Disability Day at Capitol

Disability Day at Capitol

Gifts for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Finding Great Toys for Great Kids

Inspiration for Selecting Toys for Children with Special Needs

Children with special needs are often overlooked when adults buy toys.  Children with cerebral palsy, children with Down syndrome and children with autism all share two very common traits--they are all kids and they all love to play.   

Shoppers are sometimes hesitant that they’ll select a toy a child with a disability won’t be able to enjoy and opt to purchase videos or clothing instead.  Do you remember back to your childhood and how much fun it was to open that pair of socks or pajamas wrapped up for the holidays? 

While there are a few things to keep in mind when selecting toys for children with disabilities, the great news is … there are a ton of toys that will bring joy and satisfaction, and will be suitable for their specific needs.  Regardless of your child’s interest, age or skill level, the right toy is out there.  Hopefully the following information will serve as inspiration as you walk the aisles (virtual or real) of your local toy store.

For example:  when shopping for gifts for children with autism ….

Focus on a child’s interests.  Do they like spaceships, horses, sports or dinosaurs?  Think about the books they enjoy or the movies they love to watch.  Take a moment to put yourself in their shoes and think about what they might enjoy.  Ask yourself what excites this child and brings her joy?

For example:  when shopping for gifts for children with Down syndrome …

Focus on a child’s abilities.  Often relatives tend to think about what struggles a child has rather than what they can do well.  Family needs to look back at all the advances a child has made over the years and realize that today is just another base point from which to move forward.  For example, if the kid likes to dance to music, there are a ton of toys that do everything from encouraging the child to play an instrument (improves small motor skills) to motivating them to rock and roll with the music (improves gross motor skills). 

For example:  when shopping for gifts for children with cerebral palsy …

Focus on skill level and then push it a little.  The wonderful thing about toys and play is that they are a super motivator for kids to push beyond their limits.  In fact, when a child is lost in the act of play, he or she departs from the world of reality into one where all things are possible.  In that mental state, every day barriers tend to fade and the child believes they are that super hero, that rocket ship pilot and that race car driver.  Look for toys that push up against some of the areas your child is struggling with and you and your child might both be amazed.

For example:  when shopping for gifts for children with special needs …

Focus on instilling an interest.   One of the greatest parts of childhood is that so many things are new.  Going to the zoo for the first time is exciting and a real adventure.  Maybe your child will decide that he or she love camels or elephants or bats.  When returning home from any new activity, ask them what they loved and remember it the next time you need a toy idea.   Another approach is to show the child what you love and enjoy.  Maybe you like trains or dogs or have a love of art.  Introduce the children in your life to the things you love and watch for those that spark their interest. 

Before your purchase you can look for any special features the product you selected might have to make it more appropriate for a child with special needs.    So don’t opt out of toy shopping for the child with special needs in your life.  The look on their face when they open a new toy this holiday is their gift to you.

For ideas on specific toys, and plays products categorized by disabilities go to www.ableplay.org.   AblePlay is a website that researches, rates and reviews current toys for children with special needs.  AblePlay is part of the nonprofit National Lekotek Center, the leading authority on play for children with disabilities www.lekotek.org. 

Auditions for Youth Advocates with Disabilties

Sharing the Voice of Diversity and Youth:  Auditions for Youth Advocates with Disabilities!!!

*Sharing the Voice and Diversity of Youth: *

*Auditions for Youth Advocates with Disabilities*

Be a part of an exciting Global Disability Advocacy and Education Project! If you are between the ages of 12-30, you are eligible to be part of a global education project. You may be selected to share your voice in a user generated disability etiquette video. For more information please contact Elizabeth Pope Program Coordinator, World Enabled/Pineda Foundation for Youth at: liz@pinedafoundation.org

After signing up you will receive instructions on how to audition. The Deadline to Apply is: *February 10, 2012.* The Online application can be found here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?rm=full&formkey=dFp1Vk1HdllJUXB5S2d0MS14cW93MlE6MQ

<https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?rm=full&formkey=dFp1Vk1HdllJUXB5S2d0MS14cW93MlE6MQ>

December 2011 & January 2012 Recommendations

I wish a blessed and happy 2012 for each of you!  Thank you for sharing and allowing me to share throughout 2011.

