31 for 21: #13 Elise is CatMouse

I am SURE I have to have mentioned that Elise looooves Tom and Jerry.  I mean LOOOVES Tom and Jerry.  She calls it CatMouse.  All one word.  Said veryfast.  :)
Now, I love some shows, with a deep and abiding passion, but I can honestly say that while I have memorized some scripts and could say them in my sleep, I have never memorized a movie such that I could act out every physical nuance of a movie or show...perhaps a movement or two but not the whole dadgum thing.

Elise takes it to a whole new level.  She can act out ALL of the puppetry of most of the Baby Einsteins.  With her back to the TV.  She also can act out virtually all of the Tom and Jerry episodes that we have.  Again, with her back to the TV.  But my very favorite aspect?  That she can listen to the music of "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby", and act out the Tom and Jerry cartoon around it, with sound effects.  And it isn't even the same artist.  Just the same music.  It is a pleasure to watch her.  She laughs just remembering the funny gags in timing with the music.

It's stuff like this that gives me insight into just how complex her mind really is...tied up and kept captive behind her lack of speech...I pray that somehow she wrestles her way out...finds the words to enchant us all...  I know I certainly will be...am I am without the words, even.  :)

So, here is Tom and Jerry, performing Elise's favorite episode...while you watch, pretend that you have a pixie-eyed girl snickering in front of your screen mirroring it perfectly...and underscoring the sound effects.  I promise it will make it better!  It always does for me!!

31 for 21: #6 - Things You Should Know (part 2)

This is a part of yesterday's POST. 

Part 2: Something you should know about my child with Downs?

Sometimes she man-handles you so you can experience fun.

Elise has a history of physicality.  Sometimes negative.  She has really struggled with impulse control in conjunction with her ADHD.  She acts out in frustration.  She acts out in anger.  She acts out in "OH-I-should-touch-that!" abruptness. 

But sometimes, she thinks you're missing out.  There are times where she will physically move you into an experience she thinks you should have.  This is not out of mean-ness.  This is out of a genuine desire that you have some fun.

She is currently doing GREAT in school.  The ADHD impulse is reigned in by our LAST line of defense medication. (WHEW!)  And after last year (HERE and HERE), you have no idea how very thankful I am!!!  But now she is have a little difficulty on the play ground.  Because she cannot get her thoughts out in words properly, she is manipulating friends on to swings, slides, and monkey bars.  They don't really want to be pushed onto playground equipment, but she doesn't know how to say, "Come on!  Let's go play on ______!"  Or, "This is really fun!!  Come try this!!"

So.  Sometimes, she just wants you to have fun.  So if you you see her forcing someone onto a play set, maybe ask her why, instead of slapping her down, physically or emotionally.  "Elise do you want So-and-So to play with you on ____?  Why don't you ask them to 'come on?'"  Give her easy words to use...she'll try.  I promise.

P.S.
Oh, and you and your child can totally say, "No."  Just because she has disabilities doesn't mean she gets to be a bully any more than she should get bullied.  And I'm not the only one who thinks so.  See HERE

31 for 21: #3 So Smart

So, this year's progress is another post altogether...but this is a great Elise story!

Amelia, her 5 year old little sister, started kindergarten this year. Elise has been quick to jump in on all of Amelia's homework. Telling numbers, counting, reading, letters, etc, quick before Amelia can figure it out...

Amelia, being the dramatic emoticon that she is, started weeping theatrically one day and shrieked out "Elise is smarter than me!!! She knows everything and I know nothing!! I am not smart and I am worthless!!"

I, being the good mommy that I am, stepped in quickly, and said, "It doesn't have anything at all to do with being smart or not!! Elise has had 4 years of practice!!! You will get more practice and you will know everything too!!"

Elise leans in to Amelia, and smiles sweetly...and whispers, "No, Elise smart." Then pulls away and laughs riotously!!

Amelia sobs louder and with more woe-is-me flagellation....

I, of course, do the good mommy thing and reassure Amelia and reprimand Elise for making Amelia worry....but I gotta say, it was FUNNY!!! The words, the delivery, the timing, and effect...it was a spectacular dig!!!!