Lisa,

    Try to give your child as many experiennces as possible. Try to arrange
socialization experiences with non disabled children when possible. So much
energy and resources are focused on PT, OT and ST, that sociialization is
forgotten. Tamar had a great sugestion about developmental benchmarks. Treat
him as normal as possible.

Bobby
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lisa Stone" <[log in to unmask]>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.c-palsy
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2005 10:14 PM
Subject: New to group - Need your knowledge and experience to rely on


> Hi to all - I joined this group last week and have been reading through
your
> emails.  I have an 8 year old CP child.  He is the most wonderful kid in
the
> world.  He is ambulatory, but non verbal and of course, spoiled rotten.
He
> can do some things for himself (feeding) and can help when he wants on
> dressing himself.  We have started insisting that he do more for himself.
>
> We have been asking questions regarding what is in store for him.  You
guys
> seem to have already been there; done that.  What should I be doing for
him
> at this stage in his life?  What can we expect for him?  Doctors have not
> been very forthcoming with any information and we don't really want to go
> there regarding the school systems.  We are still dealing with them and
are
> really having to fight for language skills - we prefer sign language (a
> little difficult with him being high tone, but he is managing with a
little
> bit of adjustment) and they are pushing for communication boards.  I have
> had my concerns, but now I really anxious about what needs to be done for
> him.
>
> After 6 years, we do have the epilepsy under control with medication, but
> have had to fight insurance to provide his meds at a reasonable cost to
us.
>
> Any suggestions, recommendations, help would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks so much
> Have a blessed day,
>
> Lisa Stone