This Special Life

How To Find Sensory Friendly Santa In Your Area

December 1, 2019 by This Special Life

Have you struggled to get your autistic child to take a picture with Santa? Does the whole experience just seem like it would be too much for them, so you avoid the whole thing all together? Wouldn’t it be great if you could reduce all of the lights and noise and have a “Sensory Friendly” visit with Santa? This is one wish on your list that you can have. Autism Speaks, a major organization supporting families with autistic children, is providing exactly that.

Sensory Friendly Santa Is Coming To Your Area!

For the past few years, there has been a growing number of Sensory Friendly Santa events popping up all over the country. This year, Autism Speaks has joined with Cherry Hill Programs, a specialized photography company, in order to provide families in hundreds of locations in North America with the opportunity to meet Santa Claus, without the meltdowns. Time periods have been set aside for special needs children to make their visit happen with fewer sensory triggers, as well as a smaller number of people.

Parents can sign up online for a visit in a location nearby. Mall locations and dates for the events across the United States are provided on the Autism Speaks website. Admission to the event is free of charge, and professional pictures will be available for sale on site. You must register your visit in advance, as there are a limited number of spots available at each location. This is to make sure that there are no long waits for any special needs family.

Other Sensory Friendly Holiday Events

Smaller, local autism related groups throughout the country also make an effort this time of year to include children in traditions like this one. In addition to that, some companies offer special events that are designed to be comfortable for autistic people. For example, The New York City Children’s Theater is hosting a Sensory Friendly performance called “My First Nutcracker” in the beginning of December. Parents can search online for other events happening in their local areas that will be enjoyable and stress-free for their little ones who struggle with sensitive eyes and ears on a regular basis.

Sensory overload is a common issue in children with autism. Something as common as going to the mall can cause major stress for an autistic child and his or her parents. The lights, the noise, the crowds of people, and the music, can become very overwhelming in only a short time. Add the stress of meeting someone famous like Santa Claus, waiting in line, sitting on someone’s lap, and posing for pictures, and it is a recipe for a disaster. These Sensory Friendly Santa events, and programs like it, reduce all of the extras so that it will be much easier for children who are on the autism spectrum to be included in common yearly traditions in an uncommon way.

Autism Speaks has been working to help this community since being founded in 2005. The goal of every effort this group makes is to help the world better understand and accept autistic people. They work hard to improve the research and early detection of autism. They are working on helping teens move on into adulthood more smoothly as well. This holiday program is just one of the ways that this organization is trying to include the autistic community without forcing them to fit into the typical mold society might expect. Through events like this, parents can enjoy their children just as much as others this holiday season and beyond. Don’t forget to book your Sensory Friendly Santa visit in your local area!

Pixar’s New Short Film Celebrates Differences & It Gives Us All The Feels

November 27, 2019 by This Special Life

Pixar’s new short film, Float, available now to Disney+ subscribers, is a must see for those who know and care for autistics. The creator of the 7 minute movie, Bobby Alcid Rubio, launched the project as a way to share his own difficult experience as the father of an autistic child.

The heartwarming film, while not explicitly about an autistic child, speaks our community in a special way. The story is about a child who gains a different ability: to float, as the title of the film suggests. The Father of the boy attempts to keep his son’s special ability a secret from the world, hoping to avoid judgment and ridicule that often results from differences.

A unique behavior, appearance, or voice can unfortunately invite unwelcome comments, attitudes, looks, and other expressions that can create a feeling of shame in anyone with differences, including autistics.

However, the son can’t hide his special ability, and the secret soon is obvious. The father must then decide to hide or be openly accepting of his son. At the end of the short film, the father accepts and celebrates his son’s differences.

In a behind-the-scenes video (also available on Disney+), Rubio revealed the autism connection. He explains that when his own son was diagnosed with autism, he did not have the best reaction initially. It was actually his wife that inspired him to tell his story.

His career as an animator provided the outlet for him to create this film as a part of a larger Pixar project called Sparkshorts. The Sparkshorts project is a collection of unique short films that come from individuals in departments that typically play smaller roles in feature Disney Pixar films. The goal is to explore storytelling in news ways and draw from the in-house talent available.

