Happy Birthday Robb!!!

Robb you are officially 14!! On 12/31/1999 you came into this world, at three you developed autism, and you have been a joy, amazing role model to the many lives you tuch every day!!! I love you!!! And may everyone have a prosperous New Year!!

Kids with special needs in books

Though many people don't know it there are lots of books about/with kids with special needs! Here are a couple of book that I have read, I am reading, and my friends have recommended:

Al Capone Does My Homework is a  book I am currently reading about a boy
and his family who live on Alcatraz in the early 1900's. In this book
he has a sister, Natalie, has autism! When she gets accused of burning
down his old house him and his friend will try to prove she's innocent!
So far it is an AMAZING book!

Another book I have read is Rules. In this book a girl writes
rules for her brother with autism. The cover represents
her rule "no toys in the fish tank". It has a weak ending, but
a good book none the less.

Please comment if you know anymore! If you write a recommendation I will put it on my post!

What I'm giving Robb for Christmas

My family celebrates Christmas and every year I try to top the present I got him the year before. I don't think I'll be able to top this year though because I got him something he loves more than ever......

A Custom Dish Towel!!!!

Robb loves to swing around dish towels more than monkeys like to eat bananas, but he always swings around one that my family needs to use. Now he will get his own that he can swing to his hearts content!

SHHHHH! Don't tell him though!! and have some

HAPPY HOLIDAY's!!!!

Ravens Games

I don't know about you, but Robb loves Raven football games! He cheers the loudest, yells the most, and is truly a die hard Ravens fan!  He just loves all of the noise and stamina of it all! It makes him so happy when everyone else is happy and he will try his best to keep everyone happy! Most importantly though, 

GO RAVENS!

Letters about Literature contest

Hi y'all! Their is a contest for kids in 4-12 grade called "Letters about Literature". You have to write a letter to author who has written a book or poem that has impacted your life. I wrote a letter to Yeats about his poem the Fiddler of Dooney and how it has impacted my life involving Robb. Here it is:

Dear W.B. Yeats,

“When I play on my Fiddle in Dooney, folk dance like the wave of the sea”. Does this line from your poem the Fiddler of Dooney just talk about a fiddler, or does it mean a little more? I ask myself this question when I think about my brother, Robb.

Robb has autism, a mental disease making it more challenging for him to communicate. I used to always hold inside my thoughts and feelings about the different fits he has, the ways he entertains himself and people’s opinions about him, but your poem made me wonder. If I play my fiddle or write about Robb maybe folk will dance or listen, so I decided to start a blog “Robb’s Life” to express my thoughts and feelings for Robb, and it worked! There were viewers from South America, Europe, and Asia, but that is not what matters.

In the process of making and maintaining Robb’s Life, I realized something else from your poem that stay true to me forever. You said that “the good are always the merry save by an evil chance”, and autism saved me. It saved me from being unable to handle responsibility. It saved me from being ignorant to the different people in the world. It saved me from really being able to understand the difference one person can make.

So I want to say thank you for teaching me lessons.  I would never have been able to learn myself.

Sincerely,

Astri Doub

Thanksgiving

Every Thanksgiving my family goes to my uncle's House. This is a lot of fun for Robb because he doesn't get out much and when it is to see my uncle it can't get much better. Robb knows he is going to get lots of food and know one will question how much he eats. Also we ride over the bay bridge to get there and he loves looking out the window at the boats below. Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving and as much fun as Robb! (If thats possible!)

Sticking with Routine

Robb is very serious about sticking to routine. For instance, when he is with his therapist and my mom comes home Robb pushes his babysitter out the door, if he gets a meal without ketchup he will get mad, and any other thing out of the ordinary. Sometimes it is good, like when he doesn't eat food he can't have, but when it comes to the daily routine Robb is not flexible. Hopefully he will learn to try new things and not be so stubborn. Stay tuned!

Just meeting Robb!

     Hi I just met Robb I'm his sisters friend. I wasn't sure what to think at first since I had never met any one like him. But when I saw him I knew even though he was different he still was like every one else wanting to have fun and live a good life. He was nice in the heart and tried really hard to be kind. So when your walking down the street and see someone like him don't stare just smile and wave since they are reall like you. :)

National Down-Syndrome Month

Happy national down-syndrome month! You probably knew about Breast Cancer, but October also represents DS. To help celebrate you can print out this DS sign and wear it as a clip! Enjoy!

