The Toy Bug

Rainy Day Activities

2012-01-24T17:39:00.000-08:00

If you are in the northern part of the country, your kids are probably feeling the effects of being stuck inside.

We spotted a great article over at The Savvy Source that had some really great ideas for keeping children amused.

One of the activities is making slime. Who doesn’t love the feeling of that slippery goo sliding between their fingers? It’s a wonderfully textural way of appealing to the sense of touch. If your child has sensory issues, he or she is likely to decide to touch the slime at some stage because their curiosity will get the better of them.

You might also like to try making a masking tape race track. We spotted this beauty on a Facebook post. Whoever would have thought that masking tape could solve so many problems? Of course, you need to be careful of the surfaces of your furniture or floors but masking tape comes off very easily. This sort of track has hills and valleys and crevices – perfect for little vehicles to navigate.

In some states, school has not yet begun so why not spend your rainy days helping your child prepare? The Shoe Lacing Puzzle will teach your child how to tie shoelaces all ready for the big day.

I hope these ideas help to keep your child amused during these wet and dull days.

Computer Applications for Special Needs

2012-01-17T07:31:00.000-08:00

The latest tool to help people with special needs is the app. There are many apps out there with new ones seemingly entering the market each day.

Not all apps are created equal however and some are not even worth the time they take to download. However, for those who like anything hi-tech and are interested in the apps suitable for those with special needs, here are a few of our favourites.

1. Anyone who has communication problems or development delays will benefit from the First Then Visual Schedule from itunes.apple.com. At just $10.49, it prompts the child to follow their usual schedule with visual tools to help lower anxiety during transition periods. It is available for the iPad and iPhone.

2. Similarly, iPrompts also uses prompts via the use of visual images. It has a countdown facility so that the child knows how much time is left before the next task is to be done. This is a little more expensive at $49.99 so be sure to assess it before you purchase.

3. iReward at just $4.99 is a clever app which shows the child how many times they have to do something to receive a reward. This is great for reinforcing behaviour in individuals who are difficult to teach.

There are many apps on the market which help teachers, professionals and parents to track the behaviour of children with special needs. These are great for those who forget to keep journals, or for those who just don’t have the time. The general idea then is that anything that happened in between doctor’s visits or specialist’s visits will be tracked and analysed correctly.

Take advantage of these tools because for the most part they are inexpensive and children take to them naturally.

Educational Puzzles

2012-01-10T09:26:00.000-08:00

Puzzles are a great way to educate children just with the general matching, sorting or problem solving involved to complete a puzzle. Add to the mix the variety of puzzles available on the market today and you can essentially pick a puzzle to suit your child’s learning needs.

Whether your child is at the early stages of learning or looking for more complicated challenges there seems to be something for everyone. From colour matching to number learning, alphabet pairing to opposite fun – no educational stone is left unturned.

Our favourites include the Australia puzzle, left and right puzzle, shoe lacing puzzle and the wooden fractions puzzle. Subjects like geography and math are given new life and simple obstacles for children such as tying shoes and learning the difference between left and right can be made easier to understand.

When doing puzzles with children, parents have a natural tendency to want to help their children complete the puzzle. Try and resist this temptation and let them solve it by themselves if they can. If they ask for help then by all means give them a hint. You can certainly teach them relevant puzzle skills such as grouping colours or shapes that may go together for ease.

Start with simple puzzles and graduate to more difficult ones, once you feel your child is able to progress. This will allow your child to get the most fun out of a puzzle – after all – who says education has to be boring!

Autism in Poetry

2012-01-03T05:22:00.000-08:00

Parents cope with their child’s issues in different ways. One of the most expressive of them is the writing of poetry.

I read this poem and it resonated with me so I want to share it with you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

My Child

When people laugh,
they don't see the hurt;
But I do.
It's MY CHILD…

When people speak
such unkind words,
they don't see the pain;
But I do.
It's MY CHILD…

When people turn away
Because they don't understand,
I do.
It's MY CHILD…

So many tears,
so many broken hearts,
they don't feel;
But I do.
It's MY CHILD…

A simple smile,
just one kind word
could ease the hurt.
Oh, don't they see;
I do.
It's MY CHILD…

Please understand
My fervent plea;
Think before you speak.
It could be YOUR CHILD…

Written by Fran Sanzone

There are some wonderful and unique autism poems at Child-Autism-Parent-Café. I encourage you to go and read them.

Seasons Greeting

2011-12-25T04:45:00.000-08:00

Christmas With The Autistic Child

2011-12-20T10:14:00.000-08:00

Christmas can be a hectic time for the average family but with an autistic child in the home, it can be even more difficult. As parents you will have to prepare a little differently.

Your home will be filled with colourful lights and decorations: the cooking smells will be different and many visitors are possible at this time of the year. Your child might not easily cope with some or all of these changes to routine.

The best way to prepare is to begin well in advance for that all important day. Put up a big board and write on it what will be happening and when. As a family, check the list each day and work out what comes next. This will help prepare your child for change and at the same time, keep the rest of the family on track at this busy time.

Put Christmas baubles in jars around the home so that the child can see them at every turn and get used to them. Do the same with the lights too so that they get used to the colours. A little at a time is a good rule to go by.

On Christmas Day at meal time, have your child’s usual favourites on standby in case they refuse the new dishes. It is enough for them to get through the new routine without having to try different foods as well. Also, stagger the gift opening so that they are not overwhelmed with too many toys, etc. If they stop playing with one then move it out of sight until they finish with the next one.

The general idea is not to overwhelm the child if possible. Get some more tips from Stuart Duncan so that you can be fully prepared for a great holiday and minimise the chances of your child becoming upset.

Autism Affected Children Being Bullied

2011-12-13T09:39:00.000-08:00

Children who are on the autism spectrum are sometimes the subject of bullying by their peers. Often, children with this syndrome display exceptional levels of intelligence and it is this that other kids seem to find terribly disturbing. Of course, when kids see something out of the norm they will pick on it without exception. However, the victim will have no way out and usually doesn’t understand why it is happening.

Schools are also left with a worrying problem because parents of autistic children will complain, and rightly so. Most schools have introduced support systems for children on the autism spectrum and this has helped to minimise the amount and impact of classroom bullying. It hasn’t wiped it out completely, but that probably amounts to changing human nature.

The question is what impact does this bullying have on a child on the autism spectrum?

For parents of these kids who are being victimised, a US site called ianproject.org has set up an online survey where parents across the world can write down what has been happening. Also on this site, parents can interact with other parents and share tips and advice on their next best move.

The survey is open for parents with children between six and fifteen and is meant to give a clearer picture of what is going on in schools today. It is only open for a couple of months so those who want to participate should do so at the earliest opportunity.

"That will provide some hard evidence for parents who are going into a principal's office and trying to say this is not just this little thing that happened here with my kid. This is something that is a pattern that is happening everywhere. These children are especially vulnerable."

Every voice counts so if you have something to say, go and say it.

Mini Time Tracker – Staying On Track

2011-12-06T10:18:00.000-08:00

You know those times you’ve said to the kids “I’ll be there in five minutes!”? Or done the “You have half an hour to finish that off,” then completely lost track of time?

Or you promise them if they spend twenty minutes doing their homework, they can then have 20 minutes on the DS, and they ask every 2 minutes “Have I done 20 minutes yet?”

It drives you crazy and, really, there are things that need to be done that prevent you from sitting in front of the clock, watching it count down and calling out “Ten minutes to go! Five minutes left!”, et cetera.

Kitchen timers are brilliant for this exercise, except they don’t give countdowns or warn when the timer is about to go off, startling everyone and causing a sudden end to the activity. The kids might appreciate it for an end to homework, but not when they’re doing something they enjoy. They do like a warning.

The Mini Time Tracker makes up for these deficiencies, as it not only counts down (up to two hours) but also has the capacity to set “warning” countdowns as well, which can be set to give as much warning as you like - five minutes, ten…

Aside from the standard kitchen time alarm going off when time is up, the Mini Time Tracker has a visual component, which can be viewed from anywhere in the room. The top of the tracker changes from green to yellow (warning time countdown), to red when the time is up.

The alarm volume is adjustable to cater for room size, number of children and the noise level of their activity. You might even like to switch it off and have the visual, green-yellow-red countdown only.

Your time is then freed up to worry about the things you need to and spare you the unnessary task of clock watching.

Making Christmas Decorations

2011-11-29T05:23:00.000-08:00

Christmas is fast approaching. A big part of Christmas is transforming the house, inside and out with Christmas decorations such as lights, tinsel, shiny baubles and smiling Santa faces galore! However, for kids on the spectrum, Christmas decorations can mean a sensory overload and might cause confusion and stress with all the changes to regular look of the house and their “space.”

Here are some tips on how to cope with the sensory overload of having a houseful of Christmas decorations:

• Get your child involved. They might like to choose a special decoration at the shops to hang on the tree. You could encourage them to focus on a particular job such as decorating the bottom half of the tree or something else at their height level.

• Make Christmas Decorations. Helping make decorations might help ease the sensory overload. We have some great items in our Arts and Craft section to help this. This Photo CD Ornament is a great idea as you can use photos of familiar faces and even the family pet which will certainly make it easier to deal with strange and new decorations. This Handprint Santa is also a lovely way to get your children involved.

• There are some certain decorations such as blinking lights, lots of glittery decorations such as tinsel and random noisy ornaments like talking Santas that can wear down senses over time. before your child reacts, try and plan carefully exactly the type of decorations you will include.

Getting your child involved in making Christmas decorations and decorating the house is an excellent way to help them cope with the changes that come this time of year. They will love to feel responsible for making the house look “pretty” and Christmassy and this will also give them a sense of pride when they can see their gorgeous homemade decorations hanging on display.

Under the Glass

2011-11-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

Kids are, by their very nature, curious little beings. They’re also fascinated by little beings in nature.

Bugs, worms, insects and all manner of creepy crawlies grab their attention and just beg for closer inspection.

Letting your little ones loose in the garden is a start. Add an Insect Magnifying Glass and they’ll be delighted with the detail of the insect world they can now explore.

It is a natural way for your children to embark on an educational – and FUN – foray into the insect world that allows them to examine creepy crawlies in their natural habitats.

If the insects keep hiding, as they tend to do when confronted with giant sized pre-schoolers!, you might like to have your kids explore them under the glass.

This great idea from A Little Learning shows how you can create a Magnifier Discovery Board to use with your Insect Magnifying Glass to closely, and safely inspect the insect world.

You’re not limited to insects and other creepy crawlies either. You and your children can explore all kinds of natural objects from your backyard and garden, or from anywhere, really.

Remember to release the crawlies back into their natural habitat when the examination has finished, and use your display board for any number of items and objects of fascination.

Autism Buddy - An Online Resource

2011-11-15T07:46:00.000-08:00

Autism Buddy is a website rich in resources for parents, teachers and other carers of children with special educational needs.

The resources include an incredible range of printable worksheets, flashcards, reward charts, e-books and many more. Hundreds of these are available to download for free, while others require that you purchase a premium membership. This can be paid over various periods, starting at monthly and going up to two yearly. An organisational membership is also available, which would be ideal for schools or community groups.

Included in the Premium Membership is access to Flash Card Maker, giving you free reign to design cards best suited to your children's needs, as well as their Interactive Zone, where children can access a range of activities such as colouring pages and puzzles.

The free resources are extensive and their use would not be limited to children with special needs. For example, the Chore Chart would not be out of place in any home or classroom. Similarly, Animal Bingo can be played with just about anyone.

Some of the resources would also be helpful to anyone wanting to assist children with their emotional and social development, such as this set of Emotion Flash Cards. In addition to visual learning aids, the website also hosts a forum, a blog, information resources for carers and an opportunity to "ask the experts".

Autism Buddy is very easy to navigate, with charming, simple graphics, careful use of bold colours and an intuitive set of headings and categories.

