Case Histories

These are the stories of five children who started life as "Down syndrome" babies but who defied this diagnosis.

Some of these children stayed with the Intensive Treatment Program until they were able to perform as well as their peers and so achieved full graduation from the program. This is the goal for every child.

Others stopped short of full graduation but their parents continued to provide ongoing challenges and, in some cases, substantial amounts of neurological program.

Here are their stories.

LEE

Lee, from the United States, began The Institutes program at seventeen months of age. His parents continued the program for over five years, until they felt that Lee was ready to enter regular school.

Initially Lee attended half-day kindergarten sessions at the local public school, where he was one of only two children in his class who could read. He then enrolled in a private school until seventh grade, when he returned to public school. There he was regularly on the honor roll and graduated with his peers.

His mother says that Lee has "an extremely good self-image and a tremendous amount of drive." This is evident in his various interests, which include karate, piano, golf, scuba diving, traveling with his family, participating in his church's youth group, and serving as manager of his school's varsity baseball team.

His favorite activity, however, appears to be acting. He has performed in three theater productions and for three years has done volunteer work at the local children's theater. While his main job there is ushering, he has also done facility maintenance and paperwork.

Lee has held summer jobs at the Marine Corps Reserve. His first position was as an office assistant, where he did filing and mailings and computer data input. He also worked as a computer aide, performing computer inventory, and assisting with computer installation and computer maintenance.

According to his mother, "Lee has been as successful as he has due to his drive, motivation, organization, and determination. These are all results of the years he spent on the demanding program at The Institutes. The program made us realize that no one should put limits on what anyone else can do. Lee has proven that he can achieve almost anything he wants to."

CARLA

Carla, from Italy, began The Institutes program at the age of eight and a half, and after only twenty-six months earned the certificate of full graduation.

In addition to her native Italian, Carla speaks, reads, and writes in both English and German. After graduating from the program, she entered high school, where she was able to earn her degree after only three years. She then enrolled in a hotel training school, where she received training as a waitress and bartender, hoping to develop a career in the hotel trade.

Physically she is above her peers. During her spare time, she frequents the gym, swims, and continues with ballet lessons. She also enjoys traveling with tour groups.

She describes herself by saying, "I am independent in everything and I have a sweet personality."

ALAN

Alan, from Brazil, was first evaluated by The Institutes staff when he was fourteen months old. His visual and auditory competence were good, but his language, tactility, and mobility were below age level. In mobility he could crawl but not yet creep.

After doing a full home program that changed with his development, he graduated to life at the age of ten. He entered regular school but continued with his physical program for four hours each day. He succeeded in school, and received full graduation from the program when he was thirteen and a half years old.

Alan began to attend regular school. His articulation is good, he reads with complete comprehension, and he is completely independent in all situations.

Due to his physical and social development, Alan is able to enjoy basketball, swimming, volleyball, and soccer with his friends.

FRANCESCO

Francesco, from Italy, began the program at the early age of fifteen months, and formally graduated from the program when he was five years old.

His parents explain, "The program helped Francesco overall in developing his intellectual potential. As a matter of fact he is a tireless, insatiable reader." In addition to the intellectual program, they also credit the physical and physiological programs for his overall development. They write, "The three programs are strictly connected one to each other, and if one of them is not executed, the results of the other two are compromised."

Following his graduation Francesco attended a regular school, where he was completely independent. His parents praise The Institutes social programs in particular, saying that it "has made Francesco more responsible, well-mannered, capable to face any social situation, and able to reach complete self-control."

Although he suffered poor health during the first few years of life, Francesco achieved physical and physiological excellence. He interests include volleyball and mountain hiking

The entire family benefited from doing the program together. In their words, "We did the program with determination, enthusiasm, and cooperation, which strengthened the bonds among parents and grandparents, who helped us with the program. The result is that Francesco is a sweet and very kind child.

NINA

Nina, from the United States, began the program at age three and a half, and she continued until the age of seven, when she entered first grade.

According to her parents, "The program helped to improve our child academically, physically, and socially. Under the staff's guidance her reading skills progressed rapidly and along with them her self-esteem.

Nina attended a Montessori school for two years and then entered a regular public school, where she was reading at a level far above that of her peers. She remained in a regular classroom until she was fourteen, when she was placed in a class where she could receive extra help in some subjects. She won her classroom spelling bee and represented her class at the school-wide competition.

In addition to her academic programs, Nina is adept on the computer, using it to perform research projects and to assist her parents with their business. She took Suzuki violin lessons for four years, and played quite well. Her poetry was published twice in a local newspaper, and she has sung solo in several church concerts.

Nina's health has been outstanding. Her mother reports, "She is so healthy, and my pediatrician told us at Nina's birth that she would be in his office every month." Her physiological excellence allows her to enjoy horseback riding, kayaking, and many other water activities.

As for her future plans, her mother explains that they change from week to week, but are never limited by the fact that she was born with Down syndrome. She wants to go to community college when she graduates from high school."

Nina's success is an inspiration to other parents. As her mother states, "We had been expecting too little of our child. The Institutes gave us a common goal to work towards and a belief that we could make a difference in Nina's future. We learned to pull together and cry on one another's shoulders and bounce back up and go again. Her brothers always treated Nina like a regular sister. Our belief in the potential of children became stronger and stronger."