Lynn Moore's Blog

Posted by Lynn Moore

How do you plan to spend your New Years? Many families with an autistic child struggle to find a satisfactory plan. Waiting in line for a meal at restaurant may not be the best choice.

Parents know that crowds or even some sensory input (such as tags on clothing) bothers kids with autism. Other things (like wrapping up in a blanket) is calming.

Plan a special New Years celebration with your autistic child! You will need a favorite blanket, preferred snack foods, and a well-watched video. Plan to snuggle as you watch the video you may have seen (or heard) a hundred times. Perhaps you will need to bring your own blanket to the party if your child is possessive of his or prefers not to snuggle.

If movie watching is not a hit, try some other sensory activities: indoor swinging, small trampoline jumps, rocking horses. It is okay to sit back and watch your child enjoy the sensory diet that makes him happy. Just for this evening, don’t worry about the goals that you two work on throughout the year. Instead, think of all the accomplishments that have come this year. Think of the opportunities for growth and communication that will come next year.

Invite other family members to join in the celebration. Encourage them to bring their own comfort foods to the shindig. After all, New Years is a time to celebrate, be thankful, and look forward to the New Year. How can you better spend the evening that with your wonderful child?

Holiday Routine and Autistic Kids

Posted by Lynn Moore

Routine to a child on the autism spectrum involves when things happen – such as when bedtime occurs. Their routine can involve a sequence of events. (First, have a bedtime snack. Second, read a book. Third brush teeth. Then get into bed. If the events to no happen in a particular order, it can cause upset. The predictability of the situation has been lost.

Routines can be who does something. For example, Mom always washes my hair, or Dad always drives me to school.

Routines are deeply embedded in the Christmas traditions of a family as well. A child on the autism spectrum may be very aware of where the decorations go, and who gets to put each one up. If the front porch always has red bows across the railing, it will most likely be important to that child as well.

Children on the autism spectrum may be reluctant to separate from the decorations at the end of the season. Taking down the red bows from the front porch may be very upsetting.

Many parents of children with special needs (not only children on the autism spectrum) find that using a calendar or talking with the child ahead of time is helpful. Another tip is to let the child be involved in as much of the “take down” as possible, thus giving him more control over the situation.

What has worked well for your family? Do you have questions for other families? Join us in a discussion of holiday routines and children with special needs.

Developmentally Delayed Kids

Posted by Lynn Moore

Many IEP goals include math skills. Certainly math is important for day-to-day functioning in our society, Everything from money and calendar skills to setting the table for dinner involves math.

The words Let's count are a simple lead in to a critical math skill for kids with special needs. Parents have many opportunities to practice counting with their kids in real life. . . after all, no one wants to learn math that they will never use again!

Start in the morning, and look for those counting practice times throughout the day. Have fun with it! If your child sees that you enjoy the activity, if it seems almost like a game, he will most likely be drawn into the practice.

Use your counting. Don't forget to let your child see the importance of counting. This may most clearly be communicated at mealtime and when paying for things. Let your child help you count the things that you need. Make counting a useful activity.

Learn more with counting. Don't underestimate books that focus on counting skills. They offer a tie-in with literacy as well as a visual representation of the numbers.

The holidays don't have to be regimented school times, but they can offer practice and reinforcement of the basic skill of counting.

Special Needs Christmas Countdown

Posted by Lynn Moore

Subtraction is simply counting back or counting down (in terms of Christmas). You can use the countdown to Christmas to reinforce Math skills with your developmentally delayed child.

Begin with an advent calendar or a regular calendar page.
Count how many days until Christmas.
Write that number at the top of a long strip of paper.
Make the number countdown a ritual for each day.
Let your child open the Advent calendar or cross off the day on the calendar page. Together count how many days are left until Christmas.
Cross out the number on the countdown strip and write the new number.

This activity is more than just a number check for the approaching holiday. It is building Math skills that are critical for later learning subtraction. Here are the skills that you will be reinforcing with your child:

Number recognition
Counting
Counting back (counting down)
Number writing

Kids with special needs LOVE calendar activities. This one is great for family time. It is a quick do-together activity that promotes holiday fun and reinforces Math (specifically subtraction).

Special Needs Christmas Pictures

Posted by Lynn Moore

Tomorrow is December 1st. I have been reminded again and again that we have an extra week this year between Thanksgiving and Christmas. People keep saying that Thanksgiving was early. Maybe so. However, according to my calendar, tomorrow is December 1. I still have not signed (or sent) a single Christmas card.

One thing that always strikes me about Christmas cards is the conversation that comes from opening each of those envelopes. The colorful pictures offer lots of prompts for speech. Equally, if not more important, are the photos that come inside the cards.

This year, try to designate those cards for language activities with your child. (If you are a scrapbooker, this may be painful. If so, make a photo copy for your child's activities.) Here are some short, yet effective, language builders to try with those Christmas pics.

