School Age Matters E-Newsletter

The Glen Este Trojans added a new member to the team,

Aaron Westendorf. As a freshman, Aaron joined the team

after discovering his passion for running. Accompanied by

sisters, Olivia and Chloe Reynolds, he is a cheerful face on

the course. Cross Country can get competitive and grueling,

but with that smile, Aaron finishes the course with cheers

and success.

Even while he is not running, it is easy to catch Aaron with a

smile. From warm-up to post-race, he loves to make

acquaintances. Aaron shows us that a positive attitude and

an inclusive heart really allow for abilities to shine.

Good job, Aaron!

The DSAGC Teen Club is here! Join us for fun, building friendships and parent networking.

For: teens 13+ with Down syndrome

Leaders: Nithya Narayan and Annie Castle

Contact: Nithya Narayan, narayanclan@gmail.com

Facebook Group: DSAGC Teen Club

#facesofdownsyndrome

http://www.dsagc.com/conference

Parent Education Class for Occupational Therapy

PARENTS WITH CHILDREN AGE 3 - 7 YEARS Wednesdays (Oct 21, Oct 28, Nov 4 & Nov 11)

6:30 PM - 7:30 PM DSAGC Hatton Foundation Community Room

$20 per participant

The goal of Occupational Therapy is to enable people

to live life to its fullest. To occupational therapists, a

"full" life means engagement in the activities that a

person wants and needs to do, no matter what injury,

illness, condition, disability, lifestyle or environment

stands in the way. These everyday human activities

are what we call "occupations" and they are the

building blocks of our physical, psychological,

emotional and spiritual health. Occupational therapists

help people to perform, modify or adapt their skills and

activities in order to live healthier, happier and more

productive lives.

This four-week class is for parents to learn tips and

tricks for working with their children. We will be

touching on topics related to Occupational

Therapy. The first two weeks will be focused on

handwriting and behavior. The second two weeks will

be focused on independent skills (zipping, buttoning, etc). There will be time designated at

the end of each class for personal questions relating to your child. Michelle Koziel, OT,

has been an influential person in the lives of many families. She has worked for Cincinnati

Children's Hospital for many years and has recently began working within the Lakota

School District. Questions? Contact Jena Wells at jenaw@dasgc.com.

register

*The DSAGC will provide childcare for 10 children (including siblings) for this series of

Teaching foundational number skills to children with Down syndrome

Numbers are a foundational piece of life. Not all, but some children with Down syndrome have

difficulty counting and calculating. The Down Syndrome Education, DSE, is developing a program

called See and Learn Numbers to help parents and educators teach foundational number skills.

This program works interactively with the child and an iPad. Children can learn various number

topics such as quantity, calculate with numbers up to 10, concepts for measurement, and number

skills in regards to time.

CLICK HERE for more information.

Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

at

“When your child faces physical or cognitive challenges that require special attention at

home, school or in the community, DDBP is here to help. Programs serve children from

infancy to young adulthood and address a range of conditions and disabilities including

autism, spina bifida, Down syndrome, general developmental and cognitive delays, and

learning or behavior problems. The multidisciplinary team of professionals provides

comprehensive evaluations and treatment plans to address the unique needs of your child.”

For more information about the Division of Developmental and Behavioral

Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s, call 513-636-4611 or 1-800-344-2462,

ext. 4611, 8 am-5 pm, Monday through Friday.

Thomas Center for Down Syndrome at

“The Thomas Center for Down Syndrome Services is located in the Division of

Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and provides ongoing support and individualized

therapies to help you and your child at home, in school, and in the community.”

Structured evaluations and ongoing monitoring

Individualized treatment planning based on best practices and standard of care

Care coordination, support, and assistance throughout childhood

Education and advocacy

Transition planning

For referrals or questions related to the Thomas Center for Down

Syndrome Services, contact 513-636-0520.

The Giving Tree program is offered during the holiday season as a means of

support to our families. If you are a family in the local Down syndrome community

and need assistance this holiday season, please consider reaching out to us for

support. We are able to provide for ALL children in a family unit from newborns to

18 years of age (we also provide for adults with Down syndrome ages 18 & up). If

you need some assistance or would like to sponsor a family through the Giving

Tree program, please visit dsagc.com/givingtree for more information. We are in

need of gifts and monetary donations.

