October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Down syndrome affects nearly one in every 700 babies born in the U.S. every year, according to the National Down Syndrome Society.
Meet Parker.
He’s a pre-K student at Encino Park Elementary School. He was born with Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect.
“I didn’t find out until he was born,” explained his mother, Meredith Thomas. “The NICU doctor was sent up because Parker was having trouble breathing and that’s when we found out; she said ‘Now, he’s showing some signs of Down syndrome.’”
Meredith is in the unique situation of being a teacher at Encino Park, so she sees Parker throughout the day.
“It’s really special having Parker here at my school,” said Thomas. “I see him at lunch cause he’s at lunch when I am going to pick up my kids from lunch. So, I can see how’s he’s doing and how he’s interacting with others.”
His teacher, Sophie Filipowicz, suggests those interactions have helped them see how much Parker is progressing.
“It was tough at first, he would see her and the separation of seeing her in the hallway, I mean, he would melt down, and it was really tough to get him back,” said Filipowicz. “But now he sees her, he gives her a hug, and then he walks back to the class.”
Encino Park offers Parker occupational, speech, and physical therapies throughout the day. Thomas says that has helped them not have to do additional therapies outside the school day.
“It’s just nice also knowing there are always people checking on him,” said Thomas. “So, he’s in the best care. If I can’t do it myself, I know that he’s taken care of in the classroom and all around the school. He’s Mr. Popular here.”
(Pictured: Mady and her friend Parker)
To learn more about special education at NEISD, click here.
To learn more about Down syndrome, click here.
