Boog
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Santa Claus and a Special Needs Child
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Guilt Tactics Aimed at Moms Yet Again
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Helping Santa with Some Special Toys
Whether they rock it, roll it, sit in it or stand... kids want to move with Teeter Popper! How wildly fun
A cinch to maneuver - stand, sit, rock, tilt, wobble, wiggle, spin. How children play is however they choose.
Hand kids a Teeter Popper and walk away... but don't look away. Seeing the curiosity, the surprise, the concentration on their faces as they attempt new movements is something you don't want to miss.
Kids find themselves teetering on the brink of perfect physical play. No special skills needed. In playful exploration, Teeter Popper improves core strength, stability, leg strength, balance, coordination and gross-motor skills.
Curiosity wakes up, senses come alive, imagination engages, and creativity gets moving!
If you have given a present and found that the kids play more with the box or, like me, have despaired at spending Christmas Day watching the children use the tubes from the tinfoil and the wrapping paper as swords, whilst ignoring all their carefully selected, non-violent toys, the perfect present has arrived. Say hello to Bilibo.
Tortoise shell and sand toy, swing and spinner, cradle for dolls and a shell to build with in the snow – Bilibo is all this and much more. So what exactly is a Bilibo? Well one clue is the fact that it does not come with an instruction manual. Kids can do what they like with it!
Says Alex Hochstrasser, Swiss inventor and designer of Bilibo, “When I introduced the prototypes at the kindergarten of my hometown, the little ones were astonished at first. But then a boy sat down in and started spinning, a girl turned Bilibo around and tried to balance on him – after that you
This shell is made of high density polyethylene which is shock-resistant, weather-proof, food safe, completely recyclable, and comes in Eight bright colors. Bilibo is big enough that kids of different ages can sit in it comfortably. All this, and friendly too -Bilibo has two holes at the side which look like eyes and give the appearance of a smiling face on the shell.
Immerse Plui in water to fill him up and then plug your finger over the top hole as you raise it up
Lift your finger from the nozzle and water falls like rain. The only difference - You get to control the downpour!
Plui stimulates the senses and discovery of basic physical principles.
So sleek, round, and rare - kids everywhere (even big kids) love to get their hands on Plui!
Press the keys to hear exciting sounds - Bells, whistles, laughter, and more - With a big surprise, a bulky, colorful star goes flying through the air.
Keep playing and exploring the sounds. After every note, the flying stars fall back into the pipes, ready to be launched again.
Then, switch up the sensory fun with two more ways to play!
Flip a switch beneath the keyboard to change the sounds from silly to classic piano.
Designed to inspire cause-and-effect learning while exciting the senses with fun sounds and brilliant colors, the Mirari Pop Pop Piano inspires smiles and giggles every time.
Friday, November 27, 2015
Thankful it's Over
Friday, November 13, 2015
It's Always a Win with Vin...
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Thanksgiving? You mean Thanks-for-living-through-this?
Here's a little snippet of one of my favorite parts from the article. Find the link below and enjoy!
Relative - "When is Johnny going to eat something besides mashed potatoes?"
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Happy Halloween!
I also know many parents are concerned about the time change and already sensitive children becoming off schedule. I heard on the news this morning that if you can have your kids go to bed an hour early tonight, it should help offset the change. Now if your little one goes trick-or-treating and ends up on a sugar-rush, going to bed early may not be possible at all.
Just have a good time and remember, who needs sleep anyway, we're special needs parents. We got this! 😊
Enjoy and have a safe holiday!
🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Anyone can Trick-or-Treat this Halloween!
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Giving My Child a "Voice" No Matter What Form It's In
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Beautiful Progress: My Son Can Read
My son (nicknamed "Boog") is non verbal and will be six very soon. Last year, his Pre-K teacher and I both thought he was teaching himself to read, but we weren't sure just how many words he knew.
This week his amazing teacher noticed that he could recognize a lot of words. She tested him for two days, first starting with nouns, and then moving on to verbs.
My son can read. My son can read more words than I could at his age. He knew words from "zebra" and "apple" to "climbing" and even "was". His teacher said she was "mezmerized". She said now we have to find out a way that works best for him to get the words out.
It may be sign language (he already signs for several words), talking or a communication device. Guys, my son can read. My son can read. I'm just crying tears of joy. My baby. He is so smart. Thank you, God.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Overpricing Adaptive Equipment - Businesses Taking Advantage
Check out the post here:
The Cost of Unnessecarily Medicalizing Acts of Daily Life
This is a huge problem we have dealt with for years. Literally, companies take a common object, rename it, sometimes adjust it a little and charge an arm and a leg for it. Some examples are trampolines, child safe scissors, pencil grips, and teethers. Popular websites that carry items for special needs individuals have these items mixed in with their inventory of actual adapted devices certain people need.
I wrote a popular post on how we set up my son's room. In the post I show each item's cost on a special needs website, and how much cheaper the alternative I found was:
Saving Hundreds on a Playroom!
Sometimes you can think outside of the box and come up with a cheaper alternative and sometimes you can't. Pricing items outrageously is taking advantage of certain individuals and also depriving them of things that would make their lives easier.
Sound ridiculous? Check out these examples:
1. When you Google "trampoline for special needs child", this is the listing found at Quality Toys. Their motto is "High Quality Educational and Therapy Toys!" and they sell various items for special needs kids. Quality Toys sells these trampolines for $119.00 with free shipping:
This listing by Wayfair was found by altering the search to "trampoline with bar". Wayfair sells this trampoline for $49.95 with free shipping:
2. I searched for a "trapeze bar for special needs child" and found this listing by Fun and Function.
Their company logo is "Empowering Different. Fun and Function lists this bar for $49.99:
Next, I altered my search to just "trapeze bar" and found this listing on Amazon. Amazon sells this bar for $24.49:
3. And we will end on my favorite (sarcasm). I used Google to search for "special needs bean bag chair". This listing is by Especialneeds.com. Especialneeds.com lists this chair for $76.95:
I then altered my search to just "bean bag chair". I found this chair at Walmart. Walmart lists these chairs for $24.98!
