AT HOME "SNOW DAYS" & IDEAS OF WHAT TO DO: 

As today is one of our first 'snow days' that will often happen here on the Island over the upcoming Winter season, thought I would post this link of 100 sensory activities that can be done at home or use for suggestions at your child's school. Sometimes it's super to have it already at hand when you need ideas quick!

There are 10 suggestions under the categories of: proprioceptive, vestibular, auditory, visual, oral, tactile, fine motor, core strengthening, body awareness, & self regulation. Some great ideas- have a look and see what might work for you! 

http://lemonlimeadventures.com/100-sensory-activities/

Please Note: Not all children with sensory needs can and will respond well to some of these activities, as they can be too overstimulating. Please use this as a guide and do not attempt to do All of these activities at once. This is simply intended as a resource and guide for you to use. 

Tips for creating a successful, supportive sensory environment:

Sensory issues are always present, and can cause us to have to be prepared to 'switch' things up quickly and on the spot, at times. There are always considerations we need to put into place for our son's & daughters to address their sensory issues, to hopefully, allow them to experience new activities, places, sounds, smells, crowds in a more productive manner. As the holiday season approaches, it can be helpful to make a few more accommodations and be prepared for " Plan B". Here is another great website that has some super suggestions, tips and resource links. 

"SPECIAL HAPPENS"~
Special Happens is a community resource and blog full of inspiration, information and insight, written primarily by contributors with children with special needs. The site is dedicated to sharing experiences and resources while developing a community of support for families of children with special needs. We invite you to join our community and poke around… we know that you’ll find something that will make you laugh, cry, remember, and fill you full of hope.



http://specialhappens.com/2013/02/04/creating-successful-events-with-sensory-processing-disorder/

This great site was suggested, and there are some amazing ideas here to check out. I don't know about your kids, but I know mine LOVE heavy work, and the sensory feedback it gives makes a huge difference for their self regulation . Check out this super resource!! and it has a free printable chart!! I love free printable charts!!

http://lemonlimeadventures.com/free-chore-chart-heavy-work-focus-calm-kids-sensory/

What is Heavy Work?

Just like adults, children need to be able to calm their bodies and self-regulate. Not all children can do this on their own, however, which is why heavy work is so important. Heavy work is any activity which requires you to use your muscles and joints, putting pressure on them as you move. It provides your body with necessary proprioceptive input to self-regulate.

How Does Heavy Work Calm and Help Children Focus?

By providing deep proprioceptive input into a child’s muscles and joints, and “Heavy Work” helps them self-regulate in the same way that exercise may help an adult deal with stress.

It allows them to recenter and refocus their body and energy into appropriate outlets.

I often share Happy Soul Project posts, and links, so will do so again, with the 2015 Calendar that can be ordered. Check it out! Here's a little information about Happy Soul Project:

Happy Soul Project is about striving to be grateful no matter what happens in life. It’s about accepting the life fate gave you, seeing the beauty in the challenges and the hope in the hardships. It’s about finding joy unexpectedly, becoming a kinder person & continuing to always have an open mind.

Happy Soul Project is about breaking down stigmas, changing perspectives and celebrating differences.

Happy Soul Project is about believing in all abilities, supporting each other and helping spread hope & happiness.

Happy Soul Project is about changing a bit of the world....With Pip and your help, it's about inspiring people to look at life a wee bit differently.

So thank you for supporting us, loving us, encouraging us and believing in what we are doing...

It means the world...

http://www.shophappysoulproject.com/products/2015-differentisbeautiful-calendar

Just wanted to remind families and interested people to some great online resources. Geneva Centre for Autism has a number of e-learning opportunities. Be sure to have a look.

http://elearning.autism.net/

You can also download & print visuals from their gallery, if you are needing some for visual schedules, stories, programs you may be working on. 

Check out this great new opportunity to help teach our kids to play with toys! 

Hasbro has teamed up with Autism project-to figure out a way to help.  The team learned that many classic Hasbro toys were being widely used by teachers and occupational therapists working in the field and that they were creating their own supportive play tools which provided structure that is critical to the way certain children manipulate concepts to help them understand play. ToyBox Tools was created to provide that structure through a series of tools, rooted in evidence-based and emerging best practices.  The instructional videos, printable materials and play-mats are designed to help families, caregivers and teachers unlock the power of play and to make play more fun and enjoyable at a child’s own pace.

Here is the link: I checked it out, and its really neat!! what a great idea. 

http://toyboxtools.hasbro.com/

As all of our loved ones, sons & daughters are at different stages, there are still many questions and transitions that we may need support through. Please remember you are not alone on the journey. Some of us may have already been on your path, some have yet to start down it, and some may be walking it with you. Lets support each other!

