Health – Page 3 – 321Foundation

Tracking Your Child

I used one with my son for almost a year…

Tracking Options – Many families have been using tracking services for their family members who might wander, and others use these systems to allow the family member some independence. There are two types of tracking – radio frequency (RF) and global positioning system (GPS). Each has its advantages and drawbacks.

RADIO FREQUENCY
An advantage to radio frequency systems is the ability to track in areas where GPS may not reach, such as inside buildings with thick walls or densely wooded areas. A drawback is that families are not able to track the device themselves. Emergency rescue personnel must be called in to track RF devices. The primary RF tracking system is provided by the LoJack company out of Dedham MA and their program is called SafetyNet. LoJack acquired the Project Lifesaver program that was piloted through the Massachusetts Norfolk County Sheriff’s office and renamed it SafetyNet a few years ago. The cost: The fee for the device is about $100, then approximately $30 per month for monitoring. There are some waivers for the fee available through autism centers such as the ARC. www.safetynetbylojack.com 877-434-6384
Watch video to see how it works.

GPS
The main advantage of GPS tracking is the ability to do the tracking yourself. The drawback is that GPS does not work everywhere, but it is still an excellent option. There are several companies that offer this service. There are different kinds of devices and monitoring plans. Two companies that local families have recommended are GTX and LOK8U. GTX offers a shoe liner called Smart Sole that you place in your shoes. The smallest size they carry is a Mens size 5. The cost is $235 for the soles, then either $30 per month for tracking yourself, or $50 per month to both track yourself and have the company monitor as well. http://www.gtxcorp.com

LOK8U offers a bracelet device for $250 with a $30 per month fee. http://www.lok8u.com/

CELL PHONE GPS TRACKING
Almost every cell phone provider offers an app or program to track your cell phone such as Apple’s Find My iPhone, AT&t’s Family Map, Verizon Wireless’s Family Locator and Sprint’s Family Locator. Many families are using these services to monitor their loved one’s whereabouts. Check with your provider to see what is available.

There are also third party tracking programs that you can use with your cell phone. Prey is a free open-source application that can be used for both computers devices and smart phones. After you sign up for the service, you sync your devices with it and log into your account on a computer to start tracking. Prey is recommended for any Android or iOS device. https://preyproject.com/

For non-smartphones a GPS tracking service called AccuTracking is available. It costs $6 per month (less if you subscribe for a year). The service uses your phone’s built-in GPS to track the location of your phone. Log in to AccuTracking’s web interface from any internet-connected computer and it will immediately show you the location of your phone. http://www.accutracking.com/

May 17, 2015/2 Comments/by Paula Moyer

Tips for Kids to Overcome 50 Common Social Challenges

Health, Our Blog

One of our speakers at our Peer Project this year was Nadine Briggs, Director of Simply Social Kids, which helps kids with mild to moderate social difficulties overcome their challenges and navigate social situations. We love her book, written for kids – provides 10 steps for each of 50 common social challenges kids are likely to encounter.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1456313460?ref%5F=sr%5F1%5F3&qid=1433565526&sr=8-3&keywords=nadine%20briggs&pldnSite=1

Support 3-21 Foundation, Inc. when purchase select items through AmazonSmile.

May 7, 2015/0 Comments/by Julie Messina

Hearing loss is common and impacts speech and language development

Health, In the Media

From Down Syndrome Education International

It is well established that hearing loss is common among children with Down syndrome, although the reports of the prevalence and the extent of these difficulties vary. Hearing problems make it more difficult to learn spoken language and develop clear speech. Despite the importance of hearing for development, there is a lack of research and consensus on the most effective treatment options.

View all examples: www.dseinternational.org/en-us/education21/

March 4, 2015/0 Comments/by Other

People with Down syndrome may see the world differently

Health, In the Media

From Down Syndrome Education International

Research suggests that all children with Down syndrome experience impaired vision to varying degrees. Early detection, treatment and effective support are vital to minimize the impact of poor eyesight on development and learning. Teachers and parents should be aware of adaptations that can help children with Down syndrome see more clearly.

View all examples: www.dseinternational.org/en-us/education21/

February 23, 2015/0 Comments/by Other

Sleep problems are common and impact learning, development, health and family life

Health, In the Media

From Down Syndrome Education International

Sleep is important for development and learning, behaviour and general health. Research suggests that sleep problems are common among young people with Down syndrome and are likely linked to cognitive difficulties and behaviour problems. Further research is needed to evaluate treatments and potential therapies.

