Blog Archives - Page 3 of 18 - KidCompanions Chewelry & SentioCHEWS

What Is Irlen Syndrome? What Are the Symptoms? by Lauren Brukner, MS, OTR/L

What Is Irlen Syndrome? What Are the Symptoms? by Lauren Brukner, MS, OTR/L

I reviewed a book whose author has two children with Irlen syndrome and was happy to learn another author could tell us all about it! On Irlen.com I learned, ” Irlen Syndrome (also referred to at times as Meares-Irlen Syndrome, Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, and Visual Stress) is a perceptual processing disorder. It is not an optical problem. It is a problem with the brain’s ability to process visual information. This problem tends to run in families and is not currently identified by other standardized educational or medical tests. This problem can manifest itself differently for each individual. This problem is not remediable and is often a lifetime barrier to learning and performance.”

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Is It a Chewy or a Fidget? SentioCHEWS and KidCompanions Chewelry Chew Necklaces Are BOTH!

Is It a Chewy or a Fidget? SentioCHEWS and KidCompanions Chewelry Chew Necklaces Are BOTH!

Is It a Chewy or a Fidget? Both our lines of chew necklaces, SentioCHEWS and KidCompanions Chewelry, are sensory toys that are both used as a mouth fidget and a hand fidget. 

Now SentioLife Solutions, Ltd. has two very different chew necklaces in its COST, FEEL and its LOOK. Children with autism (ASD), sensory processing disorder (SPD), ADHD, Tourette syndrome, Down syndrome, FASD, etc. are very sensitive to certain materials and some prefer our original KidCompanions Chewelry on the market since 2007 while others really like our new SentioCHEWS. Our newest sensory toy was launched in Nov. of 2013. What is the story behind these two chew necklaces and are they used as a chewy, a fidget, or are they both?

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Integrated Listening Systems (iLs) – Multi-sensory Program for Improving Brain Function by Lauren Brukner, MS, OTR/L

Integrated Listening Systems (iLs) – Multi-sensory Program for Improving Brain Function by Lauren Brukner, MS, OTR/L

This guest post on Integrated Listening Systems (iLs)  is written by Lauren Brukner, MS, OTR/L. Lauren is the author of The Kids’ Guide to Staying Awesome and in Control: Simple Stuff to Help Children Regulate Their Emotions and Senses, and we thank her for writing another guest post to introduce her book on our Special Needs Book Review site.

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How Weighted Products Provide Proprioceptive Sensory Input

How Weighted Products Provide Proprioceptive Sensory Input
So many problems, so many choice, so many decisions…Parents of children with special needs must feel overwhelmed so many times! This post answers questions regarding weighted products. What weighted products are available for children to provide proprioceptive sensory input? How do weighted products help? Weighted products are used to diffuse tension and help promote a sense of calmness and comfort by using, for example, a cozy weighted blanket to enhance sensory integration. The blanket is perfect for bundling up while promoting relaxation and sensory feedback.
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12 Tips to Help Your Sleep Deprived Teen Fall Asleep Earlier and Easier

12 Tips to Help Your Sleep Deprived Teen Fall Asleep Earlier and Easier

Parents must educate their sleep deprived teens about the importance of sleep, just as they educate them about exercise, nutrition, drug and alcohol use. Teens with a sleep deficit are unable to concentrate, study, drive, and work effectively and safely. They can also experience emotional problems, like depression and are at greater risk of having suicidal thoughts.

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Raising a Girl with Autism – Asperger’s In Pink by Julie Clark ~ Book Review

Raising a Girl with Autism – Asperger’s In Pink by Julie Clark ~ Book Review

This post introduces you to one of my favorite special needs parenting books. If you are raising a girl with autism you will appreciate this book. I just wrote a review of it for our Special Needs Book Review site. It is Asperger’s in Pink ~ Pearls of Wisdom from Inside the Bubble of Raising a Child with Asperger’s by “Julie Clark.  

