Hi MN I need some reasurance :)

[SaliMali1]

I work as an LSA with a child with Downs Syndrome and want some advice and reasurance .
He is nearly 3.

Child lets call him Noah.

He started at play group just before Easter and things started well he came in happy but then he started to cry cry cry for 3 or 4 sessions. He then had a week of ill. We think he was crying because of coming down with something.

So Noah is now doing really really well he knows when it is register and sits down ready, he has started to join in with the regular action rhymes, he plays along side the others for 1 to 2 minuet periods.

He will do very simple craft for 1 or 2 mins and will use glue and finally has started to use paint.

He says ta and points when he wants something.

He will look at 1 book with me.
my question is how can I bring him on now? Are we doing well?

I have had no support from outside agencies and just don't want to do the wrong thing.

SaliMali1, my one piece of advice to you is get outside support . It will do you no favours to go it alone. Phone your council's SEN section and ask who is responsible for 'inclusion'.

If the boy has SALT, Portage or OT, see if they can visit the preschool to advise.

Hi Sali. Sounds like he's settling in to the routines etc, but well done for wanting to take things further. I would ask his parents whether they have any exercises for anything like speech therapy or occupational therapy or portage or physio that they would like you to do with him, (one would hope) that he is under at least some of these professionals to help with his development. Also I would look into getting support from your local pre-school inclusion services, every area should have this, even if it's got a slightly different name. You should be able to get some advice from them, you would need parent's permission though for someone from there to come and observe him, say.

My DD2 started mainstream pre-school just after the easter holidays and already her physio and SALT have gone in to assess how she's doing and are writing a program for her 1:1. The OT is due to go in after half term and do the same.

I think it's really important to work closely with any therapists or sn teachers Noah may have to ensure consistancy.

I know we're lucky to have this support, but I think it's something you should mention to the parents and see who is actually involved with his therapy and contact them and see if they'll visit the setting.

ED PSYC will only see the assessment unit but I will inquire with his mum, she is great BTW a real happy sole.

Sometimes kids with Down's Syndrome take longer to process stuff. I could have been a litle delayed separation anxiety or as you said he may have been coming down with something. Noah may have a tongue larger than the average (often seen n kids with Down's) and will breathe through his mouth making him more prone to infection. Always check the physical first and check with your pharmasist how much calpol he can have safely. As for bringing him on, what you are doing sounds cool. Lots of stimulation and activity. It may help if you teach him and yourselves to sign. Makaton is the best and it really does help language development, followed by lots of praise. Drop me a line, he sounds a dude!

Thanks bobbyla he does have a long tongue but it is not out all the time, he does sighn as do I and he is coming and sighns with me but without support its fun but hard as this is the 1st time I have worked with a child with Downs Syndrome so it is new to me, I love Noahg he is fantastic but all I am doing is what my gut feelings are saying.

Hi, that's what we all do as parents but you have to be careful of burnout. Even though your not his parent you are still subject to the same worries ad stresses. Contact the social services and or health authority to ask for support. You may get a community nurse and or a social worker. They will be able to advise you on the early education programmes available in your area as I think that seems to be your main worry. They have various names (Portage is an example). You might also consider asking for advise through your local CDU (Child Development Unit) and although they are generally concerned with diagnosis they will be able to point you in the right direction). Best wishes

Hi, that's what we all do as parents but you have to be careful of burnout. Even though your not his parent you are still subject to the same worries ad stresses. Contact the social services and or health authority to ask for support. You may get a community nurse and or a social worker. They will be able to advise you on the early education programmes available in your area as I think that seems to be your main worry. They have various names (Portage is an example). You might also consider asking for advise through your local CDU (Child Development Unit) and although they are generally concerned with diagnosis they will be able to point you in the right direction). Best wishes