IEPs - What They Are And What You Should Know About Them

2011-11-08T11:07:00.000-08:00

What is an IEP? IEP stands for Individual Education Plan, a document negotiated between educators and family members or caregivers to ensure a student’s individual learning and education needs, as a result of a disability, are met in the most appropriate and accessible manner. IEP’s are normally developed on a 6-12 month timeline depending on the state or educational system you are dealing with, but can be reviewed and amended at any time as circumstances change.

That’s the formal explanation, but what does this really mean?

People who have the best knowledge and best interests of the child meet to set 2-6 educational goals based on the child’s specific needs, skills, attributes and aspirations. Where appropriate, the most important member of the team, the child, should be present at any meeting.

A successful IEP has 5 basic steps: information gathering, consultation or meeting, design of the plan, implementation and finally evaluation.

A few general notes to remember:

• An IEP should only be part of your child's curriculum. There will be other class curriculum and content that will be general to the class and the school that will not be included.

• In the spirit of inclusion, the goals of the IEP will be incorporated in general class activities wherever possible and will not necessarily require individual tasks or programming.

• As with any kind of plan, goals for your child need to be realistic, meaningful and measurable.

• Working towards the goals of the IEP across school, home and community involvements will greatly increase the success and effectiveness of the plan and the educational goals for the child.

IEP’s are a working document that can be reviewed and reassessed as needs, goals and circumstances change. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or request amendments at any stage. You are always your child’s best advocate.

What Are Your Insects Up To?

2011-10-25T07:41:00.000-07:00

Fact: Little people are fascinated by little things.

Your child can learn so much from studying the comings and goings in the lives of the insects in your very own yard.

We have child-friendly insect magnifying glasses that are perfect for enhancing your child’s view of the little critters that make up such an important part of our ecosystem.

What foods do they naturally choose? Where do they live? Do they live in large communities, or spend most of their time alone?

There are endless activities that can be based around the study of insects and even favourite songs such as “That Ants Go Marching” and nursery rhymes such as “Ladybird, Ladybird” take on a whole new level of meaning after you have watched thousands of ants marching one by one or waved goodbye to a ladybird as it flies away home.

There are safe experiments that even the youngest child can take part in, such as sprinkling a pinch of sugar or some cake crumbs along a line of ants and watching how their activity changes.

It can be an enlightening experience to follow one ant from a food source, all the way along the ant super highway, to the point where it enters the nesting hole. What an epic journey for such a little creature!

This can also help with your child’s understanding of analogies of insect behaviour that are sometimes used in nursery stories.

Check out our colourful Insect Magnifying Glass and open your child’s eyes to the amazing world of insects.

Halloween Sensory Bag

2011-10-18T10:07:00.000-07:00

Halloween can be hard for kids on the Autism Spectrum, but that doesn’t mean they should miss out on the fun. All the cool kids are joining in, so why shouldn’t they?

The cool thing about Halloween is that the ‘mainstream’ toys are all pretty sensory anyway! Think all things slimy, spiky, squidgy and squishy and that pretty much sums up the kind of party favours kids like at this time of year.

The Toy Bug knows how important it is to be inclusive and http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifsensitive so that ALL kids can take part in ALL events! They have put together a collection of 12 sensory toys and completed the package with a colourful Halloween bag to boot.

These toys are great for all events and occasions, and are a great travelling ‘kit’ of toys that will stimulate, soothe and occupy even the most fussy little ghoul, goblin or zombie. Kids can squeeze, stretch, bend, turn, spin and squish in this pack of Halloween horror.

The set, for ages 3+, includes:

* Halloween Bag (approx 36cm x 38cm - excluding handles)
* Soft Spider Squish Ball
* Pumpkin SLIME
* Wind up Ghost or Pumpkin
* Pumpkin Touch Bubbles
* Wooden Spin Top
* Bendy Skeleton Keyring
* Sticky Halloween Toy
* Hand Clapper
* Mouth Whistle
* Spiky Ball Keyring
* 2 "Happy Halloween" Balloons

This set is so cool that ALL kids will want one, and at $16.95 for a $22 value it is a fantastic way for your kid to stand out in the crowd during Halloween for the best of reasons.

Going To The Dentist

2011-10-11T07:32:00.000-07:00

The one thing all parents of children who fall under the umbrella of ASD quickly learn, is to take away the element of surprise from upcoming events as much as possible.

Regardless of your child’s individual sensory requirements and level of understanding, preparing them for any event that may present challenges is always a good plan, and a visit to the dentist could be quite harrowing for your child without adequate preparation.

The most important first step to making a trip to the dentist run as smoothly as possible is to find a dentist who is child friendly. Ensure they have some experience of working with children who have special needs and know how to make their dental visit a fun and non-threatening event.

Ask other parents in your network of friends and through your child’s school or care facility for recommendations, most will gladly recommend a dentist who has been caring and accommodating of their child’s needs.

When you ring to make an appointment, have a talk with the reception staff about your child’s needs. Ask if it is possible for your child to have a tour of their rooms before his/her consultation, to have a look at and touch the equipment that may be used and become familiar with the process.

Allow your child to take along a comfort item or favourite toy with them for their dental visit, and keep the first visit short and positive, more of a familiarisation than a treatment if possible.

Keep in mind that many children with ASD sensory issues are easily overwhelmed by noises and sensory overload, therefore ear muffs or headphones with soothing music may help to drown any disturbing noises made by drills and suction tools. Several short consultations are often more successful than trying to rush through treating more than one tooth at a time.

Make sure the dentist explains each step of each process before it happens and shows each tool and explains its purpose before using it. It is important that your child does not feel rushed and is given enough time to absorb and become comfortable with each piece of information and process.

No matter how well you try to prepare some children, the entire process of a dental examination and treatment can simply be beyond their scope of coping skills. Sedation may work for younger children, or the option of a general anaesthetic may be offered to your child through some dental hospitals or clinics.

Above all try to encourage your child to maintain their own oral hygiene and health as it is the best course of prevention for dental problems.

Going To The Hairdresser

2011-10-04T18:26:00.000-07:00

There are many social situations which can cause stress to a child with an Austism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - taking them to get a haircut with a hairdresser is one of them.

A hair salon can be extremely distressing and invasive for an ASD child. If they are sensitive to noise or smell then they may be put off by the sounds of hairdryers and clippers not to mention the smell of chemical based hair products. Often the lighting and mirrors can be too much for them to handle as can the touch of the hands and scissors scraping against their neck.

So other than attempting to cut your child’s hair at home, there are some things you can do to make the experience more enjoyable for both of you.

It is definitely worthwhile visiting the salon prior to the appointment without your child. That way you can make special requests in terms of appointment times (opt for a quiet time in the salon) and establish the best place for your child to sit during the appointment. Advise the salon of your needs and mention that you will need a double appointment as it may take longer than usual to cut your child’s hair. Also let them know you would like to avoid any waiting time if at all possible prior to your appointment.

Make use of social stories and role play prior to the appointment and if necessary, take a photo of the salon on your first visit to use in the story to help familiarise your child with what is going to occur at the salon.

Distraction is important when scissors are involved so a portable dvd player, games console, headphones, or their favourite book or toy can help draw their attention away from the haircut. Use whatever works in terms of reassuring your child during the process - hold their hand, have them sit on your lap, hug them – anything that will help them relax.

Do not be upset if you are unable to complete the haircut in one visit. It may be worthwhile revisiting the salon in a few weeks to help continue the desensitising process. Further work may need to be done in terms of role play or social stories.

Choosing the salon that is best for you and your child may be one of the biggest aspects you have to overcome however once you do, your child may soon learn to feel proud of their “new haircut” and look forward to their next special visit.

Lay-by For Christmas

2011-09-27T13:57:00.000-07:00

Did you know that you can lay-by our products? With Christmas looming ahead, a lay-by system will make it easier for you to manage your cash flow while you stock up on gifts.

You can now order the toys that your children will love and pay for them over 12 weeks. You can start with a purchase of as little as $40.00 and all you need to pay is a 10% deposit.

We ask that you make regular fortnightly payments of whatever amount you can manage. We know that some weeks are better than others so we don’t impose a set amount on you. If you would like to pay out the balance at any time within the 12 weeks, that is not a problem. We don’t impose any penalty amounts at all, unlike some of the major stores.

Our lay-by system is there for your convenience. We know that you want to shower your family with gifts at Christmas and this is one way of making it easier for you to do so.

Once your final payment has been received, your order will be delivered to you within 5-7 days. You can order your gifts and leave them stored with us until the big day is almost here. It’s so much easier than trying to hide them away from curious little eyes!

If you would like to use the lay-by system, all you need to do is to select “Lay-By” as your payment type at checkout. It’s that easy.

If you’d like to read more about our lay-by system pop over to the website.

Then, start shopping!

How To Use Our Packaging For Fun

2011-09-20T07:46:00.000-07:00

Think back on past Christmases and kids' birthdays – remember when they put aside their presents in favour of the wrapping paper or the cardboard box? When we send you your next parcel, don't throw away the packaging – use it with your kids to have some fun. Simple materials like bubble wrap and corrugated cardboard shipped with our products provide great sensory input.

Lay bubble wrap on the floor like a little 'path' or road. Encourage your child to walk on their heels slowly, step by step along it (you may need to go first). They will not only feel the bubbly texture, they will feel it pop against their heels. They could also try walking on the soles of their feet to feel the slight difference.

With the corrugated cardboard, your child could firstly rub their hands or fingers along its ridge like texture, then try painting it with bright colours using a sponge or brush. Or better yet – finger paint! The paint on their fingers – and no doubt all over their hands – provides even greater tactile stimulation.

Use the bubble wrap and the corrugated cardboard together – cut them into “carpet” squares and lay a path on the floor to offer different textures for the feet.

You could also help your child make a textured collage. Cut different shapes out of the bubble wrap and corrugated cardboard and glue them to a piece of paper or cardboard.

So when you get your next Toy Bug order – save a trip to the recycling or rubbish bin by having fun with the packaging.

My Toilet Chart

2011-09-13T07:26:00.000-07:00

Toilet training children can be a challenging task for many parents and it is even more difficult for parents of children with ASD. Many of these kids are non-verbal and mostly communicate through the aid of visual cards. Without the perfect tool, toilet training these special children can lead to frustrations and a lot of mishaps.

With these important factors in mind, Magnetic Moves came up with the My Toilet Chart which has been specifically designed to aid children and their parents during the toilet training stage. It has the signature interactive and easy-to-use features of Magnetic Moves' charts, which make it a big hit among parents and children.

The chart allows the parent to use it to suit their child's needs. It has spaces for up to 5 goals and it's up to the parent to choose whether to use all 5 goals or start slowly with just one or two. Once the child achieves the goal, a star is placed under the goal in a column.

The chart is reusable as it is magnetic and with 35 colour-coded activity tiles, 20 star tiles and 5 balloon reward tiles, it's easy to adjust and personalise. There are also 50 extra stickers which can be used to encourage the child some more, as well as an easy-to-follow user guide.

The Cubeo Organiser

2011-09-06T12:57:00.000-07:00

For children on the Autism Spectrum, trying to remember the things they need to bring to school everyday can be a difficult task. T hey usually work on routine and when that changes, it sets them off balance. Children on the Autism Spectrum are also usually very visual learners and sometimes can have difficulty verbalising their thoughts or needs.

This is why the Cubeo is a revolution in teaching kids how to remember and organise the things they need for school. It is visual and colourful so they will find it engaging and easy to use. It comes in the form of a bag tag so kids can access it without having to undo tricky zips to get to it.

The Cubeo has over 80 reusable stickers which feature common items you'd find in the schoolbag of a primary school student, as well as stickers for extracurricular activities. There is also an information card where you can write down the contact and allergy details.

So how easy is the Cubeo to use? It's really simple. There's a front window that displays all the items that the child needs for that day. The ingenious drop-down cards allows the child to see and remember the other things he or she needs for specific days of the week.