Hey there,

I heard you’re the sibling to a child with special needs, and I wanted to write you a letter explaining why you have a

one-up on life. I know your life might seem hard or different from your friends, but trust me, you most definitely will

be more prepared for this life than anyone else. Let me explain…

I heard you deal with more than any child should. Your parents spend a lot of time away from you. You know they’re

taking care of your sibling, possibly bringing him or her to the doctor. Maybe your sibling is admitted in the hospital

often; your parents might be on the phone taking care of insurance business or even physically caring for your

sibling. I know, my friend. You see this more often than not. You see the love your parents have for your special

sibling, and it’s being embedded into your heart. You see the patience they exhibit when caring for him or her, and

it’s being buried into your soul. You see that your parents never stop trying to get what your sibling needs, and it’s

being ingrained into your mind. You see your parents exhaust themselves so your sibling and you are well taken

care of, and you’re learning from this. You may not know it, but all of these little things are teaching you traits of how

to be an amazing person.

I’m certain that being the sibling to a child with different needs is a struggle. I know you have those moments where

your heart stings with jealousy, where you’re worried sick over your sibling. I know you have those moments when

you get mad because you can’t go to all the birthday parties you want to. All of those times are totally

understandable. You have a right to be upset every now and then, but I can bet that you can think of some pretty

cool things you have in your household that your friends don’t. How about all the cool equipment your sibling has,

huh? I know you’ve climbed into that wheelchair or played with his super cool assistive technology toys. How about

getting to see your sibling reach a milestone and that proud feeling that overcomes your body? You get to

experience a friendship like no other. Your sibling completely and utterly trusts and loves you with a love that can

penetrate the coldest heart. They look at you with those beautiful eyes and know you’re there for them no matter

what. The bond you have is indescribable. You’re their sibling, their friend and their protector. Your sibling might not

speak verbally, but we both know your hearts together carry on conversations us adults could never possibly

understand. And I tell you what, we’re so extremely jealous.

Did you know your parents watch you and your sibling’s interactions on a daily basis and their heart literally wants to

burst out of their body with pride and love? They see everything you do for your brother or sister. They notice when

you walk by and give them a quick kiss, stroke their hair or give them a hello. Your mom and dad love to witness you

sticking up for your special sibling or when you go out of your way to make sure he or she is included in everything.

They quietly observe you as you help with therapies, put oxygen masks back in place and hold hands during tests or

doctor visits. Your parents recognize every time you perch yourself on the counter to help prep medicines or bring

them a diaper, a syringe or whatever else they need. You do such a crazy amazing job helping your parents. It

surely takes a wonderful little boy or girl to do what you do on a daily basis. I’m sure they tell you thank you, but

sometimes if they don’t just know they are beyond thankful for you.

But most important of all, my dear one, the reason you are going to rock this life: You know true love, you know true

heartache and you know what’s truly important. You have lived a life that takes a strong heart and a strong mind.

You will mature much faster than your schoolmates (don’t be too hard on them), you’ll exhibit compassion that

astounds others, you’ll know more about healthcare than 95 percent of adults you pass on the street, and you will

most definitely have a wicked sense of humor that will enable you to keep life joyful no matter what. When you were

introduced to your sibling with complex needs for the first time, that moment in time is pinned in the stars, for it was

then that your destiny was determined. You will be an awesome human being and you’re going to change lives for

the better… all because you were the sibling of a child with special needs. Rock on, my brave friend.

Words to a sibling...

OCTOBER CALENDAR

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

7p Meaningful

Employment Se-

ries

2

6p Eastside Com-

munity Group -

The Oktoberfest

Family Picnic

3

9a B.A.C.H Meet

N' Greet

4p Buddy Up

Tennis (ages 5 &

up)

4 5 6

6:30p Butler/

Warren Communi-

ty Group - Moms

Night Out

7 8 9

6p Westside Com-

munity Group -

Family Fun Night!

10

11a Early Matters

Harvest Party (ages

prenatal- 5)

2:30p AAFN

Community Group

Outing

4p Buddy Up

Tennis (ages 5 &

up)

11 12 13 14

7p Meaningful

Employment Se-

ries

15

7p Meaningful

Employment Se-

ries

16 17

9a Family Re-

source Conference

4p Buddy Up

Tennis (ages 5 &

up)

18 19 20 21

6:30p Westside

Mom's Night Out

6:30p Parent Edu-

cation Class for

Occupational

Therapy

22

7p Meaningful

Employment Se-

ries

23 24

10:15a Eastside

Community Group

- Group Meet-Up

7p DSAGC TEEN

CLUB - Xavier

Soccer

25 26 27

6:30p Adult Hal-

loween Party

28

6:30p Parent Edu-

cation Class for

Occupational

Therapy

29

7p Meaningful

Employment Se-

ries

30 31

1p B.A.C.H. Fall

Harvest/Therapy

Invite me to your

school meetings!!

Joanie Elfers School Age Matters Coordinator

Joanie@dsagc.com

513.761.5400