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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Each SN child is unique, just as each ordinary child is unique.    I belong to a support group for children with a particular syndrome and I can tell you that sharing one child's story is in no way indicative of another child's course, either physically, cognitively, socially, educationally, or psychologically.  That's because we all have different parents, other genes, life experiences, temperaments, likes and dislikes.

Your experience with a child with DS may or may not involve lots of doctor's visits.  Children with DS do need Early Intervention because they tend to walk late and talk late and that's why EI is helpful, but this is not a medical issue, it's a developmental issue.

It's certainly realistic for SN parents to work full time.  My husband and I both do.

Yes, you need a retirement plan and a special needs trust for your child.[/quote]

While there a definitely children with DS who don't have concurrent medical issues, these children are not in the majority.  Children with Down Syndrome have about a 50% chance of congenital heart problems, and similar rates of vision and hearing problems.  Put together, at least one of these 3 things will impact about 88% of children with DS.  In addition, children with DS are at increased risk for certain kinds of leukemia, hirschsprung syndrome, skin problems etc . . . Almost all of these things are treatable, and kids with DS can live a long, healthy life, but most kids with DS, especially infants and toddlers are likely to see a doctor more often than the average child.  Even if an individual child doesn't have symptoms, their pediatrician will probably suggest that the child be evaluated by a cardiologist, and opthamalogist, and other specialists so that issues are caught and treated early.

I am very strongly pro choice, but based on my experience as a special educator I also know that I'd choose to carry a DS child to term.  My kids happen to be adopted, and I was open to children with DS both times.  It happened that I ended up with children with other SN.  I say this because I don't want it to seem like I'm painting an awful picture of raising a child with DS.  Kids with DS can be wonderful and rewarding to parent, just like any other child.  But the OP asked for the whole truth, and the truth is that raising a child with significant SN can be more labor intensive and time consuming than raising a typical child, and appointments (Dr., therapist, schools) are reason why.

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OP here, this is really helpful. Again, completely recognizing that there is no such thing as "typical," I'll ask it anyway: what is typical in terms of these kinds of appointments? Is it possible to quantify? I totally get taking one's child to the doctor "more than the average child," but what could we expect that to mean? It's so hard to envision - I know it's the same for children without DS as well, but... I have this image of my life becoming one in which I become more of a caretaker, driver-to-doctor's and therapists appointments, than anything else, and a life that may be constantly plagued by the worry of some really big deal thing manifesting itself in my kid (or, dealing with a life in which some very likely "big deal" thing happens to my kid). Clearly, that can happen with any child, but I guess the question is: how likely?
 
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