Special Needs Parenting
- Summer Fun and Special Needs
- Social Skills for Autistic Kids
- Familiar Places and Autistic Kids
- Free Sign Language Materials
- Free Braille Books
- Autism Talk and St. Pat’s Fun
- St. Patrick's Day Language Fun
- Test Tips and Kids with IEPs
- Cell Phone Use and Special Needs
- Sensory Integration
Posted by
Lynn Moore
Lynn Moore
Kids with special needs have lots of choices today, but the choices are as varied as kids.
As summer approaches (the birds are singing outside my window as I write) I am thinking about summer extracurricular activities. Each offers something different. What are the activities that your child will use this summer?
Some kids with special needs, particularly those with ADHD need to work off some energy. Athletic activities are often good for them. Although, some sports that require lots of self-control may not be a good pick.
Other kids (especially those with neurological issues) thrive with something more therapeutic. Swimming, going to a kids’ gym with trampolines, and swinging in the park are often great choices.
Some kids don’t do well in the heat because of health conditions. They will enjoy interest-appropriate kids’ museums, an afternoon at a library story time, or a movie.
Kids with hearing loss typically long for time with their friends because of their communication needs. In addition to outings to specific events, planning a regular socialization time with their peers is a winning approach.
Sometimes parents of kids with special needs avoid outings. Let’s face it, there are often more things to get ready (and take) and crowded events can be frustrating. I encourage you to have a plan for your family outings. Perhaps set aside a specific day of the week. Beforehand, check into the destination. Plan a time that fits the needs of your family but is also not the peek traffic time for the event.
Those birds are still singing outside my window. Most schools are counting down the days until school is out. What will you do when they are bored this summer?
Some kids with special needs, particularly those with ADHD need to work off some energy. Athletic activities are often good for them. Although, some sports that require lots of self-control may not be a good pick.
Other kids (especially those with neurological issues) thrive with something more therapeutic. Swimming, going to a kids’ gym with trampolines, and swinging in the park are often great choices.
Some kids don’t do well in the heat because of health conditions. They will enjoy interest-appropriate kids’ museums, an afternoon at a library story time, or a movie.
Kids with hearing loss typically long for time with their friends because of their communication needs. In addition to outings to specific events, planning a regular socialization time with their peers is a winning approach.
Sometimes parents of kids with special needs avoid outings. Let’s face it, there are often more things to get ready (and take) and crowded events can be frustrating. I encourage you to have a plan for your family outings. Perhaps set aside a specific day of the week. Beforehand, check into the destination. Plan a time that fits the needs of your family but is also not the peek traffic time for the event.
Those birds are still singing outside my window. Most schools are counting down the days until school is out. What will you do when they are bored this summer?
Social Skills for Autistic Kids
Posted by
Lynn Moore
Lynn Moore
Teacher and therapists use balls to encourage autistic kids to talk and play. Spring is the perfect time for families to play to build socialization skills.
As I was driving home yesterday, I noticed a large plastic ball that had blown to the side of the street. The swirls of blue and white made me think of how much kids love to choose a ball from one of those big bins in discount stores. Isn’t it true that they always want ones at the bottom? Regardless of which one is chosen or if it was a gift, the language and socialization opportunites that come with a ball are endless.
To begin with (and this is especially true many kids who are autistic) a colorful ball catches the eye. When an adult scoops up the ball and holds it next to his face, the child’s attention is immediately drawn in that direction. Granted, this is often a brief glance since kids who are autistic often avoid eye contact. It is, however, a start.
What if the parent adds one more step: scoop up the ball, hold it next to the parent’s face, and say the color of the ball. If this happens repeatedly, it becomes a form of a teaching game. Remember that all kids learn from repetition, and kids who are autistic especially learn from very focused, repetitive activity.
Of course, the other benefit with this activity is the eye contact. For many autistic kids, this will be brief, but it will happen.
After you have introduced the color, use the opportunity to try a game: catch, rolling the ball, tossing the ball in a laundry basket, hiding the ball under a blanket, etc. Remember this is a time to boost communication, but you are also promoting socialization . . . in this case, playing ball. So what color ball will you choose to start this spring time fun?
To begin with (and this is especially true many kids who are autistic) a colorful ball catches the eye. When an adult scoops up the ball and holds it next to his face, the child’s attention is immediately drawn in that direction. Granted, this is often a brief glance since kids who are autistic often avoid eye contact. It is, however, a start.
What if the parent adds one more step: scoop up the ball, hold it next to the parent’s face, and say the color of the ball. If this happens repeatedly, it becomes a form of a teaching game. Remember that all kids learn from repetition, and kids who are autistic especially learn from very focused, repetitive activity.
Of course, the other benefit with this activity is the eye contact. For many autistic kids, this will be brief, but it will happen.