Each pack of the Cubeo contains the device, a set of 90 reusable stickers and is available in blue, green, pink, and yellow.

Siblings and Autism

2011-08-23T07:16:00.000-07:00

Having a sibling with a disability can be challenging and when the disability is ‘hidden’ or not so obvious like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it can be even harder.

‘Normal’ family life is rarely problem free. A family that never disagrees would be incredibly odd! The presence of an autistic child is unlikely to be the sole cause of such problems, although it may complicate or exacerbate struggles at various times.

Often the sibling with ASD will require extra attention from the parent, and the other children may understandably feel left out or resentful. It’s perfectly normal. No one likes to feel left out, regardless what age they are, or the reasoning.

So what do you do about it? Can you do anything? Absolutely!

Consider setting aside a short period daily or at minimum, weekly, to connect with the other family members and let them know they are special in their own way. Perhaps use the time when a child is travelling from school, undertaking a sport or activity or after siblings have gone to bed. Share a milkshake, a trip to the park or the shops, a book or a game, something simple where the sibling without a disability is not the centre of the activity or event. How special would it be to have a designated ‘date’ with mum or dad, or better, both!

Don’t forget kids are pretty resilient too and research suggests that in the majority of families, the benefits of having a sibling with special needs far outweighs the disadvantages.

Tolerance, acceptance, patience, compassion, a strong sense of equality, social justice and a greater understanding of people and their differences are all common traits in people who have the blessing of a person with additional needs, Autism related or otherwise, in their family.

Sesame Street Puppets

2011-08-16T07:44:00.000-07:00

Since its first airing in 1969, Sesame Street has been a firm favourite with children of all ages and there are many good reasons for that. Designed specifically with an educational curriculum and aimed at creatively explaining cultural and social situations in a way that young children can relate to, it was the first television show of its kind and still remains one of the most popular.

Many parents of young children these days were avid viewers of Sesame Street in their own childhood and we all get a little warm and fuzzy when we see our favourite muppet monster captivating our own little ones.

The show has continued to evolve over the last forty years, with developing technology and changes in our day to day world, but many of the key characters are still the same.

We have some wonderful Sesame Street Hand Puppets in store and they are perfect for encouraging creative role playing with your children.

It’s easy to role play with characters we all know so well and most mums, dads and even grandparents can just as easily slip into character when it comes to Sesame Street muppets as well as any three or four year old can.

Colourful and cuddly, these plush hand puppets are just the ticket for endless hours of imaginative play and your children can easily become the puppet masters that bring these wonderful characters alive.

A cute addition to a sing-along or a counting game, for learning the alphabet song and even being a familiar friend in unfamiliar situations, these puppets will quickly become a fun part of your toy family.

ASD And The Drama Of The Airport

2011-08-09T07:09:00.000-07:00

Airports are huge, noisy, brightly lit areas of CHAOS!

They can send anyone over the edge, especially a child on the spectrum.

As with all new environments, it is important your child feels safe. Bring activities they enjoy to keep them occupied, familiar foods and anything that keeps them calm and helps them to feel secure. This is for both during your time at the airport and on the flight itself.

It’s also important they are dressed comfortably and it's really helpful if you dress your child in brightly coloured clothes. It makes them much easier to spot in crowds, should they wander off!

Set them up with activities whilst you’re waiting in lines as well as waiting for the flight to take off.

In preparing your child for the airport, the use of social stories is fabulous and helps your child to understand and anticipate what is coming. Ideally, and if it's an option, try a trip or two to the airport itself, so they are more familiar with the environment.

Your best strategy, however, is to ask for help. If you have someone to be a second pair of hands and help keep your child entertained, then that’s what you want to aim for.

However, that is not always an option, so don’t be scared to ask the airline staff for help. Explain your child has special needs, and that they don’t do well with lining up. Being open and upfront will ensure your needs are respected, and it will also help the airline staff to help you.

If you can afford it, avoid the low-cost airlines as they often don’t have the resources to help. That is, they may be slightly understaffed and frazzled and not able to give you the assistance you require.

Finally, be aware of the strong smells and loud noises of the airport, as well as the visuals; strong, bright lights, and loads of people!

Travelling on an airplane should essentially be fun - however as with anything, the more familiar they are with an environment the better.

Colour and Number Puzzle

2011-08-02T11:00:00.000-07:00

I like the look of this puzzle. I love the rainbow of colours and the soft, curving shape of the pieces. They are very inviting and little hands enjoy feeling the smooth curves of every piece.

The Colour and Number Puzzle is a great toy for hand-eye coordination and learning numbers and colours. The pieces are double-sided: one side has the name of the colour and the other has a number.

Apart from the obvious use as a puzzle, you can invent all sorts of games using these pieces. If your child is struggling to learn about colour, invent a game that makes them select the right colour to win.

Adding each piece of the puzzle into its spot is excellent for developing hand-eye co-ordination, too.

The puzzle is made of wood for durability and it comes housed in a solid wooden tray.

All materials used are child-safe and non-toxic.

Helping With The Rules Of Board Games

2011-07-26T17:15:00.000-07:00

Autism is explained as being a continuum and some autistic children will have some physical, emotional and mental facilities that function normally, whilst other facilities might be compromised and require boosting through practice and refinement. Common areas across the spectrum of autism that need practice and refinement include the areas of communication and social skills.

It goes without saying that one should try to think up games and activities for autistic children that will help build their communication skills and functionality. One of the best ways of improving functionality is through continual practice and repetitive action. Simple board games help an autistic child learn to count and take turns for example, and this in turn will help with social interaction and learning.

Games that focus on cause and effect are also effective and since board games thrive on routine and are often designed to be very visually appealing (think snakes and ladders), it shouldn’t be so hard to convince a child to play these games.

Visual rules can really help a child with autism learn the rules of a game much more quickly and board game visual supports are one way of speeding up the process of understanding. Here you will find a range of templates for some great games including bingo. You may also be able to visualise many of the other board games you wish to play with your child. You can print off the visual templates and start playing games with your child straight away.

Remember that “practice makes perfect”. Remain patient and soon board games will become routine and help expand your child’s social and communication skills.

Holidays – Keep Those Kids Busy

2011-07-19T08:24:00.000-07:00

Most children are used to relatively structured days and activities during the school term, at pre-school or school, and can be left a little lost during the holidays. Holidays do tend to set off the “I’m bored” in kids and leave mums frazzled and annoyed.

Avoiding this frustration is as simple as organising a minimum of one structured or semi-structured activity per day. Depending on the age or dependence of your children, will depend on your level of involvement; if you’d like them happily and safely occupied whilst you attend to something you need to, make sure you structure in activities they can do mostly unsupervised as well.

Activities may include:

• Craft - cutting and pasting, painting, drawing, playdough;
• Chalk drawings - either on a footpath, garage floor or the side of the house;
• Building a cubbyhouse using sheets, blankets and the furniture;
• Bug and insect catching;
• Set up a game, challenge or obstacle course (indoor or outdoor); and
• Research - have the kids research a topic or subject they’re interested in.

Other activities that keep the kids busy and wear them out include bike rides along a specific route or excursions – particularly if you can use public transport, as this makes the day just a little more exciting for them. Or how about exploring the neighbourhood on bike or foot?

If it helps, set up a timetable of activities similar to that of a school holiday program. Get the kids involved and help you set up the program. The structure will help lessen the school holiday chaos and the kids will have no reason to be bored.

Crafts That ASD Kids Will Love

2011-07-12T07:20:00.000-07:00

Little hands like to be kept busy and craft activities are a timeless winner with kids of all ages and stages of development.

Craft projects allow for children to experience and experiment with different textures and colours, to plan and produce something of their choice and to tweak and adjust their masterpieces to suit their own taste and preferences.

If your child is uncomfortable with the sensation of sticky paint or paste try different combinations of gloves. Often soft cotton gloves worn inside of disposable latex ones will be easier to tolerate than latex gloves alone, and this will reduce discomfort of any sensitivities they may have to crafting materials too.

Encourage your child to feel different textures and try a variety of crafting methods, but keep them well within their comfort zone, otherwise their creative juices are likely to dry up before you even get started.

Work in a well ventilated area to minimize the odours of glues, etc, although bear in mind that any breeze will blow paper, glitter and any other light items around which can quickly become very frustrating.

HANDS in Autism have a wonderful range of craft and activity projects specifically designed with ASD kids in mind and each of the steps are easy for both adult and child to follow. They also provide some handy templates for How To Charts and all of their ideas leave room for adjustment to your child’s particular needs.

We stock Squeeze Scissors, Animal Finger Crayons and several other Art and Craft items that make great additions to your child’s craft kit. These items are all easy to use and help to personalise the crafting experience for your child.

Dr Sheldon Cooper – Big Bang and Asperger’s

2011-07-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

It’s an ongoing question. Is Dr Sheldon Cooper from television's The Big Bang Theory on the Autism spectrum or isn’t he? While the writers and creators of the show say that they didn’t write the character as having Asperger’s Syndrome, Sheldon exhibits lots of classic symptoms of both Asperger’s and OCD.

Just consider his love of routine.

• He sits in the same place and won’t sit anywhere else
• He has a set schedule for toilet and bathroom use
• He has a set schedule for weeknight activities
• He orders the same food every time and won’t accept variations
• He doesn’t understand emotion in others.
• He can only accept logical and fact
• He is socially awkward
• Limited interests
• Brilliant in certain areas

I don’t think the show will ever classify his character in any way. As Sheldon himself says, “My Mother had me tested” and nothing came of it.

What I love about The Big Bang Theory and Sheldon is that it takes away some of the mystery for people who don’t really understand ASD. It shows a real human who is coping in the real world, despite his own set of peculiarities. It shows a man who is capable of loving in his own way and who is willing to try to do things the way others do them if it’s really necessary.

Look at the way he looked after the character of Penny when she hurt her shoulder. He might have struggled with the cuddling but he managed a “there, there.” He also managed to sing his own special song “Soft Kitty” to help her settle to sleep.

Does Dr Sheldon Cooper have Asperger’s Syndrome? Who cares? He’s loyal and he’s lovable and it doesn’t really matter how he’s “classified”, does it?

Winter Foods and ASD

2011-06-21T10:55:00.000-07:00

Winter brings with it that wonderful feeling of rugging up and enjoying delicious hearty meals that we don’t crave in the warmer months. But it can also bring it with a number of challenges for parents with fussy mouths to feed, particularly those with ASD and the often associated food sensitivities.

There are ways to make winter food tasty and healthy even for the most discerning diner. Being involved in the food preparation stage can help to create excitement for new foods. Winter meals are particularly good for this as they usually involve simple preparation followed by time in the oven. From mixing and measuring to getting things out and putting them away again, your little one may be more motivated to sample and enjoy something they’ve had an active part in creating.

If it comes down to the food itself, try using the meals you know they love as a base concept and putting your own winter spin on it. Homemade meatballs with chunky salsa, delicious soups, pita bread pizzas with sweet potato or odd shaped pasta with round cut vegetables. Fun variations that can allow for the cheeky addition of easily disguisable vegetables. Then there are simple yummy sauces which can be made using natural ingredients matched to the flavours you know your child enjoys (like capsicum jam which tastes sweet like shop bought tomato sauce).

Fortunately for sufferers of food allergies (and their parents), a rise in awareness in recent years has seen the emergence of an endless number of ‘free from’ products available for those seeking out alternatives. You can now get almost any product gluten free from the local supermarket with an increasing number of dairy and sugar free products also available. Plan whatever type of meal it is you want to tempt your fussy one with and then replace the usual ingredients for alternatives like gluten free bread and pasta.

Winter is the perfect opportunity to be able to recreate simple dishes and slip in extra vegetables and other nutritious additions. The use of alternative and natural wholesome ingredients, plus a touch of creativity, can help you to make fun, tasty and healthy food for your fussy eater this winter.

