Experience with Down's Syndrome?

[PHATchik]

I need some advice from anyone who has dealt with children that have Down's Syndrome. I have a child at work who I just have no clue how to handle. She understands right and wrong and is in a regular class at school. However, I think she is extremely spoiled. She will get up and leave class and sit outside the classroom until she gets what she wants. Part of the staff will give in to her. I don't think we should. She thinks that she will get what she wants if she simply pouts or refuses to do what she is supposed to. Today, she was an absolute terror. Her mom was no help in how to deal with her. I've tried taking away privileges, which seems to work a little bit. Any other tips?

 

[Y_lifter]

http://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/DSA_lstLiterature.aspx?cat=Education

 

[Paulos]

Two Words....


Cattle Prod.

 

[PHATchik]

Two Words....


Cattle Prod.

 

[crmdogg]

i have endless sympathy for the mentally ill but they do get really spoiled

 

[The_Eviscerator]

I need some advice from anyone who has dealt with children that have Down's Syndrome. I have a child at work who I just have no clue how to handle. She understands right and wrong and is in a regular class at school. However, I think she is extremely spoiled. She will get up and leave class and sit outside the classroom until she gets what she wants. Part of the staff will give in to her. I don't think we should. She thinks that she will get what she wants if she simply pouts or refuses to do what she is supposed to. Today, she was an absolute terror. Her mom was no help in how to deal with her. I've tried taking away privileges, which seems to work a little bit. Any other tips?

I have an down's syndrome aunt that is 47 years old now. I remember years ago she could actually talk and articulate what she wanted, but through the years of everyone coddling her and doing what she wants at the mere grunt or head gesture she has lost the ability to speak. I really don't have an answer for you. The parents have to be diligent and not allow her to fall into those poor communication habits. Being that you have several other students to deal with... it would be difficult for you to enforce this type of communication with her and still keep everyone else focused.

The removal of priveleges may work. Maybe some kind of point system where if she follows the rules she gets some sort of privelage. I wish I had an answer for you... teaching children like this is no easy task.

 

[2Thick]

50-60 IQ is the same as a 5-year old. Just treat them as you would a 5-year old and you will do fine.

 

[The_Eviscerator]

Phat Chick, What grade level is this class you teach?

 

[Puddles]

Having to work with a spoiled child is tough...especially when the parents don't even think they are spoiling the child. Keep in mind that kids with DS have the mentality and emotions of a much younger child than those of their age. Maybe using disciplinary methods similar to those that would be used in pre-school aged children would help. There must be consequences to their actions, but keep it simple. Are you allowed to use time-outs? Maybe not letting the child participate in a fun group activity because she misbehaved?

 

[PHATchik]

Phat Chick, What grade level is this class you teach?

It's a summer camp for girls. We have kids that range from age 6 to teenage years.

 

[SV2]

I think F-Factor has downs syndrom...

 

[PHATchik]

Having to work with a spoiled child is tough...especially when the parents don't even think they are spoiling the child. Keep in mind that kids with DS have the mentality and emotions of a much younger child than those of their age. Maybe using disciplinary methods similar to those that would be used in pre-school aged children would help. There must be consequences to their actions, but keep it simple. Are you allowed to use time-outs? Maybe not letting the child participate in a fun group activity because she misbehaved?

Time-outs don't work. SHe won't stay where you put her. She doesn't care if you take away fun stuff. I have no clue how to get through to her. SHe was listening to me today pretty well, but it's a rare occurance.

 

[Crazy Ivan]

Two Words....


Cattle Prod.

Great advice, Dcup! Nice choppers!

 

[SV2]

I think thats why they call them retarded... DS is a form of mental retardation. They wont always listen to logic.

check this place:
http://www.down-syndrome.net/library/periodicals/dsrp/08/2/067/

 

[PHATchik]

I think thats why they call them retarded... DS is a form of mental retardation. They wont always listen to logic.

check this place:
http://www.down-syndrome.net/library/periodicals/dsrp/08/2/067/

I'm not so sure it's that she doesn't understand logic. SHe just has her own form of it. I think for the most part, her biggest issue is that she is just so damn stubborn. She thinks that we will just give in to her, if she holds out long enough.