Name the people.
Count how many people in each group shot.
Sort the school pictures by boys and girls. Then count.
Talk about the relationship of the people (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.)
Use the return address and a map to locate where the people in the picture live.
Describe the people in the picture (hair and eye color, clothing, age).
Write a note to one of the children or teens.
Sort the stamps by their pictures.
Use pictures to locate people in your family albums or scrapbooks. Talk about those events.
Sort family pictures according to the number of the people in the photo.
Sort family pictures according to setting (inside vs. outside).
Draw a picture to send to someone in one of the photos.

There are other ways to use Christmas cards to encourage your child to talk. Try saving the cards and use them for more language ideas even after the holidays.

Carol

Special Needs and Holiday Frenzy

Posted by Lynn Moore

Are you feeling the holiday frenzy yet? Do you see more writing that blank space when you look at the calendar? Kids with special needs certainly feel the holiday excitement and stress. Decorations are fun, yet distracting. Activities are different; sleep and meals are different; everything is different. Most children with special needs enjoy variety, and yet they are counting on familiar, routine experiences to make sense of the world.

Although this is a fun time of year, schedules are critical in making it less overwhelming and less stressful. Many articles have been written on the importance of schedules for kids with disabilities. Everyone agrees that daily tasks such as homework, chores, meals, and bedtime are just easier and more productive if there is a regular schedule. This is especially true for children who are developmentally delayed, autistic, ADHD, and those who have significant communication challenges.

Sometimes though, especially at the holidays, children with special needs become upset they are expected to complete routine tasks. They tend to get caught up in the excitement or busyness of the time. Their expectation is to only do the special events and activities. Routine chores and things like school work get less than their best effort. Sometimes routine responsibilities evoke anger in kids with special needs. Other kids get caught up in impulsive behaviors.

How do you maintain the best possible routine during times like the holidays? Let’s start a discussion on encouraging the best from kids with special needs during the holidays.

Special Needs Publications

Posted by Lynn Moore

Of course, I hope that you regularly read my Special Needs Parenting column at Suite 101. (You can subscribe to it by clicking on the link below.) If you are looking for additional publications, I would like to recommend two “paper” publications to you.

The first publication is new to the periodical scene. It is called My Child Today, and although it targets families living in the New Jersey area it offers articles and information appropriate for families of special needs kids across the continent. Read more about this publication.

In the religious sector of publishing, I would recommend Special Education Today (SET). This is a quarterly publication of LifeWay. Special Education Today discusses day to day challenges and success as well as those challenges that can come up at church. Special Education Today is a quarterly publication. Visit Special Education Today for more information.

I hope your day includes spending time with those you love the most. Take a few minutes to plan out the holiday activities that are approaching. If you feel overwhelmed just thinking about it, check out my article on children with special needs and holiday routines or one of the above publications. A few planning strategies and knowing that you are not the only parent facing challenges can make all the difference.

ADHD Holiday Stress

Posted by Lynn Moore

Kids with ADHD are impulsive. They often act and speak without considering the situation or the impact of what they are doing. Predictable, consistent schedules and expectations can help the child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder curb some of the impulsivity. Therefore day-to-day life is more manageable that the less structured times of the holidays.

Having a usual routine is a good foundation. Variations can be made that are easier to follow. Explain those differences in advance. In other words, we usually watch TV after supper, but we are going to see the holiday lights with Aunt Susie tonight.

Look for ways to keep the usual routine going. . . especially with meals and bedtime. Remember that holidays can be stressful for all kids (and more so for kids with ADHD). Look for ways to get the energy and anxiety out. This is a time for some silly fun. Plan it. The kids need it and so do parents!

Remember Aunt Susie or the grandparents when you are planning the holidays with your child. The day to day expectations that work for your child may be very different than what worked in your home when you were growing up. If the relatives live in a different area, it will be important to teach others how your day-to-day family life works.

Although the holidays can be full of unexpected (sometimes frustrating) experiences, the kids are looking forward to the celebrations as well. Hopefully, some well thought out back up plans will come in handy when things seem to be out of control.

What works best for your family for holiday routine and expectations? Let’s discuss tips for things that have worked and things that are still a challenge. . . Let’s control the rollercoaster of the holidays.

~ Lynn

ADHD Halloween Schedules

Posted by Lynn Moore

Halloween morning! In my area the weather is chilly, but pleasant. There is no rain on the window to suggest that Halloween fun will be dampened. It does, however, feel like a lull before the storm. Here are some early morning thoughts on a family-friendly schedule for kids with ADHD.

Decide what exactly will be involved in the Halloween madness. Will there be trick-or-treating? If so, think about who will supervise (parent) as well as which friends will go along. Adding people as you go door to door might seem like fun, but it is building a train that can quickly send the ADHD child out of control. If you plan to attend a festival, it is equally important to plan who will go and how long you will be there.

Consider the evening’s regular routine. Letting your child know this morning that the bedtime routine will be the same can avoid many conflicts this evening.

