19 Feb 2020

It has been long time since last blog. During that time, Kareem has grown a lot and has continued with his “adventures”.

Some people classify kids with Down syndrome as “lovely peaceful angels” as if they were a special genus of human beings. I totally disagree. Every kid, with or without Down syndrome is a special kid with his own character, needs, talents, and capabilities. Yes, Kareem needs special attention in some areas that -for example- his brother doesn’t need. But Shadi also has different needs.

Personally, I am very keen that Kareem reaches his maximum potential in academic learning. I leave social and other learning to his parents! Talking of social development, there has been some improvement over the past few months since last blog regarding throwing things away.

Kareem still throws his glasses away when he is frustrated, but that has become an uncommon behaviour. He certainly wears his glasses by his own will for much much longer time. This is a great achievement given that he is supposed to wear his glasses all the time. We still cannot be sure that he will keep them on while he is in the street or on his bike from school, so he goes without them at those times. Personally, I am not sure that it is good for him. I’d rather he wears them, and I watch him despite losing the glasses in the street before.

At school his behaviour is naughty. Specialists say that it is his hormones as he is entering puberty time. Last week he threw things in the class and then told the teacher that she was stupid. The school tries a mixture of soft support and assertive “punishment”. Basically, they try to encourage and praise good behaviour and condemn bad behaviour till he recognises that behaving badly has consequences that he does not like, and good behaviour is rewarded. We try to do the same at home. This support requires a great deal of patience and open mindedness. It is also important to always remember not to compare him with any other kid whether he/she has Down syndrome or not. In general, I believe that comparing children is bad for psychological growth so I never do that with Kareem.

My daughter, who always has great positive influence on all the family kids, has special way of treating Kareem and he adores her. He rarely behaves badly with her and I am still learning from her attitude and actions with him.