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.

What have I been doing...

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I think back over the last twelve years or so to what has brought me to where I am today. The reasons that have contributed to me dropping the best pieces of me along the way. I know ultimately it has been my own fault for not holding on to these things beyond my faith and family that gave me joy, I have to accept my responsibility in this. But when I look back, I think what have I been doing?

I think my answer to that is taking care of my kids. I'm being a mom to two incredible kids who need little extra sometimes. I'm talking about kids with medical issues and a special needs. My daughter was born with a complex congenital heart defect and has 2 stents. She will always need work on her heart, it will be a life long process for her. She was diagnosed while I was 5 months pregnant. My son James is still in the diagnostic process. We know for certain he has Epilepsy, developmental delays and prominent Autistic traits. He works really hard at Speech, OT, PT and social skills. I guess me being diagnosed with Epilepsy 10 months after my son has been a big part of our lives, as well. Even though this may seem overwhelming and at times it can be, I feel like we are doing OK!

I know I will be alright because...

God wanted me to have these children...He knew I needed these children. The children that would help me value the very life He had given us all. I always think of "Punkin Doodle" coming into our lives as a revealing of a part of myself that I never knew I could be, but God knew. Once I knew that loving a child was so boundless, I couldn't wait for my "lil guy", but wait we did. When years later he came along, he was an answered prayer. We prayed so hard for him and although he now faces challenges, I will not complain about this answered prayer of mine because our Heavenly Father will reveal himself once again.

"Love is patience, Love is kind"....love is what we have.

~Kim

The Best Pieces Project

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The last few months, I have slowly been picking up the best pieces of me I have dropped along the way. I had noticed, like many (dare I say women) I'd lost the little things beyond my faith and family that brought me joy. Just the little things that were about me. Not selfish things but joys that expressed my creative side, joys I used to...enjoy! I know that through the years my focus has been needed elsewhere. God has given me two incredible children and if you ever met them you would totally agree. They just need a little extra in the health care department. More to come on that one. So, action number one on The Best Pieces Project, pick up the blog I started that I loved writing. When I was a kid, I loved to write stories and poems. Now, I love to share helpful ideas about anything, mostly about working with kids and how to help your kids get through the "hard stuff". I love to share how our heavenly Father helps us get through the "hard stuff", too. He is the best piece of me I will never drop along the way.

Pick up my blog I dropped along the way...check!

~Kim