Have a candy plan. Half the fun of Halloween is just getting the candy. Kids may think that they want (need) an open invitation to munch from the “loot” in the days ahead. Most, however, will welcome some guidelines regarding how much and how often to enjoy. There are lots of great ways to enjoy the candy besides just eating it. Check out these Halloween candy learning games.

If the raining is pouring where you live, not all is lost. Halloween books and word games are always an option.

Whatever schedule you plan for your child, enjoy the events. . . They really do grow up too quickly.

ADHD Kids and Pets

Posted by Lynn Moore

As a parent, you may be thinking that one more thing to juggle on the schedule is the last thing you need to do. Having a pet, though, offers lots of perks for the family with an ADHD child.

Pets need schedules – for feeding, walking, and bathing. Having a consistent, simple pet care schedule can teach the child with ADHD to plan ahead and be responsible. This can carry over to other household chores and homework responsibilities. Schedules are vital for the success of kids with ADHD.

Pets need someone to play with them and some (dogs) need to be walked. Sometimes, the extra energy in these tasks is just want the doctor ordered. Kids with ADHD can use up energy and take care of the dog. Settling in for homework or accepting bedtime is much easier.

Pets offer unconditional love. They are great listeners, and at the end of a challenging day everyone needs a best friend to confide in. Read more about the health benefits of having a pet.

Truly, pets are not for every child or every family. They are a responsibility, and they do cost money. Consider these tips from the Humane Society before making this decision for your family.

If you decide that something large (like a dog or cat) is not going to work, you may consider something smaller. Hamsters, for example, are entertaining, require minimal care, and do not have to be walked. The ultimate calming pet, of course, is a fish. . . It may be just what everyone needs to watch as they unwind from the day’s stress.

ADHD Kids at Church

Posted by Lynn Moore

Sunday morning - in many households, a time for families to attend church services. However, the change in routine and expectations can be tough for kids with Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder and their parents. Instead of struggling through and hoping all will go well, I would like to encourage you to try some of these tips.

Talk with your spouse about the things that you would like to see happen on Sunday morning. From the get-go the routine on Sunday mornings are different. Everyone gets ready at the same time, instead of at the staggered routine during the week. Some families also plan to have a "big" family breakfast that morning. What are the wake up plans for your family? How can they be simplified so that getting to church is not so stressful?

Plan what services and activities you will attend. For many families this is a given, but in others there is not a consistent plan. If children with ADHD understand and can plan on the sequence of the day, they will be better able to function without acting out or meltdown.

Talk with your child about expectations during the actual worship service. Is your child old enough to listen to the sermon? Are there children's activity pages for younger children? If so, when would you like your child to use those? After the music is finished? Also talk about bathroom expectations. If a child knows that he should make that stop before church and then not leave during the service, he will get used to that routine.

Having a calm family worship experience is truly a matter of planning, expectations, and practice . . . like every area of life for the child with ADHD.

Calendar Skills for Deaf Kids

Posted by Lynn Moore

Have you turned the page to October on your calendar yet? The changing month is a great opportunity to introduce or reinforce vocabulary with your child.

Talk about the names of the months. Go back to January and turn the pages saying the name of each month. Say Last month was ____. This month is _______. Next month will be ________.

Do calendar math. Count the number of months, or count the days in October. For older kids, try counting by twos (even or odd numbers). Ask your child to show you a specific number. Or point to a number, and your child what it is.

Discuss seasons, holidays, and birthdays. Calendars that truly reflex the season are best for this. Consider using family photos that emphasize the seasons to create your own calendar for next year.

Countdown to Christmas. Not to add stress to the quickly approaching holidays, number the days until Christmas so that it shows how many days are left. Let your child cross off each day/number as you go.

Designate a calendar just for your child. Perhaps you will post it on the refrigerator, or perhaps you will give your child a calendar to carry around. Dollar stores offer colorful calendars for this purpose.

Above all, consider the precious days that you have with your child. Each one grows up way too quickly. As you take time to talk about calendars, enjoy the time with your child. Perhaps there is something that can be marked off your own calendar that will allow more time for parent-child exploration of the world.

Homework and ADHD Kids

Posted by Lynn Moore

Although everyone agrees that the ADHD child needs a quiet place to study, away from distractions, that place may be hard to define. Often parents talk about the child’s bedroom as a study/homework location. It is away from family noise of TV, voices, etc. It is free from distractions – right?

Actually, the ADHD child’s bedroom may be one of the last rooms to choose for homework time. Think of all the distractions in the room that is decorated for the child and where many of his possessions are stored. Even the sound distractions are there since most kids have radio, iPod, TV, computer, etc. in their bedrooms.

Some families have a designated place that is close to a parent’s supervision, but away from the bustle of the family’s activity and the distractions of the child’s room. This location might even be the kitchen table AFTER the family has moved on from dinner to other parts of the house. Perhaps the homework location is the dining room or even a space in the living room (if other family members are downstairs watching TV). If your home is limited on space, consider the parents’ bedroom with a small desk or folding table.

