It's Monday!

I don't know what people think about us having a child with Down syndrome and Autism. Some maybe feel sorry for us! But the true is I can see the wonder of GOD everyday through Tommy. This morning when I went to his room, he told me "IT'S MONDAY" with a beautiful smile. I smiled at him, too and I said: It is Monday and you know it!

His para told me that she heard him singing the 'Monday song' in the morning when he arrived to school last Monday. So it is not a coincidence because he knows it. I am very proud of my boy! Not bad for a child with two strong labels that make other people to judge him.

There is a window to pull kids out of Autism

"There is a window to pull kids out of Autism," this is something Jenny McCarthy says in her book "Lauder than Words." I honestly think it is true, but that window it is narrower for kids with dual diagnosis, Down Syndrome and Autism. I am not an expert, but I have got in to the conclusion:

1. Low muscle tone is one of main factor that make a child with Down syndrome or any child with hypotonia to be at a higher risk for Autism. Because they don't feel their bodies properly. Low muscle tone is also seen in kids with just the Autism diagnosis. Scientist have discovered that when a child with Autism has sever hypotonia this also influence in the child having a sever Autism diagnosis.

2. Autism characteristics tend to be ignored because they are considered to be 'autistic-like' in a child with Down syndrome.  If a child with Down syndrome is autistic-like with lack of social skills, they child is a great risk to develop Autism because his or her sensory system is not working properly and environmental factors can make his or her sensory system shot down!

3. There are not scientist research dedicated to kids with a dual diagnosis, Autism and Down Syndrome. So there are not specific interventions to address the needs of kids with dual diagnosis. Even  my son was born with Down syndrome, we are doing individualized interventions that address his individual needs while targeting Autism and they are working for him. 

4. An effective way to get a child out of their inner self is through communication. Communication is an area where kids with Down syndrome struggle. Unfortunately, parents don't get trained in this area. I am educating my self and putting in practice what I am learning. I can report that Tommy keeps trying to communicate and we are seeing more and more Tommy's efforts to communicate and use language.  Tommy was eating his breakfast this morning, I walked to the kitchen while passing by close to him and he said cereal. It was very quiet! So It turned bak and look at him. I said: I heard something. He look at me and said: "Cereal" louder and with a smile. Oh, you want more cereal. There is hope! if the right methods are incorporated. 

5. There are biochemical similarities between Autism and Down syndrome. When Tommy got diagnosed with Autism, the doctor told me:"Autism and Down syndrome are the same." I didn't like it at all. But After my extensive investigation, I have concluded that there are similarities and they way to treat them are almost the same. I have watched kids with Autism and Down syndrome (considered a sever case of Down syndrome without the diagnose of Autism). They make the same noises, the same stemming behaviors, the same slow motions. I have concluded Autism and Down syndrome are labels, with the same root of the problem, which is bio-chemical unbalance in the brain, which the difference that Down syndrome is completely genetic, while Autism still remains unknown. In both diagnosis, leaky gut syndrome or gut issues has been reported.

6. The child environment should be modified and parents should be the lead in the intervention. When the child is more responsive and out of isolation traditional therapy methods should be introduced if they are needed. Unfortunately, parents get bombarded with OT, PT, SP, ABA, etc. But this just add more stress and anxiety to the child and the family, which leave less time to build a strong bond between them. Stress should be avoid to the maximum extend possible for a child with Autism. We have quit all private paid services. We have established a home-based intervention since the summer. When I told my husband of my idea of quitting traditional therapy, he was a little skeptical, but he support me. Today, we see Tommy more responsive, happier, doing better at school and willing to communicate. We have decrease the stress factors for him.

To all parents out there, there is a window for our kids with a dual-diagnosis. It won't be easy to open it for them, but it can be possible. An organization I recommend is Downsyndromeoptions.org

THE SKY IS THE LIMIT!

Petroleum, the key ingredient in artificial food dyes

Many  people may think that the FDA protects us, but for me, it is questionable. One good example, it is that they approve to use Artificial Food dyes made from a key ingredient, PETROLEUM. The sad part of all this, it is that our kids get loaded with this TOXIC chemical in the candies they eat, the crunchy potato chips as well as the refreshing soft drinks they like so much. Food dyes are in the food that you even think of, such as Salmon.  As a parent, I have the responsibility to protect my kids of any harm, this includes the food they eat.

The multimillionaire food industry won't stop its unhealthy practices. But we have the power to stop them. They depend on us as their consumers. They will keep bombarding us with attractive advertisements, but they don't tell the truth of the ingredients in the food they make. A good example Coca-cola and M&M's. They are well known for  good sells and great advertisements, but they use artificial food coloring based on PETROLEUM.