Businesses needs to stop taking advantage of so many people that are just trying to shop for things to help themselves or someone they love. Until then, always search for alternatives before you purchase anything that is considered "special needs". You could save yourself hundreds of dollars!
Take care and shop smart,
Boog's Mommy
American Horror Story...Giving Parental Advice?
Sunday, October 18, 2015
All You Need is Love...and a Laugh!
Freebies - Disney Wallpaper!
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/wallpapers/
Since I'm in full Halloween mode, here are a couple of my favorites:
It's totally worth bookmarking the Park's blog because they're constantly posting interesting information on all things Disney:
**All graphics are owned by Disney. I was not paid or compensated for this post.
Saturday, October 17, 2015
It's Not Easy Being Green... Or Me.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/insight-is-2020/201310/pity-the-parents-special-needs-children-part-one
Some of the info I found particularly useful/interesting:
1. We do get sicker more often, it's not just your imagination: "Specifically, the 2012 study found that the parents of children with autism were more likely to get common ailments such as colds, coughs and headaches as a direct result of the increased stresses linked to their caretaking responsibilities."
2. The spouse/partner relationship is often so, so strained: "The relationship suffers most in families with SN children because the parents have been pushed to their limits but simultaneously must avoid expressing negative thoughts or feelings to the child who is causing the frustration. Instead, who’s there to snap at, because you can’t snap at your SN child? You guessed it: your partner. Though we all agree it should never happen, parents of SN children often take out their frustrations on each other."
3. We all have bad days, some people just like to act like they don't: "Undoubtedly, there are definite negative effects on parents of caring for SN children, and these parents shouldn't be shy about sharing negative thoughts and feelings. There is way too much pressure in our culture to pretend that parenting is a total pleasure and that good parents love each and every minute of it. That type of pressure simply adds to the stress the parents of SN kids have, so let's all agree to be less absolutist when talking about the experience of parenting."
Articles like this are important because they help remove some of the guilt we feel and validate the feelings we don't want to show at times. Yes, it is hard. Yes, sometimes you feel like giving up. Yes, you can do this. You just *have* to do your best to take care of yourself.
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Mental Health
It's incredibly insensitive and also misleading. The following article makes an incredibly valid point:
John Oliver Just Nailed Why the Oregon Shooting Isn't the Time to Talk About Mental Health
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Donald Chump for President
Sunday, August 23, 2015
Game Changer for Sensitive Skin!
A lot of children on the Autism spectrum have sensitive skin. Not just sensitive to things like chemicals (laundry detergent, soap, etc.), but even sensitive to the textures of certain clothing. We have a "no tag zone" at our house. If a shirt for Boog comes with a tag, it is usually cut off before he ever puts it on. I'm so glad most shirts are tagless these days!
But sometimes even when there's no tag, the top part of the back of the shirt still bothers Boog. It's just a sensitive area, and I just figured those shirts were just going to be thrown in the donate pile. That was until I was reading a random blog one night and happened to see someone comment about this great stuff sold on etsy and I hoped over there to read more about it.
Skindura has an AMAZING product called "Under Cover" that when applied, it creates a thin, non-sticky barrier between the skin and whatever fabric is touching it. It lasts all day and has no harsh chemicals or shady ingredients! I'm serious! Here's more info from the description:
"Under Cover is a smooth formula that easily rubs on skin to provide durable long lasting coverage that resists rubbing off. If you’ve ever had skin irritation or chafing from clothing, or equipment you know how painful it can be. Use Under Cover to improve the feel of skin irritated by friction from items like clothing, bras, waistbands, clothing tags, seams, etc. Also from the friction that athletic equipment can cause like; shin guards, protective cups, football padding, wetsuits, life vests...
The skin soothing ingredients in Under Cover also moisturize skin that has already been irritated from friction.
Here are some other awesome features of Under Cover. It is made of 100% veggie derived ingredients, (no petroleum, no animal by products, no silicone). It’s waterproof sweat proof and resistant to rubbing off, yet still allows skin to breath, unlike many products made from silicone or petroleum. It contains no artificial coloring and won’t stain clothing. The convenient twist up tube makes applying Under Cover quick and clean. Apply exactly where you need it with no messy hands afterward and it’s portable, so you can take it anywhere. And since Under Cover is invisible on skin and fragrance free, only you know you’re wearing it!
Directions: The warmth of your skin allows Under Cover to glide right onto your skin. Simply twist up the tube and rub on areas of friction, clean and convenient! Just don't store Under Cover anywhere that gets really hot as it will melt. If it does set upright in a cool area and allow it to re-solidify, but don't allow it to freeze."
Guys, this stuff really works. It comes in a tube that's very much like a deodorant container, but smaller. I simply rubbed it on Boog's upper back and he didn't scratch at that area all day. He didn't come up and want me to scratch it, or change his shirt.
Since Boog is non-verbal, I have to watch very closely to see if something is uncomfortable, or bothersome to him. Having "Under Cover" gives me piece of mind that when I send him to school I know he's not stuck with an itchy or irritated patch of skin that he can't reach. I'm so thankful!
Check out Skindura at the link below and you can have some piece of mind as well (you know we need it whenever we can get it!). They also have other products that prevent chaffing, and even stop blisters from friction caused by shoes:
***I was in no way compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.