Too often parents of child with ADHD hover to make sure the homework is complete. Try to stay nearby, engaged in your own responsibilities (laundry, bills, etc.), and allow the child to “work”. Often parents are surprised to see the work get done with the right environment and consistent expectations.

What works best for your ADHD child? Please join me in a discussion on this topic . . . Lynn

Autistic Children and Noise

Posted by Lynn Moore

Sensitivity to loud sounds is a common characteristic of autism. Loud sounds (a fire alarm, the typical “noise” of an auditorium of people, or even the sound through computer headphones) can trigger crying, covering the ears, a quick escape from the room. . . or even a meltdown. Although this may seem baffling to parents, caregivers, and teachers they can guide children in ways to deal with noisy situations.

Preparation can be helpful in some cases. “Higher functioning” children who have Asberger’s Syndrome often benefit from preparation for noisy environments. If they know it will be loud, they will not be startled. Additionally it will help if the child understands that he will have a way to leave the noisy environment. Parents can set up a signal for the child to use to communicate that the noise is too much and the child needs to leave. Tthe child may point to his ear and shake his head no; he may use simple sign language; or perhaps he will use a picture from a communication system such as the PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System). Some autistic children are willing to wear earplugs that will muffle the intensity of the sound but not block it out completely.

Some high-volume situations are tolerable if the child knows he has a way out, or if he will be there only a short time. Other situations may be better avoided altogether. Please join me in a discussion on The Autistic Child in Noisy Environments.

~ Lynn

The Autism Spectrum

Posted by Lynn Moore

It is becoming more commonplace for people to talk of autism. Saying, however, that a child is autistic or is on the Autism Spectrum can mean many things. The spectrum ranges from not speaking and severe sensory involvement to communication difficulty and lack of awareness of certain social cues.

Children who may be considered to have more severe autism characteristics may use an alternate means of communication (such as PECS - the Picture Exchange Communication System created by Andrew Bondy). They may be totally engrossed by items that can be dangled. They may become overloaded with certain sensory stimuli (such as bright lights or sounded), demonstrate tactile defensiveness, or they may crave sensory input through brushing, jumping on a trampoline, or swinging.

Children on the “other end” of the spectrum are sometimes referred to as having Asberger’s Syndrome. These children are higher functioning intellectually. Often, they are very bright. Communication can be difficult, however, with what is said often interpreted literally. In addition, these children seem to be unaware of social cues such as facial expression and body language.

The Autism Society of America has additional information on the range of characteristics of children on the Autism Spectrum including information which can be downloaded for free.

Autism awareness ribbons and car magnets remind us that the cause of autism and ways to fully address the sensory, communication, and educational needs of children with autism are still (in many ways) a puzzle. Please join us in sharing ideas that work and questions for discussion.

Computers Assist Special Need Kids

Posted by Lynn Moore

High quality graphics are interesting to kids. A child with special needs who might be easily distracted or not interested in a learning topic will often pay close attention to the right computer program. . . Often this attention lasts longer than attention to other learning situations.

The immediate reinforcement of answers provides optimum learning. The child with special needs does not need to wait for his turn to work with an adult to find out if his answer is correct. He knows right away; he sees the correct answer; and he moves on to the next problem.

Lots of levels can be addressed with the right computer programs. There are math programs for children who are learning to count. There are math programs for children who are learning addition facts. There are programs for child learning Algebra. There are programs for every level of math (for example) that falls between.

Although computer learning is a great way for the child with special needs to build skills, programs must be chosen with care. Parents and teachers should consider the following when choosing appropriate programs:

The Level of the Material How the Material Is Presented Is it presented by sound? With visual examples?
What Kind of Reinforcement Is Given Does the child get immediate feedback on whether or not his answer is correct? Is he given more practice on the types of things that are difficult?
The Speed of the Program Does the program allow for the time the child with special needs requires to process or physically answer a question? Does the program count off for speed?

It is Back-to-School time . . . and in this day and age that often means back-to-the-computer time as well. Take a few minutes to research computer programs that will address the special needs of your child. . . Lynn

Activities for Special Needs Kids

Posted by Lynn Moore

What kinds of activities are often choices for kids with disabilities?

Sports Many kids who have special needs in the classroom are very good at sports. Just because a child has a learning disability, for example, does not mean he cannot shoot baskets or make that winning goal for his team.
Clubs Some kids with special needs enjoy the friendships and activities that come with club membership. A high school student who is looking for social activities with peers might love to work on the homecoming float or go on the restaurant outings with a foreign language club.
Scouts Scouts (and other, similar organizations) offer regular meetings that provide purpose and teach responsibility. Badges and other form of recognition are great motivators and build self-esteem.
Choirs If a child is musically inclined, a church choir, for children or youth, is another activity that will be fun and provide social interaction with peers. Again, a learning disability says nothing about a child’s interest or ability in music.
Church Groups Churches offer activities for all ages: meals, outings, camps, and just plain get-togethers. Kids learn and have fun at the same time.