But our big manufacture food companies make exceptions in other countries, which means they have removed artificial dyes from their food because otherwise they won't sell their products overseas. Do you think this is fear of the American people?

Allergy kids are trying to create awareness about what it is in the food our kids eat. According to their article "Serving up Food Dyes, UK style":

"And interestingly, Kraft, Coca Cola and Wal-Mart have already removed these artificial food colors and dyes from the products that they distribute in other countries. They’ve reformulated their product lines in other countries and no longer include these food dyes, and they did it in response to consumer demand and an extraordinary study called the Southampton Study...

According to the Food and Drink Federation in the U.K., several companies—whether British-based or British division of American corporations—had started offering their customers color- and additive-free processed foods.

“We are aware of the recent publication from the University of Southampton on selected artificial colours, and we will continue to follow the guidance of regulators on this issue.”—Coca- Cola Great Britain. And in fact, on May 27, 2008, the story broke that Coca Cola was removing sodium benzoate from its products—but only in the U.K.

“Kraft Foods UK has no products aimed at children that contain the ingredients highlighted in the FSA [Southampton] study. . . . [W]ith our recent Lunchables reformulation in the UK, we reduced fat and salt, as well as removed artificial colours and flavours. Without compromising quality, taste and food safety, we will continue to see where we can make changes and still meet consumer expectations.”—Kraft Foods UK

“We know that artificial colours are of concern to consumers, which is why, in 2006, Mars began a programme to remove them from our products. . . in November 2007, Starburst Chews became free from all artificial colours. . . . in December 2007, Skittles were made free from all the artificial colours highlighted in a landmark study by Southampton University. . . We have already removed four colours mentioned in the Southampton study from Peanut and Choco M&M’s, and are in the process of removing the final one so they too will be free from these artificials during 2008.”—Mars UK

“Nestlé UK does not manufacture children’s products that contain any of the additives investigated by the FSA [Southampton] research. . . . and from September 2007, the UK’s favourite kids’ chocolate brand—Milky Bar—is to be made with all natural ingredients.”—Nestlé UK

“We are committed to replacing all artificial colours in our sweets. We note the Southampton University findings, but we had begun this process already because we are continually listening to our customers.” —UK Cadbury Chocolate division

I won't stop educating myself and educating others of the harm of the food we eat if we don't make healthy choices. The best heritage I can give to my kids is teaching them very early to eat nutritious and healthy because it will last forever.

My mom never stopped to make me eat my vegetables because I was a picky eater and today that it is my first choice for me and my kids.

 

 

Panamanian School won the Honorable Medal "Best International Delegation" in London New Year Day Parade

I was very proud when I received the news that the Music Band of the Colegio Moises Castillo Ocaña won the medal as the "Best International Delegation" in London in January 1st, 2014. Since I remember, the Music Band of the Colegio Moises Castillo Ocaña has been considered one of the best in Panama. I actually attend Middle and Hihg Shcool at the Colegio Moises Castillo Ocaña. This band travel around the country a lot, I know because in my senior years, I was a member of a as special choreographic team as part of the Music Band performance. Looking at them, it has bring back memories of my school years and the same feeling of joy and pride that I had every time we performed to represent the Colegio Moises Castillos Ocaña in different providence of Panama!

QUE VIVA, QUE VIVA PANAMA!

Promotional Video to promote the Music Band in London

THE SKY IS THE LIMIT!

Happy New Year!

A new year have started and with it, a new me has re-burned. I just feel piece inside me after I have been able to place an action plan to help my son and being able to find the answers to my questions. Now, I want to do things I left in stand by because all of me has been dedicated to heal my son. So my resolution for this year is to retake things that I enjoy.

There is also a new beginning for Tommy with innovative and in-home based therapies based on neuroscience that sensory enriching his environment.  Redecorating the house is part of my action plan as well as part of my new resolution because kids with Autism get overstimulated with their environments (the colors in the wall, the smell of the food, the texture of the clothes, and so on).  I will have fun creating a sensory enriching environment for the benefit of the whole family.

My charming boy, Francis, will also start pre-school this year. So this will be a new experience for him. He is not my baby any more. I will start searching for schools in the first quarter. I want to compare what private preschool offer versus our public school. Our school district is considered one of the best in the state. Currently, it has the 3rd place among 463 school district in our state. Last year, most of its students scored proficient or advanced in the standardized state test. Francis will probably go to the public school, but I have make that decision by March because it is when they start the screening.

My husband started a new position last month and he is enjoying it. I am very proud of him because he is already impressing his supervisors.

 This year is a new beginning for me and my family.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!