Tactile Sensory Stimulation

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Tammy Havlick

 

Tactile sensory stimulation involves the sensation of touch and texture. Autistic children with tactile sensory issues may have difficulty tolerating the sensations generated as they dress or groom themselves, or even as they chew food. People with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias benefit through the sense of touch.
 
Therapists work with tactile-sensitive individuals to desensitize them to unavoidable textures and touch sensations. This is accomplished gradually over time using  therapy brushes, sand and water activity tables, therapy balls and rolls, and blankets which provide propioceptive feedback, gross motor control, and muscle movements.
Tactile Paths enhance a child’s dynamic balance, motor planning and coordination. Pacific Pediatric Supply has a full menu of Tactile Stimulating tools to choose from including  many wavy, curvey and straight paths that can be used indoors and/oroutdoors.
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Our New Special Moments Journal….

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Tammy Havlick

“Special Moments” Journal

Journaling for kids is a wonderful way to open up new horizons. A Journal can be a friend, a confidant and a mentor.  Our Special Moments Journals come in a set of 6 themes: Ocean Lives, Under the Sea, Rain Forest, Farm Animals, Wild Animals and Dinosaurs.

Each Journal is hard bound with a beautiful outlined scene that your child can color in and creatively add their special finishing touches to.  Inside they will find 28 pages, 14 sheets of blank 8-1/8” x 11-1/2” special constructed white paper that are suitable for crayons, watercolor markers, colored pencils and/or any other writing and coloring materials your little clever thinker chooses to explore with.   

Let these empty pages be your child’s safe place to escape with their creativity and writing capabilities.  A perfect tool for sorting through feelings and emotions, these journals can become extremely useful in play therapy groups giving your child a way to explore who they are now and who they want to be.

Absolutely perfect for documenting special events such as fieldtrips, summer camps or family vacations.  What a priceless gift one of these would make for a grandparent or close friend once your little artist has filled it up with their unique pictures, stories or poems.

Our Special Moments Journals….let your imagination flow.

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Handling Tantrums and Outburst…

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Tammy Havlick

Tantrums & Outbursts: Parent Strategies To Eliminating Outbursts

Tantrums and outburst for children affected by autism can be one of the hardest, most pressing issues for parents and professional team members to address. These often crop up at the worst times, in most public locations and can go on for hours. These outbursts can also generate much more intensity than a typical child’s tantrum and can last 1 to 12 hours. And if not addressed, as the child on the spectrum ages, these can become violent and dangerous for everyone involved – including the child. Tantrums of children on the autism spectrum typically don’t start overnight – they take a little time to develop in frequency and intensity. These outbursts build up from frustration usually based on communication issues or lack thereof. The time it takes to tame, trouble shoot, and find a solution to these tantrums takes time, consistency and hard work. Providing ways for a child affected by autism to communicate, understand their daily schedule and make choices can prevent tantrums from cropping up. It is also important to have behavioral support and services for shaping and encouraging desired behaviors while minimizing the undesirable ones. Understanding your child and knowing the signs of a potential tantrum can yield important clues for heading off potential tantrums before they happen. Tantrums are also a form a communication. They just happen to be a form that most parents don’t like. For my son, outbursts were a way to express frustration that could lead to a fit that would sometimes last up to one hour. For other families, their children on the spectrum could have tantrums for up 7 to 12 hours and there was no stopping them once they started. These tantrums typically have to run their full course and always leave damage in their wake. Helping your child understand their schedule, creating and sticking to consistent routines, and providing them with options during their day will help in preventing most outbursts. As these tantrums are handled parents can introduce more flexible non scheduled activities once a system for communication is understood and in place. It is important to note that dealing with tantrums while a child is younger – preferably under the age of three – can greatly shape the future in the right direction. Letting outbursts go on or avoiding outings altogether can be a disaster especially as the child ages. This article attempts to outline some strategies for easing the tantrum king or queen in your home and onto the road to a slightly quieter (laughter is always definitely a MUST!) future.

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How Does A Service Dog Help With Autism?

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Tammy Havlick

How does a service dog help with autism?


Assistance
The dogs can provide logistical safety and more independence in public. A natural byproduct of this help is greatly reduced conflict between parent and child.

Searching
A trained dog provides an instantly-ready means to locate a child, whether in the home or outside.

Alerting
In a similar way to how a hearing assistance dog would alert a deaf owner to sounds, an ASA dog is trained to alert a parent to certain activities or
situations.

How does a trained dog help teachers and clinicians?

Dogs trained to work in classroom or clinic settings are not “service dogs,” but they play an important role of their own that’s impossible to duplicate without
their help.

                      * Dogs provide 3-dimensional, interactive illustrations of many academic and practical concepts

  • Dogs provide the opportunity for a child to participate in giving–not merely receiving–directions
  • Dogs often provide intense motivation for children to “work” when other enticements are not sufficient
  • Through structured interaction, they can provide at least some benefits of the human-animal bond to children whose home situations cannot
    accommodate a dog

 

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Celebrate Your Child’s Uniqueness!

