Comments on: Op-ed: Let’s change our focus regarding Down syndrome http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/10/03/change-focus-rdown-syndrome-3375/ Disability News | PatriciaEBauer.com Wed, 24 Nov 2010 22:50:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: David Perry http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/10/03/change-focus-rdown-syndrome-3375/comment-page-1/#comment-2844 David Perry Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:25:18 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=3375#comment-2844 That's very true, and that's where community comes into play. Respite care. Friends. Extended family. That's a big part of the support network making it all possible. That’s very true, and that’s where community comes into play. Respite care. Friends. Extended family. That’s a big part of the support network making it all possible.

]]> By: Heather http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/10/03/change-focus-rdown-syndrome-3375/comment-page-1/#comment-2840 Heather Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:10:26 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=3375#comment-2840 True. Just don't forget to have a life. Whether your son's disabling condition(s) are mild or complex, he is still a child to love and not a project to complete. True. Just don’t forget to have a life. Whether your son’s disabling condition(s) are mild or complex, he is still a child to love and not a project to complete.

]]> By: David Perry http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/10/03/change-focus-rdown-syndrome-3375/comment-page-1/#comment-2836 David Perry Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:25:01 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=3375#comment-2836 Hello, I'm the author of the op-ed (and guilty of googling myself to see reactions). Necessary is a complicated word. Nicholas would survive and be quite happy, probably learn to walk and talk in time, and otherwise be fine without these therapies. Then again, my son's disabilities are relatively mild compared to many of his peers. But early intervention therapy, it's been shown, can lead to a vastly better prognosis for his life in so many ways -- communication, strength, motor control, intelligence (I think I saw a figure that therapies can raise IQ 10-20 points, if you put stock in IQ numbers), social interaction, and so forth. In that context, although you are right that it is exhausting, how could we do anything but get him into as many programs as seems appropriate for him? Hello,

I’m the author of the op-ed (and guilty of googling myself to see reactions).

Necessary is a complicated word. Nicholas would survive and be quite happy, probably learn to walk and talk in time, and otherwise be fine without these therapies. Then again, my son’s disabilities are relatively mild compared to many of his peers.

But early intervention therapy, it’s been shown, can lead to a vastly better prognosis for his life in so many ways — communication, strength, motor control, intelligence (I think I saw a figure that therapies can raise IQ 10-20 points, if you put stock in IQ numbers), social interaction, and so forth.

In that context, although you are right that it is exhausting, how could we do anything but get him into as many programs as seems appropriate for him?

]]> By: Heather http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/10/03/change-focus-rdown-syndrome-3375/comment-page-1/#comment-2830 Heather Sat, 04 Oct 2008 02:57:25 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=3375#comment-2830 Inside this article is the following from the author: "My wife, son and I belong to three or four support groups, have four early intervention therapies a week in our home, go to a weekly group therapy and are about to start aquatic therapy." How exhausting! It this kind of therapy drill necessary? Inside this article is the following from the author: “My wife, son and I belong to three or four support groups, have four early intervention therapies a week in our home, go to a weekly group therapy and are about to start aquatic therapy.” How exhausting! It this kind of therapy drill necessary?

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