Julie writes about her family as they learn how to care for their daughter with Asperger’s syndrome. Even though this book fills the need for a resource for families and educators of a girl with autism, it is also very beneficial for all parents of a special needs child because many aspects of the Clark’s family struggle apply to all. These parents will learn from Julie Clark’s experience as they also sift through the EAS (Educational Alphabet Soup) IEP, 504, PAT, FAPE, CSE, OT…

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Academic Accommodations for Mental Health Problems: Know Your Rights

Academic Accommodations for Mental Health Problems: Know Your Rights

This post about academic accommodations was first published in May 26, 2010. Today, March 2016 we have updated the content and the links to help parents and young adults with mental health issues or other special needs to know their right to academic accommodations while pursuing courses in community colleges, university, and any other post-secondary education.

Parents of 5 year old children going off to primary school, think it is difficult to see their little one leave the nest. Seeing an older teen with mental health problems going off to university can make parents sick with worry. For all of you who are about to face the same situation, read on to find out the kind of academic accommodations university students with mental illnesses are entitled to as are students with many other disabilities or challenging needs.

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Off The Page Hi-Lo eBooks: Easy-to-Read, High Interest eBooks for Teens and Young Adults

We have found the most beautiful hi-lo eBooks by a company called Off The PageOff The Page eBooks are fun, educational, easy-to-read books tailored to teens and young adult readers. The easy-to-read, high interest eBooks are made in New Zealand by Anne Russell and Rosemary Emery and used around the world. These beautiful eBooks are for adolescents and young adults with reading difficulties especially students with Down syndrome, autism, and learning disabilities. Make reading fun with these hi-lo eBooks designed with the needs and interests of mature students who are just beginning to read.

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Workbook on Child Sexual Abuse Prevention: Ms. P’s Lessons on Safety by Deepa A Kumar

The team at SentioLife Solutions received a message about something all our children should know about. Unfortunately many children are never told about this because their parents do not know HOW to tell them. I am talking about CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION. A mom from India hopes she has created solutions for parents that feature animated videos and books in a child friendly format which imparts the necessary Do’s and Don’ts to Stay Safe. This post informs you about a Workbook on Child Sexual Abuse Prevention: Ms.P’s Lessons on Safety by Deepa A Kumar

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Review Autism Spectrum Disorder SIBLING SUPPORT: 15 Practical Tips by Trish Thorpe

Review Autism Spectrum Disorder SIBLING SUPPORT: 15 Practical Tips by Trish Thorpe

On our Special Needs Book Review site we reviewed one of the four books Trish Thorpe has written titled   Autism Spectrum Disorder SIBLING SUPPORT: 15 Practical Tips for Parents and Caregivers.   For her Amazon.com book information, Trish Thorpe wrote, “There is perhaps no group in our society who is impacted more and recognized less than the siblings of disabled people. It’s time to highlight their needs. This handbook does just that. Updated annually, it provides parents and caregivers with insight and practical strategies for supporting the siblings of special-needs children.

By collaborating with a professional psychologist, the author was able to leverage the insight she learned from years of counseling about her lifelong relationship with her own Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) brother. The success of the collaboration is evident here — you’ll find a non-clinical yet spot-on understanding of special-needs sibling dynamics.

Short and to the point, the book starts by explaining the term “glass children” (i.e., the neurotypical, “see-through” child in the sibling relationship). Next you’ll find step-by-step suggestions (15 tips) for helping ASD siblings deal with day-to-day challenges such as understanding lopsided household rules, feeling loved and respected as an individual outside of their role as an ASD sibling, and comprehending the unique advantages of living in a special-needs family. This is an important resource for anyone wanting to understand and support ASD siblings.

(This handbook was updated in 2016 to include DSM-5 information.)”

See the links at the end of this post to our interview with Ms. Thorpe and to a guest post about her book on ASD sibling support.

Trish Thorpe also agreed to write the following guest post introducing her book on ASD sibling support.

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Book Review of Sensitive Sam Visits the Dentist by Marla Roth-Fisch

Book Review of Sensitive Sam Visits the Dentist by Marla Roth-Fisch

All parents will be pleased to learn about this amazing kid’s book on visiting the dentist. Sensitive Sam Visits the Dentist  written and illustrated by Marla Roth-Fisch helps all children overcome their fear of visiting the dentist.  This beautiful children’s book is packed with hints for parents on making a visit to the dentist a better experience. It is especially helpful for children with sensory processing disorder (SPD) and other special needs. Parents of kids on the autism spectrum appreciate Sensitive Sam Visits the Dentist because they can use it as a Social Story to prepare their child for their appointments to the dentist.   

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