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Tammy Havlick

Celebrate your Child’s Uniqueness…

Just like a snowflake or a fingerprint, every child especially a child with special needs, is unique in their own special way.

Every child has a unique way of feeling, thinking, and interacting with others. Some children are shy, while others are outgoing; some are active, while others are calm; some are fretful, while others are easy-going.

As a loving and nurturing parent, it’s your job to encourage them to embrace their uniqueness and celebrate their individual qualities. Allow your child to express themselves through their interests.

They may find a creative outlet in theatre, dancing or art, or they may be exceptionally talented in the sciences. Encourage them to embrace what they like to do, what interests them, and what makes them happy.

Help them realize that they don’t need to worry about being ‘like everyone else.’

Teach your child to make positive choices, and praise them for good deeds, behaviors and positive traits they possess. Encourage them to become actively involved in their community, and introduce them to activities that promote a sense of cooperation and accomplishment.

Be firm yet fair when handing down discipline for misdeeds or misbehaviors, and make certain the rules and consequences for breaking the rules are clearly defined.

Show a cooperative, loving and united front with your spouse when it comes to discipline.

Accept your child’s uniqueness….

Remember that your child is an individual.

Allow your child to have his or her own personal preferences and feelings, which may be different from your own.

And finally, encourage your child to be true to themselves by doing the same.

Show your child how to make positive choices with the choices you make, and that nobody is perfect and you too make mistakes.

Show your child that mistakes can be a great learning experience, and that they should not be ashamed or embarrassed about making them.

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Remember To Take Care Of Yourself Too!!

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Tammy Havlick

Take Care of Yourself and Your Other Relationships.

Having a child with special needs can be extremely challenging at times….remember to take time out to do the things you enjoy. You have to find a way to keep having fun…. otherwise, life becomes a chore.  Set aside a bit of time each day that is just for you. Remember, you can only take care of your child if you take care of yourself too!

 

You’ll also need to take steps to nurture your marital bonds as well.  A life of rushing between appointments, fighting with insurance companies, and just getting through the day of meeting your child’s needs can drain the best of relationships of their spark.   Go to a movie, or a kid-free dinner. Do something that you and your spouse enjoyed before having children. Remind one another why you fell in love in the first place!

 

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Valentine Crafts For Special Needs Kids

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Tammy Havlick

Valentine Crafts for Special Needs Kids

Valentine’s Day is a chance for people of all ages and abilities to celebrate, and the holiday’s brightness and messages of love and friendship can be particularly heartwarming for those with special needs. Give your child or students the chance to get into the holiday spirit and share their feelings with friends and loved ones by helping them create Valentine’s cards and crafts.

Valentine’s Day crafts can be fun for children of all abilities

Valentine’s Wreath:

With this craft, you can prepare pieces in advance or have students cut pieces out themselves, depending on their abilities. A paper plate with the center cut out provides a perfect framework for a wreath of hearts cut from multicolored construction paper–shades of red, pink, purple and white are perfect, or you can select some of the children’s favorite colors. You or the students can cut hearts of different sizes or all the same size. Allow the children to create their own pattern of colors and positioning around the wreath. The hearts can easily be attached to the paper plate frame with a glue stick. The wreaths make a perfect decoration to take home and hang on the front door or refrigerator for the holiday.

 Tree of Love:

Create or draw a tree with bare branches on a bulletin board, wall or poster board. Give the children hearts cut from different colors of construction paper, or cut the hearts from white or brown craft paper and allow the children to color and decorate them with markers, crayons or paint. Then have them attach their hearts to the tree as if they were leaves. If this is a classroom activity, each heart can be labeled with a student’s name. This project creates a festive decoration where everyone can see his own contribution.

Valentine’s Cards:

Give each child pieces of cardstock or construction paper. The cards can be folded in half or simply designed with a front and back. With crayons and an assortment of valentine-themed and heart-shaped stickers, have the children create and decorate cards that they can give to friends and family. Assist the children with more complex decorating methods, like using glitter pens or pinking shears, and see if they need your help writing special messages on the cards.

Posted in Autism and The Holidays | 2 Comments

Oral Motor Exercises to Try at Home

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Tammy Havlick

Oral Motor Exercises
to Try at Home

Blowing Bubbles

A great exercise for breath control as well as pursing the lips!

Blow a Harmonica

Here is another great oral motor exercise for breath control and lip pursing, but with this one you get to make some noise!

  • If breath control is weak then your goal might be to get “louder” sounds from the harmonica.
  • If your lip strength is weak you might focus on trying to play just one note at a time.

Blow a Kazoo

The kazoo will not only help your breath control, but it will also help with vocal control as well.

Why?

Because you have to hum to get any sound out of a kazoo.

At first you can try to make a simple humming sound. As you progress you can try to vary the pitch of your hum and even try to play a simple tune (like, “Mary had a Little Lamb”).

Using a Straw

Practicing with a straw will obviously work on sucking skills, however it also involves pursing those lips again.

“Thin” liquids like water or apple juice are good starters.

As you progress you might want to try a “thicker” liquid like a milk shake.

