabilities" - Jason Kingsley (direct quote from the book).

Jason Kingsley and Mitchell Levitz - two young men with Down syndrome - were born in the early 70's, an era when doctors mainly suggested institutions as the main destination for babies with Down syndrome. Their parents disagreed and gave their sons opportunities to develop their potentials. Jason and Mitchell authored "Count Us In: Growing Up With Down Syndrome", which was published in 1994, when Jason was 20 and Mitchell, 23.

The book is in Jason and Mitchell's own words and is a compilation of transcripts of their unedited conversations, bringing out their personalities, wit, and humor. I found it fascinating to learn about their challenges, accomplishments, and general outlook in life through their eyes and minds. Topics included their friendship, their feelings and thoughts about having Down syndrome, their ideas of fun, girls, sex, marriage, children, beliefs, traditions, politics, their experience with loss and grief, their journey to becoming independent, and their dreams for their future.

Everyone - with or without Down syndrome - is different. Jason and Mitchell's opinions and perspectives may not be shared by other people with Down syndrome. In this regard, what a powerful statement this book makes in advocating the full potential of people with Down syndrome! It quashes the stereotypical views that people with Down syndrome "are always happy" or "are suffering". It presents people with Down syndrome as fully capable of learning and having their own opinions and dreams, just like everyone else.

Having Down syndrome may mean being on a slower path to a destination but in life, isn't how we get there more important than when we get there?


Have you read it? What did you think?

Book Review: Taking Down Syndrome to School

/>This is the first children's book (for ages 5 to 10) I have read that addresses the r-word or "retard." Nick, the main character, goes to a public school where some kids have disabilities but most don't. He explains that it hurts his feelings when other kids call him names such as the r-word. From Nick's perspective, the r-word means slow and when other kids make fun of him using the r-word, it makes Nick feel that they think he's stupid. Nick also says, "I hope if you hear someone use the word "retard," you'll tell them to stop."

Kids will always have questions and wonder about kids who seem "different." I think it's important to address these questions honestly, accurately, simply, and in a way that is relevant to them.

I like the kid-tone of the book addressing why he doesn't speak clearly sometimes, why his tongue stuck out sometimes, how he looks different, how he needs more time to learn, and how Down syndrome is not a sickness and can't be caught like a flu. It is probably wordier than any of the other kid books I've read but real and common scenarios/ issues/ questions are explained clearly and simply. It offers guidance and sets the tone for inclusion and acceptance.

At the end of the book is a mini quiz for kids, 10 tips for teachers, and information on additional resources.

"Taking Down Syndrome to School" was published in 2002 by JayJo Books, LLC and written by Jenna Glatzer, a sibling to a brother with Down syndrome. Her brother's name is Paul Glatzer.

My opinion: A book that is well done! A two-thumbs up for advocacy in school for young kids!

Have you read it? What did you think? Have you read it to a classroom of kids?

Book Review: Kellie's Book

If I had a coffee table in the living room, this would be one of the books on it. But until the kids are grown up, books like this will sit high on a shelf to save them from being torn or used as a coloring book.

The book is colorful and well done. Kellie's writing style is simple yet profoundly honest in portraying how family, love, passions and interests, a sense of accomplishment, and acceptance are truly important in life, at least for Kellie Greenwald and for many people, including myself. All the drawings are her own. Kellie was born in 1978. She also wrote about how hard she worked on this book. I believe her! From what I've learned from my sister-in-law's experience, getting published isn't a leisurely stroll in the park. There are many details to consider: layout, storyline, artwork, and so on.

This is the third book that I have found that is authored by an individual with Down syndrome. The other two are "I Just Am" by Tom Lambke and Bryan Lambke and "Count Us In: Growing Up With Down Syndrome" by Jason Kingsley and Mitchell Levitz, which I am still currently reading.

A keepsake. A statement. A wonderful effort for advocating abilities of people with Down syndrome. The book also includes several photos of Kellie with family and friends as well as a mini biography about Kellie.

