This is my reply to a question that was asked about neurodevelopmental (ND) programs. I am definitely not an expert though, so if anyone else wants to chime in, please do so.
Most importantly - all activities are supposed to be done joyfully. We try to make our program activities a game that K enjoys. This is not always easy, especially with an independent spirit like my dd has, so we don't always get everything done, but I think it is more important, especially for the learning activities, that she enjoys it.
My dd's ND program incorporates many activities. Some are similar to OT & PT activities, her early reading program, memory development, oral motor, balance, sensory, vision, speech, early math & listening skills. Some of these activities are active, physical activities, and some are passive such as listening to specific things while doing a fun activity. Many of the activities are associated with brain development.
Most activities are done for a very short duration - 1 or 2 minutes, but are done several times throughout the day. Every child doing a ND program has a very specific program created for them based on their specific needs - no two programs are alike.
We started with a home made program for our daughter for the first three years, then got a ND evaluation & have been doing their program since.
To make our home program, I used various books. On a personal note, I really dislike the way some of these books are titled, but really appreciate the information that I found inside:
http://www.gentlerevolution.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=G&Product_Code=0301
http://www.gentlerevolution.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=G&Product_Code=0206
http://www.gentlerevolution.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=G&Product_Code=0201-40
This is the book that is often recommended to parents of kids with DS or other disabilities, but I admit that I found it very frustrating. It is the history of these methods, which is useful information, but part of the book's title is "What to Do" & it was just history & did not answer that question, when at the time, I really wanted to know what to do.
http://www.gentlerevolution.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=G&Product_Code=0219
and here is the main bookstore link for other related books:
http://iahp.org/Bookstore.344.0.html
Here are the main ND organizations that I know of:
http://www.icando.org/
http://iahp.org/Down-Syndrome.87.0.html
http://nacd.org/
Hope this helps a little, though there really is so much more to it than this.
Editing to add a link to Andi's list of neurodevelopmentalists. It is the most complete list that I know of:
http://dsdaytoday.blogspot.ca/2011/06/get-your-own-neurodevelopmentalist.html?m=1
I started this blog hoping to inspire other parents to help their children with Down syndrome reach for the sky! My daughter was reading words, before she was 2 years of age & reading books by 3.5 years. I believe kids with Down syndrome can do amazing things if we give them the right tools. I truly believe high expectations can make a tremendous difference in the lives of our children!
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