I Found some great tips on communicating with professionals from a sister ACL's site. Thought they were great, so wanted to share. One 'tip' they did not include, which I always suggest, is bring a friend, an advocate, someone who can listen with you. Then you can both talk about what you heard after the meeting or appointment. 

From the time your child is born until adulthood, you may be working with a number of professionals. It is important to understand and to be understood by professionals.

Here are some tips for communicating with professionals to help ensure that you are receiving the best supports for your loved one:
• If you are looking for a professional with whom you can work well ask other parents of children with a disability.
• If you do not understand the words that a professional uses, be prepared to ask questions. For example, say, “What do you mean by that?” or “I don’t fully understand, can you please explain that again?”
• If necessary, write down what professionals are saying. This can be particularly helpful in medical situations when a medication or therapy is to be given.
• Learn as much as you can about your child’s disability. This will help you to better understand what professionals are saying and to be better informed in discussions with professionals.
• Prepare for visits to professionals by writing down a list of questions or concerns you would like to discuss during the visit.
• Keep a notebook in which you write down information concerning you child’s particular needs or your concerns.
• If you do not agree with professional recommendations say so. Be as specific as you can about why you do not agree.

If you want to talk more about any of these points, or would like some more support, contact me at:  familysupport@peiacl.org

Canadian Down Syndrome Society

The Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS) is pleased to announce that Mind & Body: Answers To Your Questions is now available to pre-order. This book was developed by CDSS with a funding contribution from the Government of Canada’s Disability Component of the Social Development Partnerships Program (SDPP-D). 

Mind & Body: Answers To Your Questions will explore any questions about relationships, sexual health, safety, and growing up that people with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities may have. The book was developed in consultation with various organizations and groups in the fields of sexual health and disabilities.

Check out this great resource! I am going to order some for PEI ACL. We have been discussing many issues facing families and how to best support the individual and the family. A book like this is a great addition.

Check out this great new Comic book series: Face Value Comics

Michael is a comic book character with autism - a hero with a mathematical mind, artistic gift and an abundance of compassion. Face Value Comics says he is the first hero with the disorder among comic books.

The creator of the series, Dave Kot, hopes his books can help people on the autism spectrum better understand the world around them.

http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/making-a-difference/comic-book-stars-worlds-first-hero-autism-n190321

Charchuk uses her voice to urge others to see the ability

Janet is a wonderful advocate for PEI around seeing everyone's ability. She continues to make sure voices are heard. So proud of her, and her great work. check out the newspaper article that talks about Janet's accomplishments.

http://www.journalpioneer.com/News/Local/2014-11-06/article-3931261/Charchuk-uses-her-voice-to-urge-others-to-see-the-ability/1

Kicking off National Down Syndrome Awareness Week with the Canadian Down Syndrome Society....
"When you were born and I was told you had Down syndrome, my mind immediately went to a dark place, my heart sunk, and everything I thought you and our little family was going to be somehow was shattered.

But, sweet girl, I am oh, so glad that those thoughts got shattered. That the lives we imagine living sometimes need to be broken so we can see the lives we were meant to have. In a way, it makes room for a life to be painted so very brightly, and sometimes the paint is more beautiful when it needs to break through the dark and start again.

You, my darling Pip, have done this for us. You have somehow painted our lives so uniquely different that I am in awe of how lucky we now are to have you."

To read my Dear Pip Letter click here:
http://cdss.ca/ndsaw/2014/11/day-1-dear-pip/

#arentyagladPipsCanadian

New measures to help make life more affordable for Canadian families.

The Prime Minister announced an increase to Childcare Expense Tax Deduction for children with disabilities as  

part of the announcement made on income splitting and other tax measures to support families. This is very good news, the childcare deduction is being increased to 11,000 from 10,000 per year for childcare expenses for families with children with disabilities who meet the Disability Tax Credit eligibility.

For the full announcement of all the measures see http://pm.gc.ca - See more at: http://www.cacl.ca/news-stories/blog/new-measures-help-make-life-more-affordable

Please check out the latest issue of Institution Watch:
The most recent issue of Institution Watch is now available to download. Be part of the movement to close institutions in Canada.  Published jointly with People First of Canada, you can learn about where the doors are still open, where they’ve closed, and what’s being done in different provinces and territories to create inclusive communities for all. - See more at: http://www.cacl.ca/news-stories/blog/new-issue-institution-watch#sthash.CN98jQPl.dpuf

http://www.cacl.ca/news-stories/blog/new-issue-institution-watch