AJ and I just made and played this game the other day…absolutely fantastic.
http://wondertime.go.com/create-and-play/archive.html Go to Archives/Printables for the printable car pieces
http://wondertime.go.com/create-and-play/article/great-car-games.html
Obviously, most of our kids are behind or you would not be reading this, right? But, do you have a good resource to evaluate your child at home?
Strollerderby has found one for us. “A questionnaire called “Ages and Stages” (ASQ) has been developed by the University of Eugene in an effort to try to catch possible delays sooner. Pediatricians give the questionnaire to parents who complete it at home while observing their children, up to age 5.”
A questionnaire called “Ages and Stages” was developed at the University of Oregon. In the last year, pediatricians with PeaceHealth Medical Group gave the surveys to parents of one- and two-year-olds to take home and complete. It asked parents to have their kids perform a number of tasks and record the results.
When all the surveys were studied, the number of kids found to have developmental delays had increased by 224%.
The survey helped Annie Clay determine that her son had some delays when it came to his speech.
“I had to sit down on the floor and go one-by-one to see if he could stack blocks or line blocks up or ask him to go do something like one or two directions,” she said.
A doctor who helped with the study says the questionnaires help provide information that is not always identified during well-child checkups.
“You’re a pediatrician and you’re in a hurry and you have so many things to talk about. Just reviewing all those milestones in a visit, its just not the same standardized reliable process,” explains Dr. Kevin Marks, a pediatrician.
According to the study, 12% to 16% of kids in this country have developmental or behavioral problems. But in about 80% them, those problems are not spotted as early as they could be.
Given this, is it possible that the assessments that pediatricians use today are not up to date, not correct? If that many children are falling behind, perhaps we need to readdress the checklists.
Go ahead and take the developmental test online.
Word Press, Technorati, developmental assessment, strollerderby, Tags
HomeMom3….ELIZA! CONTACT ME! You won the Spinning Board!
Check out the little man loving it!
The winner of the Spinning Board is Sherri (But I don’t have ANY contact information for her). So, I will give Sherri until Wednesday, September 26th to claim her FANTASTIC prize. BTW, it is a fabulously dangerous toy! DO NOT GET ON IT UNLESS YOU WANT TO PUKE! AJ handled it just fine. I was sick as a dog! He giggled like mad for hours. I, on the other hand, just wanted to toss. He showed me who was spinning boss. 
“A diagnosis can be a godsend, especially for families struggling to help a child who is clearly unable to function. It can give them some concrete answers, and offer resources where once there were none. But for a high-functioning child who may seem more enigmatic than disabled, the process and outcome is often frustratingly subjective.”
Ah…my dear, you live my life.
Read the story here.
Word Press, Technorati, autism, quirky kids, newsweek, high functioning, Tags
Jenny is RIGHT! It is not just vaccines that cause Autism and each case has to be looked at. Look at this information. There is a connection between vaccines and immune systems. Some kids don’t have the ability to naturally chelate toxins. AJ does not so we have to supplement with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. He also has to, like Jenny McCarthy’s son, Evan, chelate Candida (yeast) because he can’t do that either.
If you read this post you will see everything we do on a daily basis…probably things that Jenny does as well.
There is such a gut/brain connection.
PBS KIDS Sprout, the first and only 24-hour preschool destination available on TV, on demand and online for kids ages 2-5 and their parents and caregivers, will launch television’s only live preschool morning program, The Sunny Side Up Show, on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. ET.
The three hour show (from 9-noon) will integrate Barney, Bob the Builder, and other characters like the Fireman Sam with live, hosted segments wherein preschoolers can prepare for the day to share birthdays, greetings, ideas, crafts, and interact live with the hosts through email subscriptions at SproutOnline.com
Hosted by Kevin Yamada, who most recently served as host for Sprout’s The Birthday Show, and Philadelphia-based actress Kelly Vrooman, The Sunny Side Up Show takes place inside a whimsical barn in the hills of Sprout with staging such a toaster-shaped monitor displaying viewer-submitted artwork and photos and a crate-desk for the show’s two hosts who will rotate weekly. Each day, the host is joined on-air by Chica, a witty, playful chicken puppet who communicates with kazoo-like sounds only understandable by the hosts. Chica will also supply surprise eggs that can be cracked open for clues, games and even a joke-of-the-day.