Is Your Child Just Angry?

2011-06-14T13:00:00.000-07:00

With the rise in understanding of Asperger’s Syndrome and the condition being spoken of more at a community level – and of course, all the bombarding of information we receive and the resulting feelings of guilt we endure – when your child throws a few tantrums, especially in public, it’s easy to be concerned your child may have the disorder.

Temper tantrums are common in toddlers and pre-schoolers and are very different from the “meltdowns” experienced by children on the Autism Spectrum.

A tantrum is, essentially, a power play when a child doesn’t get what he wants and makes his frustration or anger clear by having a “tantrum”. He kicks, screams and flails his arms.

A meltdown, on the other hand, is often caused by something in the environment that has upset the child or caused him confusion or distress. It may not be obvious to you or others, and is not always a result of frustration or anger. The main difference between a tantrum and a meltdown is control.

Children having a tantrum are in complete control of their actions, although it doesn’t always appear so. They look to see if they are getting attention from those around them, will ensure they are safe from harm, and will perform specifically with a certain goal in mind. Once that goal is achieved, the tantrum will stop.

Meltdowns are characterised by a complete loss of control, as though something has taken over the child. They are generally more risky, with no regard for their own safety or that of others, and they have no interest in the social situation. They have nothing specific they wish to gain from the “behaviour” and do not check to see if anyone is watching.

They are also generally preceded by a “zooming out” of your child, or a period of being quiet and uninvolved in their environment. A tantrum will follow a specific trigger, such as frustration or anger, or a specific incident.

Ignoring a tantrum is likely to result in a cessation of the outburst, whereas a meltdown will continue until it winds itself down. Children having meltdowns need help to reign themselves in, as they quite literally lose control of their actions, and to ensure they are safe.

Although both appear to look very much like “a spoilt little brat not getting his way”, they are significantly different in their triggers, control and cessation. We all have bad days, even children, so being able to tell the difference between a tantrum and a meltdown, may just help when it comes to controlling the situation and your child.

Good Activities For Kids With ASD

2011-06-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

Children diagnosed with ASD or Autism Spectrum Disorder are characterised as having difficulties with social interaction and communication, as well as having repetitive behavior and limited interests. That is why, when choosing activities to occupy them, you might like to find activities which address these specific problems and make it fun at the same time.

Playing a team sport is considered as an ideal activity because it involves interacting and socialising with teammates. It also demands large amounts of energy, which all kids have in excess! It’s a good way of channelling their energy into something constructive.

In fact, any physical activity is good. Swimming is excellent for co-ordination and concentration on instructions. Dancing, gym and yoga help children learn to control their bodies.

Don’t look past the creative arts, either. Many children are much better at expressing themselves in art or music than they can with words or speech. It opens up a new world of communication.

Activities like jigsaw puzzles, playing with Lego and woodcrafts are excellent at helping tune fine motor skills. This can also help them learn how to focus on one task for long periods of time.

Another good game to consider is Jenga. Aside from aiding children with their fine motor skills, they can also learn the value of waiting and taking turns. This is especially helpful when teaching about patience.

Encourage your child to try different activities. There will be one that makes a big difference in both of your lives.

Kids At The Supermarket

2011-05-31T18:40:00.000-07:00

Grocery shopping with a child can be tough at the best of times, however, when your child has Asperger’s or Autism, it adds a whole other level of challenges!

ASD children can be particularly sensitive to stimuli including sight, sound and smell. The bright lights and noises of shopping centres can lead to meltdowns, and the smells can be overbearing.

If possible, take your child shopping during less busy times of the day. Also keep yourself well prepared, bringing along items you know will keep them calm, or help to calm them should they not cope well.

Constantly talk to your child to reassure them and have them hold weighty objects, or place shopping items on their lap as you go around the store. This helps them to feel grounded and aids the stimulation of necessary touch sensors, providing a “weights” workout.

Choosing food can be difficult, particularly in fresh food markets, where smells can be extremely powerful to your child. Having them in charge of the list, if they are up to it, helps, as does the holding and carrying of items. Allowing them to explore different food textures with their hands stimulates the touch sensors. This is particularly applicable with fruits and vegetables, for example, as they have unusual or highly textured skins.

Let them be as involved as they need to be, whilst also monitoring their handling of items and how well they are coping with the environment. Introducing them to the shopping experience by taking them on short trips can lay strong foundations for the bigger trips, so taking the time to do this can make a significant difference to their experience and yours.

Little things, like simply allowing them to push the trolley, with its weight and vibrations, can be enough to keep them calm. Remember, work with your child and their needs.

Mostly – enjoy!

Comics Can Be Beneficial

2011-05-24T11:00:00.000-07:00

I used to love comics when I was little. I particularly loved the Donald Duck comics for their colourful images and their storytelling.

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed them until I saw a post over at Wired Magazine that pointed out how useful they can be as a developmental tool for kids with ASD.

Interestingly, I have also received a lot of feedback from parents of children with autism sharing about just how valuable they have found comic books to be for their children. And,simultaneously Bill Zimmerman of Make Beliefs Comix (who we wrote about over a year ago) made contact to say that he too has had many parents sharing with him the value they find in his site. He was able to share some of these from parents who eloquently explain the value of comics in supporting children with autism who learn visually, to build an understanding of emotions and to develop social stories which help children learn and prepare for activities and engagement.

Have you ever bought comics for your child? They will work just like the PECS cards because children will recognise the visual expression on the faces in the pictures. Pop into makebeliefscomix.com and have a play.

You can make comics for yourself and create your own story line. And at the same time you get to relive the enjoyment you received from comics when you were a young child.

Sensory Toys Under $10

2011-05-17T22:53:00.000-07:00

Everything we do involves the use of our senses. As infants, we learn and discover the world through our senses. By allowing our children to develop their senses as early as possible, we help them increase their cognitive, physical, and emotional abilities. This results in the development of the infant's brain.

Sensory development starts as early as the gestational period and continues through childhood. This is why it is important that we provide our kids with a multitude of sensory stimulation from the time they are born. If we start early, then we have a greater chance of influencing their brain development while it is at its most malleable state - this particularly means during the first 7 years.

There are many children's toys that can help. Some are expensive, but there are also those that are affordable. Here are just a few sensory toys from The Toy Bug that are under $10.

Wooden musical instruments such as whistles and castanets are perfect. The whistle will help your child learn how to shape the mouth and blow, as well as help develop his/her listening skills. Meanwhile, the castanets are fun to click and jump around to. Both are great for practicing co-ordination skills.

The Flashing Spinning Top can help your child develop their hand-eye coordination as they try to spin the top.

The Animal Tape Measure is one of my favourites. It’s cute enough to be a toy but it teaches children about measurement and length.

Jigsaws are great for developing letter and colour recognition and fine motor skills and who doesn't love dinosaurs?

This list shows that great toys don’t have to be expensive to be valuable.

Tell Your Child How Great They Are

2011-05-10T18:00:00.000-07:00

In our day to day lives, with all the stuff that happens and the various activities we must attend to - or just when we are stressed - it’s very easy to forgot to remind your kids just how great they are.

Praising kids can have profound effects on their emotional and psychological development, as well as boosting their confidence and sense of self-worth. Reminding them every now and again just how special they are reinforces the things you like about them, and just as importantly, the behaviours you like them to repeat.

It helps to remind them they are valued and loved. It is extremely easy to feel the whole world is against you and you can’t do anything right, particularly when you hear it all the time. Even if you’re not focussing directly on the negative, not mentioning the positives, can still have a significant effect.

Experts commonly recommend “focussing on the positive” behaviours - finding things to give praise for. This is a great idea, as it has the effect of reinforcing that behaviour. It is particularly important when you are teaching a child certain behavioural patterns such as how to behave in public, using manners or to avoid hitting or hurting others. It is very very easy to take notice of, and react to negative behaviour that impacts on others regardless of whether it is verbal or physical.

Some children behave negatively just for attention – any attention, even being yelled at to some children is better than being ignored. Therefore, noticing and commenting on the more positive behaviour is not only beneficial, it also stops the child having to be so reliant on bad behaviour to seek attention.

Really, though, we all just like being acknowledged and praised for the things we do. It’s also really nice just to hear someone say “you’re great"! Kids are no different.

It is not essential to reward with gifts or treats, nor do you even need to go out of your way to do something special. Reminding your child how great they are also needn’t be an analysis of why, how or what they did. A simple “good job”, “you’re great” or “I love you” as you walk past them can considerably boost a child’s day.

Systemising

2011-05-03T21:18:00.000-07:00

Children with symptoms of Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome can often be very inflexible. They love their routine and have difficulty varying from it. I have heard many parents worrying out loud about what the future holds for their ASD children.

This video is really interesting. The inflexibility of your child could actually be linked to a preference and understanding of systemising. By systemising, I mean the processes that go on around us every day. For children that can be simple routine - dinner, bath and bed. As they grow up their awareness will extend further into the world.

Have a listen to the clip and I’m sure it will mean a lot to you.

In-Car Entertainment

2011-04-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

Heading off on a road trip with kids in tow can be a bit daunting unless you are well prepared.

Sitting in the back of the car for long periods of time is a bit boring for anyone, but for children who require consistent levels of stimulation it can be a real challenge.

For those who require sensory stimulation it’s a good idea to provide some new sensory toys for the journey, as experiencing and experimenting with new sensations can be a positive way to keep them occupied for quite a while.

We have some great toy options for back seat travellers, including our recent addition, the Sensory Easter Pack. Having a couple of sensory books like Diggory Dog Dress Up Book and Pet Tails Book also provides a different avenue of entertainment.

There are many different game options designed for travel like the Zingo! Travel Game that make it easy to keep all of the pieces together. String my ABC's is also great for journeys so little ones can practice their beading and fine motor skills while learning the alphabet! And for the older kids try Word Spin - a fun filled, easy to play, go anywhere word game suitable for the whole family.

If you travel regularly, try to take some different toys on each journey, as doing the same things every time can make them lose their charm.

Computers and Autism

2011-04-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

Studies have shown that using the computer can help pacify kids with Autism Spectrum and encourage the development of their communication abilities. Because of their very limited and focused attention, autistic children may feel threatened with face-to-face interaction, so much so that they retreat into their own world and can be very hard to communicate with.

However, it has been found that this trait could be improved by the use of computers. This is because it helps the user to combine different focuses effectively. It also provides a comfortable environment where individuals on the Autism Spectrum can experience beneficial transactions involving communication, social interaction, and imaginative play instinctively. And because they can actively control computers, they feel less threatened, which prevents them from withdrawing into their own world.

Another benefit of using the computer is that it creates a safe environment where they can explore, play, and be creative without the pressure of verbal communications.

Computers are also seen to be therapeutic to those with:

• Virtual tracking and scanning issues
• Learning or memory problems
• Eye-hand coordination difficulties
• Planning and organisation concerns
• Spatial analysis and synthesis issues
• Problem-solving difficulties

While computers can be beneficial tool for those affected by Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism, excessive use can lead to obsession and problems arising from inappropriate materials being viewed. It is always a good measure to limit use, as well as set some rules to protect children from Internet scams and bad materials.

Overcoming Bath Time Fears

2011-04-05T17:24:00.000-07:00

For most children diagnosed with Autism, bath time is something that's hard to go through. This is because some of them are hypersensitive to touch and every action that's associated with bath time, like soaping the body and hair or drying with the towel becomes a torture. Their sensory receptors are overloaded.

As with many children at bath time, the best thing you can do is to distract them with some games or activities.

If it is waterproof, allow them to take their favourite toy with them so they can play with it in the water. That will give them a whole new experience with that item. There are lots of games designed for bath play. Bath squirts are always fun and a little water mess is a sure sign of fun!

