Check out this launch of adaptive version of a clothing line & the amazing vision of a Mom.

Be sure to check out this article on some adaptations to a popular brand name of clothing, that makes it easier to wear for those kids who may need easier closures & fasteners, ability to change the length of pants, and being able to increase self dressing, by creating alternate ways to get in & out of the cloths. Well done Runway of Dreams. 

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Mindy Scheier, a fashion designer, founded Runway of Dreams to work with the fashion industry and adapt mainstream clothing for people with different abilities. She started the organization after her son Oliver, 11, who has a rare form of muscular dystrophy, asked her to buy him a pair of jeans. 

Now, children of all abilities can wear Tommy Hilfiger clothing.

A nonprofit organization called Runway of Dreams worked with the brand to launch an adaptive version of select styles from its children’s line, which will be on sale starting Tuesday.

Mindy Scheier, a fashion designer, founded Runway of Dreams to work with the fashion industry and adapt mainstream clothing for people with different abilities. She started the organization after her son Oliver, 11, who has a rare form of muscular dystrophy, asked her to buy him a pair of jeans. 

“It was more important to me to have him walk into school with his head held high than to worry about the other things,” Scheier told The Mighty. “That was when I realized a change needed to happen. Every kid and adult in the differently-abled community deserves to wear the same clothing that everybody else does.”Oliver, then 8, came home from school and said he wanted to wear jeans to school the next day because his friends were wearing them. Scheier didn’t know what to do. She knew because of his mobility issues, pants with a button and zipper would present challenges, and the jeans would hinder his ability to wear his leg braces. But it was also a priority for Scheier to allow her son he could wear the things he wanted, despite the challenges he might face.

Scheier got to work looking for adaptable mainstream clothing, but soon discovered not many options existed. So she began buying clothes off the rack and modifying them to suit Oliver’s needs. 

She then started assembling focus groups to get a feel for what kinds of clothing needs the community as a whole had. Based on issues the people reported with most pieces of clothings — like difficulty with zippers, pull-over style sweatshirts, etc. — Scheier began developing wearable technology and designing modifications that would allow people to self-dress.

Tommy Hilfiger // Credit: Richard Corman

Realizing the extent of the market for this type of service, Scheier began to think about what brands would be best to pioneer the movement. Her crusade eventually led her to Tommy Hilfiger.

“They’re a brand that caters to the family unit and their clothing goes from children all the way up to adults, but also they have a very big affinity for philanthropic movements,” Scheier told The Mighty. “I felt comfortable they were going to understand.”

Tommy Hilfiger // Credit: Richard Corman

Based on her research, Scheier has modified the Hilfiger collection in three main ways.

The first is closures: buttons and zippers have been replaced with a special stylish magnet closure called MagnaReady®. The second is the adjustability of the clothing: pant legs, sleeves lengths and waistbands are adjustable because the sizes needed for seated comfort differ from standing. Third is the ways in which a person can get in and out of the clothing: pull-over style clothing can be difficult due to low muscle tone, limb differences or other disabilities, so the seams have been adjusted to allow for the clothing to be entered through the back rather than over the head.

All apparel is still from the mainstream Tommy Hilfiger spring collection. 

The MagnaReady® fashionable magnetic closure system for people with limited mobility.

“As far as I know, this will be the first mainstream, big name brand to offer an adaptable clothing collection,” Scheier told The Mighty. “This will be a huge initiative in the fashion industry that will truly be innovated by Tommy Hilfiger.”

Scheier says Runway of Dreams isn’t done yet. Her organization won’t stop until as many brands as possible are offering adaptive versions of their clothing.

Tommy Hilfiger // Credit: Richard Corman

For Scheier, it’s a passion project born out of love for her son. He has seen it from the beginning, with Scheier ripping apart clothes on the kitchen table, all the way through the final photo shoot for the collection, in which he’s a model.

Oliver Scheier. Tommy Hilfiger // Credit: Richard Corman

“It’s an amazing thing for him and my other kids to witness this journey and show them that you can make a difference and if you believe in something, you can make it happen,” Scheier told The Mighty.  

http://themighty.com/2016/02/tommy-hilfiger-launches-adaptive-collection-for-children-with-disabilities

Great tips on sensory solutions, calming meltdowns & the creative ways to get kids moving!

We are always looking for some sensory feedback ideas, visuals and strategies. These are some great links that have been shared, and thought you would all like to have a look. Kids will enjoy the movement, the visual, and get the sensory feedback they are seeking. 