Float reveals the choice that everyone who comes in contact with an autistic person has to make: accept them for who they are, or not. This is a question that almost everyone has to answer for themselves.

Float received a ton of praise, with headlines calling it a “must-watch” short film. It certainly strikes a chord with the autism community, as the quirks and habits of autistics can be distracting or off-putting to the outsider observing, and sometimes embarrassing for the caregivers.

One review of the film questions whether the length of Float hindered its ability to develop the characters and truly process the range of emotions the father was feeling. It could be that a longer version of the film could make an even greater impact. There is only so much a film can do in less than 8 minutes. But we think there is enough to make people think and feel for a few short moments.

The movie sends a quick, special message that parents of all types will enjoy, no doubt. Another review of “Float” from the What’s on Disney Plus website comments:

“It’s a heartwarming story, that means more once you know the background on it, but even if you didn’t watch the extras, the moment between the father and son at the end will no doubt bring a tear to your eye.”

The Best Sensory Toys on Amazon, Hands Down.

November 17, 2019 by This Special Life

Not long ago, the best resources for high quality sensory toys were commercial suppliers for occupational therapy clinics and intervention centers. These days, we are living in the golden age of sensory products that fulfill physical regulation needs of children on the spectrum, enhance sensory play areas in the home, and are easily and quickly accessible via online ordering.

The flip side, however, is that it can be overwhelming and time-consuming to sort through the many options available through store websites and online catalogs.

In this article, we will pinpoint the 10 best sensory toys available on Amazon for children with autism and other special needs in the early childhood range (ages 3-8), so you can spend less time evaluating products and more time enjoying them with your child.

Our Criteria

We evaluated potential sensory toys according to three overarching criteria:

cost
versatility
longevity

Cost

Sensory toys shouldn’t break the bank. It’s important for families to be able to access a variety of high quality toys that are also reasonably priced. These toys are fewer and further between as you scroll through your search results in your Amazon store app, but they are out there.

Each product on our list is under $100, with most falling in the $10-$50 range.

Versatility

Sensory toys should address a variety of stimulation needs of your child across tactile, visual, and auditory inputs. For example, an ice cube is cool to the touch (tactile), seems transparent but is opaque if held up to the eye (visual), and makes a clattering noise if dropped into the sink (auditory).

Sensory toys also facilitate play-based exploration of whole-body systems. These include proprioception (awareness of how one’s body moves and is positioned in space), the vestibular system (the sense of gravity and balance), and emotional and physical regulation.

For the purposes of this article, we will not be addressing olfactory or gustatory input of toys (smell and taste), though these are ideal sensory experiences to incorporate at mealtimes.

Longevity

Sensory toys are not a passing fad; they are a useful and aesthetically pleasing addition to your home as well as fun and educational. The toys on our list are durable and resilient, increasing the likelihood they will stand up to heavy usage and the test of time.

They also meet our criteria for longevity in providing appeal for a variety of age groups, so your child can love them for a long time – but also, so parents and siblings can join in genuine enjoyment of collaborative and social play.

Magna-Tiles

Magna-Tiles provide sensory input across tactile, visual, and auditory channels. Build small and large structures with pieces that are easy to hold and attach to each other, but also provide challenge opportunities to practice more complex fine motor skills via idiosyncratic tile combinations.

Look through the tiles to change the color of the environment, or hide toys inside structures to see how they look different but don’t disappear completely. The tiles also make a satisfying clicking sound when attached, and louder cascading noises when structures are collapsed.

The 32 piece starter set is around $50, and for folks able to spend a bit more, the 100 piece set is about $120.

As for longevity, I bought the 100 piece set for my firstborn in 2012. The tiles have seen daily and weekly use ever since, but still look brand new. They remain a favorite toy for him seven years later, and my second child now joins in on family sensory play time with the tiles as well.

There are also myriad alternative brands of magnetic tile sets available on Amazon in different styles, colors, shapes, and combinations.

Buy it here

Tee Pee Tent or Pop Up Play Tent

Again, you will find tons of options for either style of play tent on Amazon – but the overall idea is to provide a whole-body sensory experience for your child that allows them to engage in extended independent playtime as well as shared leisure time (like reading books together).

