With Lanis Downs Syndrome effect her schooling?

Mainstream school vs a specialist school.

 We are not having to form a opinion yet as Lani is still so young but we have some thoughts on the subject...

Mainstream – It all depends on how Lani develops in the next few years but our thoughts at the moment are that we don’t want Lani to struggle, what if mainstream makes her feel like she is failing if she can’t keep up. Our hopes and aspirations for Lani have had to somewhat change and I understand that Lani won’t be a doctor or a lawyer, yes I can hear the voice in my head screaming at me... Livvy don’t be so negative Lani may be able to you never know...but realism says this probably won’t happen. So is Lanis success in life going to be based on qualifications and job???? No, not for me it will be based on her happiness and her ability to be independent or semi independent in years to come. So how will mainstream education help my little girl????  I cant answer that yet. But then I think what if mainstream pushes Lani and helps her to develop further and do even better in life. So what about bullying??? This subject makes me want to cry, would mainstream kids be more likely to see Lani as the odd one out and start on her?? How would that make her feel?? How would that make me feel and how would we handle it??? Have schools and kids moved on and that doesn’t happen much these days as people become more tolerant of peoples differences?????

Specialist – I have never been to one or even heard much about them but this is my vision of what the school would be like. The people would be there to help support Lani with studied knowledge on how to assist her to achieve her potential not only academically but with physio and speech and general studies such as how to run your own personal finances if you live away from your parents. How to get a job and provide assistance in this, how to have a successful level of independence in all forms. I imagine they take them out to do things like riding for the disabled and going to the local farm to learn where milk comes from stuff like that. I think they would go at her pace and not push her so hard she felt like she was not succeeding but what if its not challenging enough for her?? And they didn’t push her to achieve (I think everyone needs to be pushed to a degree) and they accepted a mediocre result out of her (which if I believe she could have done better I would not be happy). What if some of the children had challenging behaviour problems and Lani copied thinking its acceptable?? Would the classes be smaller so she would get more individual attention??

What a maze – my thoughts are all over the place, I guess this is why we have to start to consider everything now. I have been told we do get help form professionals who would have vast experience of the subject and help to answer all of our questions and I think also that if at first we get it wrong we can change schools for Lani and try to get the best outcome.  I am a great believer in stability for children and so keep on moving from school to school is not a healthy option in my opinion but if it is in Lanis best interests than we would do it. 

I would love to hear what others have to say on the subject, whats your view???? where I am still trying to form my thoughts I am very open to any ideas. 

 

Blog diary

10th October 2012

Note from last night. NIGHTMARE – I forgot to put her radio on and she was not happy, screamed for 2 hours apart from when her daddy called to chat with her and you’ll never believe it she was listening to him and then said “dada” ohhhh my heart melted so so sweet, she recognised his voice, chuffed muchley. 

Morning

What a busy day, we went to our specialist school today and got there early. Happy face. I look forward to this group as I believe Lani gets a lot out of it, we always have songs that we use makaton with so it helps lani to see it and me to learn it. Then Lani did some sitting in a little dinky chair and with the help of a pull up ladder in front of her she went from sitting to standing all on her own. The lady who runs the group blew bubbles and Lani enjoyed watching them. We then had some time to play with lentils and Lani could feel them and pick up handfuls, its all good learning for her, then snack time and home.

Afternoon

After lunch I walked Lani the long way up to the health centre to be weighed – she has lost weight this week but my HV said not to worry as Lani has been ill it is to be expected. Then we took a huge walk home via some pigs, horses, sheep and cows, it was great the horses came right up to the fence and I was so chuffed for Lani. We did lots of makaton and noises and sang bar bar black sheep to her, what a wolly !!! When we got home I have had to try and contact a social services occupational therapist and the speech therapist, left a message for the speech lady as I want them to come and again and see Lani as she has started head banging and it has been suggested to me this could be through frustration on not being able to communicate.  I did speak to Social Services OT and have asked for Lani to be assessed in the home for some equipment I think she needs such as a specialist chair but the lady didn’t sound hopeful that we will get the support we need so I will speak to a few more people and try and figure out just what the score is and if I think Lani does need equipment, world get ready as someone will have me on their case!!! I don’t give up when it comes to Lani. 

Evening 

After Lanis tea has gone down we will do lots of physio tonight, ball work, she will go on her indoor slide, we will work on supported kneeling and pick up objects from behind / beside her, rolling, sitting. Also I will try and film her doing some stuff to show at hospital tomorrow as we have physio appointment. When I put her down for bed lets hope she goes down ok....fingers crossed xx 

I have a lovely friend who also has a child with DS, its great having people who are in the same situation as us as you can just talk about things and know that my friend totally understands where I am coming from, we are both new to this new life and we are both very positive and happy, so we will, I hope, remain good friends forever and our babies will be best buddies throughout life. Today’s question is one that my friend has been asked.

Q – Will she ever have boyfriends or children?

My friends answer is brilliant, I love it. 

 A – I usually say who knows, as when I was a baby my life wasn't mapped out, but she will know how to love and it is physically possible for her to have children.

Could not have said it better, DS adults do get married and live fulfilling lives, I understand that the risk of them having a DS baby is increased but I don’t know much about this subject. What I do know is that I am already building ammunition to embarrass Lani (photos stories etc..)when she is older and brings a boyfriend back!!! Who should be fully aware I will thoroughly interrogate him before letting him take her out !!!! lol.

 Dont forget any questions would be very welcomed!!! infact now required lol xx