Toys like tea sets and dolls are great for bath time, too. Children mimic the adult world by learning to wash and dry plates and cups or washing dolly’s hair. Sometimes, by being able to wash the doll as you are washing them, the child learns to understand the routine and becomes less stressed. A clever doll to use in the bath is Wayne Needs a Bath (or Julia needs a bath for the girls). Dirt marks printed on the doll are treated with heat sensitive ink. When put in warm water of 32-35, the marks will go away.

Another handy toy is the Farm Friends set with soft foam animals that stick to the tiles when wet.

Pet Fashion in the Tub is very clever. It is a set containing a foam dog and cat and 32 different accessories that they can be dressed up in.

Each of these sets packs away neatly for use next time.

Toys are great tools to help children learn to cope with life. If bath time is a problem, bring out your favourite toy to help.

Autistic Girls

2011-03-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

“Females are biologically and socially expected to be nurturing, intuitive and empathetic, and yet autism is primarily a social-emotional disorder that profoundly affects relationships and social behaviour. For girls, the collision between autistic characteristics and social expectations can be especially difficult -- and almost unsurmountable during the teen years.” (Autism in Girls Poses Unique Education, Social Challenges)

The issues facing a teenage girl diagnosed with autism are very unique and need to be addressed and dealt with quite differently to teenage boys facing the same diagnosis.

Social Interaction
The friendships and networks of teenage girls are very complex and demanding, especially with the rise in popularity of social networking sites, email and text messaging. Autistic girls find it difficult to have empathy and connection and be involved in fast paced communication with a lot of unspoken or hidden messages.

Anxiety and Depression
There has been a lot of research into the links between autism and depression. Although the ratio for autism affecting boys vs. girls is 1:4, over half of autistic patients with mood disorders were female.

Hygiene
Sensory and awareness issues mean that for some girls they are unaware of the need to bathe, shave or wax, wear deodorant or generally look after themselves.

Eating Disorders
Recent research suggests a link between anorexia and autism. Around one fifth of girls diagnosed with anorexia have autism spectrum features. To confound this, being undernourished and underweight only exaggerates autism traits.

School
In addition to problems interacting socially, keeping up with fashion and teenage girl communication, more than half of girls with autism spectrum disorders have been bullied, frequently truant and avoid participating in sports.

There really needs to be an investment in programs aimed at teenage girls affected by autism that will help raise awareness and build social skills, aim to correctly diagnose and treat depression and eating disorders. However, developing real friendships is one thing that could make all the difference.

Baby Time

2011-03-21T20:48:00.000-07:00

It has been baby season lately, with new little beings arriving in my end of the world. There is nothing as lovely as the feel of a newborns skin, is there?

I have been looking for some special gifts for these special people and I have found some wonderful items that I'd like to share with you.

Your Cheeky Monkey specialises in online baby products and the range is wonderful. I couldn't go past the Sophie the Giraffe collection especially this teether toy.

At ILiv Cards I found some stunning birth announcement cards These are gorgeous and by adding the photo of your newborn child the card becomes a keepsake and heirloom.

I also found some useful and stylish personalised baby blankets at Blanky 4 Me and for this time of year they would be a great gift. You can buy them for kids and adults, too.

Of course I can't forget our range of sensory baby toys which are so great to play with and so good for baby's development. I admit to a fondness for Boris, the PJ sheep. He is soft and feels wonderful but he's also useful in storing your child's pj's.

There are so many wonderful baby product available online that there is sure to be something for everyone.

Musical Toys - Hitting The Right Note

2011-03-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

Music is such an important part of people’s lives and has an impact on us in many different ways. It can relax us, make us want to dance, tap a beat or sing. Music is used as therapy for many different situations and for people of all ages and backgrounds.

In 1943, when psychiatrist Leo Kanner first introduced the term "autism", he observed that several of his patients showed a real love for music. Ever since then, therapists and researchers have agreed that children with autism often respond to music, melody and rhythm.

Music is a form of non-verbal communication which is non-threatening and can soothe and calm an autistic child. Music enables children to communicate and express their feelings.

Some simple music therapy to try at home:

1. Get a simple instrument such as finger cymbals or hand clusters and play it next to your face. This will help your child become more comfortable with eye contact.

2. Sing some simple songs while holding a doll or stuffed toy. Act out the song using the doll.

3. Using some castanets or maracas, take it in turns to play a rhythm.

4. The rainbow sound blocks are a wonderful toy that can not only make music with the beads in each block, your child can also look through the different colours as well as stack and construct objects.

We also have many other musical instruments including triangles, rainmakers and xylophones which are perfect for use at home with your child.

Parents and carers of autistic children usually find their child has a real affinity for music and will be able to recreate and remember songs. You might want to even consider getting your child lessons in a particular instrument which will provide both self-esteem and a creative outlet which will no doubt be of great benefit.

Waiting For An Autism Diagnosis

2011-03-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

Suddenly you are called in for a meeting with your child’s teacher, preschool teacher or day care. Perhaps you have always had an inkling or concern about certain behaviours in your child? If the word “autism” has been mentioned or crossed your mind, you will certainly be eager to get a diagnosis. But then you find out it is weeks or months before you can get an appointment for a professional assessment and diagnosis.

So what can you do while you are waiting for a diagnosis?

At Home Play Therapy You Can Do Yourself

Early intervention is essential in any diagnosis of autism. However there are some things you can start with at home that will benefit your child, regardless of whether they get diagnosed with autism or not. Referred to as “developmental therapies” they can include floor time and play therapy. Basically they involve intensive parent-child interaction that feels a lot like playing.

Find Parent Support Groups And Information

Either in your local area or online, parent support groups can provide advice, resources, information and most importantly, a listening ear.

There are also some really great websites to have a look at:

www.raisingchildren.net.au
www.earlydays.net.au
www.autismspectrum.org.au

Your Reaction

Waiting for a diagnosis can be a very difficult time. It might feel like you are in ‘limbo’ until you get the results back. You could experience a range of feelings such as sadness, grief, relief, shock, denial or anger. It is important to work through your emotions and remember, a diagnosis won’t change your child, but it will open up services and a direction so you can begin to help them.

Aspergers - a short documentary

2011-03-01T20:05:00.001-08:00

This is a short video documentary (just over 4 minutes)and it explains Asperger's Syndrome very well. It will help you to understand and explain what is happening to your child.

Kitty Tails

2011-02-20T20:48:00.000-08:00

This is such a clever book that I just have to tell you about it.

It is called Kitty Tails and it's a is a great educational and interactive book for little ones aged from 0+.

Even better - it's fun!

There are lots of activities to keep baby amused with different textures, colourful pictures and those irresistible tails they will have fun pulling and guessing whose tail belongs to who.

Just see if you can resist stroking and pulling all those colouful and textural tails! I can't. Having a story to go with them is really just a bonus!

Buy a copy for your little one and see who gets most fun out of it.

Coping with Fussy Eaters

2011-02-15T10:10:00.000-08:00

For a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder it can be hard to explain why certain foods are ok and others are not. Because their extreme sensitivities go far beyond the difference in flavour between foods, texture can be extremely important and food temperature can also make a difference to how well any food is received.

The taste buds on our tongues tell us if a food is sweet, sour, bitter or salty. You mgiht find that your child will eat only one of these 'tastes' or will avoid one. This is when you need your lateral thinking to kick in.

It’s important that you meet your child’s nutritional and physical needs while being understanding and tolerant of their heightened sensitivity. Always be encouraging, but never force your child or get angry with them, no matter how frustrated you may feel.

Don’t offer too many choices at a time, one or two options on their plate at a time is usually enough.

If they have a preference for sweet foods try adding a sweet topping or marinade to your food. A touch of honey does wonders. Similarly, if they prefer something more salty try a sauce on the food you are giving your child. As long as they eat a variety of foods it doesn't really matter how they eat it, does it?

Try each flavour in different textures and at different temperatures. Record your child’s reactions and reception of the different foods that you offer.

It’s very handy to be able to look back over a comprehensive food diary, not only to work out patterns of what they like to eat, but so a dietician can help you to keep track of how much they are actually eating and where there may be gaps in their overall nutrition.

Introduce new foods gradually, always offering a food that they are comfortable with alongside new food sensations.

Many parents learn to hide nutritious foods in well tolerated foods, by perhaps peeling and grating or mashing and mixing through their favourite foods.

Every child is different and a fussy eater is a fussy eater whether or not the child has ASD. Don't worry too much about what they eat as long as they do!

ASD and repetitive behaviours

2011-02-09T15:38:00.000-08:00

Many children with ASD will have repetitive behaviours. They can range from simple rocking in their chair to dramatic flapping and jumping. For some children it can be more serious and lead to them harming themselves.

Over the years there have been lots of theories put up about why they need repetitive behaviour and how to manage it but even now some of them are not fully proven to be effective. The way you manage repetitive behaviour in your child depends on how severe it is, how much it interferes with life and the reason you believe it is happening. Often you are going to have to trust your instincts but remember that you know your child better than anyone else.

When does the repetitive behaviour occur?
Is there a particular time or place in which your child starts this behaviour? If so, try to identify what is going on around him that might be irritating the senses. Is it a normal reaction to being tired or stressed? Many so called ‘normal’ people find themselves rocking on the spot or doodling repetitively in that situation, too.

Is the behaviour severe?
Is your child hurting herself? Is she placing herself in danger with the behaviour? Is it making social contact difficult to manage? Sometimes the behaviour becomes something that the people around the child can become used to because it doesn’t really intrude. Most children can accept odd behaviour in other kids and will let your child work through whatever is bothering her.

Just remember that just because they have a repetitive behaviour it doesn’t have to stop. As a parent, it is up to you to decide when you need to intervene to protect your child’s safety and ability to fit into normal situations

Why is it happening?
You know your child well. What do you think is causing the behaviour? Is the child stressed or upset? Is it possible that they are using the action to calm themselves by blocking out an irritant?

Sometimes the behaviour is known to happen when your child discovers something new that he or she would like to explore. Is there something new around that you could start feeling and exploring together? Is there a toy that you can use to help your child become comfortable with the new experience?

If the behaviour has the potential to be damaging you will need to seek professional help. If not, try to work out what provokes it and develop a strategy to explore it.

Liquid Drop Timer

2011-02-03T20:00:00.000-08:00

Sometimes when things get to be too much your child will need calming. It's very difficult to find something soothing when you are on the road or out in public. This timer could come in very handy for you.

It is a liguid drop timer and it is only 12 cms in length so you can easily tuck it into your handbag or your childs schoolbag and keep it with you.

A series of blue globules travel down a spiral path at very slow motion speed. It taks between 6 and 8 minutes to make the trip. It is a little like a lava lamp but it doesn't to be plugged in to work. You can't help but watch the drops as they move and it is incredibly soothing. You will find your own mind calming as your child's does.

This is one of our best sellers and I certainly know why. Priced at only $10.95 it is worth its weight in gold.

Music for Autism

2011-01-25T20:03:00.001-08:00

Music has a way of speaking to people and the words are often just a bonus. In the case of these songs the words are the key. They give an insight into the world of a child with autism spectrum disorder. They tell us what it is like to live as they do.

This first song is sweet and gentle with a country feel to it.

This one has a harder edge to it and will probably appeal to older kids especially if they know and like Jack Black.

This is just one of the songs from the Miracle Project album "Fly" which features duets between celebrities and children with autism. Isn't that a great idea?

Music has a way of conveying the message where regular conversation doesn't. I hope you enjoy listening to these songs and I hope that they help you in your understanding of ASD.

Self Help Toys

2011-01-18T18:30:00.000-08:00

One of the wonders of childhood is that children learn so much through play. Toys are an important part of their day for amusement and comfort as well as for learning.

The Toy Bug has a carefully chosen range of toys that we call 'self help' toys because they help children learn basic skills while they play.

This is Sandra's Wardrobe. Isn't it gorgeous? A great toy for developing bilateral integration (both hand working together), illustrating body part concept and awareness and improve hand-eye coordination. It is also excellent for helping children become familiar with morning routine as you start to prepare them for transition into school. They can help the doll dress for school with clothes, sunhat and school bag, before they have to do it for themselves.