Size permitting, these tents can grow with your child from facilitating beginning sensory and cognitive skill building experiences (object permanence, for example) to intermediate play and pre-academic skills later on (prepositions, following directions, and sequenced pretend play, to name a few).

Buy the tee pee tent here

Buy the pop up play tent here

Goodnight Moon Story Puppet & Props

Early literacy for your 3-8 year old can also come to life in sensory play. A compact set like this one is perfect for playtime on the go or in a small living space, but you can also find a variety of puppets in all sizes on Amazon as well as larger felt board storytelling sets.

Sensory benefits of this type of toy include tactile engagement with characters and objects, auditory stimulation through children listening to the adult model the words of the story as well as vocally imitating words or sounds, and multimodal visual input through seeing two-dimensional pictures in the book come to life in 3D.

Buy it here

Weaving Looms

There’s a reason why potholder looms have been around forever. In addition to their sensory benefits, these tactile close-ended activities also provide opportunities to practice beginning advocacy skills like asking for help as well as frustration tolerance and delayed gratification.

There are a variety of looms available on Amazon ranging from those more appropriate for the very young to lap looms that can continue to provide productive and sensory-fulfilling entertainment well beyond early childhood.

Buy it here

Modeling Clay

Another timeless classic, the sensory and creative possibilities with clay-based play are almost endless. Modeling clay can be a bit harder to manipulate than play dough or silly putty, but the extra effort required can provide valuable sensory input for children on the spectrum who seek tactile resistance to make sense of their environment.

For facilitated family sensory playtime, download a beginner level stop motion app to your tablet or smartphone and create short movies together by posing your clay creations in component positions that create the illusion of movement – like waving or doing a yoga pose.

For vestibular practice and further proprioceptive input, have your child star in a stop motion movie too, by mimicking the positions of clay creatures as you take pictures of each movement. Then, practice the movements in real time and compare how different that feels.

Buy it here

Boomwhackers

Boomwhackers are not for the faint of heart, to be sure, as they can produce somewhat loud noises – but they are an excellent auditory and proprioceptive sensory toy.

Boomwhackers can be used to create musical tones when “whacked” against any surface, including arms and legs without causing any pain or injury because they are hollow and so light. Because each tone makes a specific musical note, boomwhackers are also a great way to encourage early foundations for musical awareness and creativity.

Buy it here

Planetarium Projector

These nightlights are a simple solution for comfort needs at bedtime or creating a sensory calming area at home, but that’s just the beginning. Turn on the planetarium projector in a darkened room during the day to provide variety in visual sensory input, or engage in beginner sensory visual play like shadow puppet games or variations on peekaboo and hide and seek.

As children grow, the planetarium projector can provide a jumping off point for scientific exploration and spark curiosity about astronomy. Many of these projectors are designed to be portable so you can bring your child’s calming space wherever you go, either for short outings or longer travel.

Buy it here

Hammock Swing

One of the most tried and true sensory toys for children on the spectrum is an indoor swing. Amazon has myriad options for sensory swings that are child-focused as well as full-size swings you can install for the whole family to use that will also suit your home’s aesthetic design.

However, these swings also come with the caveat that you will need to spend extra time and money to install them safely, possibly even going into your attic to secure additional 2x4s to existing studs to create a sturdy way to attach your weight-bearing swing.

You can also invest in a freestanding swing stand, but this will most likely drive your costs over $100 by a significant margin. As an alternative, consider a freestanding hammock like the one linked above, which is under $100 and comes extremely well-reviewed. A bonus – it works for adults as well as children, so you and your child can spend quality time together reading or playing with legos in a comforting sensory environment.

Buy it here

Multi-Solution Wooden Puzzles

Multi-solution puzzles such as this one provide opportunities to successfully complete single step problem solving as well as invent new ways to play by rearranging the pieces and testing which pieces will fit where.

These puzzles provide tactile and visual sensory input as well as stimulation for your child from early developmental play to more complex problem solving as they grow. P’kolino puzzles are designed to withstand long term use and maintain their quality over time, but there are lots of 2D and 3D multi-solution wooden puzzles available on Amazon from other brands, too.

Buy it here

Construct and Play Sets

Construct and play sets allow for sensory experiences while building, as well as resulting a toy that can be used on an ongoing basis for additional sensory play – or taken apart and rebuilt as many times as desired. The most famous construct and play sets are Legos.

