Summer vacation means a relatively relaxed daily routine. For my family, it’s the perfect time to model and teach life skills. Here are 10 summertime activities that introduce concepts in social skills, communication, organization, self-care and respect for self and others. 1. Get a library card Most public libraries have some type of summer reading [...]
For the last three weeks Friendship Circle has been running the Great Bike Giveaway, a nationwide contest where children with special needs can win an adaptive bike. Over 400 people entered the contest. Congratulations to the 29 winners of the Great Bike Giveaway! William William is a happy 6 year old boy who longs to ride [...]
Recently, I had the privilege of attending the CEC conference in Grand Rapids. While at the conference, I attended a session entitled, “Sane and Savvy Strategies for the Busy Teacher.” While at this session, I listened to the presenters, Erika Lusky and Julie Rains, share a comprehension game called Enbrighton that they created to help [...]
Sensory stories can be a great way to support children with special educational needs. We all learn from our senses everyday. A child with sensory impairments or physical disabilities may face practical barriers to this learning: they can’t see the picture; they can’t reach the toy. Children who experience sensory processing difficulties as part of [...]
Like most disabilities, individuals with Cerebral Palsy (CP) have different needs and abilities. While one individual may need a device to help with communicating, another may need special writing tools designed specifically for people with muscle strength problems. According to United Cerebral Palsy, Assistive Technology (AT) often plays a vital role in the lives of [...]
Did you know that the presence of guinea pigs in a room can increase social behaviors in children with autism? Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia recently published a study demonstrating a significant measurable increase in talking, smiling, laughing, looking at faces, making tactile contact and social approaches when children with autism and their [...]
Even though we never want to face it, there will come a time when we will no longer be here. This is especially difficult to face when you have a child with special needs. The thought of our special needs child being in this world without us is too much to bear. However, the lack [...]
For the last three weeks Friendship Circle has been running the Great Bike Giveaway, a nationwide contest where children with special needs can win an adaptive bike. To date there have been over 300 entries in the contest and there are six days left for more families with a special needs child to enter the [...]
In today’s day and age, almost everyone has some knowledge of autism – from news articles, TV shows or film, or from a personal relationship with someone with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The probability of knowing someone living with ASD is on the rise at an alarming rate. According to the United States Centers for [...]
I’m in a unique position in that my work life and my family life are incredibly intertwined; they have been for a while now. It allows me to pull learning and relationships through both to do my best work. The theme that seems to come up over and over again lately is encouraging others to [...]
