Chicago85

"Jamie Lee Curtis was there?" Julie and Brandy: never change

Was someone cutting onions in the concert scene?! It was just so sweet seeing how excited Rachel was. Such a cool woman. I think Meg's mom had an epiphany after that grocery trip. Especially with Meg having Celiac. You don't f with gluten and as her mom said, she could get very sick. Sure labels nowadays say gluten free but ordering meats and prepared foods from counters requires to specifically ask if there is any gluten and since Meg has problems just asking for the beef....yeah...not good I sort of got the impression that Meg really hasn't been pushed to independently shop much from the way she was really about to go off on her mom. Kind of like, "why are you making me do all this right now?" Task analysis strips could really benefit her. They can also help in doing chore at home Not shocked she doesn't do well with math. I would say I have maybe met a handful of students who are able to use that sort of thinking and correspondence with numbers. Math is a whole other ball game than other skills though and it is definitely a struggle for me! It all comes down to learned the basic functioning life skills for these kids. I think it is often put on the back burner while academics or dreams/goal takes precedence. Meg is a great case of the importance of learning these living skills and it is so sad that so much of that is being taken away from the curriculums in favor of math and reading (which are way too out of my students' cognitive level). We need more community based instructions to gain these skills

Did anybody catch James' reaction after Lala said she was going to watch around naked with a coconut?! It was the most awkward, red-faced, choking chuckle followed by an uncomfortable amount of silence. What the hell what that about?

I could see that. But I could also see Hillary not being comfortable enough addressing the issue because maybe she doesn't know how to have that conversation with someone who has cognitive disabilities. Maybe Other Sean knows him better and knows how to "handle" him. And ,of course, Other Sean being the confronter could have been suggested for the sake of reality TV

Zanne I am giving your post a resounding "Amen!" I mentioned it previously in the thread but I have worked with students in the DS population (as well as other disabilities) for 6 years now and I feel like I have seen it all regarding parents. Like one mother who swears up and down her daughter can read and will attend college one day. Meanwhile at school her daughter can't stop stimming long enough to engage in conversation or get from Point a to Point b without adult supervision. Megan's mom kind of reminds me of that in the way that yeah her daughter is WAY higher functioning than my student who has DS but gosh, let's put some goals in attainable reach here. I can see some success with an online clothing line for a fun hobby but producing a movie? Yeesh. I'm all about going for your dreams but a typical person rarely breaks into the biz. Also in agreement with being treated as a perpetual 6 yo which can lead to problems as a young adult. Yes DS typically function at a lower maturity level but that doesn't mean they can't be taught what is appropriate or inappropriate. DS has a wide variety of mental impairments but let me tell you, an 18 yo DS student of mine doesn't know her colors or letters or shapes, but the minute someone gets in her personal space, she lets them have it. If she can be taught personal space then Sean should KNOW what personal space is because he should have been taught it years ago.

Just echoing what others have said about Sean's inappropriate behavior. His parents are aware of it but they seem to chuckle along with or even perpetuate his behaviors with comments (his mom saying "it's your dream! 2 babes!" and taking a picture). This behavior should have been nipped in the bud years ago because now he thinks it's funny the way his parents kind of laugh along with him. It could really become a more serious problem to be honest. I'm curious as to where Megan's mom is getting the funds to move them to LA, catapult a fashion line, and seemingly not have a job. Not being catty but I'm wondering if her ex is well off or if her parents are. They seem to be very well off for a single mom of a child with a disability.

Yeah that was a little strange. "We know she has emotional outbursts but that's what makes her happy" AKA "that's how she has always been. Nothing new. Her mood swings are normal". That's how I interpreted it anyway. And no, it isn't normal but I'm happy she has a "sponsor" that is working with her at least I agree with Sean being better suited in a group home that fosters independence yet has supervision when necessary. It's not a good sign that he was quick to want a credit card without realizing it isn't free money. Hope he never gets any door-to-door salesmen at his house.

Loved the second episode as well. Cristina's parents are AMAZING. I do have to say my least favorite character may be Megan. She comes across as stuck-up and spoiled. I could see how being an only child to a single mom may have played a role in that but I will reserve any harsher judgements until I get to know her better.

I wonder if John has some Autism along with DS. That MAY explain some of his social skills- or lack thereof. I have seen that in some students with DS. At the risk of generalizing and stereotyping, I have also found people with DS to be quite blunt even without Autism and yes, that is something we definitely work on in school. Just today I had a student say "Oh will you stop it!" when I was humming a tune. She is never one to hold back haha LIGirl that documentary sounds interesting. I'll have to check it out.

I found this show so fascinating! I work in special education and with a number of students with Down syndrome. They are by far my favorite disability to work with but I haven't had the opportunity to work with any as high functioning as these young adults. I have had a range of nonverbal DS to students with DS who are moderately cognitively impaired. I do hope they touch on what funding is available to programs in CA. Here in IL they remain in high school until they are 22 and then you pray for a day program placement. Funding in IL is a joke and many young adults with special needs are left without a program or support when they leave high school. Ugh my heart broke for Elena. It became apparent quite quickly that her resistance to hearing "Down syndrome" is due to her mother's own denial. So sad. Elena can be perceived as over dramatic but that and a lower maturity level are common characteristics of the disability so I feel inclined to cut her some slack.

Maybe Yo ingested a parasite in one of the many different countries she visited to receive treatment not approved by the FDA. That's one way for an all-natural cleanse. Interesting insight (!) from Kyle about depression manifesting into physical pains. I had some severe post partum anxiety and insomnia that literally took over my body for a couple months and left me feeling hopeless and physically unable to do a lot of things. Maybe Yo had the Lymes and "it" spiraled out of control into more symptoms when her and King David began having problems and she just doesn't view it as depression. On a shallow note, Mauricio looked damn good driving the Ferrari

His hair looks like Carl from the Walking Dead! I. DIED.

"I had a superhero name in college. Lesbionic Woman" "Not Dax Sheppard. Dax THE Sheppard" I was choking I was laughing so hard. When I try to explain this show to people it comes out sounding so stupid. I find myself saying "seriously, it is hilarious." Then I think back to one of my favorite moments from the season when Julie was mocking how old Andrea looked in the 90210 movie ("I've gotta go my arthritis is really acting up") and laugh like a maniac as the people slowly back away...