One Sensory Bag To Go!

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My experience as a preschool teacher has helped me so much when raising my son who has Autism and Epilepsy.  I naturally shared experiences with him as I would with my students in a classroom and was giving him the early intervention he needed before I was able to get those who provide services to get on board!  I feel grateful for having the knowledge and having people in my life to guide me EXCESSIVELY.  However, I know this isn't the situation for most. I think that is why I am so excited about being able to share ideas with whomever may come across these writings.  My hope and prayer is that someone will find something they will be able to use that will help their child.  It's hard feeling like you have nothing to try to help your situation, I've been there!  Now, I have my lil "bag of tricks".  It's just my collection of things I do that rescue me in different situations: a calming song to sing or a favorite music video on the Ipod, a game to play on the fly, a backup plan, a fidget tucked in the car, pocket, purse you name it!

My lil guy has his own bag of tricks and we call it his Sensory Bag. We like the canvas,  drawstring backpack so he can easily get items in and out, yet wear it on his back.  Wearing it gives him a heavy work activity which helps him keep his body in check and we like that!  His bag is stocked with items he selects but will serve a purpose and will satisfy a sensory need.    Here is what is in his bag right now.

• Sporty wrist bands from dollar store for deep pressure
• Regular hair band to provide hands some resistance
• Mini bubbles from dollar store for blowing (heavy work) & distraction
• Spiky ball from dollar store for rubbing on hands, feet andback for sensory input
• Plastic straw for blowing air through or sucking drinks for heavy work
• Stuffed animal to cover ears to muffle sounds
• Beaded necklace from dollar store for sensory input
• Squishy bugs from dollar store for a hand fidget
• small toys that are from happy meals (must be 3, he likes these in 3s)  for playing
• chewing snack like nuts, fruit snack, pretzels for hunger & heavy work

Wrist bands, hairband. bubbles, straw, spiky ball



stuffed animal, necklace, squishy bugs

McD toys and chewy snack

We use the hairbands as a mini resistance bands to help get focused and to keep hands calm.

Here are some inexpensive bags:

Thousand Oaks Drawstring Backpack, Lavender
Olive N Figs Sunny Yellow Catch-All Jute Drawstring Backpack
Basic Drawstring Backpack - Black
UltraClub Value Drawstring Pack - White - One Size

Fall and All!

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Here is the 'Welcome to Fall ' post! 
I love fall, really who doesn't!   I do not care for Halloween at all...we could really skip it and my feelings wouldn't be hurt one bit.  My kids love to play dress up so, I enjoy seeing them in cute costumes all year long. Thanksgiving is the best.  It is my favorite holiday. I love the feel of fall, the look of fall and the great family fun that goes along with it!  It's just, well, we don't always do all the things we want to do or should I say what we think we want to do.

Like...

Want:  cover the inside of the house with Indian corn, gourds and cornstalks. Plant kale, mums and a massive hay bale display with scarecrows and pumpkins. Ahhh!   Doesn't that sound wonderful.  

Do: decorate our pumpkin people for the mantle and remember to get the carving pumpkin the day before Halloween.

Want: visit the local apple orchards often for our fresh apples for lunches and to make homemade pies and dumplings.

Do: get to a great country farm once to stockup on the last of the apples, a couple of small  pumpkins and watch the mechanical dinosaur crush the rotten ones.

The "want"s  usually don't ever happen but the "do"s always will and my kids can count on that and kids who need a "little extra" need something to count on.  I guess I 've accepted that I am who I am.  My son is who he is.  We can't move forward without accepting where we are.  Everyone's map needs a starting place to get where you need to go.

Besides...we really like roasted pumpkin seeds not apple dumplings.

Anyway it Doughs!

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On a particular day, this is what lil guy wanted to create. He was given the freedom to pile, to move, to mold and to stack playdough, cookie cutters and curly bubble blowers.   Maybe, it was tombs in a grave yard.  I mean, the timing was near Halloween. Maybe it was ducks on the pond, something we like to go and see.

What it ended up being actually isn't nearly as important as what he was doing: creating and bringing a thought to reality.  When we allow kids to bring their imaginations to life we allow their lil brains to grow and develop these awesome problem solving skills that ALL kids need to get through life.  Another very factual point...it's just down right FUN!!!

William Flewellen Heard: Artist

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The JOY from creating...expressing all that's inside is for EVERYONE! Yes.. it can be messy and yes that is OK!!

more from this amazing artist using a plastic spoon and a styrofoam ball to accomodate his grip

New Socks!

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My son and I love this song...it's just fun.  It makes me feel so totally cool without having to fake cough to cover up any bad words! 

Domo Goes to the Hospital

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About this time last year my son was in the hospital having a video EEG that lasted 7 days.  His head was wrapped up tight with wires and gauze.  He was not quite 5 and needed to be still.  

Boy + 5 = NOT STILL!  He luckily found Domo at 7-11 dressed up in a pumpkin for the Fall, so off to the hospital Domo went with us.  Whatever lil guy had done, so did Domo: blood pressure, pulse ox, head wrap and of course STICKERS! My lil guy had his buddy going through just what he was and it gave him an opportunity to help Domo be brave. 
Our children can be resilient when given the tools and the opportunity to be successful. Does it happen EVERY time? NOWAY!  There's going to be tears, screaming and getting frustrated ...not to mention what the kids will do! We shouldn't stop trying. We should always set an environment for our child to build on the next time they have a challenge and need to be brave. They will know they have another chance be the bravest of them all.





Cut & Paste: Bulletin Boards

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I like to cut and paste, but I'm not a a scrapbook person...ummm at least not yet.  Luckily, I get to make bulletin boards that allow me to use glue sticks to my heart's content. Purple, white or blue will do, I am not picky.  Here is a few of what I have done.