Archive: special needs

Educational Activities for Children with Down Syndrome

Children with Down syndrome develop at a slower rate than most children without Down syndrome. They face challenges, such as being slower to learn how to talk and care for themselves. This certainly doesn’t mean these things are impossible. They just take a bit longer and some extra dedication. Here are some fun, educational activities for children with Down syndrome that will help make learning fun and  a little less frustrating for little ones.

Use visuals to learn sounds.

Often, visual learning works best for children with Down syndrome. Sometimes, sign language can help little ones communicate and learn verbal language. You can either learn actual sign language or invent your own. For example, maybe touching the mouth represents hunger.

Take turns.

Teaching a child with Down syndrome to take turns can amplify learning experiences. Communication relies heavily on taking turns, having a listener and a speaker, but sometimes this concept doesn’t come naturally. Demonstrating this turn taking and even verbally communicating “OK now it’s my turn” can help the learning process happen a bit faster.

Use repetition to your advantage.

Studies show that kids with Down syndrome usually need at least a 100-word vocabulary before they start transitioning from one-word statements to multi-word thoughts. Repetition can help accelerate learning to speak. Think of it as an add-on game. If the child says, “Car,” say, “Car. Fast car.”

Sources:

-“Down Syndrome” Kids Health: http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/birth_defect/down_syndrome.html

-“12 Booster Activities for Kids with Down Syndrome” Parents.com: http://www.parents.com/health/down-syndrome/booster-activities-for-kids-with-down-syndrome/

-“Down Syndrome Learning Activities” Pinerest: http://www.pinterest.com/trudycallan/down-syndrome-learning-activities/

-“Top Five Instructional Strategies for Students with Down Syndrome” Special Ed Post: http://specialedpost.com/2013/01/31/top-five-instructional-strategies-for-students-with-down-syndrome/

-Photo courtesy of kdshutterman,/freedigitalphotos.net

Spotting Warning Signs of Autism

While each child is different and develops at a different pace, it’s important to compare what your child is going through to what’s normal. An abnormality may indicate autism. The earlier a developmental delay is identified, the better chances, depending on the level of autism, your child has of integrating into regular school programs. There is growing evidence that shows intervention during preschool or earlier has the largest impact on autistic children. Here are some things to keep an eye out for:

Early signs in infants

Even though autism is usually diagnosed between the ages of 2 and 3, there are earlier signs to keep an eye out for, even in infants. If your baby rarely smiles when you approach or smiled at, that may be a sign of a developmental delay.

Most babies are babbling and making repetitive sounds by the time they’re 6 months old. Between 6 months and a year, they should start responding to their name. If your child does not seem to be making these noises or responding to their name, they may and early signs of developmental delays.

Lack of eye contact

One of the most common signs of autism is a lack of eye contact. This sign can sometimes show in infants, but as your child grows into a toddler, if you notice a lack or avoidance of eye contact, you should look into possible autism immediately.

Unusual physical movements

In as early as infancy, autistic children may move differently that those without autism. They may stiffen their limbs, or make repetitive motions with their hands. As they get older, these movements will often continue.

Unusual communication skills

Kids with autism often show abnormalities communicating early on. They may not respond appropriately in conversation with peers, struggle alone instead of asking for help or show a smaller variety of vocabulary words than their peers.

Sources:

-Wetherby, Amy. “Infant Toddler Checklist.” Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile.

-“10 early warning signs of autism.” CBS News.

-Warner, Jennifer. “Cues May Signal Autism in Toddlers.” WebMD.

-Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles/freedigitalphotos.net

List of Special Needs Preschools and Child Care Centers in Chicago

Here is our most recent list of preschools and child care centers who offer special needs support in the Chicago, IL area.