Related posts:
Book Review: I Just Am

Book Review: Early Communication Skills for Children with Down Syndrome

I once attended an hour-long Speech and Language seminar hosted by three speech-language pathologists at a Down syndrome conference. Most of the information provided was from "Early Communication Skills for Children with Down Syndrome."

I've had this information-packed book since Matthew was a baby, referring to it for guidance and information about speech and language development for children with Down syndrome. The ssection on hearing and ear fluid in Chapter 2 reaffirmed a friend's advice to be meticulous and aggressive with treating any chronic ear fluid Matthew might develop. Hence, Matthew got his 1st set of ear tubes when he was 8 months old after a few undetected ear infections and discovery of persistent fluid in his middle ears.

The book offers practical suggestions and activities that can be easily integrated into our day, once I make a habit of it. It provides important tips and ideas on communicating, teaching vocabulary, supporting receptive and expressive language and enhancing a child's communication skills. For example, using real objects and real situations is important for learning concepts and building vocabulary as abstract thought tends to be difficult for children with Down syndrome.

Chapters 1 to 6 are:
- "Language, Speech, and Communication"
- "Speech and Language Characteristics of Children with Down Syndrome"
- "Busy Baby - Busy Parents"
- "Before the First Word - Precursors to Language"
- "The One-Word Stage"
- "The Two- and Three-Word Stages"

I find myself referring to this book more now that Matthew is communicating verbally with one-word or two-word phrases. I like the book suggestions to help stimulate language.

Communication is discussed in more speech-language pathologist speak/ terminology in chapters 7 through 13, including:
- "The Nuts and Bolts of Language Comprehension"
- "Speech and Intelligibility Problems"
- "Articulation and Phonology: Learning the Sounds of the Language"
- "Pragmatics: Communication in Action"
- "Communicating without Speech"
- "Understanding Speech and Language Evaluation"
- "Understanding Speech and Language Treatment"

So in a way, the book becomes a specialized dictionary for understanding unfamiliar professional terminology.

In chapter 14, "Literacy and Language," interesting points are made about teaching reading to children with Down syndrome before they turn 3 and how this would help develop speech and language. A few resources suggested were Love and Learning, the book Teaching Reading to Children with Down Syndrome, and Sue Buckley's approach to teaching reading, which to me seems similar to the method discussed in Teaching Reading to Children with Down Syndrome. Excerpts include:

"...the brain can go straight from print to meaning without changing the visual image of the word to its spoken form first and then accessing the meaning" (Buckley, 1996). In other words, before a child with Down syndrome even learns to speak, he may be able to look at a word such as 'dog' and see a picture of a dog in his mind without saying or even being able to pronounce the word in his head."

In a 1995 study by Sue Buckley on skills of two groups of children with Down Syndrome, results demonstrated that the children who were taught to read had more advanced language and memory skills than the nonreaders. Furthermore, she has found that children with Down syndrome who begin to read early are more advanced in speech, language and educational progress by age ten to eleven.

Overall, a very good book to have. It is an invaluable resource especially if speech and language are top priorities. And they are for Matthew. We want him to be intelligible to unfamiliar people and have a good foundation for speech and language development in order for him to communicate well with others. With this book, I feel armed with the information and guidance I need to help Matthew maximize his communication potential.

Have you read it? What do you think?

Book Review: Homeschooling Children With Down Syndrome

I teach Matthew through play at home. He's been learning shapes, colors, letters, numbers, working on gross motor skills and fine motor skills. But I have no set plans to formally homeschool Matthew. He will be starting public preschool in a few weeks as soon as he recovers from the tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. That's not to say that I won't homeschool if I have to.

I think the e-book Homeschooling Children with Down Syndrome by Amy Dunaway is a wonderful resource, whether homeschooling or not.

In the e-book, Amy Dunaway shares her experience of homeschooling her daughter with Down syndrome, who is now 16 years old, and the knowledge and information she has accumulated. Parts of the book are written in question-answer format, addressing frequently asked questions by would-be homeschoolers. There are also a ton of links to more resources online.

