Our Little Super Hero

In my previous post Tommy doesn't follow charts (Part 2), I mentioned Tommy began to march on October 20th. This day was the first time I saw him doing it, but I think he was doing it before. He didn't let to film him the few times I saw him marching. But my luck changed yesterday when he allowed me to film him marching as little soldier.

Enjoy the video of our little brave hero

who is winning in our Chromosomal War.

Trisomy 21 is surrounding day by day

Retaliated Articles:

Extra, Extra! The Chromosomal War has began

Developing Tripod Grasp

A few weeks ago, I noticed in two occasions Tommy was holding the crayon between his fingers. This made me realized he is beginning to develop the rigid tripod grasp. Ronald B david. says, in his book Clinical Pediatric Neurology, "The preschooler uses a rigid tripod grasp, with the thumb opposed to the index finger supported by middle finger, but without flexion extension of the interphalangeal joints, which becomes a dynamic tripod at age 6-7 years."

It may take long time until he can actually master the dynamic tripod grasp; meanwhile, we will be helping him to refine his tripod grasp, which it is crucial for handwriting.

Art supplies to promote tripod grasp

Finger crayons and stampers

Potty training is going well...

...Grande! This is the text message I got from my husband around 9:50 am with a very graphic picture proving that Tommy went potty.

My husband was amazed that our son did as big as an adult. He also called me to the office to tell me about it and he almost forgot to tell me the most important event until I started questioning him about Tommy going potty. My husband said that Tommy didn't want to stay on the chair and he was playing around. Suddenly, Tommy went back to the potty chair, sat on it and went potty. Yahoo! I think Tommy remembered what I always tell him "pee and pooh go in the potty or in the toilet." I have told him if he feels the need to go he has to sit on the potty. He did what I have been telling him; even although, I wasn't there. This make feel so good because I haven't been very consistent with the potty training, but some how it is working.

This is the picture I got in my iPhone

from my lovely husband.

I edited to show how big it was

and make it more attractive to our viewers.

"Someone discovered the toilet paper roll"

Text message from daddy to mommy

This event made our day,

this our normal as a family.

Always together not matter what!

Tommy doesn't follow charts (Part 2)

We always have been very impressed of Tommy's gross motor spurts. A year ago, I wrote about Tommy doesn't follow charts. Well, It is happening again! Tommy started to independently walk by the beginning of August. So he has been walking for about 3 months and since then until today he is:

• Running short distances, the first day I saw him running was on September 23, 2010. He can run fast holding his shopping cart toy.
• Transferring from one surface to other without falling.
• Walking and running on the grass without falling.
• Stepping up with assistance on the sidewalk with one hand supported, but without wiggling.
• Walking up starts holding the rail with both hands and doing one step at time without assistance. He alternates feet if he walks up stairs both hands supported.
• Walking down the stairs holding the rail and holding my hand. He alternates feet, but need more practice coming down the stairs.
• Beginning to step one step at time going up the stairs with one hand holding the rail and the other one holding a toy. He walked up the stairs one hand holding the rail all by himself on October 23, 2010.
• Beginning to march on October 20, 2010. He looks so cute when he marches, but he has sporadically done it.
• Getting out to the front porch holding the wall and stepping down all by himself. The first time I saw him doing it was on October 30, 2010.
• Getting in and out of his chair at the dinner table.
• Getting the idea of jumping.
• Getting the idea of riding a tricycle. Every time we go to Walmart, we go to the bike section and try all the tricycles. Tommy has been able to pedal once. I am glad he is getting the idea of how to do it, so it won't take longer for him to enjoy riding a tricycle when his body gets stronger. I have noticed he does better with the Classic Radio Flyer trike.

Video of Tommy days after he began to run

Video of Tommy going up the stairs

using both hands to support himself.

This is one of first time Tommy

went up the stairs by himself

November 8th, 2010

Tommy went up the stairs for the first time holding the rail

and letting one hand free without holding a toy.

Helping Tommy's body getting stronger

• We installed a stair rail which it has been a great help for Tommy. Every time he steps on the stairs, his legs muscles get stronger. Every time he uses his arm to push his body forward, he strengths his arms, shoulders and torso. So I try that Tommy uses the rail every time he goes up and down the stairs.
• We walk with Tommy everywhere we go. We just use the stroller just if it is extremely necessary. Putting him on the stroller is so easy, but he doesn't get any physical benefit on his torso which is area that has been more affected for the hypotonia (low muscle tone). Walking is a natural excierse that strength his torso without the presure of doing physical therapy.
• Toys that we are using for physical strength Tommy's upper body are: trampoline, tunnel, walking bike and shopping cart.

Why are we using the trampoline before the spinal x-ray to check for *atlanto-axial instability?

