United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I was wondering where you can get one of these "information for schools" sheets?

You can find the 'Information for Schools' sheet in last year's (Fall 2003) Awareness Issue of Outreach or on the website here:
http://ubpn.org/awareness/A2002schoolinfo.html

Claudia is planning to update this sheet for UBPN for the next Awareness issue, coming out this Fall.

Nancy Birk
UBPN President

Claudia:

I am glad preschool was such a good experience for your child, and I expect we'll have the same experience!
"No hand-holding" is a terrific suggestion. That kind of serves as an all-around protective measure, since the danger of yanking the arm out of the socket again it always possible.
The hardest part of this, I think, is realizing that for the first time in 3 years, my eyes (which are so well-trained on what to look out for in protecting my son - as all of us moms and dads can attest!) will not be on Danny for several mornings a week.
But you're right in advising against overdoing it. I am of the same mindset you are, in terms of protecting but letting Danny be normal and not expecting the teachers to be therapists. Thanks so much!

Janet

Rich:

That's great to hear that your daughter did so well. Wouldn't you know: In our school district, you HAVE to enroll the child in the preschool for kids with disabilities to get therapy. You can get speech therapy - just not OT. My wonderful tax dollars at work ... but that's a subject for another time!
Thanks for the links you sent me. I really appreciate that!

Janet

My son has had his arm yanked by his older brother and nothing happened

and he has hung from bars and nothing happened.

He went to a religious preschool and all the kids were great and the only thing that ever happened was he got knocked down on the playground by kids playing football and he chipped a tooth. It would have happened to any kid.

As for the potty thing I say avoid pants with buttons for a while. Elastic waists are better and you can give overall's a try too. Nobody wipes with two hands so he/she will learn eventually.

Our son has also managed to survive kindergarten without any problems. The only difference is that he used a slant board to hold his paper but he wasn't the only one in the class with one.