But today you can find a variety of brands and styles of construct and play sets depending on your child’s preferences and fine motor readiness. In addition to tactile and visual input, these toys facilitate extended play opportunities and can easily be combined during imaginative play with other toys in the home to target the individual sensory needs of your child.

Buy it here

11 Easy As Heck Thanksgiving Decorations For Kids

November 11, 2019 by This Special Life

Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Can you believe it?

This year has flown past! One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving is making fun, simple crafts to decorate. I’m definitely on a budget when it comes to decorating for the holidays, so I typically make my own DIY décor.

This year I thought it would be fun to involve the kiddos in the decoration making process. So I’ve found tons of fun DIY decorations for fall that you can make with your kids! These crafts/decorations are simple and easy to make which is a must when you’re already busy getting ready for the holidays!

So let’s get started! Here are my favorite DIY Thanksgiving decorations that you can make with your kids!

Glitter Leaves

This might be my favorite DIY Thanksgiving decoration. It’s so easy to make! And it will cost you less than $5! All you have to do is cover some artificial leaves with Elmer’s glue and then cover the leaves with glitter! After it dries you can punch a hole in each leaf so you can hang them around your home!

You can find the full tutorial here: Glitter Leaves

Yarn Pumpkins

I love these yarn pumpkins! They’re so cute and would be easy to make with your kids! All you need is orange yarn, Elmer’s glue, a balloon, and a green pipe cleaner!

You can find the full tutorial for this project here: DIY Yarn Pumpkins

Mini Felt Pumpkins

These felt pumpkins are adorable! This is a simple sewing project for teaching your kiddos how to sew. All you need is some orange and green felt, green and black string, and cotton balls.

First, you’ll need to cut out two pumpkins shapes in your orange felt. I recommend printing a template from google, so that it’s exact. You can also cut a small green rectangle from the green felt for the stem.

You can stitch in the eyes and mouth of the pumpkin, or you can draw them on with sharpie to make it simpler.

Next, start sewing the two pieces of felt together! Remember when you reach the top of the pumpkin to put in your green rectangle for the stem and sew it in! Once there is only an inch of unsewn space left, stuff the pumpkin full of cotton balls. Then sew it up the rest of the way! Simple!

This is a great beginners sewing project, and I think these pumpkins would look adorable in a fall wreath, or in a fall garland!

Pine Cone Turkey

This might be the simplest project on here! All you need is some orange felt, a pine cone, googly eyes, glue, and feathers. Cut the felt into a small triangle for the turkey’s beak. Glue the googly eyes and beak to the bottom of the pine cone and glue the feathers to the top! I love how simple, but cute this DIY decoration is.

DIY Paper Pumpkins

I love these simple paper pumpkins! It’s an easy project for your kids and it looks great when it’s done! You can find the tutorial for this project here: DIY Paper Pumpkins

DIY Glitter Pumpkins

I love these glittery pumpkins! This DIY décor item is probably better for older children (it could get messy with little kids!) I love how simple and easy this project is and I think these glitter pumpkins would be the perfect addition to a mantle or dining room table!

Tutorial here: DIY Glitter Pumpkins

DIY Thankful Tree

I love this cute DIY tree. I think it’s an adorable decoration that’s also great for getting your family thinking about what they’re grateful for! This easy decoration is perfect for kids and they’ll love being able to write down what they’re thankful for on the leaves of this tree!

Tutorial: DIY Thankful Tree

Fruit Kabob Turkey Centerpiece

I love that not only is this a creative and fun centerpiece for Thanksgiving, but it is also perfect for displaying your fruit and cheese appetizers. This project is so simple, and your kids can help you put all of the fruit and cheese on to the skewers!

Tutorial here: Fruit Kabob Turkey Centerpiece

Cute Candy Turkey Treats

These little Reese’s Pieces filled turkeys are so cute! They’re so easy to make and they would be fun for a classroom treat or for a fun treat for your Thanksgiving guests.

Tutorial Here: Candy Turkey Treats

Turkey Hershey Kisses

These cute turkey’s are made from some card stock and Hershey Kisses! These would be a quick and easy craft your kids could make for their classmates or they would be a fun “appetizer/dessert” on Thanksgiving.