I talked to the Doctor in charged of the local Down Syndrome Clinic about using a trampoline and she said the trampoline was alright for my son to use because he doesn't have the gross motor skills to do rough neck movements such as, jumping and flipping on the trampoline, which it is true! He climbs on the trampoline that help to strength his upper-body and he also holds the bar to stand and kneel in repetitive motions that help to strengh his shoulders and legs. Ironically, my son's balance is better when he is on unstable surfaces, so he has a better balance on the trampoline. Tommy got the trampoline as a birthday gift and he likes to be on the trampoline!

A small trampoline is used as therapeutic tool in the book Gross Motor Skills for kids with Down Syndrome by Patricia C. Winders, P.T. The author uses to begin practicing bouncing as a first step to jump. Our Physical therapist also recommended it to us and she has been supporting Tommy physical development since he was 2-month old. I feel very confident she knows Tommy's gross motors strength and weakness.

We saw Tommy holding his head up for the first time when he was a day old. If we would had to work on strengthening his neck when he was little, I wouldn't be using the trampoline. But he didn't need therapy for his neck.

My advise to other parents that may read my blog is to always talk to your therapists and health care providers before using any gymnastic equipment because what may work for one child may not work for other.

I enjoy watching how much he is progressing in a short period of time. I keep praying his gross motor spurt stay longer enough to get his body stronger and he can catch up with the gross motor skills appropriate to his age because his physical development is very important to support his social skills.

Tommy's fashion today is according to

daddy's fashion style. He looks cute anyway!

_____________

* According to the National Down Syndrome Congress, Atlanto-axial instability or AAI describes an increased flexibility between the first and second bones of the neck. Most individuals with Down syndrome have some increased flexibility of joints, called ligamentous laxity, which can affect any of their joints. AAI refers to this condition when it affects the joint between the first and second cervical vertebrae. For more details please visit the National Down Syndrome Congress website.

Visiting the dentist

Our son's oral care is a very important to us, specially because kids with trisomy 21 have more dental problems than their typical peers. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

"People with Down syndrome have no unique oral health problems. However, some of the problems they have tend to be frequent and severe. Early professional treatment and daily care at home can mitigate their severity and allow people with Down syndrome to enjoy the benefits of a healthy mouth. PERIODONTAL DISEASE (gum disease) is the most significant oral health problem in people with Down syndrome. Children experience rapid, destructive periodontal disease. Consequently, large numbers of them lose their permanent anterior teeth in their early teens. Contributing factors include poor oral hygiene, malocclusion, bruxism, conical-shaped tooth roots, and abnormal host response because of a compromised immune system."

Tommy first visit to the dentist was last December when he was 21-month because he cut his first teeth. We wanted to make sure were giving him a proper oral care; even although, I regularly cleaned his gums when he was a baby and introduced toothbrushing with a gum brush when he was 7 1/2 months. Tommy had his annual check up today. We had some concerned that were addressed during our visit to the dentist.

Tommy brushed his gums for the first time

October 31, 2008

Concern # 1

Chipped teeth. We has been a little be worried because Tommy chipped his front tooth about two weeks ago.

Dr.'s Answer: It is very typical. She had other little patients schedule for today because their teeth were almost gone. Tommy's weren't that bad

Solution: she pullished tommy's front teeth a little bit.

Concern # 2
Underbite. I noticed Tommy is developing an underbite a while ago. I am concerned because underbites can result in difficulty to produce speech sounds. It is not related to the syndrome, it comes from heritage genes.

Dr.'s Answer: Underbites is very common in kids and it is treatable, so we have to wait until Tommy is around 6 years old to start a treatment. Orthodontic methods are common used to correct underbites.

Solution: She will be monitoring him. She will periodically take x-rays to check his jaws.

Concern # 3

Tooth grinding. Tommy has been grinding his teeth for about three months. I massage his gums and distract him from this habit, but it doesn't work for so long.

Dr.'s Answer: 2 of 3 kids grinding their teeth.

Solution: It goes a way by itself as the kids get older.

Teeth Cleaning

Tommy had his first teeth cleaning today and he fused a little, but he cooperated most of the time. He didn't like the experience so much because he didn't behave so active, as he was early in the morning, after he came back. He just wanted to read books by itself. Next time, I will make sure I explain to him about the visit to the dentist.

The dentist's Inform

The dentist took a close look of Tommy oral structure thru an x-ray. Tommy's tooth alignment is very good, not missing tooth. All his baby and adult teeth are in the correct position. His oral structure is very typical. Healthy gums and teeth, not plaque build-up. Parents are doing a great job on Tommy's oral health. His next appointment will be in 6 months from now.

Tommy was getting ready for the x-ray

Tommy's dentist was very impressed how clean and healthy Tommy's teeth and gums are. She noticed right away that Tommy doesn't eat much sugary food because of his good oral health. This made me really proud of my husband and myself because we have been very diligent about our son's nutrition and our No Candies Policy.

Maintain a healthy diet is the best we can do to support our son's health and prevent oral issues that can cost a lot of money due to dental treatments are very expensive.

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Tommy brushes his teeth on his Elmo step stool

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