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 [...]
For over 60 years, Mental Health America and its affiliates across the United States have led the observance of May is Mental Health Month by reaching millions of people through the media and local events. Pathways to Wellness is the theme for 2013. Canadians have set aside May 6 -12 as Mental Health Week (MHW) [...]
One of the key elements to gross motor skills is balance. Balance allows control of movements during stationary (static) as well as moving (dynamic) tasks like laying, sitting, crawling, walking, or running. How Balance Works Ears play a large role in balance due to the vestibular system which arises in the inner ear and is [...]
Part Five is the final post of a series that concentrates on the inherent benefits of play for children with special needs. In this post we focus on how toys and the experience of play help with social development. Part One was devoted to toys and the development of gross motor skills. Part Two of the [...]
Parenting or teaching a child with autism spectrum disorder is both challenging and rewarding. The adults in the lives of children with autism have to organize their home or classroom environment to make it a pleasant place where these kids can thrive. Caregivers have to understand the characteristics of kids on the spectrum and know [...]
In occupational therapy, there are many ways to use motivating technology to address specific fine motor, sensory processing and sensory-motor skills. Here is a parent’s guide to apps and game systems that will keep children entertained while also assisting in their development. iPads & Tablets Games such as Temple Runand Fruit Ninja help with visual [...]
March 21st 2013 marks the 8th anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), an awareness day which is officially observed world-wide. In an article on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site, I found that 1 of every 700 babies born in the United States each year is born with Down syndrome. This being [...]
This is Part Four of a series of posts that will concentrate on the inherent benefits of play for children with special needs. In this post we focus on how toys and the experience of play help with cognitive development. Part One was devoted to toys and the development of gross motor skills. Part Two of [...]
Every year About.Com the 32nd Biggest Website in the U.S. holds the Readers Choice Awards. The contest highlight the best products, features and services across a wide variety of topics (Disclosure: Friendship Circle was the winner of the Favorite Regional Special Needs Resource Category). This year five special needs apps were nominated for a Readers Choice [...]
Social interactions don’t come easy for children with Asperger Syndrome, Autism and other special needs. Many children with special needs need to be taught social skills and appropriate behavior the same way other kids are taught math and spelling. One of the most well known ways of teaching social skills is through reading social stories. Social stories help children [...]
