Childhood Letter of Introduction

Maryanne Bruni, BSc OT(C)

If you are a parent reading this, you likely have a child with Down syndrome, as I do.  My intent with this article is to provide you with some information about how an occupational therapist (OT) may be able to help you and your child.  Occupational therapists who work with children have education and training in child development, neurology, medical conditions, psychosocial development, and therapeutic techniques.  Occupational therapists focus on the child's ability to master skills for independence.  This can include:

• self care skills (feeding, dressing, grooming, etc.)
• fine and gross motor skills
• skills related to school performance (printing, cutting, etc.)
• play and leisure skills

When your child is an infant, your immediate concerns relate to his health and growth, development of the basic motor milestones, social interaction with you and others, interest in things going on around him, and early speech sounds and responses.  At this stage, an OT may become involved to:

A parent's guide to testing at your child's school.

When my son Evan was born and I was told he had Down syndrome, I did not cry for a long time.  Then, as I was waiting for my daughter to visit us in the hospital, I saw a girl a few years older with her little brother walking hand in hand to the viewing window of the nursery, and I could not hold my tears back.  I knew that my daughter would never walk her little brother that way.  I knew he would never experience the small pleasures of life I always took for granted.  In those minutes, my heart was broken, and I was overcome with sadness for both my children.

Sports & Therapeutic Recreation Instruction/& Developmental Education (STRIDE) Recreation for Challenged Children

STRIDE's Mission: STRIDE is a not-for-profit, 100% volunteer organization, dedicated to enriching the lives of children with disabilities, by offering sports and recreation opportunities. Challenging people, potential, and possibilities.

ECDCD provides information, referral and support to families and professionals working with children, both typically developing and those with special education needs, ages birth through five

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this...

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide- books and make your wonderful plans. The coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

(Based on “Health Supervision for Children with Down Syndrome” as published in Pediatrics August 2011) Ages 1 – 5 Years

A parent's first encounter with the Individualized Education Program--the IEP--can be intimidating. However, participating in special education planning is critical in assuring positive long-term outcomes for students with disabilities.

Parents and guardians of school-age children with disabilities need to be familiar with relevant regulations and procedures for developing an IEP to fully participate in IEP development and long-term planning. Similarly, students who have attained legal adult statues in their state and have assumed responsibility for their own IEP need information to assure information participation at their IEP meetings.

(Based on “Health Supervision for Children with Down Syndrome” as published in Pediatrics August 2011) Ages 5 – 13 Years