Considerations Before Letting Your Child Sign Up

Is this activity developmentally appropriate for your child?
Is your child able to take on something else to do?
Is there enough adult supervision involved?
Will your child’s disability impact his involvement in the activity? If so, how will that be?
Will you need to discuss your child’s needs with the leader or coach ahead of time?

Activities that are carefully chosen can be wonderful social outlets and motivators to get homework and house chores done. Careful selection is important, but the right activity is sure to be found.

Playtime Guidance Special Needs

Posted by Lynn Moore

Certainly every household is different and every child is unique. This is true of the child’s individual personality, strengths, and weaknesses as well as his specific needs because of the disability. Nonetheless, parents and caregivers must make a choice about playtime. Here are some things to consider. After you have read my thoughts, I encourage you to vote in our poll and jump in on the discussion.

Time to Relax One way to think of playtime is that it is the child’s time to relax – no therapies, no lessons, no encouragement to try things that are new, difficult, and perhaps uncomfortable. We are in a busy society, and we know that children with special needs often maintain a schedule that can challenge the pace of most business professionals.
Time to Try New Things A second way to approach playtime is that it is a time for new experiences. While these may not be lessons per se, these experiences should build the background knowledge of the child. New vocabulary will come with the experiences, and undoubtedly there will be opportunity to practice skills learned in school.
Another Way to Learn A third way to consider playtime is to see it as an opportunity to mesh fun and systematic learning. In other words, we won’t be planning a trip to the zoo because it is fun and our child might learn some new things. We will plan a trip to the zoo because our child just finished a unit on zoo animals in school and we must practice zoo words.

Naturally I am playing the devil’s advocate here. There is a natural blend that is important. What are your thoughts? ~ Lynn

Signing Santa for Hearing Impaired

Posted by Lynn Moore

A sign outside a bank in my town encourages people to sign up now for the Christmas Club. The last payment will be on them. Other folks start to put toy in layaway as soon as the back-to-school shopping is completed. Here is a group in Tulsa., Oklahoma planning now to make Christmas merry for children in their area who are deaf.

WHO Total Source for Hearing Loss and Accesswww.tsha.cc
WHAT Holiday Party for Deaf children and their families - Santa and Mrs. Claus are Deaf!
WHERE TSHA - Tulsa, OK
WHEN First weekend of December every year
WHY It is so important for children with hearing loss to be able to enjoy childhood experiences such as asking Santa for things at Christmas time.
MORE INFORMATION Contact Diana Higgins8740 E. 11th StreetTulsa, OK 74112918-832-8742

Are you interested in finding out more about the Signing Santa experience in general? Try reading Signing Santas.

Do you know about a Signing Santa event? Now is the time for us to let people know. Email me so I can pass the word in this blog. Until then - Merry Christmas . . . in August! . . .Lynn

What are other ways you can boost language and vocabulary during the holidays? What about promoting speech and language skills during holidays other than Christmas (Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, or Halloween)? Kids love those special times of the year. Parents and teachers want to make the most of those natural language prompts.

Swim Lessons for Disabled Children

Posted by Lynn Moore

Nature and Severity of the Disability

What is involved in the child’s disability? Are there behavioral or physical needs to consider? Is the child easily distracted? Can he hear? (Many children with hearing loss cannot hear the same in the pool setting because of the acoustics. In addition, they must remove hearing aids and cochlear implant processors to be in the water.

Age and Maturity of the Child

Is the child old enough AND mature enough for swimming lessons?

The Pool Itself

Consider these aspects of the pool.

Is it indoor or outdoor?
What is the size and depth of the pool?
Does the pool have diving boards or slides?

Other Children in the Class

Consider whether or not other child will be in the class. If the answer is yes, parents will want to think about the number of children and whether or not they, too, have disabilities. While social inclusion with peers is important, it is also important to make sure that the lessons and activities will be at the child’s developmental level.

Number of Staff Members and Volunteers

Some aspects of class size are diminished based on having additional staff members or volunteers. The pupil to teacher ratio must be carefully decided according to the needs of the children.

Training and Experience of Staff Members and Volunteers

Those teaching or helping with the class should have appropriate swim instructor training and certification (including lifeguard certification). They also should be aware and knowledgeable about the child’s disability. Swim class time is definitely not the time to keep information about the child’s needs private. It is expected that the staff will treat such information with professionalism and confidentiality.

While most children with a disability can learn to swim, the situation in which these children are taught must heavily involve the unique needs of the child. I would love you have you jump in on this one. (No pun intended!) Read the posts already on this topic.

Language Delays and Sno Cones

Posted by Lynn Moore

Why go to a sno cone stand?