After you have introduced the color, use the opportunity to try a game: catch, rolling the ball, tossing the ball in a laundry basket, hiding the ball under a blanket, etc. Remember this is a time to boost communication, but you are also promoting socialization . . . in this case, playing ball. So what color ball will you choose to start this spring time fun?
Familiar Places and Autistic Kids
Posted by
Lynn Moore
Lynn Moore
This weekend I attended a writers’ conference. Many aspects of planning for the conference reminded me of the need for kids with autism to be familiar with a place or rou
Of course, autistic kids (like all kids) must encounter new places, new routines, and new people from time to time. That is the subject for a different blog post. The key here is to be aware of the importance of familiarity when dealing with behavior or when communicating expectations.
Here is what I mean. I planned to go to the conference. I could picture the route to get there. I could picture where to park and what the building looked like from the outside. I could envision going in to the auditorium. I knew how it would be set up. . .and even where the bathrooms were. Last year I did not know any of that information. My attendance last year was much more focused on learning my way around. I could not concentrate to the same depth on what the speakers were saying. I was concentrating on what I would do next, where I would go.
Isn’t that true for kids on the autism spectrum as well? They just can’t focus so much on what we are saying or what we expect them to do in a new situation. Instead, they are just trying to check everything out.
Think about a familiar situation you have. Then think about expectations for your child. It all makes more sense now. Join me in a discussion of familiarity and kids on the autism spectrum.
Here is what I mean. I planned to go to the conference. I could picture the route to get there. I could picture where to park and what the building looked like from the outside. I could envision going in to the auditorium. I knew how it would be set up. . .and even where the bathrooms were. Last year I did not know any of that information. My attendance last year was much more focused on learning my way around. I could not concentrate to the same depth on what the speakers were saying. I was concentrating on what I would do next, where I would go.
Isn’t that true for kids on the autism spectrum as well? They just can’t focus so much on what we are saying or what we expect them to do in a new situation. Instead, they are just trying to check everything out.
Think about a familiar situation you have. Then think about expectations for your child. It all makes more sense now. Join me in a discussion of familiarity and kids on the autism spectrum.
Posted by
Lynn Moore
Lynn Moore
This blog addresses free materials for families of children who are deaf.
Recently I wrote about free books for blind children. I wondered what else was out there for families of children with other disabilities. I am talking about free, ready to use materials.
Are you teaching sign language? Check out the free printable alphabet pages at DLTK’s Growing Together site. As far as I can tell there is no charge for these mini posters that could be used as giant flashcards or could be displayed as an ABC strip in a classroom.
Also, consider printing them in just the blackline format for quick coloring pages for children who are learning the manual alphabet or for deaf children who are studying a particular letter.
Perhaps you are interested in promoting deaf awareness or maybe you have a teen that is glued to the Internet. Try these free sign language ecards. They are available for many different occasions, and you can type in the message that you want. It then shows up in print and with cute fingerspelling hand on the ecard.
Do you know about other freebies that promote deaf awareness? Be sure to email me. I will try to include the information in future blogs.
Are you teaching sign language? Check out the free printable alphabet pages at DLTK’s Growing Together site. As far as I can tell there is no charge for these mini posters that could be used as giant flashcards or could be displayed as an ABC strip in a classroom.
Also, consider printing them in just the blackline format for quick coloring pages for children who are learning the manual alphabet or for deaf children who are studying a particular letter.
Perhaps you are interested in promoting deaf awareness or maybe you have a teen that is glued to the Internet. Try these free sign language ecards. They are available for many different occasions, and you can type in the message that you want. It then shows up in print and with cute fingerspelling hand on the ecard.
Do you know about other freebies that promote deaf awareness? Be sure to email me. I will try to include the information in future blogs.
Posted by
Lynn Moore
Lynn Moore
Children in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin who are blind are eligible to receive two free books in braille.
The books are available through a program called "Keep Kids in Touch" offered by Seedlings Braille Books for Children. In order to receive the two free books, children must register online. The deadline to request books is May 1, 2008.
The Seedlings Company also sponsors The Rose Project (providing encyclopedia articles in braille) and The Anna’s Book Angels Project (providing additional free books in braille).
Do you have a visually impaired child who reads books from the Seedlings Company? Some children who read these specially “printed” books are in the spotlight. Check out the link at the bottom of this blog for more information.
The Seedlings Company is located in Michigan. The company uses volunteers to help with everything from mailings and book bindings to proofreading and brailling. If you are interested in volunteering with this worthwhile group, check the website for more information.
Some children with visual impairments use a program called screen reader to study their textbooks. While this software (available from a number of companies) is not for every child, it offers benefits to more mature children. Read my article on screen readers for more information.
The Seedlings Company also sponsors The Rose Project (providing encyclopedia articles in braille) and The Anna’s Book Angels Project (providing additional free books in braille).