Even as a non-homeschooler, I have found this book very helpful and interesting. I am particularly drawn to Chapter 12, Visual and Verbal Memory and Down Syndrome. She writes about growing memory skills in young learners with Down syndrome and offers several activities to strengthen visual and auditory processing skills. I also like to refer to Chapter 7 (Learning the Basics - Reading, Writing and Arithmetic) and Chapter 8 (Reading and Down Syndrome - The Early Years) because that is where we are at on the education roadmap. There is also a chapter that addresses challenging behaviors.

Overall, this is a very helpful guide to have. I've saved it in my favorites folder and refer to it as often as I need to.

Have you read it? What do you think?

Book Review: I Have Down Syndrome, What Does That Mean?

There's a new children's book on Down syndrome on the block and it's written by Sandi Graham-McWade, inspired by her young son, Hunter. "I have Down syndrome, what does that mean?" is asked all throughout the book. Illustrations, like the one on the cover, are found on every page that has simple one-liner answers for kids with Down syndrome who might ask the question.

Matthew is too young for this book right now. We'll probably read it together when he is in grade school or when he may ask what it means to have Down syndrome. It's a nice book to have in our libray alongside the other children's books we have about Down syndrome.

Have you read it? What do you think?

Book Review - Diagnosis to Delivery: A Pregnant Mother's Guide to Down Syndrome

A wonderful, incredible, comprehensive e-book for expectant parents who have received a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome and are moving forward on this journey into new territory. In a very practical, compassionate manner and easy-to-follow format, it addresses all the common questions and concerns that emerge as parents try to learn more about their unborn baby and life with Down syndrome. Had we received a prenatal diagnosis, this would definitely be a resource I would love to have.

We received the diagnosis after Matthew was born so we hit the ground running. If I had this book then, I think I would've gleaned some useful bits of information to help us through the shock of the diagnosis and the days following it.

I'll be sharing this resource with my OB-Gyn and pediatrician.

This free e-book is available on the Down Syndrome Pregnancy website, which also hosts an interactive blog to supplement the information in the book and provide a venue to field more questions from expectant parents.

Have you read it? What do you think?

Book Review: Meet Annie

Written by Heather J. Scharlau-Hollis, a mother of 3. Her youngest has Down syndrome.

A delightful story about a little girl who talks about things she likes and how she feels about certain things. She engages the reader/listener at every page turn with questions, creating conversation just as one might have when getting to know a young child.

This is the kind of book I would take to Matthew's kindergaten class (when he's in kindergarten) if I am given the opportunity to share or read a book. I think it would raise awareness about Down syndrome in terms that a kindergartener would relate to on a personal level. It is geared toward helping very young minds understand how having Down syndrome makes Matthew different and yet has feelings, likes and dislikes just like everyone else without Down syndrome. I would love for his friends and classmates to appreciate his and each other's differences and realize that differences makes everyone unique.

NOTE: The book also comes with an audio download.

Have you read it? What do you think?

Book Review: From Emotions to Advocacy, 2nd ed

An invaluable reference for parents who have children with special needs! It's so easy to read and easy to navigate. The book talks to me, at my level of understanding. I'm new to the IEP (Individualized Education Program) process and the special education scene. Matthew transitions out of the Early Intervention (EI) program next week when he turns 3.

Judge this book by its cover! It truly is a Special Education Survival Guide. The authors, Pam Wright and Pete Wright, offer vital information on everything about special needs education and practical suggestions for many typical scenarios from preparing for the IEP to resolving conflicts. It's very comprehensive.

The book is divided into five well-organized sections. Section 1 helps parents to organize their thoughts and ideas in advocating for their child. Section 2 has chapters on learning the rules of the game, common traps and obstacles, tips for conflict resolution and crisis management. Section 3 includes information about evaluations, various tests and measurements, file organization and a wonderful how-to chapter on writing SMART (Specific, Measurable, Action Words, Realistic and Relevant, Time-Limited) IEP goals. Section 4 is packed with the nitty gritty of Special Education Law. Section 5 discusses tactics and strategies to manage and win disputes, including the best ways to document information.

