PROMPT: The "T" Command

This PROMPT command is for the "T" sound. This is a PROMPT we use quite often with Osiyyah. He can say the "T" sound quite well, but has a hard time (and forgets at times) to put the sound at the end of certain words or in particular words. Like "table." When you slow him down and PROMPT the whole word out with him, he can say it perfectly!

To do this command: Place your middle finger right under the front of the jaw. Right at the little indentation at the very front of the mouth/jaw. Lightly push your finger up while you say the sound. Have the child say the sound at the same time as well. Support may be necessary for the child's head to keep the child in a proper position.

PROMPT: The "B" Command

Again, here are the said PROMPT posts!

This PROMPT command is for the "B" sound. We've used this a little bit with Osiyyah. Most of the time he has no trouble saying the "B" sound, but there are certain words that it is helpful with.

To do this command: Place your two fingers around the child's lips, as seen in the first picture. Then move your hand away from the mouth in a forward motion. Say the "B" sound  while you are doing this command. Have the child say the sound at the same time as well. Support may be necessary for the child's head to keep the child in a proper position.

A New Study Showing 2 Genes Linked to Brain Impairment

A new study has recently been done in Down Syndrome mice that was to try to find which extra genes are responsible for the brain defects in people with DS (and in particular DS Mice in this study).

There are so many genes responsible for all the delays, impairments, etc that are present in Down syndrome. The puzzle is so large and complex scientists do not know the full spectrum of which genes, what gene overdoses, overexpressions, protein overexpressions, gene or protein deficiences are responsible for the syndrome. There have been quite a few studies done showing where the problems stem from in DS, but it hasn't unraveled the whole syndrome, which should be obvious.

While there is nothing known to counter the bad caused by Olig1 & Olig2 (the two genes studied in this new study) at this time, it is promising that the researches concluded the study that these genes may be "biomarkers for the rational development of early interventional therapies of the cognitive impairments in DS."

2 Genes Linked to Embryonic Brain Impairment in Down's Syndrome

(click here for the full article)

Researchers pin down two genes that may be responsible for abnormal neural development in Down's mice embryos. The findings may help identify possible therapeutic strategies to treat cognitive defects in human patients

In the new study led by Tarik Haydar, then at the Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., the scientists sought to determine which of the extra genes in the DS mice are responsible for brain defects. (Haydar is currently a professor of anatomy and neurobiology at Boston University School of Medicine.) Their results were published online July 18 in Nature Neuroscience (Scientific American is a part of Nature Publishing Group).

First, the scientists found abnormal proportions of excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the brains of the embryonic DS mice, with a much higher quantity of the inhibitory cells. Then they looked over the list of extra genes present in the DS mice and homed in on Olig1 and Olig2, which are known from previous studies to program the developing brain to produce inhibitory neurons. They then engineered a generation of DS mice to have the normal genetic dosage of these genes. They found that simply eliminating the superfluous copies of Olig1 and Olig2 prevented the brain defects and restored normal communication among the neurons.

"This is an extremely elegant set of experiments, which are very difficult to do," says Roger Reeves, professor of physiology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine who studies mechanisms of gene action in Down's syndrome and was not involved in the study. The results "very much expand our understanding of just how these imbalances come to be in the first place, and demonstrates the specific role of [these genes] in this imbalance," Reeves says. He adds that the findings have important implications for several different drugs designed to ameliorate cognitive deficits in DS that are currently making their way to clinical trials.

The next step will be to determine whether the adult mice behave differently or perform better on learning and memory tests. Reeves points out that scientists have questioned the validity of such tests in recent years, but says that altogether the team's data "strongly imply" that the modified mice would perform better in functional tests.

Although it is too soon to say how these findings may relate to humans with DS, Haydar points out that humans also have Olig1 and Olig2, and the proteins derived from these genes perform similar functions in mice and humans. The researchers conclude in their paper that these genes may be useful as "biomarkers for the rational development of early interventional therapies of the cognitive impairments in DS."

Haydar also hopes that his team can use the results to begin searching for molecules that influence the expression of Olig1 and Olig2 in order to prevent the brain defects in DS mice. Such experiments could lead to new human treatments for cognitive impairment in DS, which is often the most debilitating aspect of the disorder.