Besides the fact that sno cones taste great and can cool off every member of your family, the sno cone stand offers other benefits for the child with disabilities.

Oral motor skills are easy to address with a favorite flavor of sno cone. Encourage your child to lick the sno cone as well as any syrup that is running down the container. For more reluctant kids, parents can "paint" the sides of their lips with the sweet mixture. Those tongues will naturally come out to lick it off. Remember that strengthening the tongue is an important skill for speaking.
Language development is sure to happen while you are ordering and enjoying that shaved or crushed iced. Who would have guessed that adding a little flavored syrup could have such great outcomes?

What langugae can be learned there?

Words for temperature can be used at the sno cone stand. It was hot enough to go in the first place. Then the cold sno cone will cool your child off.
Words for texture describe if the ice is chunky, smooth, soft, or hard.
Words for color can include the many shades of cone: red, yellow, blue, purple, brown, pink, orange, etc.
Words for taste can range from sweet to sour.
Social language phrases are important such as Please and thank you.

What are some similar language-building outings?

The ice cream stand
The donut shop
The pizza shop
The candy store

Where will you take your child with special needs today? Remember, it is all in the name of learning!

If you are looking for other great Fourth of July ideas read Building Cognitive Skills with Fourth of July Fun Pages and Tactile Defensiveness and Fourth of July Foods.

Books for Special Needs Readers

Posted by Lynn Moore

Several book lines are published by Sterling Publishing that meet the needs of early or struggling readers.

Easy Reader I’m Going to Read Series

This line includes books with as few as 50 words so that even the very beginning reader will feel confident to attempt reading it. The stories include contemporary titles such as:

Sometimes I Share
In a Scary Old House
Found an Apple
The Big Red Blanket
Christmas is Coming.

Other stories in this line address travel:

I’m Going to Washington to Visit the President
I’m Going to Boston to Visit the Ducks
I’m Going to New York to Visit the Lions

Early Learning Activity Books

This line combines early learning skills (counting, ABCs) with fine motor skills of connecting two dots or circling a word. Titles in this line include:

Dot to Dot Count to Ten
First Word Search: Reading Is Fun
First Word Search: Phonics Puzzles

Easy Reader Classics

This line is for the child with older interested (grade 3-5) who struggles with reading. Titles include such children’s classics as Tom Sawyer, the Jungle Book, Doctor Dolittle, Treasure Island, and The Wind in the Willows. The difference is the rewritten text that makes tackling these classics less daunting for the struggling reader. For example, Tom Sawyer is broken into multiple, shorter books:

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer #1: A Song for Aunt Polly
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Book #2: The Best Fence Painter
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer #3: The Birthday Boy
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer #4: The Spelling Bee.

Are you looking for more information on encouraging your special needs child to read? Read how books can promote language skills in children with special needs as well as how the comic book craze impacts beginning and struggling readers.

Grown Up Special Needs Kids

Posted by Lynn Moore

Obviously, this question can have many answers. It depends on the child, the family, the type and extent of the disability, and opportunity. Nonetheless, parents want to know: What should we expect? What should we be doing right now?

Let's use the discussion board this week to talk about the experience of parents whose children are adults (who just happen to have a special education need) and the experience of parents who are currently raising children with special needs.

The discussion may include (but certainly would not be limited to):

Postsecondary education or training is the topic of a previous article.
Work
Sheltered workshops
Socialization
Independent skills
Living alone
Group homes
Travel
Dating and marriage
Having children
Religious activity
Finances
Health issues
Insurance
Communication
Self-concept
Interaction with siblings
Leisure activities
Daily living skills
Public transportation
Relationship with siblings
Relationship with extended family
Diet
Exercise
Fun
Personal safety
Pets
Assistive devices
Hospitalization
Mental health
Parents' health
Living at home

What would you like to discuss on this topic? What organizations or books have been particularly helpful? Would you (parents of grown children) do anything differently? What are the things that you wish someone would have told you?

Parents of younger children - What concerns do you have that are not on my list? What things are working well for you? Are there any things that you are trying that are considered new or innovative that you would like to share?

Lynn

Vacationing and Special Needs Kids

Posted by Lynn Moore

She wrote: I have a severely disabled child and I want to take her on a vacation and I cannot find any place to go. I have a 12 year old son that I will take too and I want to be able to do things with him as well. Are there any cruises or trips that can provide a special companion to assist with my child?

What are your thoughts, experiences, and suggestions for vacationing with a child with special needs? Can you recommend certain places? Has anyone gone on a cruise as this reader asked? Are there places you have gone that you would NOT recommend? What about family camps or camps specifically for children with a particular disability? What type of travel arrangements have worked best for your family? What things have not worked so well?

Before any kind of travel, I would encourage you to read my article, Special Needs for Holiday Travel, for handy tips on planning and questions to ask. While it addresses holiday travel, many of the tips are appropriate for general vacation planning. Let's face it, most trips are better if planned for the big things (accessible accommodations, developmentally appropriate activities with physical needs met). After that, it is best to 'go with the flow' and know that the best devised plans will not always be possible.