This is our Puppy Activity Doll.
He's a perfect example of the toy that is for comfort as well as learning. He is such a nice, soft armful to cuddle but if you look closely you will see that he is full of little learning activities. With laces to untie, a buckle to unbuckle and snaps to be undone, little ones will be fascinated with this bright and coloured friend.

We have quite a selection of Self Help toys to choose from. All you need to do is to decide which skills your child needs to learn or practice and that will help you to choose the perfect toy from our range.

Back to School

2011-01-11T18:25:00.000-08:00

While most of us see school as a happy place full of kids to play with and things to do, for children with special needs it can be a nightmare. New places, new people and new sensory assaults can make school a traumatic experience.

There are a few steps that you can take at the beginning of each year which will help to mimimise the impact of this big step.

1. Meet the teacher.
Make an appointment with your child's teacher so that you can meet before the school year begins. It will help the teacher to better understand your child's needs but it will also let your child become familiar with the teacher and the environment. The more often your child can visit the easier it will be to settle in when term begins. He or she will know the layout of the room and have experienced the sounds and textures around it.

2. Wear the uniform at home
This is especially important if the uniform or the shoes are new. There is nothing worse than wearing scratchy clothes or buttoned up collars for the first time unless it is the torture of new shoes! For children with heightened sensitivities it is even worse. Let them try on the clothes at home. Wearing will soften collars and shoes over time and you can do it in small stages. Coming to terms with new buttons or buckles will take a while. Doing it gradually over a few months is often the best approach. Working through these things before the school year begins will make the first week a lot more comfortable for both of you.

3. Tell the teacher about your child's sensitivities.
Make sure that your teacher knows what might trigger a reaction from your child. Is she sensitive to noise? What sort of noise - the babble of busy kids or the sudden noise of the bell? If he dislikes the feel of carpet the teacher will need to create a special place to sit. Most sensitivities can be managed with some careful planning.

Author, Sally Thibaut, created a report that she discussed with the teacher every year. "I would re-visit the School Report each year and would make time with each new teacher to ensure they understood just what David’s needs, his challenges, his strengths and his weaknesses were each year, and that we were all on the same page when it came to ensuring just exactly what our expected outcomes were. The information then formed the basis of an IEP – Individualized Education Programme, that was updated and revised each year." She has made the report available as a
free report for you to adapt to your child's needs.

4. Talk to your child
In all the fuss of informing schools and teachers about your child's needs you might forget that you need to talk to your child, too. While you practice putting on the uniform or finding the label on the schoolbag, talk about what to expect at school Start building familiarity before the child has even started school. One way to introduce the idea is through images. Here is the link to a flip book created by Marita at Stuff with Things to help her child get used to the idea of starting school. It is also a free download.

The day your child starts school is a huge milepost in your lives. The more preparation you can do before that day comes, the more likely it is to be a great day.

Brain Development

2011-01-04T15:53:00.000-08:00

The National Institute of Mental Health (USA) has been doing some research into the way the human brain developes.

Using magnetic resonance imaging, the study examined changes in the thickness of the cerebral cortex, (the thin sheet of neurons that surrounds the outer surface of the brain) this is the part of the brain that is responsible for many higher mental processes.

The cortex grows thicker as a child ages and when they reach a cortical peak level they start a natural “pruning” process of thinning and refining their cortex, the brain rewires itself as it matures, discarding redundant neural connections.

Researchers found that the brains of children of higher IQ levels appeared to develop their cortex more slowly and in a different way to children with a more average intelligence level. These findings essentially allow scientists to identify physical features of the brain that correlate with IQ levels.

A child with an average IQ may reach their peak cortical levels at the age of seven, whereas children with higher IQs could be as old as thirteen before their peak cortical level is reached, and their “pruning” process was more dynamic and efficient.

It is hoped that continued studies in this area will help to identify and understand the differences in brain development in children with disorders such as attention deficit and schizophrenia.

It will be exciting to see what the future findings of this research can show us.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-22T16:25:00.000-08:00

Ear Muffs Protect Sensitive Ears

2010-12-20T16:20:00.000-08:00

Children with noise sensitivity can even find regular daily situations most distressing, which in turn can make planning around their sensitivity quite difficult for parents and carers.

Obviously the easiest way to cut down their noise exposure is to be able to provide some form of noise block, but ear plugs are not safe to use, especially with babies, and until recently it could be hard to find a set of ear muffs that were really suitable for smaller children.

Now Edz Kidz have developed a wonderful range of ear muffs that have been specially designed for children and are suitable for babies from six months and can fit children up to the age of 10 years.

These ear muffs have a soft padded headband for extra comfort and come in a selection of bold colours including blue, yellow, pink and red.

They fold down to nearly half their size for easy carrying and storage and are light and durable, weighing only 190 grams.

Perfect for protecting any child’s hearing in particularly loud environments such as car racing, concerts or fireworks, these ear muffs conform to Hearing Protector Standard EN352-1 and are CE marked to comply with European Health Regulations for your peace of mind.

Edz Kidz ear muffs will help any child with noise sensitivity issues to feel more comfortable and calm in any noisy situation, allowing them to open to other positive experiences that are presented to them.

Free Colouring Book by Temple Grandin

2010-12-12T21:34:00.000-08:00

Temple Grandin is an amazingly talented person. She has a real gift with animals and seems to be able to get in touch with how they think and feel.

Temple Grandin thinks in pictures and was diagnosed with Autism well before there was much understanding about what that really meant.

Through her own courage and the understanding of those around her she has become a leading animal specialist and an international spokeswoman for Autism.

To help celebrate a new movie starring Claire Daines that tells the story of the life of Temple Grandin so far, Barnes and Noble, HBO and Project Onward are offering a free downloadable colouring book that tells her story – in pictures.

This is a charming book that has been written by Mary Carpenter and illustrated by autistic artists from the Project Onward initiative.

The story serves to educate children about what it can be like to live with autism, and helps children with autism to know that they are not alone and there are others who understand what it’s like to be autistic.

The illustrations are individually signed by the artists and are clear line drawings, perfect for colouring.

Great for use as an educational tool, at home and in schools, this book offers a lovely insight into autism.

Download a free copy from Barnes and Noble for someone you know who loves to colour in.

Meeting Santa

2010-12-08T16:26:00.000-08:00

Many families take their annual visit to Santa at their local shopping centre for granted, but for children with sensitivities such as those associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) it can be a situation best avoided.

Sometimes preparing your child before the event, explaining what they can expect to experience and reassuring them about any concerns that they may have will help them to enjoy the experience more. After all, he is an odd looking man in odd looking clothes who makes odd sounding ho ho noises. He's not someone that you see every day, is he?

Sometimes, though, their sensitivities make the whole event really distressing.

Occasionally someone has a good idea. A shopping mall in Montgomery County, Miami, USA, has its third annual “Sensitive Santa” event planned for this December.

It is a special event designed for children with high sensitivity, with lower lighting and quieter surroundings. Everything is designed to keep things calm and peaceful and non-threatening to sensitive people.

When children with ASD meet Santa in a comfortable setting where they feel safe to interact with him, it becomes a wonderful and magical experience that leaves a very positive impression.

Your local Autism Association should be able to tell you of any similar events being hosted in your area. If there aren’t any, then it would be well worth approaching the management of your local shopping mall to see if they would consider hosting a similar event. It only has to be one time frame on a set day and with adequate promotion it would be a profitable undertaking for them.

Often children with ASD miss out on magical experiences like meeting with Santa for the first time but with greater public awareness and the right settings, they can share in these simple joys too.

Egg Shape Sorter

2010-11-30T16:29:00.000-08:00

Children have a natural fascination with food and toys associated with food easily become a favourite choice. Eggs are particularly interesting because of their unique shape which encourages touch and feel.

The Egg Shape Sorter combines bright colours and a variety of shapes, including circle, square, rectangle, triangle, star and diamond to make a fun and educational toy for young children.

Each egg opens to reveal a colourful shape that can’t be seen when the halves of the egg are put together again. Different shapes won’t fit together properly, and the different colours provide additional clues for matching the correct halves together. It’s a fun and easy game that teaches children about shapes and colours through play.

Neatly contained in a blue plastic carton, you can take the Egg Shape Sorter with you to engage and entertain your child while out and about, and it’s fun and easy to pack the eggs away in the carton when it’s time to come home.

Whether as an interesting addition to shopping and cooking games for all or simply for the colour and shape recognition for young toddlers, this is a toy that is a versatile and valuable addition to anyone’s toy box.

Recommended age: 18+ Months

Christmas Competition

2010-11-24T22:36:00.000-08:00

It is starting to feel like Christmas and as a special Thank You to our Customers we would love to give away some gorgeous gift packs - total value of $196.50!

All you have to do is purchase over $40.00* between November 1st 2010 and December 15th 2010 to receive one (1) entry into the draw to win one of these gorgeous 5 gift packs. *excludes postage on orders under $150.00.

This draw is open to Australian and New Zealand residents only.

Draw closes on Wednesday 15th December at midnight (QLD Time) and the winners will be drawn at 8.00pm (QLD time) on Thursday 16th December 2010. We will be using random.org to choose the winners and winners will be announced on our facebook page and notified by email.

If you'd like to know what is in each of the packs drop into our site and have a look. They are fantastic!

What is a Sensory Diet?

2010-11-16T22:36:00.000-08:00

Despite its name, a Sensory Diet is not a strictly food based or nutritional plan. It is a scheduled activity program that is usually designed by a registered occupational therapist to meet your child’s individual sensory needs.

Many of us naturally seek our own stabilizing sensory triggers, like running our hand through our hair to help us think, or slowly sipping at a mug of soothing warm drink, we instinctively develop sensory habits and behaviours.

People with mild to severe sensory disorders often find it hard to develop positive behaviours that create balance and satisfy the needs of their nervous systems.

Also called sensory modulation, your child’s occupational therapist can assess your child and tailor a daily plan that caters to their particular sensory stimulation or soothing needs, helping them with settling and staying focussed throughout the day.

Each child responds differently to different sensory experiences, and some may need sensory input to soothe their over-wired nervous system, while others who are more sluggish or withdrawn may need activities that stimulate them and arouse their creative output.

Sensory diets are usually easy to follow and may include activities such as:

• Blowing up balloons or blowing bubbles which can help with sustained breath control and tends to have a soothing effect by encouraging deeper breathing and oxygenation.

• Drinking carbonated water can help stimulate hunger by creating awareness of the digestive tract as it tingles on the way down.

• Jumping on a trampoline can stimulate both balance and joint strength and weight awareness.

• Slowly moving your body weight from one foot to the other, rather than standing still can reduce the need to pace or wander around the room.

An occupational therapist will find activities that your child enjoys doing whilst getting the sensory stimulation required.

Temple Grandin - an amazing woman

2010-11-08T16:05:00.000-08:00

I shared this clip on Facebook recently but I think it is so good that you all need to see it. Dr Temple Grandin autistic and is an inspirational woman. I am writing a special blog post about her that I will post for you later on. There is so much to learn from her.

Watch the video and get an insight into the way she sees the world and how that influences her actions.

The Scooter Board

2010-11-01T18:14:00.000-07:00

While some children with Asperger’s syndrome are well co-ordinated and agile, others can have problems with their gross motor skills appearing clumsy or awkward in their movements, with poor co-ordination. Gross motor skills require the larger muscle groups to function for skills such as running, skipping, hopping, jumping and climbing. Difficulties in children with Asperger’s may be caused by lack of confidence, limited strength, difficulty problem solving to achieve a desired result, avoidance or lack of motivation and awareness of body.

With these factors in mind it is important to consider how best to introduce something that may be new and beneficial to your child, without causing anxiety or fear.

