September 25, 2018 | By: Marty Barnes
Categories: Family Support
Looking for a simple way to use picture exchange card system (PECS) (i.e., photos to help your child communicate by making choices)?
Here’s how to do it without having to be an arts and crafts expert. And without buying costly supplies:
Use smaller count egg cartons if just starting out with choice making. Don’t overwhelm the child with too many choices. Mount photos or PECS to old playing cards. This creates a sturdy surface that will stay upright.
Do you have some leftover plastic plates from a BBQ or picnic? Use them to create a sensory wall activity for your child to explore. Make each plate it's very own sensory experience.
Glue different textures to each plate. Use things like beads, rice, pasta, faux fur, wooden sticks, bubble wrap, or craft pom-poms. Be creative.
Once the plates are dry you can glue them to a large piece of heavy, corrugated poster board or plaster paneling. Suction cup or Velcro them to Plexiglas so you can change up the order. Add magnets to the back and use them on your refrigerator. Perfect reach for a toddler or seated child.
Has your child's speech therapist, feeding therapist, or occupation therapist encouraged you to buy a "Nosey Cup"? This can be an expense some families cannot afford. Especially if the cup is being used on a trial only basis.
Try making your own with a simple disposable bathroom cup to practice at home.
If the cup is a good solution, spend the money on a reusable one.
Re-purpose old sponge curlers to make adapted grippers for your child. This is a low cost, easy way to adapt small items your child needs to hold onto for school or for their daily routine. The spongy curler makes for a great sensory experience as well. Especially if you can find them in different colors/sizes.
Over the years, parents of children with disabilities and special health care needs have told us many stories about dealing with bias, unfairness, racism, ableism or discrimination against their child.
Categories: Family Support
As technology advances, it brings exciting possibilities and challenges.
Categories: Family Support
As the parent of a child with mild Cerebral Palsy, I learned that the word “hurry” doesn’t apply to my son, Jason. With motor planning difficulties, hurrying just wasn’t something he could do. I learned to adapt and accommodate our schedule to allow extra time. However, when I found myself in the situation of caring for elderly parents & parents-in-law, and our son, I struggled to find the patience I once had with Jason.
Categories: Family Support