Potential Birmingham

PADS: Parent Advocates Down Syndrome Alabama

March 3, 2011 By Potential Leave a Comment

I could not write this without thinking of my cousin, Jennifer. She is absolutely one of the funniest, genuinely, loving people I have ever known. She was also diagnosed with Down Syndrome when she was born. We share a birthday although I am a few years older than her. With each birthday that passes, I look back and think how her life has had a tremendous influence in our lives.

My aunt and uncle are amazing too. With Jennifer, the road was sometimes rocky, as with all children, yet her parents always saw the gift that was Jennifer in our lives and encouraged the fullest of potential in her. This month she will turn 35.

(From the PADS Website)

PADS Mission: Down Syndrome Alabama seeks not only to advocate for the needs of individuals with Down syndrome, but to offer support, acceptance and encouragement for parents and families of persons with Down syndrome.

We also strive to increase awareness and knowledge of issues relating to Down syndrome and to educate the community about the presence and needs of people with Down syndrome in order to create inclusive environments for all persons.

What is Down syndrome? Down syndrome occurs at conception. The embryo has 47 chromosomes in each cell instead of the usual 46. One baby in every 800 live births is born with Down syndrome. As the child grows the extra chromosome uniquely impacts how the body and brain develop. People with Down syndrome have a lifetime of potential just like any other person.

One of their yearly fundraisers is THE BUDDY WALK. To learn more about this, please click HERE.

It is usually held in the Fall.

Just for the record, growing up, Jennifer could play a mean game of Trivial Pursuit. She beat me EVERYTIME! As a child, she amazed me with her ability to remember things. As an adult, she has been employed at the same place of employment for many, many years something few of us can claim. Her parents, like all parents, saw potential in her and she was never denied opportunities. And why should she have been, after all, people with Down Syndrome and their families don’t acknowledge this as something to disable them, they embrace life and live to full possibilities. And that is why I LOVE PADS!!!

To learn more, please visit the PADS WEBSITE at

www.downsyndromealabama.org

THANK YOU PADS FOR BEING THE VOICE OF POTENTIAL FOR SO MANY!!!

Filed Under Down's Syndrome, Featured Slider, Latest Posts

Movement to Music for Children with Special Needs: Children’s Dance Foundation

February 9, 2011 By Potential Leave a Comment

There is a lot to be said about movement. We express our feelings through movement. We feed our bodies with energy through movement. We connect to the bigger picture in life through movement.

The Movement to Music Dance class for children with special needs is a class designed for school age children with Down Syndrome, Autism, or any other special need that could benefit from improving gross motor skills and social skills.
Check out the Children’s Dance Foundation for upcoming classes that promote the potential in movement through dance.

Children’s Dance Foundation is located in Homewood, Al. (205) 870-0073

Filed Under Aspergers, Autism-General Information, Down's Syndrome, Featured Slider, Latest Posts

The HOPE Program through The Arc of Jefferson County

July 26, 2010 By Potential Leave a Comment

The HOPE Program knows potential in parenting. THE HOPE PROGRAM IS A FREE SERVICE funded by the State to help you as a parent and give your child the fullest of opportunities to reach their potential!

What is the HOPE Program?

The HOPE Program (Helping Others through Parent Education) is an early intervention program which serves infants and toddlers with special needs and their families. As a team, parents or caregivers and professionals work together to help each infant/toddler to develop the skills needed for his/her next environment based on the developmental model and to assist out families with the total care necessary for their child.
What services are available in the HOPE Program?

Based upon the recommendations of the HOPE staff, children enrolled in the program may receive special instruction therapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Psychological services are also available through the HOPE Program. The most appropriate environment for therapy services is determined by the HOPE staff based upon the individual needs of the infant/toddler and family. Service environments include in-center, home based, visits to day care settings, and other medical facilities. Children may be seen in individual or small group therapy sessions. Therapy sessions are generally thirty minutes in length.
Who can receive services through the HOPE Program?

Infants/toddlers, age birth to three years, who are experiencing developmental delays as measured by appropriate tests or have a diagnosis are eligible for services. Children admitted to the HOPE Program must be current on their immunizations and have a medical form completed annually.

Children graduate from the HOPE Program when they meet the age requirements for entrance into the public schools, or when they no longer present with developmental delays.
How can I refer a child to the HOPE Program?

Infants and toddlers with special needs or suspected developmental delays can be referred to the HOPE Program by their parents or guardian, medical professionals, community service agencies, or other programs by calling 322-4500. You may also contact Child Find. Child Find is a statewide effort to locate, identify, and evaluate children from birth to age 21 who have disabilities, or who are suspected of having a disability or delayed development. Child Find helps the child, the family and the provider to plan appropriate services and link families to services available. The Child Find number is 1-800-543-3098.

What can you expect from the HOPE program?

The HOPE Early Intervention Team

Working together with your family to

improve the development of your child …

Parent	You are the most important part of the team! Your responsibility is to communicate with the team your concerns and follow-through on activities/exercises suggested by your team members.
Service Coordinator	This is your contact person. You will call this person with any questions that you have! This person is in charge of completing all of your paperwork (IFSP, annual reviews), monitoring your child’s progress and serving as a go-between with you and your other service providers. This person may also be your child’s special instructor.
Developmental Specialist/ Special Instructor	This person has extensive training and works with all areas of development (cognitive, communication, adaptive, physical and social-emotional).
Speech-Language Pathologist	Licensed therapist that will work with you and your child to improve communication skills. Consults with the developmental specialist to ensure that your child is receiving the best service possible!
Physical Therapist	Licensed therapist that will work with you and your child to improve gross motor skills (rolling over, sitting up, crawling, walking, etc).
Occupational Therapist	Licensed therapist that will work with you and your child to improve fine motor skills (grabbing/holding toys, finger feeding, holding a spoon, drink from open cup). This person may also help your child to better use their vision, if needed.

For more information check out:

The Arc of Jefferson County HOPE Early Intervention Program

215 21^st Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205

205-322-4500

Click HERE for more information and some behind the scenes pictures of the amazing services provided.

All of ARC’s Early Intervention professionals meet or exceed the Personnel Standards established by the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS).