Hi Susan,

I don’t see anything wrong with sending her to some special things like Therapeutic Horseback Riding.  My son has been dx’d as Sotos like and has some autistic traits and has been doing HB riding for over 18 months and loves it.  The improvement in his trunk strength is amazing. 

I understand why you want to keep her with typical kids, but being exposed to the kids with some lower abilities might boost her self confidence too.  If she has Asperger’s does she have social deficits?  I would try sending her to some of both…especially if there is a physical condition like low muscle tone.  The HB riding might be very beneficial.  Nothing says you have to sign her up for all non-disabled activities or all things for disabled children.  This is just my 2 cents worth.  BTW I could not send Kevin (4 ½ ) to many “typical” activities w/o 1:1 help with the social stuff and for learning something new.    Honestly, I try hard not to care if people know my child has special needs….especially because where he does act “different” or immature for his age at times…this sometimes helps them realize there is a “reason” for it and it is not just seen as  bad or lazy parenting.  I know it is hard to not worry about what other people think!  You need to do what you thin is best for your daughter regardless of what some people might think.

What exactly is a playscheme?  Is it like learning social stories? 

Good luck with your decision!

Pam

(Mom to Kevin age 4 ½ Sotos-like)

-----Original Message-----
From: susan smith [mailto:shannick@...]
Sent: Saturday, May 08, 2004 7:49 AM
To: UndiagnosedOvergrowthSyndromes@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [UndiagnosedOvergrowthSyndromes] Where is everyone?

Hi Moe

I have a dilemma at the moment which might start up some postings!!  I know
Shannon has special needs and this affects her in quite a number of ways,
but compared to thousands of children with other conditions, her problems
are slight.  At the same time I am trying to make her as "normal" as
possible.  I want her to
stay in main stream education for as long as possible and obviously I hope
that one day she will lead an independent life.

The problem is that various professionals are suggesting that Shannon could
benefit from joining groups especially for "disabled " children.  In the UK
we have something called Riding for the Disabled, (horseriding) which they
feel would help to strengthen her muscles and improve co-ordination.  And
since her latest diagnosis, its been suggested that she may like to join a
club for children with Asperger Syndrome. In the summer, there is a special
playscheme for children with problems which I could enrol her in.  I just
don't know what to do because if I send her to these activities, is that
undoing the good I am trying to do by making her as normal and ordinary as
possible. The only difference she sees in herself at present is that she
finds school work harder than her classmates, and I don't intend to say
anything more until she asks the appropriate questions.

So the question is - do I ignore her special needs and only send her where
all the other children go, which may make her rise nearer to their level of
ability (not that she shows any interest to do this) or do I send her to all
the special activities (which means she would be mixing with children more
at her level, but would make everyone aware that she has problems, and class
her as different)?

Susan

P.S.  many thanks for the contact number


----- Original Message -----
From: <omahamoe@...>
To: <UndiagnosedOvergrowthSyndromes@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 08, 2004 5:38 AM
Subject: [UndiagnosedOvergrowthSyndromes] Where is everyone?


> Boy, it seems like forever since anyone posted on here,,what is
> everyone up to?  How about a topic question:  What plans do you have
> for your child over the summer months?
>
> Moe
>
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> Yahoo! Groups Links
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