Do you have a visually impaired child who reads books from the Seedlings Company? Some children who read these specially “printed” books are in the spotlight. Check out the link at the bottom of this blog for more information.
The Seedlings Company is located in Michigan. The company uses volunteers to help with everything from mailings and book bindings to proofreading and brailling. If you are interested in volunteering with this worthwhile group, check the website for more information.
Some children with visual impairments use a program called screen reader to study their textbooks. While this software (available from a number of companies) is not for every child, it offers benefits to more mature children. Read my article on screen readers for more information.
Posted by
Lynn Moore
Lynn Moore
Try this simple, at-home contest to get your whole family talking. Have a searching for the green family contest.
Parents of kids with special needs are tuned in to promoting conversation. Many kids with autism have difficulty telling what happened at school that day. Lots of children with developmental delays cannot answer with a basic yes or no.
How to Have a Searching for the Green Contest
Are you looking for other family activities to boost communication with a child with special needs? Read Snow Day Fun and Autistic Kids or Disabled Kids and Spring Play for more ideas.
How to Have a Searching for the Green Contest
- Split into teams, giving each side one adult.
- Define the time of the contest (perhaps one hour – or possibly an entire afternoon).
- Explain the rules: Find things that are green and list them on a paper. Older kids may be required to write the phrases green plant, green shirt, etc. Younger kids may tell a parent or other teammate what to write.
- Set up the prize. Will the winning team be served ice cream by the others? Perhaps the winning team will not have kitchen clean up that evening.
- Repeat the phrases that you hear and build on the language. (For example, the child says green, and parent replies Yes! That block is green.)
- Take pictures so you can talk about it later (another great way to encourage conversation).
- Laugh.
- Have fun.
Are you looking for other family activities to boost communication with a child with special needs? Read Snow Day Fun and Autistic Kids or Disabled Kids and Spring Play for more ideas.
St. Patrick's Day Language Fun
Posted by
Lynn Moore
Lynn Moore
We read lots of ideas to boost language and vocabulary with very young children. Older kids need experiences to build vocabulary as well.
If an at-home language activity can be one that is connected with what is happening in the world, it is even better. What about St. Patrick’s Day? Recently, I was reading through greeting cards for the upcoming day, and it reminded me how little I actually knew about the day. . . Okay, I know shamrocks, pot of gold, leprechauns and wear green, but who was St. Patrick?
Try this at home fun with your child. It is an especially great conversation prompt for hearing impaired or Asberger’s kids who are in the tween age group. Challenge your child to find out (with your assistance) who St. Patrick was. Here is a great site for learning St. Patrick’s history. Then explore the five Ws – Who? What? Where? When? and Why?
Include food in the fun. Kids love to make and eat food. . . and they will talk about it. Isn’t that the key with so many kids who have a language impairment? Because St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland, why not make a long loaf of green bread? You don’t have to make it from scratch. A simple bread mix with a little green food coloring will work. . . don’t forget some raisins for the eyes. This baking fun will bring on lots of talking as well (mix, stir, sticky, knead, roll, bake, long) not to mention the wonderful sensory integration. . . Do you have more at fun ideas for building language with kids with special needs? Join our discussion about at-home fun that encourages talking!
Try this at home fun with your child. It is an especially great conversation prompt for hearing impaired or Asberger’s kids who are in the tween age group. Challenge your child to find out (with your assistance) who St. Patrick was. Here is a great site for learning St. Patrick’s history. Then explore the five Ws – Who? What? Where? When? and Why?
Include food in the fun. Kids love to make and eat food. . . and they will talk about it. Isn’t that the key with so many kids who have a language impairment? Because St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland, why not make a long loaf of green bread? You don’t have to make it from scratch. A simple bread mix with a little green food coloring will work. . . don’t forget some raisins for the eyes. This baking fun will bring on lots of talking as well (mix, stir, sticky, knead, roll, bake, long) not to mention the wonderful sensory integration. . . Do you have more at fun ideas for building language with kids with special needs? Join our discussion about at-home fun that encourages talking!
Posted by
Lynn Moore
Lynn Moore
If you are anxious about how your child’s disability impacts performance on standardized tests, there are a few things to take into consideration.
Traditionally, schools conduct standardized, state-mandated tests in the spring.
First of all, remember that any test is just a snapshot of your child’s skills. Any child’s performance is subject to whether or not he feels well, is rested, stays focused, and ate a good breakfast. While these are general considerations, they certainly apply to your child as well as to the child without an IEP.
Many parents worry about the material that will be covered on the test. Keep in mind that these tests cover the material that all students of a given grade level are supposed to know. If you want to review with your child, one of the best sources is your child’s textbooks from school.
In many states, a practice test is available online. This can be a good way for your child to get an idea of the test format and content sampling. One drawback to state online tests is that they are the method used by most schools to do the actual testing. . . paper and pencils are still the norm.