The scooter board is a small piece of equipment that a child can lay on, kneel on, push or be pushed on. It is great for children with a range of abilities, is suitable for ages 3 and up and will hold up to 80kg! It will assist in developing gross motor skills, co-ordination, balance and kinesthetic awareness. The child gets on the board, holds onto the handles and then moves their body around on the board to move the scooter board in any direction.

New activities need to be introduced in a gradual and supportive way so that the child is able to participate with minimal fear or anxiety. Confidence needs to be built up gradually, so the use of any new piece of equipment needs to be implemented in the most basic of ways to begin with until the child is comfortable. The beauty of the scooter board is that it is ideal for this type of use; graduating from the simplest use to increasing skill over time.

Anything new may be resisted initially, but the variety of uses for the scooter board makes it ideal for a variety of levels of participation.

Communication Shutdown

2010-10-27T22:34:00.000-07:00

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has a profound impact on those with the disorder, particularly in relation to social communication.

Not only do they face huge challenges socially but they can be left feeling alone and isolated.

Communication Shutdown is an initiative instigated by the AIEOU Foundation, a not for profit organisation dedicated to providing intervention programs for children diagnosed with ASD.

It is aimed not only at raising funds for autism groups in over 40 countries, but also to highlight the isolation and loneliness experienced by those unable to connect socially with others. The initiative involves shutting down your Facebook and/or Twitter accounts from midnight on November 1st 2010, for a period of 24 hours.

You can also show your support, and donate to the cause, by downloading a charity application (CHAPP) for $5 on Facebook. The CHAPP will show others that you have donated and are supporting autism, helps to spread the word, gives you a badge and adds your profile picture to a mosaic of supporters from all over the world. Including the celebrities!

You don’t need a Facebook or Twitter account to donate, and you’re more than welcome to donate more than $5.

Join us in spreading the word, raising much needed funds and experience what it’s like to be disconnected socially.

For more details and to become involved, visit http://www.communicationshutdown.org

Halloween for ASD Kids

2010-10-19T09:02:00.000-07:00

Halloween is almost here, bringing with it festivities including dressing up, trick or treating and far too many lollies.

Although Halloween isn’t something we celebrate in Australia as much as they do in the USA, or on the same scale, there’s still a lot of fun that can be had with the kids. Dressing up in scary costumes is just part of it, even if we’re not into wandering around the neighbourhood knocking on our neighbours doors, demanding lollies or threatening tricks if they don’t hand them over!

For ASD kids, however, it can be a quite overwhelming.

Fancy dress costumes may be uncomfortable or restrictive, particularly those with masks, and your child might refuse to wear the costume. The child might ever overreact to the way it feels. The whole night can be full of fearful things. After all, not everyone likes to see skeletons walking their streets. Your child is even less likely to understand it.

You will need to manage the night in a way that protects your child’s sensitivities. Halloween Is a night of noise, colour, people and movement not to mention lollies.

I found a great article over at the Autism Support Network that offers some fantastic ideas about how to include your ASD child in the Halloween festivities. They are simple ideas that will help you to enjoy the day as a family without having to cope with extra stress.

Happy Halloween!

Thomas and Friends Edison Chopsticks.

2010-10-12T18:59:00.000-07:00

These cute Thomas, James or Percy Characters training chopsticks will have any little boy smiling.

What a great product these are. The Edison Chopsticks™ enable children aged 3 and older to immediately learn the principles behind the use of chopsticks and help to develop finger motion, concentration, focus, and intellect.

Did you know that when you use chopsticks you exercise 30 joints and 50 muscles of the body? No wonder it is a hard skill to manage. The Edison chopsticks help children to co-ordinate all those joints and muscles in a really simple way. The posture and angle of the Edison Chopsticks™ is very similar to the pen holding and writing grip - so it great for children who are learning to write and it encourages fine motor skills.

They are made out of high-quality, non-toxic, BPA free material.

Choose from Thomas (right and left hand), James (right hand) and Percy (right hand).

Size: L 17.5cm x W 4.5cm

Age: 3+

Sensory Sensitivities

2010-10-06T22:02:00.000-07:00

The term “sensory sensitivity” refers to issues relating to the senses, particularly sight, touch, sound and movement.

When your child starts to show some odd behaviours you might want to look around, listen and even smell what is happening around them. It can gie you clues about what is bothering the child - what the sensory senstivity is.

Sensitivity can relate to “hypersensitivity” or heightened senses. People experiencing hypersensitivity are highly receptive and can become overwhelmed by sensory information, and can feel, see and hear things at an level much higher than the average person.

This can lead to behavioural issues, such as being abnormally frightened or distressed by noises, find colours or shapes disturbing or become anxious or bothered by the smell, taste or feel of things.

Brain overload might result in the child becoming inactive beause they can't make sense of what signals they are receiving. Alternatively they might become hyperactive as they react to the signals that are hurting their brains.

Others may experience “hyposensitivity” where senses are dulled. They may not be able to hear certain sounds or voices, or not feel touch or pain as others would. As with hypersensitivity, children with low sensitivity may become inactive as their brain can’t decipher what is coming in.

Alternatively, they may become hyperactive due to a need for more sensory information, either through self-stimulation or inattention.

Children with autism are likely to experience sensory sensitivity, which may lead them to display apparent obsessive behaviours, such as wearing the same shirt (they like the feel of it) or refusing to wear a different shirt (the tag on the back irritates them to the point of frustration). They might talk to themselves a lot in an effort to block out other noises. Perhaps they have to touch everything as they walk along - even to the point of feeling the wall as they move from room to room. Your child might need some tactile stimulation.

Others may become frantic at sounds and sights, such as music and lights, hurting their ears and causing their brain to overload. They may scream or hit their head, as it is literally hurting them.

If you can pinpoint what it is that is causing 'odd' behaviour in your child you can find a way to manage the behaviour. Teaching your child to cope with their sensitivities is often a matter of pre-warning your child about what is going to happen or involving them in activities which help them to extend their boundaries.

PECS - Free symbols

2010-09-26T15:39:00.000-07:00

PECS - Picture Exchange Communication System - can make it so much easier for you and your child to communicate. If your children can't express themselves in words their frustration can cause an emotional blowout. Imagine how much easier it is for them to pick up a card and show you what they want you to know?

The hardest part of putting together your PECS cards is finding the images especially without blowing the budget. Many sites need you to own Boardmaker which is a software program that helps you manage the image production. An Australian version, with specifically Australian images, is also available.

If you want to make your own images there are some sites that can help. They offer free images for you to use. Here are links to a few of them.

http://trainland.tripod.com/pecs.htm - This site has heaps of links to useful sites for PECS but if you scroll down to the bottom you will find links directly to images that you can use.

http://www.usevisualstrategies.com/AutismVisualPrintablePictures.aspx - Free printables.

http://www.setbc.org/pictureset - A collection of downloadable images.

http://www.pecsusa.com/Brochures/PicsforPECS2010Sampleweb.pdf - a downloadable pdf file of sample images that you can print out and use

http://www.childrenwithspecialneeds.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85&Itemid=64 - This site has images from Mayer Johnson and Silverlining Multimedia, specialist in PECS. While these are not copyright free you can print and trial them with your child before committing to purcahse any software. You need to know that PECS will work for you first, don't you?

http://www.trademarks-logos.com/ - Very handy for printing out brand images. Think of Coke and McDonalds. This site has lots of logos that might be useful.

http://do2learn.com/picturecards/printcards/index.htm - ready to use printables for your normal daily activities.

http://s86.photobucket.com/albums/k95/gavpedz/pecs/ - a few images that might be handy.

http://elearning.autism.net/visuals/main.php?g2_itemId=524 - great images that are easy to understand.

I know that we have bombarded you with a lot of information in these last two posts but I think they will be very useful for those of you who need PECS information and advice. I hope we have made your life a little easier.

PECS - Sources of information

2010-09-22T00:05:00.000-07:00

PECS, or Picture Exchange Communication System is a therapy based program used by professionals dealing in autism spectrum disorders, such as occupational therapists, speech pathologists, social workers and even parents and teachers. It is designed to provide a way for people with autism to communicate without speaking, or the need for using words.

Through use of a series of cards consisting pictures or symbols representing items or objects, tasks or actions, enabling children to communicate how they are feeling or what they need, as well as aiding with establishing routines and creating social stories to help children cope with social situations.

It is recommended parents (and others) complete a training course in PECS and to work with children on a daily basis with the system to ensure maximum benefit.

Further information regarding the system, how it works and the basis behind it, as well as where you can access training courses in Australia can be found at:

http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/pecs_th.html - also provides a list of all therapies and services for ASD in Australia, as well as additional, useful resources)

http://www.latrobe.edu.au/hcs/projects/autism/pecs.htm

http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/catalogue/pecs-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-books-and-resources - provides links and access to the PECS manual and PECS related products and tools and other useful resources

http://www.autismawareness.com.au/therapy-based-interventions/ - lists a variety of interventions and therapies available to children with ASD, including the use of combined therapies

http://www.autismsupportnetwork.com/resources/autism-what-picture-exchange-communication-system-or-pecs-223321 - also provides an online community, resources and events, and support

http://www.autismspectrum.org.au/a2i1i1l445l487/welcome.htm - offers information, events, resources, access to tools and materials as well as an online community and support

http://www.pecsaustralia.com - Pyramid Education Consultants of Australia who conduct training courses and workshops for those interested in the PECS system

Next week we will have a look at some of the PECS cards available, especially those that are free.

What Makes a Good Toy?

2010-09-15T14:34:00.001-07:00

Toys are a fantastic way to encourage learning in kids, stimulate senses and develop cognitive, motor and social skills.

This is particularly important for children with autism, who often require additional assistance in stimulation of the senses, motor control and recognition and understanding of social rules and playing with other children.

As with all toys for children, cheaper toys are usually not the preferred option, as they are easier to break or fall apart, and are often unsafe. Spending a bit extra for a sturdy, durable toy is well worth the money, in terms of safety as well as longevity of the toy.

They generally, depending on the type of toy, offer more options for interactivity, sensory stimulation and thought processes. Even simple aspects, such as the type of noise made or the ability to press buttons or flick switches can have profound impacts on its playability and enjoyment by the child.

For children with autism, toys that have a greater focus on sensory stimulation are most beneficial. Those that also offer a “cause and effect” type reaction, such as squeezing a ball and a light comes on, engages both touch and visual senses.

Toys or games a larger number of muscles to be involved; like the whole hand being required to squeeze, as opposed to one finger pressing a button, offer a greater opportunity for larger areas to be stimulated. Team them up with toys that engage other sensors, visual or auditory is good (leave taste for eating food!) and the impact on development of many areas is enhanced.

Toys that require sorting, matching or building, such as puzzles, LEGO or shape sorting/colour matching are great for improving cognitive skills, creativity and imagination. Of course, they also play a role in development of fine motor skills.

You also can’t go past play doh for creativity, development of imagination, and the touch and feel of has a profound impact on sensory stimulation. You can also add food flavours, such as strawberry or orange essence, and engage smell as well.

To help your children develop go and buy them a good toy.

Why play is important

2010-09-08T17:40:00.000-07:00

Play plays an important role in the physical, mental and social development of children; facilitating muscle development and body control, development of the senses, brain stimulation and thought and logic processes, and understanding social norms and accepted behaviours.

Physical development is enhanced through active play like running, jumping, climbing or dancing, and through quieter activities like drawing, doing puzzles, building LEGO or tea parties.

Gross Motor Development involves the larger muscles and muscle groups, like arms and legs, and is responsible for the ability to perform activities like walking and climbing, and also balance, special awareness and control of body parts.

Unstructured play, or imaginative/pretend play, on playground equipment or the furniture at home is a fantastic way to enhance gross motor skills, even if it does appear chaotic!

Fine Motor Skills are developed through use of smaller muscles, and more refined activities, like drawing, threading beads or constructing LEGO. Play that requires the use of smaller body parts, like fingers and encourages the use of various grips or movements helps strengthen the muscles and aids development of control. This is essential for learning writing, for example, later on at school.

