Dubbers is a newly turned five year old little boy born and being raised in New York City. We were fortunate to learn about Dubbers’ special needs when he was an infant and therefore able to begin Early Intervention at 9 months. Three years later, Dubbers continues to be very busy, starting his day at 9am and returning home at 5pm. He loves his cars, trucks, trains and construction vehicles and I think owns every VTech product on the market! He enjoys rides in the car, splashing in the NYC playground sprinklers and eating sausage pizza. Dubbers defines the saying, “To know him is to love him.” He captures the hearts of all who meet him with his sweet nature, undeniable cleverness and famous hugs and cuddles!
Special children are not defined by their diagnosis or disabilities. While no two children are the same, one resounding similarity between children with a developmental delay or disability is that they are some of the hardest working individuals out there. Forced into therapy early on, these children do not complain and continue to go out into this rough world day in and out. They are brave and resilient.
They are also still kids and enjoy playing, exploring, and learning. Their lives extend beyond therapy schedules and doctor appointments. However you want to define “Special,” I welcome you into the world of Dubbers. Come and explore this resourceful city he calls home!
After M&M's (or chocolate in general) ice cream is Dubbers' favorite treat. His favorite place to go for ice cream is the cutest family-run shoppe, A La Mode. Not only does it have the most delicious and unique flavors, but all of their ice cream is nut-free,...
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Crowded, overwhelming, and too stimulating! These are a few of the descriptives that may come to mind for a parent of a child with "special needs." But then there are magical, fun, happy, and memories. Why should any child miss this experience for a reason they...
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Dubbers was approved for a Nutritionist thru Early Intervention when he was about ten months old, with the main objective to increase his weight. Nutrition can be especially important to children with the following: Acid Reflux, Autism, Celiac Disease, Cerebral...
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As we drove away from Eve, Phil and Dubbers, kids sticky from recently devoured ice cream in the back seat, I said to my eldest, “So *Paige, how was that?” “What do you mean, Mamma?” she asked. “Well, with Dubbers this week.” I said. “I don’t know why you worried,...
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I have lived in New York City for 14 years now and never did I have the desire to get on one of the rowboats in Central Park. Well, never say never! We are taking Dubbers to Disney World and I am trying to think of anything and everything to prepare him for this...
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Dubbers received an awesome Teepee from his Nana and Bobby for his 3rd Birthday. Like many of his “things” the novelty quickly wore off, and it soon become a distant memory and was packed up and stored under the bed. Recently, Dubbers took a liking to hiding under...
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Each morning when Dubbers wakes up, his first thought and word spoken via his Talker is, "schedule." Dubbers' schedule is a book made from a small binder with about six laminated pages and pecs-like pictures or images. These can be arranged, changed or removed as...
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Dubbers has a Talker. For now, this is his voice and his most valuable tool. It really is incredible... I am not going to lie, it took a few months for my Phil and I to fully get on-board with such a device. His private Speech Therapist began PECS about 9 months...
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Dubbers loves the water! From the bathtub, to sprinklers at the city playgrounds, to the pool, he has always enjoyed splashing and getting wet! We tried private swim lessons the summer he turned 3 with a company that had instructors available at various indoor pools...
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Not every experience is a "success"; however, the more challenging experiences are just as important, if not more. I had planned on not writing a post about this particular experience, but having some time to reflect on the good, the bad and the ugly, I think is...
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