by If you look at AJ standing next to other four year olds, he is on the shorter side. In fact, if you look at where he is on the growth curve from the CDC, he is at the 3rd percentile for height (2’11”), and off the bottom of the chart for weight (30 lbs).
On the Down syndrome version of the chart though, he’s hanging out right in the middle, around the 50th percentile for both height and weight.
For the most part, I don’t personally notice the difference in size, because I don’t often see him around other kids his age. However, when I see others with kids the same age, or I go into AJs classroom at school, the size difference is pretty obvious.
Last year, AJ started preschool as he turned 3 years old and attended the 4 year old class. I remember going in on the first day of school to talk to the kids about AJ’s trach and gtube and realizing just how small he looked in comparison. I attributed it to him being a year younger than the other kids.
This year, he still looked small as a 4 year old amongst other 4 year olds. Though he seemed closer in size than the year prior. Both years the kids in his class have had to learn that he’s not “baby AJ.” We are incredibly thankful that we have a team at the school that make sure that AJ is recognized and treated as a peer and included in activities.