I found the chapters in section 3 and the chapter on creating a paper trail in section 5 most helpful in preparing me for our first IEP meeting.

Just browsing through the content of the rest of the book, I have a feeling this will be my "bible" in advocating for Matthew's education.

Have you read it? What do you think?

Book Review: A B C for You and Me

Written by Meg Girnis.
Photography by Shirley Leomon Green.

I find the simple layout, white background and good photographs of kids with Down syndrome most appealing about this picture book. Each page is a photo of a child or children with the object corresponding to the letter of the alphabet. A letter is found at the top of each page in both uppercase and lowercase. The word for the object is printed in big black font at the bottom.

Matthew and I point to the objects in each photograph. Sometimes he labels them with his approximation of the word. Sometimes he makes the sound associated with the word. For instance, he meows when he sees the cat. This is one of the many books I've been using to encourage Matthew to verbalize more words.

It's a nice book to have. Do you have it? What do you think?

Book Review: Gifts - Mothers Reflect on How Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives

Gifts is undeniably one of the books I treasure. It is a compilation of heartfelt essays well-written by mothers who have children with Down syndrome. Each mother tells a unique story yet all of the essays have that element of sameness, reflecting on the initial overwhelming emotional pain, sadness, loss, guilt, confusion and realizing the blessings, unconditional love, and joys of their experience in caring for and raising a child with Down syndrome.

Soon after Matthew was born, we were looking for good books about Down syndrome but all we could find were ones that talked about the medical conditions associated with Down syndrome. We were tired and stressed from reading such books at the time. They only overwhelmed me with worries about Matthew's unknown future. Receiving Gifts from my mother-in-law was one of the best gifts ever. Reading Gifts helped me sort out the feelings I had about this new world I suddenly found myself in. Every story struck a chord with me. I couldn't hold back the tears with each story I read, kleenex in hand. It was good to feel and know that I wasn't alone.

I loved this book so much that I sent one to a friend who had given birth to a daughter who had Down syndrome 2 weeks after I had Matthew. I also left 2 copies at my OB's office for them to share with expectant or new moms who have a child with Down syndrome. When the editor, Kathryn Lynard Soper, was calling for essays for the follow-up book "Gifts 2", I encouraged my sister-in-law to submit an essay. We were ecstatic when her essay was accepted.

I highly recommend Gifts to all mothers who are expecting or have a child with Down syndrome and need to know that they are not alone in their new journey. A definite must-read!

Have you read it? What do you think?


Related posts:
Gifts 2
Mi Casa Es Su Casa (My Home is Your Home

Book Review: Teaching Reading to Children with Down Syndrome

This book offers a reading program using the language-experience approach, which basically means that the words are derived from the learner's own experiences so that the lessons are more meaningful, interesting, and fun for the learner. The author, Patricia Logan Oelwein, does not claim this reading program to be the best one for EVERY child. The procedures described are guidelines and the program is meant to be customized. It could be a good supplement to other reading programs if one has the time and energy to create the materials for the activities.

Book Summary
The book is organized into 3 parts.

Part 1 (chapters 1 to 7) provides background information for the parent or teacher in order to understand learning differences among persons with Down syndrome, offers specific guidelines for teaching reading, and explains the program in more detail. These chapters describe certain factors that are usually associated with persons who have Down syndrome such as learning styles (for example, visual vs. auditory learner) and environmental (for example, family and community support) and medical issues (for example, hypothyroidism, autism, or other health condition) that may hinder or slow down learning.

Part 2 (chapters 8 to 11) provides the "how-to" for introducing the alphabet, phonics, writing and spelling using games and activities like matching and word bingo. Each chapter in part 2 has instructions on how to make the materials and how to play the game in a way that would encourage learning.

Part 3 (chapters 12 to 18) provides sample goals and objectives for expanding reading vocabulary and comprehension including action words, household words, feelings, colors, animals, food, and time. The goals, objectives, and activities in each chapter can be implemented as is or adapted to fit the learner's needs and interests.

