Sensory Processing Disorder Archives - Page 9 of 10 - KidCompanions Chewelry & SentioCHEWS

January 29, 2013

Delays in Speech and Language Development: How Speech Language Pathologists (SLP) Help

Asperger's, Autism, Blog, Feeding problems, Sensory Processing Disorder, Special needs children

The more I learn about children with special needs, the more I realize the importance for parents of pre-school children to be aware of the developmental milestones of their child from infant on. I had the pleasure of having Robin Sue Kahn, MS, CCC/SLP (speech language pathologist) twice on our Monday morning The Coffee Klatch Tweetchats when I was moderator. Ms. Kahn emphasized the importance of seeking help for your very young child the moment you notice delays in speech and language development. In Robin’s tweets, she mentioned speech-related disorders or difficulties in swallowing which is her line of work.

7 Comments

January 19, 2013

Students with Special Needs – Substitute Teacher: Proactive Steps to Make it Work

ADHD, Asperger's, Autism, Bipolar Mental Health, Blog, IEP Accommodations School, mental disorders/illness, Sensory Processing Disorder, Special needs children, special needs moms

Teaching in inclusive classrooms is very challenging. Being a substitute teacher or supply teacher in one is even more difficult. The school administrator and regular teacher can do a lot to make the transition to a substitute teacher go more smoothly for students with special needs. Parents also can prepare their child with special needs so they can accept this change and work well with the relief teacher or casual teacher. What are the steps both the school and parents can take to make a substitute’s stay pleasant and productive for the students with different needs and a positive experience for the substitute teacher?

15 Comments

January 17, 2013

Who Can Benefit from Using Chew Necklaces and Chewy Hand Fidgets?

ADHD, Asperger's, Autism, Kid Companions Chewelry, Sensory Processing Disorder, Special needs children, Tourette Syndrome

Most people cannot start to imagine what parents of children with special needs go through. Most have a hard time to understand that SentioLife Solutions, the Canadian company that designed and assembles chew necklaces made in Canada, receives orders everyday of the year for their mouth and hand chewable fidgets. These chew necklaces bring comfort not only to kids, tweens and teens but more and more adults are relying on them to satisfy their overwhelming urge to chew, bite, and/or fidget.

3 Comments

January 15, 2013

Tips On Helping Picky Eaters Try New Foods and Enjoy Mealtimes

Asperger's, Autism, Blog, Feeding problems, Sensory Processing Disorder, Special needs children

How to Teach Your Child About the Joy of Food? How to make mealtimes a happy time in your family even with a picky eater? Who better to ask than Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP, author of Happy Mealtimes with Happy Kids: How to Teach Your Child About the Joy of Food! Practical and Surprising Tips from a Pediatric Feeding Specialist and executive producer of CD Dancing in the Kitchen: Songs That Create the Joy of Food.

Melanie Potock was my guest on The Coffee Klatch Tweetchat when I was moderator and this interview took place on Twitter with its 140 character restriction. We learned about Melanie and her successful book and CD and our feeding specialist tweeted informative answers to parents trying to make “mealtimes a happy time” in their family. Here is part of our Twitter Interview.

3 Comments

January 10, 2013

Tactile Sensitivity – What It Is? TEN Common Signs

Asperger's, Autism, Blog, Feeding problems, Sensory Processing Disorder, Special needs children

What is tactile sensitivity?

Tactile sensitivity or hypersensitivity is an unusual or increased sensitivity to touch that makes the person feel peculiar, noxious, or even in pain. It is also called tactile defensiveness or tactile over-sensitivity. Like other sensory processing issues, tactile sensitivity can run from mild to severe. It is thought to be caused by the way the brain processes tactile input. For these individuals, touch makes the person feel overwhelmed and often leads to avoiding touch when possible. They may be sent into fight or flight over very small, everyday touch sensations.