"It's been a very tough nut to crack," Haydar says. Progress toward understanding the genetic basis for the defects in DS has been discouraging partly because of the large number of genes potentially involved, and also because so many things are changed, he explains. "That these two genes just by themselves do major things was a big surprise," he adds. "It gives us hope to unravel this mystery."

Life On The Ranch: Summer Time & Pigs

Well, I've been a slacker on the blog for the last week on the lack of posts. Seems like life has been busy and I haven't had any specific topics on mind to blog about. Although, I do have a bunch of PROMPT stuff to put up, that'll have to wait a couple more days. So, for now, I'll leave you with a few pictures from around here.

The summers here in NE Oklahoma can get quite humid at times. But, with the humidity and the frequent thunder storms, it makes for some beautiful scenery . . . lots of green! I'll deal with the humid heat in the summer, since we're so blessed to be out here!

Last week my brother built a new pen for a couple of his pigs and because it was such a beautiful evening we all went and watched the pig move.

The pond and some of the goats (and their llamas)

The boys bringing the pigs down

The twins helping nudge the pigs along :). Osiyyah was thrilled to poke the pigs with a stick. He's normally scared of the big hogs, but since we were all there he was okay with them. He would poke them and then run away, haha!

The move is complete . . . at the pen entrance!

And can't forget about the lawn mower rides the kids have all been getting from their big brothers :) ~

Goodnight!

Updated & Reorganized Website

After working on redesigning and updating the website we started a few years ago, it's finally done. You can see it at this link:

www.gotdownsyndrome.net

Let me know what you think of the look and ease of browsing the site!

I'm going to work on adding articles that I've written here on the blog to the site, so they can very easily be found.

Hopefully I can get more PROMPT commands up over the next week. I have to get one of my sisters or my mom to take pictures tomorrow when I do speech with Osiyyah :).

Have a great day!

The Castle

A few days ago I mentioned a story we have in our book that was written by Dave Hingsburger and I said I would post it up sometime here. So, here it is . . . Tissue warning on this :).

The Castle

He was born at the wrong time to the right woman. 67 years ago Richard was born with Down Syndrome, his mother was informed moments after his birth that he was a defective child and should be sent to the 'Castle'. She decided then and there that no child of her's would grow up in Lennox Castle, the hospital for disabled children in her area. Doctors, unnerved at her determination to keep her child, young Richard, informed her that because he had Down Syndrome he would die young that his 'fourth birthday' would be his last.

She loved that baby.

Loved him.

When his first birthday approached the family began to wonder about the celebrations. It was decided then and there that Richard's first birthday would go uncelebrated, there would be no party, no cards, no gifts. This was not a result of grief, of denial, of shame. Richard's mom decided that if he didn't have a first birthday - he could never have a last one. If he didn't turn one, then he wouldn't turn two, if he didn't turn two he wouldn't turn three, and if he didn't turn three then he'd not celebrate his last - the fourth. Instead, family celebrations intensified. Christmas and Easter and all the rest became huge family celebrations. More than ever before the family pulled together. Celebrated every life together.

Richard never knew a birthday party.

He never turned one.

His neices and nephews, his great neices and nephews, never even knew how old their uncle was. Richard was hospitalized only once in his life. His family filled his room, many stayed with him through the nights, through the days, caring for him in shifts. Nurses had to constantly ask people to move and give them room to work. Though very ill, Richard pulled through ... as if his family had lassooed his soul and pulled it back from heaven's shore.

It was then that one of the boys took a look at the plastic wristband the hospital had placed around Richard's wrist to see how old his uncle was, no one knew. Because he'd never had a first birthday.

Richard died three years ago. Calculations showed that he'd lived for 64 years. He lived loved. He lived part of a family that celebrated belonging to him. There were "Richard" traditions, at every family wedding, after the dance between bride and groom, Richard took the floor with the bride. With every new home or apartment, Richard was the first overnight guest.