You can find the tutorial here: Turkey Hershey Kisses

Thanksgiving Placemats

These placemats are adorable! I think they would be absolutely perfect for the kids table at Thanksgiving dinner! Your kids will love that they got to put their handprint on the place mats and it’s a fun and easy project for you!

Turkey Reese’s Pieces Bowl

I love this cute turkey candy bowl! It would be so easy to make and your kids will love getting to trace and cut out their hand prints for the turkeys feathers. This is perfect for displaying any yummy treats you have on Thanksgiving!

Tutorial here: Turkey Reese’s Pieces Bowl

Scarecrow Popsicle Stick Magnet

I love this adorable magnet! Your kids will love getting to put the cute scarecrow face together. This would be a cute addition to any refrigerator or front door!

Tutorial Here: Scarecrow Popsicle Stick Magnet

Which of these Thanksgiving crafts is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below.

These 7 Simple Hacks Take The Frustration Out Of Homework Time

November 6, 2019 by This Special Life

After a long day in the classroom, homework is the last thing on your child’s mind. A child with special needs may have an even harder time settling down and trying to focus on the task at hand.

Recognize that struggles with homework will not resolve overnight. In order to help homework time run smoothly, parents need to be in tune with their child’s specific challenges and implement strategies based on their strengths and weaknesses.

The following techniques may help reduce your child’s frustrations and make homework time less stressful for everyone in the house.

Unwind and Relax

Unless you are dealing with strict time constraints, allow your child 30 to 45 minutes of downtime before getting to work. Depending on after school activities, you may need to tailor this based on your child’s schedule, but try to carve out a few minutes to allow your child to unwind and decompress. Let them watch a television show, play a game on their tablet, or enjoy a snack while telling you about their day. After they have a chance to relax, have them grab their backpack and start their homework. Once your child gets used to this schedule, they will come to realize what is expected of them. If possible, try to begin homework at the same time each day. Children respond to routine and a structured learning environment.

Move, Move, Move

Some children benefit from some form of physical activity before they pick up a book. Encourage your child to run around outside, swing on a swing, or jump on the trampoline after school. A quick bike or shooting hoops may be all they need to refocus and get down to studying.

Create A Designated Homework Area

By setting aside an area just for homework, your child has a space reserved just for them. Place your child in a quiet location near to where you will be. Create a homework toolbox filled with all the supplies they will need. Refresh the box periodically, replacing worn out crayons and pencils sharpened down to stubs. If your child craves sensory input, you should include a few of your child’s favorite fidget toys. Keep a pack of gum on hand. Sometimes, chewing a piece of gum can also help maintain focus.

Break It Up

If you see your child beginning to get frustrated with an assignment, have them take a five minute break to do something fun. Have them stand up and do jumping jacks or run around the front lawn. Pull out a container of clay or a jump rope and have your child redirect their energy elsewhere. After a few minutes they should be ready to get back to work. Some days, more than one break might be required.

Use Technology

If your child has difficulty with writing, ask their teacher if they can type up their assignments instead. Ask if you can employ a talk to text program or have them video themselves responding to essay questions using an app such as Flipgrid. Once you remove their frustration putting pencil to paper, you may find that they will put more thought and creativity into their writing assignments. There is a wealth of devices and software programs available to help children with special needs learn in a way tailored for them.

Books on tape are a great resource for children with special needs. Your child’s teacher may even be able to access their textbooks on tape as well. You can always request an extra copy of their texts to keep at home so you can help reinforce what was learned in the classroom.

Reward Good Behavior

Some children respond to a rewards system. A sticker chart is a great way to encourage your child to complete their homework each night. Keep the chart prominently displayed on your refrigerator or bulletin board as a reminder of their success. Have your child accumulate stickers to work towards a goal. Ten stickers may equal a trip to pick up something from the dollar store. One hundred stickers may allow them to pick out a toy or game from their wish list. Keep reminding your child of the reward they will receive after they successfully complete their assignments.

Ask For Help

If you are struggling with helping your child succeed, contact their teachers. Never be afraid to reach out to see what tips and tricks they find useful in the classroom. Using all of your available resources, will facilitate a positive learning experience.

November Printable

November 3, 2019 by This Special Life