Let's use this question to start a discussion on the topic of vacationing and the child with special needs.

Special Needs Math Skills

Posted by Lynn Moore

Parents of disabled children can use the coming of summer to boost math skills.

Say Goodbye to School

Use a large, posterboard calendar from a teacher supply store.
Mark the last day of school as well as end of the year activities.
Write the number of days until the end of school on the calendar.
Each day, have your child cross off the number to see how many days are left.

Get Ready for Summer

Use another posterboard calendar to plot out the next month.
Mark regular summer activities (like swimming lessons).
Also mark events, trips, and other occassions. A single word, sticker, or picture works well.
Show a general at-home summer plan as well. (Do you plan to clean out one drawer everyday the first week? Add that to the calendar.)

Why Count Down?

Counting down (backwards) gives practice to skills necessary for subtraction.
Awareness of upcoming events reduces stress.
Calendar skills are important life skills.

Calendars are often used with disabled children as outlined in Parents of the child with a disablity will want to start early to build (and promote) a summer schedule that works.

More Summer Ideas that Work Well with Calendar Skills

1. Develop a summer reading schedule with the struggling reader.

2. Use calendars to prepare for houseguests and siblings returning from college.

3. Teach basic counting, days of the week, and names of months with calendars.

Few adults will make a serious commitment without checking a calendar. The coming of summer is a perfect time to foster that responsibility with children with special needs.

Addressing Reading Disabilities

Posted by Lynn Moore

Are you looking for books to boost your child’s interest in reading? Of course, many kinds, or genres, are on the book shelves. Some people love to read mysteries; some love to read history. Many children and teens with disabilities love graphic novels.

Graphic novels provide lots of picture prompts.
The pictures show step by step what is happening.
The text in graphic novels is short and sweet.
It is clear from the dialog balloons exactly who is speaking.
The slap stick humor in many graphic novels appeals to the sense of humor.
Graphic novels look cool.

What kind of graphic novels are available?

Beginning readers (such as those published in the Phonics Comics series by Innovative Kids)
Picture storybooks in graphic novel format
True comic books
Classics and other books rewritten into graphic novel format

What other kinds of books are good reads for children with reading disabilities?

Any of the numerous learn-to-read series that are on the market
Books with repeating text
Books with a strong connection between the pictures and the words
Beginning chapter books
Hi/lo books (high interest level/low reading skill required)

Activities to Encourage Disabled Children to Read

Listen to parents read
Read with a parent (taking turns for every other page)
Joining a library book club
Reading books for prizes at school (theme park tickets, free fast food, school prizes)
Reading to a younger sibling, a doll, a pet, etc.

And . . . the number one way to encourage children with disabilities to read is to let them see YOU reading!

Easter Egg Hunts and Vocabulary

Posted by Lynn Moore

Read a Book About Easter Eggs

Here are some book choices that are clear explanations of Easter egg hunts:

Easter Egg Hunt (A Razzle Dazzle Book) by Chuck Murphy
Maisy's Easter Egg Hunt by Lucy Cousins
The Great Easter Egg Hunt by Mary Packard
Spot's First Easter by Eric Hill
I Need an Easter Egg! by Harriet Ziefert
What's in Your Basket? by Jane Gerver

Practice Looking for Eggs at Home Beforehand

Talk about where the eggs are (under, in, behind, on, next to).
Talk about putting the eggs in the basket and continuing to hunt. The eating will come later!

Talk About What to Expect at an Egg Hunt

Where will it be?
Will there be lots of people?
Do kids hunt eggs fast?
Will it be fun?

Enjoy the Hunt

Sometimes people can be a little competitive when it comes right down to the hunt. If parents seem to be enjoying it, children will as well. Remember that this is an unfamiliar activity for the child with special needs. He will especially be looking to his parents for how to react.

Talk about the Eggs Afterwards

What kind of eggs did you get?
How many are yellow (blue, green, etc.)?
How many things are not eggs?

Above all, have fun . . . and don't forget your camera!

Springtime Vocab for Disabled Kids

Posted by Lynn Moore

General Routine

The days are longer. Bedtime may not look like bedtime any longer.

Weather

The weather is warmer. Changes in temperature and spring storms offer lots to talk about.

Clothing

Based on the weather, everyone must make clothing choices. Talk about what kind of clothes we wear in the spring.

The Outside World

What is happening outside? The grass is turning green; flowers are blooming; trees are getting leaves; and birds are building nests.

Chores

What chores are different in the spring? Include your child in a reasonable level of yard work, or have him help with planting flowers, vegetables, etc.

What about the family dog? A bath outside or a family walk is a great way to teach about pet responsibility while having fun.

Activity

Talk about how the spring influences your family’s activity schedule. Are your evenings and weekends filled with ballgames and practices? Do you go camping?