At his funeral, the whole family decided to walk behind the casket. They wanted not to be in cars hidden from view. They wanted to walk, publicly proclaiming their membership in Richard's family. This boy who was to be sent to the castle, lived his life a king. This boy who was to die at 4 had a mother that stole birthdays away and gave celebration to every day. This boy who was to be hidden died - and 5 generations of his family walked behind his coffin.

Crying.

*** Story written by Dave Hingsburger. http://davehingsburger.blogspot.com/

"No, No, No"

Another break-through in Osiyyah's speech came last week. Something we haven't directly worked on too much yet - the "N" sound used in a word. 

Osiyyah typically does not say anything with the sound "N" in it. It's just too hard for him to do. We weren't even working on that sound really because there are easier sounds that he is mastering well. But, of course some of the oral motor exercises we do with Osiyyah work on strengthening the tongue and jaw to be able to say those harder sounds.

Lots of kids learn how to say "No" early on. Osiyyah has never said that word (until last week). If he has a "No" answer to something he'd just shake his head or move his hand and gesture, while making a noise which was his way of saying "No." The word "Yeah" was one of his first words and he can say that word clear as day.

Well, last week, someone asked him a question and he plainly and clearly said "no, no, no." I overheard him say that and I asked him "What did you just say?" and he repeated it again, "no, no, no." Wow, what a delight to hear! Later that day (I think it was), I had him say that to his mom while we were doing speech therapy time. She was just as shocked too!

He will still go to use his gesturing at times or shaking his head, but we remind him and say "how do you say it?" and he'll remember to use the "no, no, no" phrase :). He's getting it down very well and I'm so thankful for yet another breakthrough in his speech. Even though this may seem small to some, this is HUGE for Osiyyah!

He doesn't say it singly as just "No", it's always "no, no, no." Why, I'm not totally sure. Has something to do with his motor planning difficulties, I'm sure.

His speech therapist did get him to say it once when she did a cue with him. But, he hasn't said it singly again, even with us doing the same cue. That's alright though, he can at least say the word!

Blog Giveaway Winners!

Thanks to those who entered in the drawing. I decided to choose two winners for the blog giveaway! So, with the help of Random.org, the winners are:


First winner - 

#3 ~ Annie H.
"Wesleybear said...
I would love to have a blog!! This would be a chance to start. Wesley is thriving and so happy, and I am sure the Longvida Curcumin has been the cause of his recent progress in his processing skills. The speech has yet to come but he is trying harder than ever!!

Thanks Country Girl!!! Annie"

Second winner - 

#5 ~ Dave Hingsburger
" Dave Hingsburger said...
Howdy, I'd love a blog redesign, I'm not good at that kind of thing. So please enter me in your draw."

Congratulations to the winners! I look forward to designing your blogs for you :). I'll be in contact with you via email today!

Drawing the Names

Yes, today is the 15th and it's time to draw the names to find out the winner of the blog giveaway. But, some things came up today and I haven't gotten to drawing the names. So, that'll be one of the first things I do on the computer tomorrow . . . stay tuned to see who wins!

I have some exciting info too on some more PROMPT commands . . . today was Osiyyah's speech therapy appointment, so I learned a few more PROMPT commands. Will work on getting those up too.

And to anyone who's left a comment or emailed me, I will get back to everyone tomorrow, Lord willing!

Goodnight!

Blog Giveaway!

This post will stay at the top until July 14th. Scroll down for new posts!

We're taking a couple days off of our PROMPT command posts for a blog giveaway! This giveaway will run from today (7/8) through Wednesday, July 14th.

This giveaway is from my website, blog & graphic design business, Country Girl Designs.

 This giveaway is for a Custom Blog Design ($95 value!).

What's included in a Custom Blog Design? It's a fully personalized blog with a custom background, matching header, signature, custom fonts for the title of posts or side bar, custom font for your posts, a button for others to link back to your blog, custom post dividers, any other CSS/HTML goodies, and just about anything else that you would like personalized.

Any style, patterns, colors, themes, etc for the design can be chosen by the winner!

To enter the giveaway leave a comment on this post. The winner will be drawn on Thursday, July 15th!

Enter the giveaway and feel free to pass this on to any others who would like a chance to win!