View all examples: www.dseinternational.org/en-us/education21/

February 18, 2015/0 Comments/by Other

6 Quick Speech & Language Car Games

Education, Health, Our Blog

We ALL spend a lot of time in the car with our kiddos! Whether it’s trekking to sports, school or weekly errands, here are a few fun speech and language games to make the minutes fly by and build those communication skills!

I Spy Speech Sounds – Is your child working on a speech sound? Practice using the sound by spying things that begin with that sound. For example, “b” sound (e.g., bus, beeping car, bump, bulldozer, bridge, building). Have your child help you spy and repeat the words you spy!

Sing those Favorite Tunes – For our littlest language learners singing those familiar tunes build vocabulary, language and speech skills. Sing Old MacDonald-animal names, early sounds baa, moo, Wheel on the Bus, Itsy Bitsy Spider! Try pausing in the song to let them practice using words (e.g., Old MacDonald had a (pause). With a (pause)).

Word Games – For older children, play word games with Categories, Antonyms, Synonyms.

• Think of 3 Fruits … 1) banana, 2) [fruit 2], 3) [fruit 3]
• What’s the opposite of hot?
• Can you think of another word for cold-freezing, chilly, frigid?

Picture Books – I keep a soft basket filled with a few picture books for my girls in our back seat. Even if your child is not yet reading they can “read” by telling you a story from the pictures. I often tell parts, once upon a time there were three bears…and allow my child to fill in “a mama bear, a papa bear” I prompt with simple questions-what happened next? How did the porridge taste? Your child can build vocabulary, describing, and work on producing sentence structure.

Talk About The W’s (who, what, where) – Talk to your child about and wonder together about where you are going, who you’ll see, what you might say in conversation. Previewing and priming this language gives children an opportunity to practice before the actual event. For example, We’re going to Sam’s birthday party. I wonder who we might see? We can say “hi” and “happy birthday” to Sam. I know Sam likes Ninja Turtles, kids might be playing Turtles. What turtle would you be? You could say, “Let’s play ninja turtles?”

I say, You say – Little ones love imitation games! Play sound games with your little talkers by imitating their sounds, and having them imitate yours. For example, I say ma, ma, ma, ma. (Child’s name) says, ma, ma, (pause). If your child makes a sound, imitate her sound back! You are working on beginning language and early conversation skills such as imitating, turn taking, and making early sounds.

Happy Driving and of course safe driving always comes first!

Photo: Larchleaf

February 16, 2015/0 Comments/by Jodi Small

Different early interventions have different outcomes: Responsive Teaching

Education, Health, In the Media

From Down Syndrome Education International

Early intervention has been advocated for children with Down syndrome since the 1970s as a means to improving development during the critical early years. Yet, there is a disturbing lack of research assessing the benefits of specific interventions. Some available studies suggest that different interventions can result in substantially different outcomes, indicating that further research is urgently needed.

View all examples: www.dseinternational.org/en-us/education21/

January 18, 2015/0 Comments/by Other

Autism in Down syndrome is not typical autism

Education, Health, In the Media

From Down Syndrome Education International

An increasing number of children with Down syndrome are being diagnosed as also having autism or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). Research is exploring the prevalence and the characteristics of autism and autistic spectrum disorders in people with Down syndrome, and informing more reliable diagnosis. More research is needed to better understand these dual diagnoses and to identify effective ways to support development and learning for these children.

View all examples: www.dseinternational.org/en-us/education21/

January 6, 2015/0 Comments/by Other

Developing clear speech is a particular challenge

Education, Health, In the Media

From Down Syndrome Education International

Most people with Down syndrome find it difficult to speak clearly enough to always be understood by everyone around them. These communication difficulties can present obstacles to learning, friendships, employment and independence. Research has begun to explore the nature of these speech difficulties and to inform therapies. More research is need to explore effective interventions.

View all examples: www.dseinternational.org/en-us/education21/

December 20, 2014/0 Comments/by Other

Not a global delay, but a profile of strengths and weaknesses

Cognition, Education, Health, In the Media

From Down Syndrome Education International

Children with Down syndrome do not experience global delay: research has found that different aspects of their development are affected differently by the condition. However, does this mean these outcomes are fixed?

View all examples at: www.dseinternational.org/en-us/education21/

November 29, 2014/0 Comments/by Other