Many children with disabilities are reluctant to change. Even small changes in routine can be upsetting for them. Some automatically go into a control mode. This is their way of trying to make things predictable. The changes of spring do not have to make your child’s comfort level dissolve. Rather, talk about the changes well ahead of them happening to see more confidence and a boost to vocabulary.

Disabled Kids and Spring Play

Posted by Lynn Moore

This afternoon I went to the grocery store. As I walked down the ‘seasonal’ aisle of sidewalk chalk, jump ropes, and bubbles I remember all the wonderful surprises that my parents had given to my children over the years. Of course, there were (and continue to be) many large surprises and gifts, but my grocery shopping today reminded me of the impromptu, backyard fun gifts that seemed to appear at every visit. Hula hoops were always a favorite.

Ways to encourage skills in special needs kids with hula hoops:

Talk about circles. Talk about BIG. Look for circles (big and small).
Talk about color. Look for other items that are the same color.
Talk about how the hula hoop can roll. Practice rolling the hula hoop on edge. (Be careful that this is not near a street.)
Talk about in and out. With the hula hoop on the ground or floor, step into the hoop. Say I am in. Step out of the hula hoop and say I am out. Repeat with your child and with various toys or stuffed animals.
Try hula hooping. Your child will love the fun of Mommy or Daddy doing this. You can talk about the hoop going round and round . . if it stays up.

Have a wonderful spring day!

Special Needs Kids - Time Change

Posted by Lynn Moore

Changes in routine (even seemingly slight) can cause a number of problems for children with special needs and their families. This is particularly true of children who depend highly on the predictability of a schedule. Children who are hearing impaired, autistic, or cognitively delayed may fall into this category.

Here are some steps for parents of kids with special needs to make the time change a little smoother.

Explain Expectations Use a chart or simple home-made book to explain the times that you wish things to be done. These expectations should be fairly straight forward (so you can add an easily understood picture) and few in number.
Practice Basic Telling Time It is easiest for the child to have the times be on-the-hour or half hour times. You may wish to add a picture of what the clock will look like at the times on the schedule. Some children will need the clock pictures to be digital.
Ease into the Change This is especially important at mealtime and bedtime. Although you will want to target the time on the schedule, your child’s body is on a different clock. At bedtime, for example, you may need to add a little time to the winding down and actually falling asleep until the time change sinks in.
Be Flexible The time changing is hard for everyone. Remember that the old schedule did not happen over night. The same will be true with the adjustment to the new time. Be patient and consistent in working toward the goal.

HEATH Resource Center

Posted by Lynn Moore

If you have a child with a disability in junior high or high school, I encourage you to check out the HEATH Resource Center website. This government center is housed at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., but it has an incredible number of online resources (publications and links). The following are a few areas of information found there.

Summer Preparatory Programs are often good ways for students with disabilities to work on basic academic skills in a supported, yet independent environment. Get Summer Prep Program information here.

Postsecondary Education Programs

Financial Assistance Links - Financial aid for students with disabilities has some additional components. HEATH has outlined financial aid information here.

Postsecondary Vocational Program Listings

Information for High School Guidance Counselors is available free of charge in either paper copy or online. Get information for counselors here.

If your child is too young to be planning post high school specifics, you will still find the site a valuable resource with articles pertaining to the education of younger students with disabilities as well including an extensive Resource Directory. As with every aspect of a child's future, it is never too early to start planning.

Special Needs Language and Books

Posted by Lynn Moore

For the month of March, kids with special needs can make a birthday card for The Cat in the Hat. It is a great way to practice fine motor skills on the computer. Here is how it works.

Special needs kids can be a part of helping other kids learn to read. Random House and First Book are working together so that children from financially-troubled families can receive new books. For every electronic birthday card sent one book will be donated. Here are the details about sending a birthday card to The Cat.

The Seuss books were written by Dr. Seuss, a psychologist who was well aware of language development. The antics of Seuss' characters such as the Cat captivate preschoolers. They want to hear the silly, often rhyming words again and again.

The illustrations are of outrageously interesting characters like the Lorax, a fox, and a fish who talks. The words of the text are carefully chosen to develop language, phonemic awareness, early reading skills, and lots and lots of fun! The predictability of the text builds language and reading confidence.

How can parents of a child with a disability use these classic favorites to build speech and language?

Build animal vocabulary. In the Dr. Seuss books parents of special needs kids have intriguing material to practice dog, cat, bird, fish, and fox.
Explore concept words that teach up/down, on/off.
Practice sight words. The Seuss books offer rhyming pairs that are perfect practice for the emergent reader: fish/dish, fox/socks, cat/hat, hop/pop.

Why do these books foster reading development in children who struggle to read?

The Dr. Seuss books offer recognized, tried-and-true ways to build reading and language skills (as outlined above), but equally important, kids want to read them. And they want to read them again and again. Who wouldn’t want to revisit such fun friends?

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