These sensory solutions are based on sensory processing theory.  Anxiety and stress have been linked with an amplification of tactile or sensory defensiveness as stress is a behavioural response to environmental input*. Anxiety may be both a cause and an effect of the predominance of the protective system**.  Tantrums or meltdowns are outward demonstrations of the stress and anxiety within your child.  They are responding to their "fight, flight or fright" (sympathetic nervous systems) ... their perceived reality.  Read more about tactile defensiveness and sensory processing here and here.

These activities facilitate self regulation through breathing and proprioceptive input into muscles, skins and joints. They may be incorporated into a sensory diet. Read more about sensory diets here.

Teach these sensory solutions to your children so they have strategies in their "tool kit" to calm down when the need arises.  Teachers may implement these with a whole class.

http://www.yourkidsot.com/blog/quick-ways-to-calm-down-sea-life-sensory-solutions?

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Here are some great tips from the 'Autism Discussion Page', around how to help if a meltdown occurs, some deep body pressure to calm, some tools that help, importance of having a safe area. 

When meltdowns occur, it is important to immediate remove the demands, activity, and stimulation so the child can rebound. If possible allow the child to escape to a safe area. Allow the child to engage in whatever activity tends to sooth them. They may not want any help from you. If they will except help try to calm the nervous system with deep pressure, proprioception, or simple rhythmic regulatory patterns. These techniques help the nervous system lower the stress chemicals faster

For some children deep pressure can help calm and organize the nervous system. However, if the pressure has to be administered by another person, first teach it to them when they are calm, so they can learn to trust it. You don't want to first introduce it when they are in the middle of a meltdown. If I am using deep pressure techniques with families, I have the parents at first do them daily, when the child is calm, to teach them to enjoy and value the strategies. Then once they are accepting of the techniques, then the parents "offer" them (not force it on them} when upset.

It is very important that once a meltdown occurs you immediate remove the demands to allow the child to rebound. Once in overload, the child looses their coping skills and the "fight or flight" reaction sets in. At this time the best strategy is to (1) remove the child from the immediate sensory, cognitive and social demands, (2) help them feel safe, and (3) provide whatever strategies that help sooth the child. If the child will allow you to help calm them then use calming strategies that you have practiced regularly. However, many child want to be left totally alone. As long as they are safe, honor this need.





The use of safe areas for the child to escape and rebound is very important. For children who experience frequent overload, such safe areas should be built into the school environment. 








For the children that will allow you to apply deep pressure stimulation to calm and sooth them, these variations are some that I have found successful. However, you must respect the child. Only use these if the child is welcoming the support.



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This link had some great ideas, for the older crowd too. With the winter blahs still kicking around the Island, this had suggestions that may appeal. 
Winter Storm? Tips to Get Kids Exercising and Being Creative Indoors!

Indoor Activity Tips
• Keep a list of indoor activities, on hand to help combat the winter blues. See these suggestions for Keeping the "I'm Bored"s at Bay," including Indoor Bowling, Detergent Jug Catch, Balance Beam and Ribbon Limbo.
• If you can’t get your kids away from the video games (particularly the 11- to 15 year-old crowd), provide them with video games that incorporate being active. (Hint: getting your kids to work up a sweat is the goal) Research  shows that active video games have exercise-like effects on kids. Bring on the “Dance Central" and "Kinect Sports: Boxing," to help children move more.

More Ideas for Indoor Fun
• Now might be the perfect time to introduce your kids to some of your favorite exercises, like yoga or pilates. Play that exercise video and get moving! 
• Exercise aside, how about doing something creative? Movie making is always fun. Over the years, my kids have enjoyed making their own home movies, from drama to comedy. (To tell the truth, they’re all comedy to me, when I watch them!) 

After all of that exercise and creative work, you and the kids are entitled to sit down and watch some movies. Rent some of your favorites or, if you have home movies, relive memories by watching them. Stay safe and warm!
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Celebrating valentines with crafts, cookies & coloring!!

Valentines is coming up this weekend, and wanted to send you all wishes that bring you joy & love. Hope you get the chance to do something fun with your family, friends & kids, that celebrates love. Thought I would include a few crafts, cookies and coloring sheets, to give you some ideas. These crafts look like a lot of fun, and many can be done with little effort. Enjoy & have a wonderful weekend, filled with blessings. 
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Crayola has a great link here, with coloring sheets, and some bingo games you can print out. Lots to choose from, have a look!
http://www.crayola.ca/free-coloring-pages/holidays/valentines-day-coloring-pages/?
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15 Valentine's Day Treats and Sweets for Kids

These all look Delicious, be sure to check out the link and scroll through to find one or two of interest! Happy baking! 