Each week, The Sunny Side Up Show will explore a new theme ranging from colors, numbers and letters to manners, gardening and pets. Themes will also reflect holidays including Halloween, Thanksgiving and Mother’s Day. Special guests will stop by to visit on a regular basis, so on any given day, viewers could get a special treat from a Sesame Street® character like Big Bird, or Nina from Sprout’s The Good Night Show.
“The show’s live aspect allows for viewer interaction to be immediate and unique, creating a true sense of community,” said Andrew Beecham, senior vice president of programming for Sprout. “We’ve been celebrating birthdays on Sprout since we launched two years ago, and The Sunny Side Up Show takes this concept of a preschool network made ‘for you, by you’ to a whole new level.”
Well, welcome back Mr. Rogers. I’m glad to see someone has finally taken notice that you were needed.
Free Chica Coloring Page
Click here to enter the Sprouteriffic Refrigerator Contest!
Meet the Cast of the Show and learn more about The Sunny Side Up Show.
Word Press, Technorati, Sprout, Sunny Side Up Show, PBS, Premiere, Tags
Laurel Hoekman, the Executive Director and author of The good food cookbook for– gluten-free and casein-free diets
But, when our machine is not working correctly the entire system can go haywire. The brain is not wired to correctly process and interpret the human body’s senses: hearing, seeing, smelling, taste, touch, proprioceptive, and vestibular.
This is Sensory Integration Dysfunction.
How does your machine work? Take this test.
Word Press, Technorati, sensory integration, checklist, adults, gluten free, casein free diet, Tags
Can a 21 year old woman with Aspergers be America’s Next Top Model? According to Entertainment Weekly its possible, as she is one of the top contestants.
Now, you all know that I’m an ANTM addict, right? AJ even tells me that “its time to watch Model” at 6 p.m., our wind-down, TiVo time.
As a child or teen, symptoms can be noticeable; sensory issues, delayed motor development, avoidant eye contact, lack of social cues, unusual facial expressions, talking about favorite subjects or scripting/echolalia, dislike of transitions or change in routine, appear to lack empathy, etc.
However, as an adult, people are much more functional. In fact, it is very possible that Heather does have Aspergers and is coping well. “Asperger’s syndrome is a lifelong condition, although it tends to stabilize over time, and improvements are often seen. Adults usually obtain a better understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses. They are able to learn social skills and how to read others’ social cues. Many people with Asperger’s syndrome marry and have children.”
Heather, in her interview with Tyra in tonights premier episode described herself as having both ADHD and Aspergers. However, on one of the forums I visited today people were stating that one can not have both. Untrue.
According to WebMD, people with Aspergers can also have co-existing conditions such as ADHD, depression, anxiety, OCD, social anxiety disorders, and nonverbal learning disorders like central processing disorders.
My hope is that Tyra and ANTM are not using Heather for her disability but will showcase her talent and her beauty…which I saw in the episode. Rumor has it that she will make it to the top and travel to China this year.
I am very interested to see what her quirks are, if she has social issues, sensory processing issues, etc. I caught a few in her video… Tell me what you see.
She’s gorgeous but can she withstand the social pressures, the catwalk, and the high society of the fashion industry?
I am LOVING this educational tool from Starfall. I have found that most educational alphabet tools are too character guided and my son gets distracted by the action. However, this one from Starfall is simple and easy.
Take a look at this interactive alphabet wherein your child can click on the letters to listen, watch, and learn.
Even cooler? Watch this little one sign the alphabet and sound them out. The only drawback is that not all the vowel sounds are represented.
Word Press, Technorati, interactive online alphabet, starfall, sign, Tags
I’m taking the day off for a colonoscopy so I’m letting someone else take over! I’m leaving this up to Erma.
God Chooses A Mom For A Disabled Child
By Erma Bombeck
Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. This year, Nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen? Somehow I visualize God hovering over the Earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
“Armstong, Beth; son; patron saint, Matthew.
“Forrest, Marjorie; daughter; patron saint, Cecelia.
“Rudlege, Carrie; twins; patron saint…give her Gerald. He’s used to profanity.”
Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles, “Give her a handicapped child.”
The angel is curious. “Why this one, God? She’s so happy.”
“Exactly,” smiles God. “Could I give a handicapped child a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel”
“But has she patience?” Ask the angel.
“I don’t want her to have too much patience or she will drown in self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she’ll handle it. I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence. She’ll have to teach the child to live in her world and that’s not going to be easy.”
“But, Lord, I don’t think she even believes in you.”
