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Jared
Submitted by Vickie Wray, Disabilities Coordinator, Cleveland County Head Start Kings Mountain, NC |
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| Jared is a three-year-old who is described
by his parents as a very happy, socially interactive child. He loves music
and enjoys roughhousing with his older brother Jeremy. What’s so special about Jared? At birth, Jared was diagnosed with Down syndrome. His ability to communicate is limited, yet his ability to bring joy to others is not. Teresa, Jared’s mother says, “God gave us a gift we never quite expected, an angel.” |
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In August Jared was enrolled in Cleveland County Head Start. This was a
very big step for Jared’s parents. Before he enrolled in Head Start, he
attended another program. Each day he did nothing but cry the entire time.
He never adjusted and was very unhappy. On his first day at Head Start Jared walked into his class with a big smile on his face. His mom, overwhelmed about leaving, only stayed a few moments. When letting go of his hand Jared looked at her with a big smile and said “Bye.” Jared’s adjustment to the class and teaching staff has been very positive. He has never cried when his mom or dad leaves him. Jared’s teachers, Mrs. Ione Fite and Mrs. Yazmin Wright say he has learned many different things including their daily routine, just like all of the other children. Jared receives speech therapy, occupational therapy, and services for the visually impaired. He doesn’t like to be taken out of his routine. Once a therapist came in to work with him just as we were getting ready to brush teeth, but he didn’t want to go. He kept putting his fingers to his mouth saying “teeth, teeth.” He wanted to stay with his group and brush his teeth. Jared’s favorite activity is music, singing (five little monkeys, swinging in a tree), and centers. Jared is learning very well. At first, the children would call him a baby because he is limited in his word vocabulary. But now, he communicates a lot better and they are learning that we are all different and special. He has accomplished many goals, such as feeding himself with a regular spoon, holding and drinking from his own milk carton, washing his hands on his own, stacking blocks, knowing and repeating the color yellow, following simple directions, and naming body parts. He answers to his name and follows simple one step directions. He knows where his place is on the carpet and will sit down when told to. He is using words and signs to make his needs known. He shows interest in reading-related activities and will sit quietly and listen to a story, matches shapes and objects by color, counts to four, points to body parts, scribbles, and draws with a crayon, listens and follows classroom rules and routines. He takes part in a variety of tasks and activities. “Hooray” for Jared. Jared’s teachers are still working with him on nap-time (he never sleeps). Jared is a joy to be around, and there’s never a dull moment. We have really enjoyed having him in our class. There are a number of agencies in Cleveland County that work very hard to ensure that Jared’s needs are met and he is receiving all services to ensure that he is adapting in all environments. He has a special person working with him in a one-on-one capacity. Ms. Shenoa Montgomery works in the class and community to help enrich his learning abilities. Jared has shown considerable improvement in his social, emotional, cognitive, and developmental areas. Jared’s parents have grown a lot also. They volunteer in the center and work very hard to make sure he is supported. His dad, Torrence, has volunteered on field trips and in the center. He sometimes drops Jared off in the mornings or picks him up in the afternoon. Teresa has become so involved she was selected as top parent participant for her center. She is also involved as the alternate policy council member, social services advisory committee member, health advisory committee member, and as a substitute. Jared’s parents would like to give a big thanks to all of his therapists and his teachers for all of your love and support. |
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