Professional Ignorance

Recently there was a post on one of my Down syndrome groups complaining of her son's physical therapist who was under the impression that ALL children with Down syndrome had a mental limit of 3rd grade and they never progressed any further. The entire group was shocked that a professional who had worked for many years with children with Down syndrome had this assumption. Many of the kids he had worked with had gone on to college! This PT (physical therapist) had no idea. This type of attitude is prevalent and SCARY, especially since he should have known better through observation and education. If a professional who works with these kids on a daily basis has this misinformation, what does the rest of the world think?

It just goes to show you that people have no real idea who and what our children can be. That is why, as a parent, it is up to me and to each of us to gently educate the public. Who is "the public"? It is people like that PT, friends, relatives, the woman at the mall, the man at the grocery store, and anyone else that might not have a clue through no fault of their own. We all need to spread the good things, the surprising things, the goals and dreams of all people and things having to do with Down syndrome. Don't wait until they ask-start a conversation!

I am a PROUD mommy to Madison! (and I tell the world everyday)
http://www.cafepress.com/madisonsplace