Welcome to this edition of the Down Syndrome Support Newsletter!

This past week I watched the movie Radio, and it made me realize how many more opportunities our kids have today. They have gone from not being allowed in public schools to now being integrated with non-special need kids. More and more I see their faces on TV programs and being included in society. Maybe it's just the TV studios being politicly correct, but no matter what the reason it is bringing awareness. I think as parents, one of our biggest fears is that our kids won't be accepted into society and will miss out because of their condition. Awareness is important, it's the key to understanding. As noted below, the tv show The Guardian will feature a story line about Down Syndrome. I encourage everyone to watch it and let the studio know how much we appreciate the "plug for Down Syndrome". Also, I have read on the NADS message board that the Wiggles have a new tape (Top of the Tots) that features a little girl with DS.

Please note the meeting is on Sunday this month, we are varying the days to ensure everyone gets a chance to make it to a meeting. Linda from NADS will come out and share with us what services NADS provides.

Hope everyone is keeping warm,
Jennifer
aka 'Brandon's Mom'

If you have a story, event, or happening email it to info@dssupport.net and we can include it in the next edition.

-------- CALENDAR --------

NADS Bowl-A-Thon
Sunday, March 7, 2003
Stardust Bowl
Addison, IL
11 am
www.nads.org
Information and pledge sheets will be available at the January Meeting.

Calendar updates can be found at www.dssupport.net/local_happenings.html

Know of an event or other news? Email info@dssupport.net for inclusion in the next newsletter.

DVD for new parents
DS Support has purchased a copy of Down Syndrome the First 18 months If you would like to borrow the DVD please let me know at the next meeting. You will be expected to return the DVD within 2 weeks. This is a great resource for new parents.

Past Meeting Notes:

Jan 17 , 2004 Thanks to our speaker Wendy! She talked about what to watch out for when creating an IEP for your child. Most important: Know your rights! Visit www.nichcy.org for more information and a list of terms. A copy of the rights can be obtained here.

News Release from Gail Williamson:
My son Blair had a wonderful opportunity to be a guest star on the CBS show The Guardian. (Feb. 3)This episode will begin an important storyline about Down syndrome. To encourage this to continue, after viewing the show please go to WWW.cbs.com, click on feedback at the bottom of the homepage to tell them what you thought of the show and that you will be watching.

Don't read on if you are a fan of the show and don't want the story ruined. The couple on the show will find out in this episode that the baby they are expecting has Down syndrome. If the show is renewed the baby will be born in September.

We can support the storyline by writing and letting the producers know that we have someone in our family with Down syndrome, and are looking forward to the story and the birth of the baby.

The more we react favorably to characters with Down syndrome in the media the more there will be, bringing more acceptance and inclusion in society for our children. We can make a difference.

Looking for Speakers
Do you know someone who would like to speak at one of our meetings? Please let us know. info@dssupport.net

Summit educator brings her skills to Slovenia
Julie Sutor
January 9, 2004

SILVERTHORNE - Silverthorne resident Dr. Ann Morrison Clement has more than 30 years of experience as an educator, much of it in special education.

Though she says she's retired, Clement is helping to develop a program halfway around the world to integrate Slovenia's special education students into traditional classrooms.

Three years ago, Clement met Jana Selih, a Slovenian woman who had a young daughter with Down syndrome, a genetic condition that causes delays in physical and intellectual development.
Selih was about to come to the United States on a Fulbright Scholarship to study at the University of Colorado in Boulder, and she contacted Clement to find out about special education schools in the Boulder area.

Clement explained that in the U.S., children with disabilities are integrated into traditional schools and do not attend separate institutions.

"She was really hesitant about that," Clement said. "But, in the end, she loved it, and her daughter did great."

Last April, Selih e-mailed Clement asking her to participate in a collaborative special education project in Slovenia to begin to integrate special education students into the country's mainstream schools.
"Slovenia will formally enter NATO this May, on the condition that they improve education for all students. That really helped the Ministry of Education say, "You can try this,'" Clement said.
Starting last September, Clement spent 10 weeks in Ljubljana, the Slovenian capital, pioneering a pilot project that introduced two Down syndrome children, including Selih's daughter, into the traditional classroom.

It was an idea previously unheard of in Slovenia.

"It's an advantage to the typical students," Clement said. "They have the opportunity to learn about students with disabilities. These are the future parents of children with disabilities.

"It's also an advantage for the special education children. They will be able to learn more academically and socially, because the modeling is appropriate. If these two children were only with six other (Down syndrome) children, they would only model after each other.

"By including these children in the normal classroom, they will learn many more normal social and academic skills."

Clement's work in Slovenia has several different components, including working with teachers on conducting academic and social assessments, developing individual education programs for the students, lobbying the Ministry of Education and delivering lectures and seminars to a wide variety of groups.

"Initially, the ministry said, "(the two Down syndrome students) can come (to the school), but we aren't going to provide any services for them,'" Clement said.
"Four of us met with the Minister of Education and talked about education in a democracy and why we think inclusion is important to a child with disabilities. We put together a report and submitted it to the ministry.

"Finally, we got approval for five hours per week of services, like time with a speech therapist or extra hours with a teacher."

According to Clement, Slovenian cultural norms were huge hurdles to such concessions.
"We individualize a lot here (in the U.S.)," she said. "There, they have the same thing for everyone. They don't change things for anybody. That was one of the biggest challenges."
Clement explained that a 20-minute academic activity with a class might not be suitable for a Down syndrome student just entering the traditional classroom.

"Instead, maybe we have the student participate with the group for five minutes and then go to an independent reading station," she explained.

Clement spent many hours observing the two children in the classroom and giving feedback to teachers and to the two Slovenian student-teachers who had each taken on one of the students as part of a university diploma project.

"It was really neat to work with the parents, the teachers and the (university) students," Clement said. "They were doing their best, even though they weren't really trained to do this. They wanted to meet with me and talk about the children outside our regular meetings. They were very receptive to my feedback."

When Clement left Slovenia in mid-November, a Ph.D. student from the university took over her role in the pilot program. Now, Clement stays involved via e-mail.

She hopes to return to the school in May to follow up and evaluate the program's success.
"Hopefully, the success of this program will show others that this is possible," Clement said. "We hope other children will be involved and be able to do this."