Down%20Syndrome%20Awareness.jpg

Hi everyone!  This is a clip that I thought you all would like about a local man in Louisville with down syndrome getting the part in a movie!

http://www.whas11.com/news/Local-man-with-Down-syndrome-awarded-film-role-226605461.html

Halloween

Some people think that Robb would love Halloween, but sadly he does not. He doesn't see the point of dressing up in an uncomfortable costume, going up to peoples houses and not going inside, and getting candy that he can't eat because of his allergies. He and my mom usually watch a wiggle's documentery and relax while I go trick or treating. This year Robb will probably be a football player (wear a Ravens jersey) to school, but I'm sure he would like to wish you a

Happy

Halloween!!!

Hi! Hope everyone is having a happy Down-syndrome month and gearing up for Halloween!
Here is a link about a guy with Down-Syndrome who gets the part in a movie:
http://www.whas11.com/news/Local-man-with-Down-syndrome-awarded-film-role-226605461.html

2013 National Down syndrome month

Happy Down-syndrome awareness month! This October is all about getting involved in helping are friends with down syndrome. There are marathons to be walked and schools to be told! Lets celebrate Down syndrome as something to bring us together this month not to break us apart, for more info go to:
http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/

Having a Wiggly Party!!!!!

The Tucker Test

     Some of are good family friends have a child named Tucker who has Down-syndrome with a twist. (Down-syndrome with a twist is just a more significant version of Down-syndrome.) They have something called the Tucker Test to see if people are friends or foes. When they invite people over they see little things like how they react to him at first, how they treat him. Most people will be uncomfortable at first, but uncomfortable is different from just being a bully. Remember that when you ever see someone with special needs. Don't stare at them, but if you do find that you can't help yourself from it at least smile. That little thing can make or ruin someones day, remember that.

Fun Facts on autism

September 3, 2013

• "autism affects 1 out of 88 children and 1 in 54 boys [in the US]" -autism speaks
• 
  
• "If one identical twin is diagnosed with autism, the other twin has about 90% chance of develop an autistic disorder."   -Randomfacts.com

• "Countries with higher precipitation levels have higher autism rates" - 3 heads media

• "Autism is the fastest growing disability in the United States and it is growing a 14% per year around the world."    -The Philanthropic Shopper

Keep looking for more Facts!


September 15, 2013

• "About 40% of children with autism do not speak. About 25%–30% of children with autism have some words at 12 to 18 months of age and then lose them. Others might speak, but not until later in childhood" National Autism Association
• "Only 56% of students with autism finish high school." Autism Society

September 16, 2013

• "More than three hundred books on autism, (fiction, nonfiction, and self-help/ parenting) have been published since autism became less rare than originally thought."            -AutismSD.com
• Wednesday, April 2 is autism awareness day!
• "Autism is more common than childhood cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined." -Random Facts

• Only 56% of students with autism finish high school.Only 56% of students with autism finish high school.Only 56% of students with autism finish high school.About 40% of children with autism do not speak. About 25%–30% of children with autism have some words at 12 to 18 months of age and then lose them. Others might speak, but not until later in childhood 40% of children with autism do not speak. About 25%–30% of children with autism have some words at 12 to 18 months of age and then lose them. Others might speak, but not until later in childhoodAbout 40% of children with autism do not speak. About 25%–30% of children with autism have some words at 12 to 18 months of age and then lose them. Others might speak, but not until later in childhoodAutisejfisthefastestgrowingdisabilityintheUnitedStatesanditifght

Lice

When my brother got back for camp we realized we all had lice! It is hard for my dad to check my brothers hair because it is so long so we had to shave it!!!! It is the messiest hair cut I've ever seen because Robb HATES getting his hair cut, we had to wrestle him to the floor to cut his hair! We think it is because some kids feel like their hair is a part of them so it's kind of like cutting of a limb. Here is a pic of his new hairdo:

August 2013's what autism has come to!

 Sorry I haven't posted anything in a while, but Robb has been away at camp so there isn't much to post.
 This is an article about research they have done that shows how kids with autism seem to have better math skills than nonautistic kids. Super interesting!!!!!!
http//www.medicalnewstoday.com

Questions

I have told you about Robb and about autism and down-syndrome now I want to hear your questions, facts, and what I could do to improve roobslife13.com. Put a comment it and you will get a response!

Camp Green Top

Some people think that if you have special needs you can't go to sleepaway camp. I used to be one of those people. Then my family found camp Green Top. Camp green top was started by President Roosevelt for kids who had polio. Now it is opened to all kids with special needs! And my family (including Robb) loved it! They said they would sleep infront of the cabin door if Robb would try to get out and give Robb the many medicine's he needs at night. It was more than my family could hope for and when ever we go to pick Robb up we have to pry him to the car with potato chips! Go to http://www.leagueforpeople.org/campgreentop for more info!

The Shaffer Center

The Shaffer Center is what provides Robb with Speech and Occupational Therapy. I do not think my family could have done it without them, they have given Robb so many new skills and have helped him so much! They focus on kids with autism and have a preschool which lots of the kids attend. For more info go to http://www.shafercenter.com/ 

What is down syndrome?

Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder where you have one extra chromosome in your body. When Robb had only Down Syndrome he could read and talk and was pretty much your average three year old. 

Robb from a friends point of view

Hi, my name is Amelia! I am 11 years old. I know Robb because of my friend Astri (Robb's sister). Robb is one of the sweetest people I have ever met. When I first met Robb I was a little bit uncomfortable because I had never met anyone like him and I was young. I sometimes didn't know what I was supposed to do around him and I was not sure if he ever understood me. The more time I spent around him the more and more comfortable I got. I realized that he is different but not in a bad way. He can't communicate with people the way other people can but he can do sign language instead. He is also different because he knows how to be sweeter and nicer more than most  people. He is never mean either. He is very genuine. His smile is real and he shows his real feelings. He never tries to fake being happy. In conclusion, I think Robb is one of the most interesting people I have ever met. He brings the best out of people! Thank you for taking the time to read this!

Robb's trip to the beach

 My family just came back from the beach. Robb is usually at camp or has school so he doesn't get to go on a lot of trips, but that just made this one even more special! You have seen Robb loves to swim so he spent most of his time in the ocean, but he kept on steeping on the reef so he had to work on that. He love the feeling of it on his feet, but when doing that he was also hurting the fish.
 On this trip all Robb ate were hamburgers. My mom always asked for it with no bun, but got it with one. Robb always drank orange juice. He loves it but doesn't usually get it so that was a special treat for him! I think this trip was good before he starts going to St. Elizabeth!

Robb's new school!

 Robb is going to be switching schools! He had his last day at his old school, Kennedy Krieger and in July will be going to St. Elizabeth's. I visited the school today with him and the rest of my family, he played a matching game in math and watched videos in English. At first I wasn't sure he fit in (he was sitting on the air conditionig instead of the chair) but he eventually got the hang of it.

 While he was there he also really enjoyed the gym. It was made up of a basketball basket, bouncy balls, a scooter, and loads of fun! On one end of the gym there was a door that lead into the swing room. The swing room is a square swing with padding all around it! Robb loved it, but I think his younger brother, Poe, loved it even more! I hope he enjoys it there and I'm sure he will because this is a school of laughter, love, and happiness!!!!

Robb's trip to DC

Today Robb had to go to Washington DC to renew his passport. This trip involved a lot of waiting. Waiting is very hard for Robb, but even though he didn't enjoy it he did a good job!

Robb's Love for ketchup

  Robb can't eat a lot. He is gluten, casein, soy, wheat, and yeast free. His usual meals include fruit, special bread, turkey-dogs, potato chips and burgers all topped with lots of ketchup! He loves ketchup!!!! We have to hide it around the house so he doesn't pour it all over his face. When we go on trips we have to hide it to. Once we were spending the week at our friends house in Vermont, when they were getting some plates from the cabinets they saw the ketchup there so we had to explain. Now in addition to ketchup he is starting to enjoy mustard!

2013 Special Olympics

Today Robb raced in two races for the special Olympics. The first one he won a gold medal, that was the assisted swim. The second one was unassisted, but he needs to work on it. He didn't wait   for the whistle and was disqualified. I'm still very proud of him! Here are some pics of him with the assistant coach, Emily.

Robb's Learning Plan

  Robb has his own learning plan. This means he is taught differently and at his own speed, learning things in different ways the his classmates. This also gives him more opportunities to learn. "Every kid should have there own learning plan" -Robb Doub sr. "It gives more opportunities and kids would do much better in school."  

  Robb goes to Kennedy Krieger, but will soon be switching. He goes to school throughout the summer so he does not forget skills. Also in addition to school he has to take speech and occupational therapy at the end of the day. A problem I have with his schooling is he is required to take stuff like history and math when he could be learning stuff like going to the bathroom by himself and putting on his clothes. Instead he learns stuff that will never make an impact and he will never use.

Sign Language

Robb uses sign language to communicate. Some signs he uses are:

Help

He also uses the sign for ketchup. To do this sign you make a K in sign language and hold it under your chin.

Special Olympics

Robb does something called Special Olympics. An Olympics for people with special needs. He does swimming and he trains all year which leads up to the real thing which is tomorrow. It is going to be the second time he has done it. Last year he got 2nd place! Here are some pictures of him training:

About Robb

                                               

  Robb was born with down syndrome. He was diagnosed with severe autism at three and became non-verbal. He is lactose-intolerant, gluten free, wheat free, and soy free. He loves the wiggles, music, swimming, and so much more! Hi, I'm his sister, Astri, and I'm giving him the voice he doesn't have.