When Jasmine Hall messaged me about her informative post on how dogs are now allowed in schools to help children with special needs feel more secure, happy, and in return more apt to learn, I knew this information would benefit many of our readers. For students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), Asperger’s syndrome (AS), sensory processing disorder (SPD), social anxiety, Tourette’s syndrome, life threatening allergies, etc. going to school is a challenge. Getting them ready and willing to go is often a nightmare for the caregivers! Parents, teachers, and therapists should look into the possibility of introducing dogs in the mix of treatment and support.
Continue Reading...Students with Special Needs – Substitute Teacher: Proactive Steps to Make it Work
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?
Continue Reading...Who Can Benefit from Using Chew Necklaces and Chewy Hand Fidgets?
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.
Continue Reading...Chewy and Fidget for Kids, Tweens and Teens
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.
Continue Reading...Melatonin As a Sleep Aid for Children and Teens?
Over-the-counter melatonin supplements; are they safe? The different opinions about recommending them to help children and teens with special needs sleep issues.
Continue Reading...Sensory Tools Help a Child to Survive Sensory Overload, Calm and Focus
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?
Continue Reading...What Is a Sensory Diet?
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.
Continue Reading...Challenging the Myths of Autism: Unlock New Possibilities and Hope by Jonathan Alderson
p>This book written by Jonathan Alderson, Ed.M. is going to make waves. Waves that I hope will shake up many, especially those who hold positions that can accelerate the changes Alderson writes about. Challenging the Myths of Autism will change the way individuals with autism spectrum disorder have been viewed by many.
Continue Reading...Advice and Resource Links from Editors of Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism
I have been hosting The Coffee Klatch Monday Tweetchats for about two years. This meant juggling the chats, working with Pierrette for our KidCompanions Chewelry business, writing for our Special Needs Blog, and reading and reviewing books for our Special Needs Book Review site.
Continue Reading...Yes, Moms, KidCompanions Chewelry Is a SAFE Sensory Oral Motor Tool AND a Fidget
Stylish, discreet pendants “just right” to touch, to chew, and to wear for ALL who must bite, chew and/or fidget perfect for home, school, sensory diets,
Continue Reading...Passed Toddlerhood and Still Mouthing: Chew Necklace Is the Solution
Emma Apple had a problem. Her child constantly chewed her fingernails. The solution was our stylish chew necklace with a pink heart chew pendant. The team at SentioLife Solutions is always happy to receive feedback from the parents, teachers, and therapists who buy our chew necklaces or see our chew pendants making the difference in
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