Dani

My Grandchild With Special Needs

I am the grandmother of a special needs child. ( May I amend that to say, I have a child here with special needs. I was told to focus first on the child, then on the needs.) She and her 5 year-old brother and their mother live with me. Dani is now 8 this year and has only been walking for 5 years. She goes to speech therapy to learn sounds and sign language and has a communications board. She just pushes a button for eat, or book, bed, candy, drink, Disney tape, etc. She comprehends much, laughs appropriately at her VCR tapes, giggles when her mom and I talk like Disney characters and is a joy to be with.

Her first sign for eat.

Her 5 year-old brother, Matt, is talking a mile-a-minute and is a happy child too, learning signs along with her. Simple signs for "more" or "all-done" at mealtimes or when they're being read to or playing.

"More" and "All Done."
They both pick up their toys at night and understand commands: " Bring me your cup,"" time to brush your teeth," "supper's ready" and "time for bed."
She is trying so hard to speak and imitate Matt, her mom, and me. Often, she touches our lips to see the shape of the word. Sometimes it works and we are encouraged.

Dani has no real diagnosis yet. They have ruled out CP, though she has some traits; i.e. She walked on her knees until 5 years ago. They have ruled out Autism, though she has some traits; i.e. She flaps her arms when excited. She has no "label" to refer to...just multiple disabilities... She started mainstreaming at our local kindergarten, Special Needs class in September, 1998.

She started with a child size walker, then this toy. Notice the big grin? I CAN WALK!

She had conquered the communications board so fast, they gave her a 2 button device. This is harder for her as she has to first press apple for eating, then the action man to signify a verb. She doesn't understand that concept and does not bother with it, except occasionally she will press buttons until she finds the 2 button procedure for drink..

Before the communication board, this is how she said look at my new shirt.

Another update as of February 1999, the school has given Dani another communication board, again using just one button, but this time it says a whole sentence...e.g. "Look at My Shirt", or "I need a drink." etc. She uses that in school and at home and is progressing well again.

May, 1999 update. The one-on-one help at school is beginning to show. She is now starting to say a few words and we are amazed. Her Neurological test last week calls it Pervasive Developemental Delay, but this doctor seems to think it is both mild Cerebral Palsy and Mild Autism, and there's a good chance she'll be better.! Praise God.
Her one-on-one helper, Mr. Bob is doing a great job with Danielle and she is now shaking her head yes or pushing the yes button on her communication board. I'm adding a congratulations to him as he just won the "Employee of the Year" award from the Human Resources Org. We can really agree with their choice, as he and his wife, Cindy are even coming out to help Danielle for the summer.
I count myself fortunate to have my daughter and her children with me and to enjoy the progress of my 8th and 9th angels (my own term for my 10 grand-children). God has blessed us with both of these children and we are learning with and from them.

August 2001 update: Dani is still being mainstreamed at a special autism class. She has learned to say "da-da", and "no" very plainly and tries hard to imitate more sounds. She is better behaved in stores and is on meds which help control her hand waving movements. Her worst habit is tearing books so her mom now keeps them out of reach and reads them to both children at bedtime. Dani loves to look at the inserts in the paper and points to all the items that interest her, even if it's only a grocery store insert. Still a joy and a blessing to us!

Update!August 2005 The grandchildren are now 12 and 9 and have moved farther away, and I too have moved to a senior center. but we keep in touch by phone and visits.

Dani is now 12 and a young lady. She is in middle school and is interested in everything. This school takes the children horseback riding,(where she won a blue ribbon!) swimming, and says a few more words mama, yeah, ma for her brother Matt, and bu for bus. Went to her first dance and loves doing The Twist.

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Kissa.

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