We love the practical, free tips that Rethink Autism puts up. This video addresses the holiday season and how to prepare your child for all of the excitement as well as the lack of structure they usually receive at school. We had our first snow flurries here in New York City last night which got us thinking about the long winter ahead so there’s another tip from RA on preparing your child for winter.
NetBuddy: A New Online Community
We’d like to tell you about a new website called NetBuddy. This supportive and friendly community gives parents, caregivers, teachers and therapists – people with everyday experience of learning disabilities – the chance to share practical tips and strategies. Join to give or get a tip, share videos and swap ideas in the online forum. There are over 800 tried and true suggestions up already!
NetBuddy is based in the U.K. and although the tips are applicable globally, this is an extra helpful resource for all of you in the United Kingdom.
Enter to win a free iPad from the HollyRod Foundation
The HollyRod Foundation is raising money to provide free iPads to families in need. Applications are being accepted until December 31, 2010. In trying to donate to the those in the most need, the guidelines stipulate that the child is non-verbal or minimally verbal and that the family falls below a certain income level. We applaud the HollyRod Foundation for trying to make a real difference in the lives of families in our community.
Traveling for the holidays? Here are some tips.
Traveling for the holidays can be stressful with long lines, delays and unanticipated changes to plans. The Autism Speaks blog has a helpful post that gives parents simple strategies and tips for preparing both the individual with autism and airline personnel so that the trip goes as smoothly as possible. Check out the section on the Autism Speaks site called Travel Tips for Individuals with Autism and Their Families for even more information. Kathy Labosh has written two practical booklets that are filled with hints and tips on how to travel both in the community and to Florida with a child with autism.
Do you travel or fly with your child? If so, how do you prepare? Any helpful hints for other parents who are planning a trip?
Congress To Consider National Special Needs Parent Day
A resolution calling for the establishment of a national day to recognize the parents of children with special needs is expected to be considered as early as Tuesday in the House of Representatives. Parents, you deserve this and so much more for all that you do.
There is some criticism of this resolution claiming that a day of recognition isn’t what’s needed as much as research, financial support and better services. What do you think?
Fire Safety Resources
There is no one piece of advice that I offer more than “Prepare your child.” We all know that children with autism tend to be inflexible in their adherence to routine. Any unexpected change in their daily schedule can present emotional and behavioral difficulties for all involved. That is why it is important to prepare your child for any potential disruptions. This includes fire safety and it just so happens that the National Fire Protection Association has created some great resources to help you. Check out the social story that can be customized to include your child’s personal information below!
In-school convenience store proposed for students with special needs
would house a convenience store inside the school. The goal would be to teach students in special education vocational skills to enhance their future opportunities for employment. Interesting idea! Do you know of any other schools or organizations that offer vocational training such as this?
Holiday Gifts for Children on the Spectrum
During holiday gift giving, no one wants to present their child with a curriculum wrapped with a big bow. We have loads of wonderful toys that are engaging and fun. We’ll keep it to ourselves that they’re educational. Here are some of our favorites which are great suggestions for friends and grandparents who might be stumped by what to get children on the spectrum for the holidays.
The Shape and Color Coaster has always been a kids’ favorite. The brightly colored pegs and pieces are engaging and fun.
The 3D Feel & Find is a high-quality wooden toy. You deal out the tiles and then children reach into the bag to pull out the corresponding wooden shape, using only their sense of touch. There’s fun for everyone to play together.
Every child loves pretend play. The Coin-u-Lator is an interactive coin-counting calculator that comes with addition and subtraction games. Kids will love pushing the large buttons and hearing the sounds of coins dropping into a drawer.
Puzzles are great for children at all stages of development. They’re fun on a rainy day (and develop key motor and spatial reasoning skills!)
Mighty Mind is another favorite, especially for children who love a challenge. The design tiles and 30 tangram-like design cards that become increasingly more challenging as you progress, developing creativity, visual and spatial relationships.
Have we left out anything that you think might make a good holiday gift?
20% Off Sale at Different Roads to Learning!
There are just 3 days left to save 20% at www.difflearn.com! Just enter the Promo Code THANKS10 at checkout.*
*Note: Offer NOT valid on the following products:
-VB MAPP Assessment Kits (DRK 700, DRK 701)
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-ABLLS-R Assessment Kits (DRK 702, DRK 703) The coupon code must be entered during checkout to receive offer. Your order must be placed during the time of Thanksgiving Sale to qualify for this special offer. This promotional offer may not be combined with any other promotional or discount offers. Offer valid on www.difflearn.com only.
Thinking About All the Parents Out There…
With the holidays approaching we all know that gift giving will soon be in full swing. This undoubtedly means that your families will be generously bestowed with electronic cause and effect toys. These types of toys help to stimulate development as your child discovers the function of the toy and how to elicit certain responses from the object. Children with special needs tend to have a longer relationship with these types of toys as they often serve as powerful reinforcers, meet ongoing sensory needs and continue to provide opportunities to address language and motor development. Additionally, it may take a special needs child longer to master this type of play before moving onto more imaginative and creative play. What I’m getting at is that these toys are going to be in your house longer and some of them are LOUD. So when I came across the following post on Apartment Therapy the other day it jumped out at me as a piece vital information for all of you special needs parents out there. We are always thinking about adaptations for toys and games for the kids but what about the parents? A former sound engineer for children’s sound books shares a secret on how to turn down the volume on these toys.
Check it out and Happy Holidays!