Thorup Family Testimonial
Nine years ago, I gave birth to a precious baby girl. Her Daddy, two year old sister Claire, and I were so excited to welcome her into our family. Five days after Alice was born, we received a surprise diagnosis; Alice had Down Syndrome. After the shock and initial grief, I immediately wanted to know everything that I could do for Alice to make sure that she would have every opportunity to grow and learn and do all the things that other kids get to do. I was discouraged with information that I got going down the rabbit hole of the internet, about how kids with Down Syndrome will never do this, or never do that, or struggle with this. I was worried that Alice would never speak, read, potty train, or gain self help skills that would lead to independence or a connected, meaningful life. I made endless appointments with health care specialists to make sure she was as healthy as possible, and I sought help from early intervention specialists. They gave me a few things to work on, but each specialist and therapist was only looking at their small piece of expertise. And Alice’s therapists only came once a month, and gave me maybe three things to try. I wanted to know what else I could do; I knew there must be more I could do to help Alice learn.
It was then that a friend of mine from church told me to look up NACD, and how it had helped her two girls with autism so much. Now I knew these girls. One you would NEVER know was on the autism spectrum, and the other was maybe a bit socially awkward, but that was it. These were intelligent, educated and accomplished girls. At first I was skeptical, but I bowered my friends introduction seminar given by Bob Dowman. It was amazing! I have a degree in Elementary Education, and had taught school for 4 years. As I was listening, so many things made so much sense! It resonated with me on such a deeper level, and I knew that this was the right place for us.
At this point, Alice was 8 months old. We met with Sara Erling for the first time to have Alice evaluated. It was amazing! We were given a program to help my whole child, and there was definitely enough to do. We were now giving Alice the speech, cognition, and physical input that Alice needed with the correct frequency, intensity, and duration everyday. Some things that we were asked to do were opposite the vastly popular opinions of early intervention specialists, but we trusted NACD and I am so glad we did!
Alice learned to talk, having so many words so much earlier than so many of her peers with Down Syndrome. After so much work, Alice learned to army crawl, then crawl, then walk with correct cross pattern, and the right gait to help her not have problems in the future. Alice learned to dress herself, and she potty trained! She is 100 percent independent for bathroom needs during the day, and has been for 3 years; this is a milestone that so many of her peers with Down Syndrome have not accomplished. Alice is reading at an early 2nd grade level, and still going. Alice can do chores, and even make her own breakfast, something she is very proud of. All of the things that I was afraid that Alice would never do, she is doing already, and she just turned 9.
Do we sometimes get stuck in Alice’s development? Yes, but with one email to my mentor, we figure out how to make progress, although it may be slow at times, it is steady. We never stay stuck. NACD has been the most powerful partner in my parenting! Every time I do not know what do to, I can call and get specific help that addresses any behavior or problem at the developmental root. We are not just putting bandaids on problems or hoping a medicine will magically fix a behavior. NACD knows how to make changes, and what needs to be in place in order for function to improve in all areas. This partnership applies to all of my children. They have all been on NACD at different times with difference intensities, and I have seen them grow academically, behaviorally, physically, and socially.
One of the best things about NACD and our journey with Alice, is that her potential and progress is not limited. Sometimes I get discouraged that Alice is behind her typical peers and not doing what they are. Then I remember, that she is not doing it yet. Alice is smart, and capable, and can continue to make progress. With the right input, and time, Alice will continue to learn and progress. I do not have to be a slave to the special education system provided at the school. Alice does attend right now, because she loves it socially and it gives me time with my younger children, but her teachers are on board with what we are doing at home and even do reps at school. I have control of what Alice is learning at home, and it will not matter if I have to homeschool her eventually, I will have all the help and tools I need to make sure she can progress.
If you are a parent with a child with Down Syndrome reading this, I see you. I know that you may be looking for more for your child; more help, more hope, more function. You will find it here. I love to talk to parents with kids that have Down Syndrome and I would be happy to answer any questions about our journey with NACD. I am so grateful that we found it when Alice was young, and that I have a partner to do this thing called raising children with. It really has changed our lives, and blessed our family immensely and will continue to do so.
