Our 2 Little Reindeer

Big sis Kennedy and Addison

Speech Therapy with Candace

Addison attends speech therapy at Univeristy of Central Oklahoma Speech Clinic. Each semester, she works with a new graduate or undergraduate therapist and this semester, she worked with Candace. Addison enjoyed her weekly sessions with Candace, who did a great job. Thank you Candace and we wish you the best!

Halloween

Addison and her big sis Kennedy dressed up for Halloween!

Addison & Bec on TV

Rebecca and Addison appeared on KWTV Channel 9 this morning to promote the Buddy Walk. Rachel Coleman, host of Signing Time, and Rebecca and Addison, discussed the benefits of signing, as well as described the events of the day. Here's the replay:

Alternatively, you can click here for a replay of the clip from the KWTV website.

Newspaper Article

The Daily Oklahoman published the following article about Addison, Signing Time and the Buddy Walk.

Speech with Amy & Greta

Addison receives speech therapy at Mercy. Amy, on the left, is Addison's speech pathologist at Mercy. Greta, on the right, works with Amy. When Addison was first born, she spent 21 days in NICU at Mercy. During this time, she had feeding issues that required the use of a Haberman bottle (bottle designed for children with cleft issues). Due to the nature of the feeding issues, Greta was actually the first person to ever feed Addison by bottle. Greta spent many hours teaching Addison and us how to use the Haberman bottle. She taught us how to support Addison's checks and chin while feeding her.
Thank you Amy and Greta!!!!

Thanks Abby!

Today was Addison's last day with Abby. Abby has been Addison's speech pathologist at Univeristy of Central Oklahoma Speech Clinic for the past 7 months. She is continuing on with her studies and will be graduating soon. Abby was great with Addison and was able to keep her on task to make the most of their sessions. Thank you Abby!!! We will miss you!!!

Gymnastics

Addison continues her weekly gymnastics practice at Oklahoma Gold. She's in a regular class and is doing very well, with the help from her awesome coaches, Wendy and Kayla.

Horseback Riding

Addison continues horseback riding at Coffee Creek Riding Center . "Papa" Ernie and "Nana" Rita take Addison once a week to these sessions, where they emphasize muscle coordination and speech development.

Addison and Nana

Addison and Papa

Addison with volunteers

Karen Gaffney

This is a very inspirational story that ran on the NBC Today Show. It's about Karen Gaffney, a young woman with Down syndrome. Bec and I saw her speak at last year's NDSC meeting in Kansas City.

Addison and Us

Addison is a happy, thoughtful 5 year old, who happens to have Down syndrome. The purpose of this blog is to share her story and help other parents who have a child with Down syndrome.

Family:

• Mom, analyst for an IT Department
• Dad, works for a software company
• Kennedy, 9, 2nd grader
• Addison, 7, 1st grader
• Onyx, 12, family dog

Education:

• Day Care: At 6 months of age, she began attenting a "typical" day care, where she is the only child with Down syndrome at the day care. For most of the teachers at the day care, this was their first exposure to Down syndrome and things have gone extremely well. The teachers have been receptive to Addison's very few special needs and we are very pleased with the inclusion. Addison currently is in an age appropriate class and is functioning very well in the "typical" environment.
• Public School: At 3 years of age, Addsion started the early intervention program at Angie Debo Elementary. She attends full days and loves school. Oh, by the way, she's been riding the school bus since the first day!

Speech Therapies:

• 30 minutes/week from Angie Debo Elementary
• 1 hour/week from Mercy Therapy Services
• 1 hour/week from Univeristy of Central Oklahoma Speech Clinic

Other Activities/Therapies:

• 1 hour/week of horseback riding at Coffee Creek Riding Center
• 1 hour/week of gymnastics at Oklahoma Gold
• 1 hour/week of swim lessons

Medical History:

• Diagnosed prenatally with Down syndrome
• Born at 34 weeks, spent 21 days in NICU
• Initially diagnosed with hydrocephalus, no need to repair
• Cleft lip and palet, repaired at 6 months of age
• Patent Ductus Arteriosis (PDA), repaired at 1 year of age
• Currently, in good health and no major medical concerns

Addison's Favorite TV Shows:

• Signing Time
• Wiggles
• Jack's Big Music Show

Speech Therapy Recommendations

Libby Kumin is a Professor and Department Chair of the Speech-Language Pathology Department at Loyola College in Baltimore. Her books are a 'must read' for caregivers of children with Down syndrome.
http://www.ds-health.com/speech.htm

Chris Burke's Website

Chris Burke, who played Charles "Corky" Thatcher on the ABC show "Life Goes On" and his recurring role as Taylor, the angel of faith on the CBS show "Touched By An Angel", has his own website. Very inspirational!

Site Written by Parent/Pediatrician

This is a great site written by a pediatrician, who has a son with Down syndrome.

http://www.ds-health.com/

Divorce Rates

There's a common "statistic" that's thrown around that states that the divorce rate is 80% for the parents with a special needs child. I've actually never seen the scientific study that backs up this statistic, so I question the validity of this statistic. However, here's an actual scientific study which documents having a child with Down sydrome does not increase the divorce rate probability. Click here for the study.