The appendices contain a list of reading approaches, a list of other available reading programs, typical sequence for teaching reading, list of 200 basic sight words, picture cards, game materials and forms, and models for creating simple, personalized books. This book was published in 1990 though so the list of reading programs may not be up-to-date.

My Two Cents
I think that this reading program can be implemented with any child, with or without Down syndrome, as it is versatile and can be individualized based on the child's interests, learning style, how information or sensory input is processed, and individual progress. However, since words and sentences are from the learner's experiences, all the materials such as games, charts, flash cards, and books have to be custom-made. So this probably won't appeal to parents or teachers who have very little or no time to spare to create the materials.

The games and activities presented are designed for children in kindergarten and older. Matthew is only 2-1/2 years old and will go to school in October this year but I think this is a good time to introduce sight words, and possibly the alphabet. Matthew has the skills to identify, differentiate, and match objects and pictures so I'm going to push the envelope and teach him to identify words using the techniques illustrated in chapter 8 (Teaching Sight Words). So far, I've made 7 photo cards with words for Matthew to start with: Daddy, Mommy, Matthew, cat, milk, ball, apple. I plan to make a few more cards with words that Matthew understands or signs everyday, words that are meaningful and useful to him. The method for introducing sight words is very much like how Matthew's developmental therapist introduced the concept of matching so this gives me faith in trying it for myself.


Have you read it? What do you think?

Related posts:
Early Reading Programs
Matching
Vocabulary List and Speech

Book Review: Gifts 2

It has arrived! Gifts 2, edited by Kathryn Lynard Soper, is a treasure full of inspiration whose writers share their personal stories of how people with Down syndrome have enriched the world through Acceptance, Awareness, Friendship, Courage, and Joy.

I have only read a few stories to-date, but so far this book gets the two-thumbs up from me. I must proudly add that my sister-in-law, Kristin Enkvetchakul, contributed an essay titled "They Changed the World". Needless to say, we're very excited that she and Matthew are in the book.

I also love the fact that I know several of the contributing authors through their blogs, making this book more personal to me. Their heartfelt stories are simply soul-touching. I expected nothing less of course.

Overall, I'd say the book is well done labor of love. Great lively cover. Wonderful, inspiring stories. Excellent photos for each story. Edited with love. This is another must-have for people who know and love someone with Down syndrome.

Have you read it? What do you think?

Book Review: I Can, Can You?

Written & photographed by Marjorie W. Pitzer.

A board book for babies and toddlers to enjoy. The photos are of kids with Down syndrome playing, eating, drawing, and sharing. What a simple reminder that kids are kids, Down syndrome or not!

Matthew's favorite pages seem to be the one with the little boy going down the slide and the little boy swimming. He always stops at this particular page and starts babbling. It makes me smile and wonder what goes on in his head when he sees these photos and I wish I knew what he is trying to tell me.



Have you read it? What do you think?

Book Review: Common Threads - Celebrating Life with Down Syndrome

Compiled and written by Cynthia S. Kidder and Brian Skotko.

The title says it all.

A beautiful book of inspiring essays and snippets of experiences with and about individuals with Down syndrome. Each story is well-written and guaranteed to deeply touch your heart and soul. The photography by Kendra Dew is simply outstanding. Each photo in the book beautifully captures the emotions of its subjects, leaving me in awe at every page turn.

Little tidbits of interesting information gathered through Band of Angels press surveys are interspersed throughout the book. Here are some excerpts of the surveys:

"1 out of every 5 children with Down syndrome plays a musical instrument. For children older than 10, that number doubles."

"Approximately 7 out of 10 individuals with Down syndrome imitate characters from a television program or movie."

"2 out of every 3 individuals with Down syndrome older than 10 prepare their own breakfast each morning."

"One out of every 5 adults with Down syndrome (18 years or older) lives on his or her own."

This book a must-read, must-have for families who love someone with Down syndrome. I had ours on our coffee table when Matthew was a baby as I thought it was a perfect coffee table book...until Matthew started cruising. He inadvertently tore part of the cover. The book is now safe on my bookshelf. I think it will find it's way back to the coffee table when Matthew is much older.

Have you read it? What do you think?