Do not use this exercise if you or your loved one has feeding or swallowing difficulties.

Tongue Press

Have you ever heard of isometric exercises?

Isometrics are a type of strength training whereby you push your muscles against an immovable force. They are a very effective technique for increasing muscle strength.

For this oral motor exercise you will need a tongue depressor or a spoon. You will also need another person to provide the “immovable force.”

First, stick your tongue straight out in front of you. Have the object pressed against your tongue tip. Push against the object as hard as you can for a count of 5, then relax.

Try to do this six to eight times in a row.

Next, again stick out your tongue in front of you. This time have the object placed on the right side of your tongue. Press against the object as hard as you can (like you’re trying to push the object to the corner of your mouth). Hold for a count of 5.

Try to do this six to eight times in a row.

Do this oral motor exercise one more time pushing against the immovable object with the left side of your tongue.

Jaw Isometrics

You can do this jaw exercise yourself or have someone help you. Start with your mouth open. Have someone hold your chin firmly. Try to close your mouth using nothing but your jaw muscles – do not move your head! Hold for a count of 5.

You will definitely feel fatigue in your jaw muscles after doing this a few times. Start out only doing 3-5 of these.

Now, for the next jaw exercise you start in the opposite direction. Start with your mouth closed. This time have someone place their hand under your chin. Without moving your head try to open your mouth. Hold for a count of 5.

Try 3-5 and increase the amount as you gain strength.

NOTE: Even if you can open your mouth against your partner’s hand, remember that this exercise will build strength by steadily resisting force.

Doing the exercises properly is important. Take your time and focus on each motion as well as the muscles you are using.

The following oral motor exercises provide tactile stimulation. Tactile Stimulation refers to stimulating or “waking up” a muscle area by sense of touch.

Brushing

Using a toothbrush, brush the upper and lower lips. You can purchase toothbrushes with different levels of stiffness. Try to use different levels ranging from very soft to stiff (never use anything that may cause pain).

You can also use the brushing technique on the muscles surrounding the mouth (including the jaw).

Icing

Putting ice on the lips will certainly help “wake up” those muscles. You can use a plain ice cube for this exercise, but ice pops are easier to use and add some flavor as well.

Run the ice from the middle of the lips outward to the corner. Do this on both sides and then ask your loved one to smile. Repeat the icing movements and the smiling attempts several times.

Licking Ice Cream

Who wouldn’t enjoy this activity? Put some ice cream in a cone and let it melt a little. Then practice using just your tongue (no lips) to lick the dripping ice cream.

This is a great tongue exercise and a delicious treat all at the same time. How is that for fun therapy?

Once again, this is not intended for use by anyone with feeding or swallowing difficulties.

Peanut Butter on the Lips

Rub some peanut butter on your lips and do your best to lick it all off. Make sure you apply the peanut butter from one corner of the mouth to the other.

This will force the tongue to reach from side-to-side to lick that tasty spread. This should go without saying by now, but never use this with anyone experiencing feeding or swallowing difficulties.

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Just In…3 Bags Full Finger Puppet Pouches!!!

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Tammy Havlick

 

Bring Story Books To Life with our “3 Bags Full Finger Puppet Pouches”!
Just In At PacificPediatricSupply.comThe qualities of these sets are outstanding! Fairly traded and hand crafted in Bolivia, each of these sets includes 8 beautifully detailed animal finger puppets that are little works of art!
Brightly animated with color and great flair, each bag serves as a storytelling back drop to you…r child’s imagination. Perfect for strengthening oral language skills, these adorable hand sewn puppets can be snapped into one of six themes:

Jungle Party, Monkey Puzzle, The Monkey and Me, We All Went On A Safari, 1 2 3 to the Zoo, Over In The Jungle and Rumble In The Jungle.

Each bag has a zipper closure making storage very easy and accessible.
Puppet play along with experimenting with story elements builds fine motor skills and enriches the early literacy experience. These finger puppet pouches will become an essential and entertaining learning aid while promising hours of entertainment and fun!

Get Yours Today!!! What Wonderful Valentine’s Day and Easter Gifts These Would Make!! Great For Skyping With Grand parents or When Mommy and / Or Daddy are away on a business trip!!! Fun at parties, in class or on road trips…So many ideas…so many hours of fun and imagination!!!

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Physical Fitness

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Tammy Havlick

Children on the spectrum are still kids. They can play, run, swim, shoot baskets, kick a soccer ball, and play catch, just like their typical counterparts. They just need to be taught in an adapted fashion. Like most lessons taught to individuals on the spectrum, if you break them down, these lessons can be learned. For example, in teaching baseball, start with teaching them to run from home plate to first base. The bases can serve as visual cues. Maybe add some arrows to point out the right direction to move around the bases. A sticker, a high five, or other reinforcers may be needed at the end of a successful run. For parents and caregivers, there is no greater feeling than taking your child to do something a “typical” kid would do. We all would prefer to say we are going to kick a ball or heading out for a run rather than say we are going to therapy!! While therapy is very important, do not forget to schedule in the fitness piece. Exercise is important for the wellbeing of all people, regardless of age or ability.

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