91 Comments

January 8, 2013

Chewy and Fidget for Kids, Tweens and Teens

ADHD, Asperger's, Autism, Blog, Feeding problems, IEP Accommodations School, Kid Companions Chewelry, Sensory Processing Disorder, Special needs children, Tourette Syndrome

A chewy and fidget are used to satisfy the needs of many who have an overwhelming urge to chew, bite, and fidget to get on with the day. These sensory oral-motor tools are chewable and wearable chew pendants for people with special needs like autism or that have sensory challenges. Individuals of all ages use them for focusing, calming, alerting, and to increase oral sensory awareness. Many who find transitions difficult, hold on to their familiar chewable necklace and feel less stressed going from home to school and from classroom to different parts of the school.

3 Comments

January 8, 2013

Melatonin As a Sleep Aid for Children and Teens?

ADHD, Asperger's, Autism, Bipolar Mental Health, Blog, Sensory Processing Disorder, sleep depression school, Special needs children

Over-the-counter melatonin supplements; are they safe? The different opinions about recommending them to help children and teens with special needs sleep issues.

65 Comments

December 27, 2012

Sensory Tools Help a Child to Survive Sensory Overload, Calm and Focus

ADHD, Asperger's, Autism, Blog, IEP Accommodations School, Kid Companions Chewelry, Sensory Processing Disorder, Special needs children, Tourette Syndrome

Who likes to drive during rush hour? No one! What is life like for a person with sensory processing disorder (SPD)? An overwhelmed individual with SPD likened his life as having a “traffic jam” in his brain. If your child has sensory issues that often come hand-in-hand with autism, Asperger’s syndrome, ADD/ADHD, Tourette syndrome, etc. have your child evaluated by a professional. Often the child will be referred to an occupational therapist (OT) who will be able to help your child. What will an OT suggest to parents to help their child with sensory integration issues? Also what exactly is sensory processing disorder?

8 Comments

December 27, 2012

What Is a Sensory Diet?

ADHD, Asperger's, Autism, Blog, IEP Accommodations School, Kid Companions Chewelry, Sensory Processing Disorder, SentioChews, Special needs children, Tourette Syndrome

If your child is diagnosed with sensory processing disorder (SPD) often his occupational therapist will plan a Sensory Diet to help him. What is SPD? Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) or, as if was called before Sensory Integration Disorder, is a complex disorder of the brain that affects one in twenty people. Sensory processing disorder is a neurological disorder causing difficulties with taking in, processing, and responding to sensory information about the environment and from within one’s own body. Individuals can be hypersensitive or hyposensitive to varying degrees and may have trouble with one of the senses, a few, or all of them.

8 Comments

December 13, 2012

Customize Your Child’s Sensory Box – What Items to Choose and Why

ADHD, Asperger's, Autism, Blog, IEP Accommodations School, Kid Companions Chewelry, Sensory Processing Disorder, Special needs children

Do you use a Sensory box? What do you put in a sensory box? Why do some individuals NEED items to bite, chew and fidget? How can we help kids meet their sensory needs to be successful students and happy campers? This post will help parents and teachers understand that some children, and even many adults, should be provided with a SAFE sensory tool to chew, bite and or fidget. Why?

7 Comments

December 13, 2012

Safety Tips for Parents Regarding Children’s Jewelry and Chewelry

ADHD, Asperger's, Autism, Kid Companions Chewelry, Parenting all kids, Sensory Processing Disorder, SentioChews, Special needs children

Parents want what is best for their children. They lobby for safe products and a safe environment. When we were getting KidCompanions Chewelry ready for market our product had to comply to many safety regulations from Canada and the United States. Then during 2012 we successfully went through the red tape to get KidCompanions Chewelry CE marked to be sold to the 28 European Union countries. When parents buy our product they can have peace of mind about its safety… can that be said about less expensive children’s jewelry or chewelry? What are the dangers that lurk in toyland?

6 Comments

March 24, 2012

Tips for Parents and Teachers of Children with Special Needs from Beth Aune, OTR/L

ADHD, Asperger's, Autism, Blog, IEP Accommodations School, Interviews, Sensory Processing Disorder, Special needs children

One of the authors of Behavior Solutions books shares her work as an OT in schools- info, strategies, support– there is an explanation for that behavior!