1. Sally, Chloe, Annabelle and Harry Stewart
12th Biennial National Conference Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …
One Family’s Story
Sally, Chloe, Annabelle and Harry Stewart
7-9 September, Melbourne, Australia

2. Having a child with a disability is something that happens to other people........
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …

3. What people first say to you is burned into your brain forever.
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What people first say to you is burned into your brain forever.
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …

4. TEXT (RGB 89,89,89)
Listen & go softly.
Don't trot out every story – each person is an individual & not like the last person.
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …

5. Facts about Down syndrome.
Children with Down Syndrome have an element of intellectual disability.
It is no more possible to give a precise statement about the future potential of a child with Down syndrome than it is to give such a statement for any other child.
The intellectual and physical abilities and the range of achievement for people with Down syndrome varies with each individual as it does with any other person.
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …

6. Therapy! Early Intervention from birth – 6years
Hydrotherapy from 6months – 6years
Physiotherapy from birth – 6years
Speech Pathology from 8mths old - ongoing
Occupational Therapy from 3years old – ongoing
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …

7. Services and Therapy. There can be multiple: Doctors
Health professionals
Therapists
Educators
Organisations involved for a child with a disability.
All this for just one member of the family!
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …

8. Homework! Listen to what the family are looking for.
They may say they have done their homework but probably haven’t!
Think of ways you can enlist the help of siblings through games and play.
Find ways they can incorporate therapy into their every day lives.
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …

9. Behaviour is communication
Receptive language more developed than expressive
Don't underestimate comprehension
50% have hearing problem
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …

10. Children with disabilities can and are educated in mainstream settings.
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …

11. The importance of attending your local mainstream school can’t be overlooked.
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …

12. “I don't think there has been a child that has impacted on so many in my whole career.”
Lianne Singleton, Principal, Jindera Public School
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …

14. 2016
Year 8
Murray High
School

15. Two things to remember! 1. The family are the experts
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …

16. 2. People with disabilities want to do the same things that other people do!
Harry is a 14 year old boy who wants to do what other 14 year old boys want to do.

17. Harry is just another member of our family!