The Cornish Academy

Using chemistry to make cookies that turn green on the inside when you bake them! The reaction occurs between chlorogenic acid, which is present in sunflower seeds, and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). The reaction produces a pigment that is a brilliant blue-green color in alkaline conditions! #kitchenchemistry #foodscience #chemistry

What does the thyroid do and how does it affect my child with Down syndrome?

Your thyroid is a gland in the neck. It puts out a hormone that is called a thyroid hormone. The test used to measure how much thyroid is in the blood most commonly is a T4FREE test. This number can be low, most often, in kids with Down syndrome and that is called hypothyroid (hypo means low).

There is a second test they use that is called TSH, and that measures a different signal. The pituitary gland is another gland, in the brain. It gets messages that there is "just enough" "too little" or "too much" thyroid hormone in the body. The pituitary gland sends constant signals to the thyroid telling it how much thyroid to make to try to keep "just enough" thyroid hormone in the body.

When the thyroid isn't doing very well keeping up, and the T4FREE shows a low number, then the pituitary gland is probably also working overtime to yell at the thyroid and say "make more! Make more!" That signal is measured with the TSH test. If the TSH is high, then your child might need to take a thyroid supplement, so the pituitary gland doesn't have to yell so much. It means the thyroid might not be able to keep up soon, and is a good time to give it some help.

Once the thyroid level is low in the blood, the TSH is usually very high.

A high TSH level is an indicator of hypothyroidism, as is a low T4FREE number.

Sometimes kids with Down syndrome have different thyroid issues, but hypothyroidism is the most common.

An endocrinologist will do blood work, often every 6 months or more, to find the sweet spot for your child's medication so that the pituitary gland and the thyroid gland can both work in "normal" ways buy the body still has enough thyroid hormone circulating.

Having an unregulated thyroid can cause issues with learning, growth, and other things such as hair, nails, and skin. It is important to keep up with daily medication to keep the thyroid regulated for your child to stay healthy and grow and develop appropriately.

*not a doctor or medical professional and this is not intended as medical advice.

In 2015 I was asked to share how my home education program was developed, what my focus was, and how it fit into "real life" with our family. I also was asked for any goals we had for each of our special ed kids. I believe this went to a group of student teachers.

Today I found that document! It is so interesting to read through 5 years later as we continue our homeschool journey! Sharing here for anyone who is starting on that path...

These goals have been developed in order to give myself and my husband some general guidance as far as what we will work on specifically with each child. We do not set these goals with the ideal of meeting every goal in a specific period of time, but rather that these are the next “steps” that each child is ready for in each target area.

Georgia state law requires homeschooled students learn 5 subject areas: Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Though I’ve not separated Reading from Language Arts, the following goals represent each of those areas of learning for each child. In addition, they have a few other goal targeted areas including:
● Life Skills: Targeted areas that address steps toward future goals for independence in life
not addressed as personal care tasks.
● Self Help Skills: Skill areas that address hygiene and self care.
● Social Skills: Working towards appropriate interactions by themselves and with others in public and private settings.
Each of the above additional goal categories address areas of learning that are very important to the development, growth, and future of each child. They address areas which are often worked on in a “life skills” environment as well as within a child’s IEP within a typical school system and comprise a good portion of the learning time for the children who need more focus on learning these tasks.

Each child works at an appropriate developmental level toward the goals listed below. Those able to utilize and understand a workbook or paper and pencil style of academic learning will use that for progress in the appropriate areas. Those able to work with manipulatives will receive teaching time in that way. The children able to receive through auditory-based learning, or visual-based learning will receive input in those ways. ASL and Pixon (images) as well as photograph images will also be incorporated into each child’s learning as well as hands on learning, which comprises most of the children’s academic time based on their needs and
abilities.

As we strive to meet the various goals of each of our children, our focus as parents is to bring them each to be able to:

● Function as independently as possible within their individual skills, abilities, and limitations.
● Interact with others both in a public and private setting with appropriate boundaries for safety and social appropriateness.
● Develop skills that will allow them to be able to serve others through employment, volunteer, ministry, or home-based ‘service’ to whatever capacity they are able.
● Learn academic skills that will benefit them in real world situations now and in the future with expressed focus on those which will also tie in to the above areas of learning.
Each day we first meet the physical and emotional needs of each child, with a secondary interest in each child’s developmental goals as well as academic focus. This is a process which comprises 12-14 hours of each day and 7 days a week without boundaries on ‘school hours’.

Each child also receives OT, PT, and ST services as appropriate on a weekly basis and specific academic and goal-oriented learning time. (specific goal lists in comments section)

Coyote Peterson - Free Live Class YEEOOW!: The Science of Bites & Stings

Here is full list of the COVID-19 related stories I have written. You can find them all for free on my website (see link below).

https://www.autismlittlelearners.com/search/label/COVID-19

http://link.disneyonbroadway.com/u/gm.php?prm=4iFNjVOCF5_767568573_1922765_33324

link.disneyonbroadway.com

Make sure you add a filter or a thick layer between

No Sew Face Mask With LulaRoe Leggings Make a double layer face mask / face cover in 2 minutes - no sewing! ...

Free Online Toddler Frozen Dance Class Hey guys! Miss Sam here! Please enjoy this Free Online Frozen Themed Ballet Class! Enjoy xoxo SamCam