Combine your love for Oreos with all things pink this Valentine’s Day with this fun recipe featured onThirty Handmade Days! Made using strawberry cake mix and a cream cheese frosting filling, these sweet pink cookies are sure to have your whole family falling head over heels for your baking skills. See the full recipe (and a cool free V-Day printable!) by visiting the rest of the post.

https://www.parentmap.com/article/15-valentines-day-treats-and-sweets-for-kids

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23 Easy Valentine's Day Crafts

From classroom cards to home decorations, Valentine's Day brings all kinds of crafting opportunities. Luckily, you don't have to be a DIY genius to get creative with your kids this February. We've scoured Pinterest and found 23 easy Valentine's Day craft ideas that kids can make for their classmates, teachers, grandparents, siblings, and any other special people in their lives. If you  need to see the picture larger, click on it, or go to the link at the bottom of the page, and find it in the list. Have fun!!

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• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/27/easy-valentines-day-crafts-for-kids_n_6518196.html

A few good videos & an article for those who are deaf- awareness & support in the classroom.

What a great lesson in inclusion. These students, teachers & parents all stepped up to make sure Zejd was included, and they all learned a skill that will be allow them to communicate with other friends along the way.

 When 7-year-old Zejd Coralic joined a classroom, he didn't know much sign language. So his teacher and classmates found an innovative and heartwarming way to help out.



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Awesome video, from PepsiCo. Who supports diversity and the inclusion of person's with different abilities. This will make you laugh. 



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If you are looking to learn a few more signs for the classroom, here is a great video, with some signs. 
Sorry for the nivea ad, couldn't get rid of it ;) 
In this video you will learn, in ASL (American Sign Language) many of the most common School signs. Such as teacher, books, students, study and SO MUCH MORE! I hope you enjoy learning this beautiful language!
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Tiredness in deaf children

Concentration fatigue

Tiredness and fatigue are common issues for deaf children. Here we explain why this is and how you can help your child.  

Most people have times when they find concentrating hard work, such as when following someone who's speaking softly, or when trying to make out a single voice in a noisy environment. Deaf children have to pay much more attention than children with typical hearing levels. This means they use more of their cognitive resources in listening, lipreading or following signed conversations, and have less energy for other things.

Deaf children may be more tired at the end of a school day than their hearing siblings or friends. This fatigue may have a significant impact on their learning and development. 

“My 15-year-old daughter takes herself off to bed exhausted by 7.30-8pm on a school night.” – Parent 

How does concentration fatigue affect deaf children?

• Sleepiness in the morning or falling asleep on the way home from school.
• Inattentiveness or difficulty concentrating on work.
• Giving up easily as tasks become more difficult.
• Low frustration tolerance level.
• Mood changes.
• Changes in play activity (such as decrease in stamina or not enjoying some activities especially in noisy environments).

“Many people don’t realise how exhausting listening, concentrating, filling in gaps, guessing the subject, and deciphering body language, lip patterns and facial expressions, is.” – Deaf adult

Can lipreading reduce listening effort?

Possibly, but lipreading requires cognitive resources too. Lip-reading skills take time to develop and are limited by the vocabulary the child already knows. Also, many lip patterns are identical for different speech sounds. Research suggests that children with sufficient cognitive resources (like working memory capacity) can make use of lipreading to reduce listening effort.  

“I think the fact that the impact of deafness doesn’t just manifest itself in communication isn’t well understood. It’s about the energy involved in lipreading and being attentive all day long.” – Deaf adult

Tips for dealing with concentration fatigue

• Ensure listening is made as easy as possible, including the consistent use of Hearing aids or Cochlear implant (CI), and the use of an FM system (radio aid or soundfield system), and by making simple adaptations to the environment to ensure background noise is kept as low as possible.
• Have quiet times in the day when your child can rest.
• Encourage your child to understand their own deafness, and to talk to teachers, family and friends about the impact it has on them.
• Help your child to understand that being tired is OK.
• Encourage your child to explain to their friends that if they aren’t talking much it’s not because they don't want to, but because they are too tired to concentrate all the time.
• Help your child gain the confidence to ask about moving seats in school if they can’t hear or see the teacher.
• Make communication as easy as possible for your child by facing them, having good listening and lighting conditions, and not standing in front of a window when talking.  
• Help others who know your child to develop good deaf awareness skills.

http://www.ndcs.org.uk/family_support/education_for_deaf_children/education_during_school_years/tiredness.html