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
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• "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.