 

[b fold the truth]

Send me an email...I'll get my girlfriend to contact you. She is the Minister of Special Education for her country and has worked with MANY children with DS.

B True

 

[SV2]

for her country? wtf?

 

[john937]

About 10 years ago I had a friend with a DS sister,
I spent a couple days around her and drove me nuts, so I sympathize.
I was impressed though, she had a heart of gold; the acting out wasn't malicious, just very ego-centric: I want what I want cause I want it.
My friend had learned how to handle her by the way he set things up.
He always made sure she knew how she could help and what her options were, rather than let her figure out what she wanted to do. If she came up with an idea on her own and latched onto it, it's like a trying to get a Pit Bull to let loose.

For Example:
"Hi Kathy, We're getting hamburgers for lunch, would you like to go to McDonald's with me or would you rather stay here and watch TV ?"
(she only has the choice to go, or not go)
"Yeah, hamburger's good!"
OR
"Hey Kathy, I'm getting pizza, do you want peperoni? or cheese?"
(choosing between two options that are both acceptable to you)
"Yeah, peperoni. I like peperoni."
NOT
"Hi Kathy, what would you like for lunch?"
(offering her to make up her mind from an unlimited list is inviting her to make a selection you don't approve)
"Ice Cream! Ice Cream!"
"No, you can have a hamburger or a pizza."
"Ice Cream!!!! I wanna have Ice Cream!!!!!"

Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[PHATchik]

Send me an email...I'll get my girlfriend to contact you. She is the Minister of Special Education for her country and has worked with MANY children with DS.

B True

Thanks handsome.

 

[b fold the truth]

for her country? wtf?

Yeah...as in she is not an American...

B True

 

[b fold the truth]

Still waiting for that email...

B True

 

[PHATchik]

Still waiting for that email...

B True

Check your mail in a couple dear. I forgot.

 

[b fold the truth]

Check your mail in a couple dear. I forgot.

Nefi and I have read this thread a few times and she has some questions for you as well as a few ideas. Her English isn't so good and her typing doesn't come across well sometimes.

I know that she needed to know how old the child was and if you had regular interaction with the mother. You need to talk to the mother and see what reinforcements the child LOVES. I hope that Nefi can help you a lot from there...

When you email me, I will fwd it directly to Nefi.

B True

 

[from zero]

I know we all like a good laugh. I know I do. But PHATchik put up a very serious question. A few of the responses, while I'm sure were meant in good fun, really came across as tasteless.

Making fun of kids with Down's syndrome, whether being serious or not, is just not funny.

 

[PHATchik]

Nefi and I have read this thread a few times and she has some questions for you as well as a few ideas. Her English isn't so good and her typing doesn't come across well sometimes.

I know that she needed to know how old the child was and if you had regular interaction with the mother. You need to talk to the mother and see what reinforcements the child LOVES. I hope that Nefi can help you a lot from there...

When you email me, I will fwd it directly to Nefi.

B True

Check your mail.

And thanks From Zero.

 

[Puddles]

Another thought is that positive re-inforcement sometimes works better than just focussing on the bad behaviour. Often all kids want is attention...if they don't get it when they're being good, they will seek out other ways to get it. Try complimenting her when she just simply behaves for half an hour. Tell her she's doing a good job. Smile at her when you see her putting a little effort into a situation. Give her a high five. Stuff like that.

 

[The_Eviscerator]

Another thought is that positive re-inforcement sometimes works better than just focussing on the bad behaviour. Often all kids want is attention...if they don't get it when they're being good, they will seek out other ways to get it. Try complimenting her when she just simply behaves for half an hour. Tell her she's doing a good job. Smile at her when you see her putting a little effort into a situation. Give her a high five. Stuff like that.

That's kind of the idea I was thinking... some sort of positive attention goes a long way.

 

[Scarlett33]

I know we all like a good laugh. I know I do. But PHATchik put up a very serious question. A few of the responses, while I'm sure were meant in good fun, really came across as tasteless.

Making fun of kids with Down's syndrome, whether being serious or not, is just not funny.

Thats true. Any one of us breeding folks could end up the parent of a Downs child, then it wouldn't be too funny.

 

[PHATchik]

Thats true. Any one of us breeding folks could end up the parent of a Downs child, then it wouldn't be too funny.

A person can never know.