My life has changed a lot since we learned Andres was born with Down Syndrome. Before Andres was born I thought I had it all figured out. I had done so much research about early childhood education and Montessori that I felt I was ready to teach him.
Now I have lots and lots more to read about and learn about. Montessori is great for Andres but there is a lot I need to be aware of.
"For example, if the child does not begin to point or hold up objects at the typical age, this may result in parents naming objects for the child less often, so delaying vocabulary learning. If the child does not begin to try saying words at the typical age, it may not be as easy to keep up the same level of talk to the child as it would be to the child who is talking and is demanding a response. If the child's words are unintelligible, the adult may need to ask the child to repeat the words, to be sure they understand what the child is trying to say, before they can respond. This disrupts the normal flow of conversation and the adult's ability to respond to the child's message by expanding or replying in a natural way.
All these examples indicate that when a child has even one area of delay or difficulty in her/his speech and language skills, this will almost certainly reduce the quality and quantity of natural talk to and with the child, in comparison with a typically developing child. Yet the child with difficulties needs more good quality language experience and learning opportunities than the typical child in order to make progress." Source: http://www.down-syndrome.org/information/language/early/