Easter Seals Gilchrist-Marchman Center | Learn more about this center here
Accepts children ages 6 weeks to 12 years

McKinley Roseland Head Start | Learn more about this center here
Accepts children ages 3 years to 5 years

Bridgeport Child Development Center II | Learn more about this center here
Accepts children ages 2 years to 11 years

McKinley Trumbull Park Day Care | Learn more about this center here
Accepts children ages 3 years to 5 years

Firman Community Services Day Care | Learn more about this center here
Accepts children ages 3 years to 5 years

Firman Community Services Daycare Rec. Program | Learn more about this center here
Accepts children ages 3 years to 5 years

Firman Community Services | Learn more about this center here
Accepts children ages 2 years to 12 years

McKinley Ersula Howard Child | Learn more about this center here
Accepts children ages 3 years to 17 years

Cyc Abc Polk Brothers Youth Center | Learn more about this center here
Accepts children ages 3 years to 12 years

Marcy-Newberry Association Newberry Center | Learn more about this center here
Accepts children ages 5 years to 13 years

Marcy-Newberry Association Marcy Center | Learn more about this center here
Accepts children ages 2 years to 13 years

Englewood – Messiah Head Start | Learn more about this center here
Accepts children ages 2 years to 5 years

The Guadalupe Reyes Children & Family Care | Learn more about this center here
Accepts children ages 3 weeks to 5 years

Loren Children Learning Center | Learn more about this center here
Accepts children ages 1 year to 6 years

El Valor Carlos H Cantu Child & Family Center | Learn more about this center here
Accepts children ages 3 weeks to 5 years

YMCA Marshall Family Development Center | Learn more about this center here
Accepts children ages 6 weeks to 3 years

Marcy-Newberry Association Austin Town Hall | Learn more about this center here
Accepts children ages 3 years to 5 years

YMCA Garfield Early Head Start | Learn more about this center here
Accepts children ages 2 years to 5 years

Daley Child Development Center – Child Care Center | Learn more about this center here
Accepts children ages 3 years to 10 years

Ada S Mckinley Maggie Drummond Mem DCC | Learn more about this center here

Albany Park Headstart | Learn more about this center here
Accepts children ages 3 years to 5 years

Firman Community Services South | Learn more about this center here
Accepts children ages 2 years to 12 years

Ada S. Mckinley Wright Renaissance Child Care Center | Learn more about this center here
Accepts children ages 3 years to 17 years

Special Needs Preschools in Brooklyn New York

We’ve been getting requests for resources on special need preschools, so I would like to start compiling lists to make it easier for parents.  You may also go directly to MomTrusted.comto search for special needs preschools in your area. Just enter your zip code, then select the special needs and preschool checkboxes on the map page.

Here’s the preschool list for Brooklyn. Click on the Preschool Name to learn more about them.

The Child Study Center of New York– 167-171 Clermont Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205

The Children’s Center For Early Learning– 83 Marlborough Road, Brooklyn, NY 11226

The Guild For Exceptional Children– 1273 57 Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219

Yaled V’ Yalda Early Childhood Center– 563 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Yelad V’ Yalda Head Start– 600 Mcdonald Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11218

Yeled V’ Yalda Early Head Start– 1263 38th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11218

Yeled V’ Yalda Early Childhood– 6012 Farragut Road, Brooklyn, NY 11236

Yeled V’ Yalda Early Childhood Center– 2166 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11223

Yeled V’ Yalda Gan Ysroel Head Start– 3909 15 Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11218

Yeled V’ Yalda Head Start– 1353 50 Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219

Yeled V’ Yalda Head Start– 4206 15 Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219

Yeled V’ Yalda Head Start– 6002 Farragut Road, Brooklyn, NY 11236

Yeled V’ Yalda Head Start– 1601 42nd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11204

Yeled V’ Yalda Early Childhood Center– 204 Keap Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Yeled V’ Yalda Early Childhood Center– 407 East 53 Street, Brooklyn, NY 11203

Yeled V’ Yalda Early Childhood Center– 5110 18 Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11204

Yeled V’ Yalda Early Head Start– 6012 Farragut Road, Brooklyn, NY 11236

Yeled V’ Yalda Head Start– 12 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Yeled V’ Yalda Head Start– 667 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213

Kings Bay YM-YWHA– 3495 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11229

Kingsbay Y Afterschool Annex– 3043 Avenue W 1st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11229

A.M.A. Family Daycare– 350 East 9th st., Brooklyn, NY 11218