God smiles. “No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness”
The Angel gasps. “Selfishness? Is that a virtue?”
God nods. “If she can’t separate herself from the child occasionally, she’ll never survive. Yes, there is a woman I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn’t realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a ‘spoken word.’ She will never consider a ‘step’ ordinary. When her child says ‘Momma’ for the first time, she will be present at a miracle and know it! When she describes a tree or a sunset to her blind child, she will see as few people ever see my creations.
“I will permit her to see clearly the things I see — ignorance, cruelty, prejudice — and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side..”
“And what about her patron saint?” asks the angel, his pen poised in mid air.
God smiles. “A mirror will suffice.”
What is so fantastic about weighted blankets?
In my OPINION, this is the best blanket there is. We also have the Bear Hug Vest because it is easy to transport and give his pressure just like a Bear Hug. He asks to wear it daily.
The winner of the Spinning Board is Sherri (But I don’t have ANY contact information for her). So, I will give Sherri until Wednesday, September 26th to claim her FANTASTIC prize. BTW, it is a fabulously dangerous toy! DO NOT GET ON IT UNLESS YOU WANT TO PUKE! AJ handled it just fine. I was sick as a dog! He giggled like mad for hours. I, on the other hand, just wanted to toss. He showed me who was spinning boss.
We have another giveaway next week for a Small. Spinning Board. Now, this giveaway is a BIG DEAL. Check this out!
New! Spinning Boards
Beautifully crafted, solid wood spinning boards for school, clinic, or home use. These extra durable boards will support up to 400 lbs. Choice of 3 sizes for use with children-adults: 18″, 21″, or 24″ diameter boards. The 24″ board is large enough for an adult to hold a small child on their lap.
AJ could not wait to play with one when he saw the picture and kept saying “I want, I want”. I told him it was just a picture but that he could go get his “Sit and Spin”. He did but got frustrated and the turning dial, as usual. Therapy Shoppe looks like such a better design with the simple seat and hand /floor operations. And, if I can sit on it with him? Oh, boy, am I going to be dizzy. I better use it on the carpet!
AJ got his in the mail today. I will get pictures up soon!
*If you request a new catalog or make a purchase please tell them I sent you!
How to Enter:
HOW TO ENTER: Just fill in the Mr. Linky below and then link to this contest and Therapy Shoppe! site in a post on your blog before Friday, September 21, 11 PM (CST.) If you don’t have a blog, still enter your name in the Mr. Linky and please email your friends to tell them about this contest, the Giveaway, and Therapy Shoppe’s new catalog! Leave a comment here saying you’d like to win! Be sure I can contact you through your blog or email in the Mr. Linky and/or your comment.
Word Press, Technorati, Therapy Shoppe Giveaway, spinning, catalog, autism, sensory integration, sensory processing disorder, spinning board, proprioception, vestibular function, giveaway, Tags
Tune in Tuesday at My Two Boys and join me for an open forum about Jenny McCarthy and Holly Robinson Peete who, for the first time ever, will do interviews on Oprah.
Sex appeal put Jenny McCarthy on the map. TV made Holly Robinson Peete famous. But Hollywood could not prepare them for this. In their first television interviews, two moms share the fight to save their sons.
But, can children with autism be saved?
And, more interestingly…what do you all think of the two celebs finally speaking out?
Also, don’t forget to sign up for the newest way to get free traffic to your site…BlogRush!
Can Shamans and Horses unlock the mysteries of autism?
Read this fantastic article by Tim Rayment from the Sunday Times.
Word Press, Technorati, autism, shamans, horses, love, Tags
On Tuesday Holly Robinson Peete and Jenny McCarthy will appear on Oprah for the first time. Fighting to save their sons from autism, they will (or at least Robinson Peete will) finally speak out, as McCarthy has been in the public eye for quite some time raising money for Autism Speaks and spewing her biocrystal mumbojumbo (oops! that crystal site is down…wonder why).
What I want to know? Why now? Why did it take you guys so long?
I wrote this post on Discussing Autism in June about Holly Robinson Peete.
Discussing Autism is a site determined to give readers information and insight into the world of Autism. Journey with a family as they struggle with daily issues.
Discussing Autism Author(s)
» Marcie
Daily Science Dose
Dealing With Headaches
Depression Talk
Diabetes Health Talk
Discussing Autism
Discussing Breast Cancer
Eating Disorder Talk
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Living Without Meat
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