Our Life
PTSD and the Special Needs Parent - I agree completely
Notes From A Dragon Mom - yep, recommending this one again in case you missed it!
Bloom Burden of Complex Kids Not Whole Picture
Does Every Child Matter?
Don't Be Shy 
Courage 
teacher joins the special needs ranks 
The Freedom To Tell It Like It Is 
Messengers... Our Duty as Parents of the Disabled 
Sustaining Life... 
Dear Shopper Staring at My Child 
Being Retarded 
An Apology from Your Child's Former Teacher 
What If You Had Autism for a Day? by Debra Japzon Gillum 
5 Things Never to Say to a Special Needs Parent 
5 Things You Should Know
Listen to my Words
Bullying Doesn't Have Rules 
From the Darkness 

Helpful Tips & Resources

It may be December, but I personally need to remember this hint.  Riley cannot possibly swat away mosquitos.  I am always finding some mysterious bite from some sneaky bug.

No More Mosquitoes: Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes 
Here is an open Facebook group with lots of helpful information: Severely mentally and physically compromised children
Tax Report: Special Tax Deductions for Special Education 
Accessible Travel Tips
Free apps for Special Needs Parents 
Patient Loving Care Toolkit - free download
The First Steps to Improving a Child's Drooling

RECYCLE 

The Clubfoot Project - Donate old AFOs In Uganda and Papua New Guinea they are utilizing used AFO's. "We accept its not ideal to recycle AFO's but there is no local skill for making custom splints. So it's a matter of having enough pre-loved AFO's to find one to fit the required foot. The kids are actually lucky if they get a pair of shoes to help maintain position."

ESE

Understanding Special Education: Downloadable guides for the IEP & 504
Top 10 Ridiculous IEP Comments


Disability Paradox
A Fate Worse Than Death


Remembrance
Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep: Free portraiture photography to families suffering the loss of a baby.



Accessories, Toys and Adaptive Sports
Tubie Friends educational stuffed animals for children with feeding tubes

AblePlay - play products for children with Special Needs
Setting the Stage for Successful Performances p. 13
Crossfit is for EVERYONE - Saratoga Highschool




In NEED of Support
Cooper's House:  Cooper is my 3 year old son who suffers from cerebral palsy. We had a custom playhouse built for him to aid in his therapy. Our neighborhood association is making us get rid of it. Read my letter to my neighbors for the whole story.
Freedom Waters Foundation slide show by volunteer 
Freedom Waters Foundation January 2012 News


Health & Safety
Fat Means Fast
Needy Meds 
Register your Child with Police




Books, DVDs, Magazines & Reference
New Documentary
Top Films for the Differently Abled 
2011 Family Cafe Questions and Answers 
Walk A Mile In Their Shoes - Bullying and the Child with Special Needs

Wildlife - May not fit with the rest but it's important too

Wildlife Waystation: Funded solely through corporate and foundation grants, private donations sponsorship and bequests, the current recession has seen donations drop 50% Our financial situation is the worst in 35 years.
Adamholic 
Keep Me Wild

Just Because
Team studies 'Police Integrity Lost"



Bully
Bully on the Bus, ebook


Humor
Well, He Did Ask...

Horse ranch helps kids with special needs - ABC-7.com WZVN News for Fort Myers, Cape Coral & Naples, Florida

Horse ranch helps kids with special needs - ABC-7.com WZVN News for Fort Myers, Cape Coral & Naples, Florida

Riley's Week

Cheating the Stander

Dr. Steve's regular Monday with Riley... welcome Dr. Eric too.

Another day hanging out in a doctor's office for Ronan.  Thank goodness for the DS!

Riley sings to Miss Claudia.   She was in Romania far too long and he's very excited to have her back.

Waiting again... hey, get your own DS.

Naples Equestrian Challenge article today on

Magic of changing lives: Naples wine festival, pros team up to teach kids tricks

It's been a pretty good week... Stacie Wiesenbaugh

Healing, Empowering and Thriving: "Non-Person Humans"

Healing, Empowering and Thriving: "Non-Person Humans": Elie Wiesel “We must not see any person as an abstraction. Instead, we must see in every person a universe with its own secrets, with ...