Above all, make sure that your child is rested and goes into the test with a positive can-do attitude. . . Remember, this is only a test.
Read more about Kids with IEPS and Standardized Tests - Information Parents Should Know.
First of all, remember that any test is just a snapshot of your child’s skills. Any child’s performance is subject to whether or not he feels well, is rested, stays focused, and ate a good breakfast. While these are general considerations, they certainly apply to your child as well as to the child without an IEP.
Many parents worry about the material that will be covered on the test. Keep in mind that these tests cover the material that all students of a given grade level are supposed to know. If you want to review with your child, one of the best sources is your child’s textbooks from school.
In many states, a practice test is available online. This can be a good way for your child to get an idea of the test format and content sampling. One drawback to state online tests is that they are the method used by most schools to do the actual testing. . . paper and pencils are still the norm.
Above all, make sure that your child is rested and goes into the test with a positive can-do attitude. . . Remember, this is only a test.
Read more about Kids with IEPS and Standardized Tests - Information Parents Should Know.
Cell Phone Use and Special Needs
Posted by
Lynn Moore
Lynn Moore
What guidelines should parents of special needs kids use on cell phones? Cell phones are popular for text messaging and games, but they also play a role in safety.
I was recently walking through a discount store when I saw a child who was maybe ten years old on a cell phone. Cell phones are definitely a gadget of this generation, and cell phones are here to stay.
What should parents of kids with special needs consider when looking at cell phones? First of all, is having a cell phone important at a younger age due to safety issues? Granted, every child is different, and certainly this is even more the case for the child with special needs. It seems, though, in many cases that some kind of cell phone at a young age is wise. Several companies offer phones with limited capabilities (large buttons, only will call a few preprogrammed numbers, etc.).
Another consideration with cell phones is the apparent socialization advantage. Many parents of kids with special needs are looking for ways to increase socialization opportunities. Too often, kids who are friends in a school program live far away from each other, making simple after-school fun difficult.
What have your experiences been with cell phones and the unique needs of your child? Let’s discuss both the kinds of options available and ways that they shown benefit for your family.
What should parents of kids with special needs consider when looking at cell phones? First of all, is having a cell phone important at a younger age due to safety issues? Granted, every child is different, and certainly this is even more the case for the child with special needs. It seems, though, in many cases that some kind of cell phone at a young age is wise. Several companies offer phones with limited capabilities (large buttons, only will call a few preprogrammed numbers, etc.).
Another consideration with cell phones is the apparent socialization advantage. Many parents of kids with special needs are looking for ways to increase socialization opportunities. Too often, kids who are friends in a school program live far away from each other, making simple after-school fun difficult.
What have your experiences been with cell phones and the unique needs of your child? Let’s discuss both the kinds of options available and ways that they shown benefit for your family.
Posted by
Lynn Moore
Lynn Moore
Children on the autism spectrum can be especially sensitive to touch. Consider these inside activities to boost sensory integration.
The weather forecast is making it sound like most play will happen inside this week (except for the few brave souls who will go out in the snow). How will you meet the sensory integration needs of your child during the looming stay-at-home days?
Many parents find that playing with an edible, sticky substance is great for budding artists who do not like the feel of many textures. Pudding, sugar, and jello are a few of the popular ones. Some that are not sticky, but serve a sensory purpose, include flour, dry oats, and rice. Edible or not, this kind of play obviously calls for adult supervision.
Anything that bounces is always a lifesaver on a snow-bound day. Exercise balls, rocking horses, and individual trampolines come in handy. If you have a garage area that is realitvely warm, try creating a jump rope course: jump ropes that are taped flat for your child to jump over.
The warmth and weight of certain blankets can be calming. Of course, it is hard to beat a good old fashioned quilt. . . and a good familiar moive in the DVD player is a great way to spend a snowy afternoon. Whatever you find to do to spend the time with your little ones, I hope you are warm. . . Have a great day! Lynn
Many parents find that playing with an edible, sticky substance is great for budding artists who do not like the feel of many textures. Pudding, sugar, and jello are a few of the popular ones. Some that are not sticky, but serve a sensory purpose, include flour, dry oats, and rice. Edible or not, this kind of play obviously calls for adult supervision.
Anything that bounces is always a lifesaver on a snow-bound day. Exercise balls, rocking horses, and individual trampolines come in handy. If you have a garage area that is realitvely warm, try creating a jump rope course: jump ropes that are taped flat for your child to jump over.
The warmth and weight of certain blankets can be calming. Of course, it is hard to beat a good old fashioned quilt. . . and a good familiar moive in the DVD player is a great way to spend a snowy afternoon. Whatever you find to do to spend the time with your little ones, I hope you are warm. . . Have a great day! Lynn
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