Play doh and tea parties, train track construction and doing Barbie’s hair all require fine motor control.

They also aid in mental development, where thought processes and logic may need to be applied. Children learn how shapes fit, or which way an object needs to face in order for the play to work.

Cause and effect is also achieved as they begin to understand that pushing a particular button, for example, will result in a specific noise. Learning to comprehend their actions have consequences is extremely beneficial for mental development.

Play with others offers opportunities to learn social norms, sharing and appreciation for others. Comprehension of rules – both for the game and social rules – are addressed and children learn to work together towards a similar outcome and enjoyment.

Although play can be noisy or fraught with potential danger, it is essential for the growth and development of children physically, mentally and socially.

Spikko Carer Record Folder

2010-08-31T22:03:00.000-07:00

I recently came across this product at Spikko and think it is fabulous. It's a Carer Record Folder that is designed for carers and is especially useful if managing a child with a disability or additional needs.

The Carer Record folder's purpose is to simplify the process of attending various appointments by filing all important paperwork and information in one easily accessible folder. Categories include: Personal, Medical, Assessments, Therapies, Correspondence, Education, Centrelink, Funding/Concessions, Receipts/Statements, Information/Notes. Containing a variety of forms to record all types of information such as medicare information, contacts, medications, hospital visits and more.

The folder contains a business card holder that fits ten cards and a gusseted sheet protector with flap so that you can keep allyour contacts safely in the one place.

The beauty of this product is that you have all the information that you need at your fingertips. Just pick up the folder and take it to your appointments. You will have everything you might need in the folder.

You can also purchase the forms on CD so that you can print off extra copies as you need them.

If you are managing the needs of a child with some form of disability this product will simplify your life.

Kimochis – helping kids get in touch with their feelings

2010-08-24T07:45:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest challenges for people with autism can be to understand the feelings of others and to adequately communicate or demonstrate their own feelings. This is often one of the first things that can alert parents and caregivers to the possibility of a child having autism or any of the autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Using visual aids has been shown to help teach children with autism about how to read the various expressions of others and how they might be feeling, as well as teaching them how to successfully express how they feel themselves.

Kimochi (Key-mo-chee) means “feeling” in Japanese and the Kimochis Bug is a specially developed educational toy with various “feelings cushions” that the child can place in a pocket on his belly, showing how the Kimochis Bug feels inside.

The Komochis Bug is a safe friend who, like many children with autism, is scared of change because change is a big process for a caterpillar. Kimochis Bug’s secret ambition to fly means that changes are things that he must be prepared for and find the courage to deal with.

Bug is highly intelligent, fairly wary of new things and new people, but really good at carrying on a conversation when he feels comfortable. He is brightly coloured, soft and promotes tactile stimulation.

Because new things can be terrifying, Bug has become very clever at talking his way out of just about anything, but he is smart enough to know that he needs to be brave and find new ways of learning to participate if he wants to achieve his goals.

Kimochis Bug comes with a 'How to Feel Guide' plus Happy, Brave and Left-out child-safe “feeling cushions”, packed in its own peek-a-boo box.

Zac Web Browser – Helping kids with autism to focus.

2010-08-18T01:00:00.000-07:00

Children who live with any of the Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are often highly intelligent, but usually have specific learning environment requirements.

Zac Browser is the first Internet browser developed specifically for children living with various autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and it helps to take the guess work and trial and error out of finding the most appropriate sites and activities for your child to use. Best of all it is totally free to download and use.

Zac (Zone for Autistic Children) Browser is a completely free and safe software package that directs your child to activities that are specially developed and aimed to assist in learning for children with ASD. The entire selection of activities is suitable for all children of varied learning levels, so they are great for your child to share with friends and family.

Your child will find the diverse range of activities and games engaging and rewarding, and with Zac Browser they will be directed quickly and easily to their choices. You may find it hard to resist joining in with your child to sing along to Creature Karaoke!

The chosen videos encourage your child to interact and all of the games are educational and fun to play, from a simple drawing board to fun with Dora, Clifford or even the lovely Caillou, your child is sure to find lots of new favourites.

The latest version of Zac Browser contains a link to Autism News and Discussion Boards where you can source a wealth of information on ASD behaviours, tools and advice and is also compatible with the Wii Remote (property of Nintendo) for balance and hand and arm movement activities.

Why not download your child’s free copy of Zac Browser today?

What is a Fidget Toy?

2010-08-11T09:17:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of fidget toys? They are great tools for those children who just cant seem to sit still.

Children with forms of autism, ADHD and sensory processing dysfunction often fidget especially during times when they are required to concentrate. They wiggle, kick around, chew their fingers and become totally distracted from the topic they are supposed to be working on.

A fidget toy is something small, like a pliable ball, that the child can fiddle with to satisfy their needs without distracting others. Doodling while you are on the telephone or chewing a pen while you are thinking both work in the same manner. The brain is focused and the hands are occupied.

Research has shown that fidget toys seem to distract that part of the brain that makes kids squirm and fiddle. Once the brain is occupied the child can start to contentrate on their work. For adults, stress balls and executive desk toys have the same function.

Children with ADHD and forms of autism sometimes seem slow to react to their surroundings. Some researchers think that they are are "overreactive to high stimulation and under-react to low levels of stimulation." A fidget toy is designed to be enough to increase the childs awareness of the environment but not so exciting that it causes an overreaction.

For children who have trouble focusing, a fidget toy can calm them so much that there is a marked increase in their ability to learn and absorb information. It might be that this is what your child needs to help them through the long school days.

Finding the right fidget toy will be trial and error for every child is different. Look for something that is small enough to be portable and pliable enough to be squeezed and reshaped. Something like our Squishy Farm Critters would be perfect.

My Busy Day - Magnetic Activity Chart

2010-08-07T21:12:00.000-07:00

We know that children with autism can be very easily distracted from what they should be doing and that can be distressing for both of you. Our world relies on systems to keep it moving and one foot out of step upsets routines.

People who are organised seem to cope better with life, particularly during their school years so one of your challenges is to teach your child to become and to stay organised. A great way to begin is with a simple, visual chart.

Our fantastic Magnetic Moves "My Busy Day" activity chart is a colourful and fun chart designed to help your little one have input into their day. Little ones can work with mum and dad to select the tiles which outline the key activities in their day. This way there are no surprises, no false expectations and no disappointment. The little one feels empowered and that their opinion and input is valued.

The chart has a morning and afternoon routine section as well as a reward section. What I love most about this chart is that it is fun and easy to use and the ‘Done’ section allows little ones to keep track of their daily achievements by moving the magnets when tasks are completed. It is simple to see what happens next in the day because it is shown right there in the next image.

The chart is also very visual which is often the best way for children with autism to communicate. The tiles are images and the morning and afternoon charts have different coloured backgrounds.

What you are doing is training your child to use an organising tool to keep him or her on track. As the child grows the tool will become more complicated but the approach will remain the same. Don’t underestimate the value of this little tool.
This activity chart is suitable for any child aged 3-5 years because it requires no reading.

My Busy Day features:
* Full colour A4 magnetic chart (to put on your fridge or any metallic surface)
* 50 Magnetic tiles including fun, colourful illustrations and colour coded to keep your little one organised throughout the day as well as 2 blank tiles for you to customise to your needs.

Gluten Free Eating

2010-07-27T18:18:00.000-07:00

Did you know that studies of children with autism show that a gluten intolerance can lead to behaviour changes? Healing Thresholds says that children with autism are not able to properly process gluten through their digestive systems. This leads to a build up of the gluten proteins in their system which affects their behaviour in the same way that a dose of red cordial can affect others.

“Specifically, in these children, gluteomorphines could reduce their desire for social interaction, block pain messages, and increase confusion.”

A lot of studies examine the role of gluten as well as milk protein called casein in the behaviour of children with autism. By eliminating these products from their diets some parents found that their child’s behaviour improved.

When your child, is diagnosed as allergic to gluten or you are putting them on a gluten-free diet for behaviour issues like we did for our son, the first instinct is to panic. What on earth will you feed your child now?

Once the panic subsides and you start to look around there are actually lots of food choices still available to you. Many big companies are also starting to produce gluten-free products. Freedom Foods is just one company that caters for dietary intolerances. Have a look at their breakfast range and you'll see that your kids can eat their version of corn flakes and still look the same as everyone else. Online sites Taste and Cuisine have big collections of recipes that are gluten-free.

My son loves pikelets and the best recipe I have found is at Kidspot.com.au It's fast and easy, gluten and nut-free but best of all it is very appealing to kids. If you click on the Kidspot link it will take you drectly to that special recipe.

I'd love to know what gluten-free recipes you use for your child. Leave me a comment and tell me about them.

Autism and the iTouch

2010-07-21T16:18:00.000-07:00

The arrival of the iTouch, like an iPhone without the phone, has proven to be a surprisingly good thing for children with forms of autism. All over the internet there are stories of the difference it has made in their lives.

Children seem to adapt to new technology really quickly which makes the iTouch a great tool for learning.

There are lots of apps that can be downloaded that will suit your child’s specific needs. Some apps help children learn to focus while others help them to communicate.

“Model Me: Going Places” is a free app that helps kids learn to navigate challenging locations in the community. Each location contains a photo slide show of children modelling appropriate behaviour in places like restaurants, shops and hairdressers.

The “Grace App” is described as a picture exchange for non-verbal people. The beauty of this app is that now your child can show you what he wants or where she wants to go. They can take photos and add them to the app so it becomes quite a personalised communication system.

These are just two of the apps that have been developed. There are lots more out there and I am sure that there will be more to come as this idea catches on. Isn’t it exciting to think of all the families that can now really connect with their autistic child? It’s a whole new communication channel that really seems to work.

For older children, who want to look like everyone else of their age, the iTouch helps them blend in with the crowd. The fact that this little device is actually a tool to help them cope in social situations is something that no one else has to know. It can help to keep them organised as well as show them how to join in a conversation.

The iTouch and the iPad are even being used in schools. The iPad is larger so it is easier to read and has a better keyboard, making it great for the classroom. It opens up a whole new world of interaction between the child, the teacher and the classmates.

Click here for a list of apps that might be useful for you (along with direct links to the app itself) I hope you find the right app for you and your child.

♥Today is The Toy Bug's 3rd Birthday♥

2010-07-01T01:42:00.000-07:00

A few years ago I had a dream - about creating a business where parents could purchase quality, value for money educational toys that would help with their children’s skill developments and toys that their children would enjoy playing and learning with at the same time. Three years ago, that dream, The Toy Bug, became a reality.

Today I spent the day with my son, going to visit an old school friend who is just about to experience the wonderful joy of becoming a mum herself, taking my son for a haircut and having him sit there without screaming (a huge triumph) and then taking him to McDonalds as a reward. While sitting at McDonald I thought about my journey over the past 3 years and what a journey it has been! It has been a HUGE and wonderful learning experience for me not just in the terms of business but personally too.

We have come so fair since the 1st catalogue went out in July 2007 to now being online and having the most wonderful supporting customers. You, our customers, are the soul of our business – you are the ones who I am celebrating today. ♥SO THANK YOU ALL FOR MAKING THE TOY BUG WHAT IT IS TODAY♥. Your lovely emails and feedback motivate me, inspire me and sometimes moves me to tears of joy and I thank you every single day for allowing me to bring our wonderful products into your children’s lives.

I too have to thank my silent supporters who hold my hand when my life starts to gets too much, who give me brilliant ideas, who push me to strive and believe in me – I thank you from the bottom of my heart♥:

My Gorgeous son Lachie – who is my biggest inspiration and without him there would be no The Toy Bug! He is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love him more than words can say - I love him Autism and all and would not have it any other way! We have climbed many mountains over the past 6 years and I know there will be many more to climb and I thank him for showing me that I possess many qualities I never knew I had in me like patience, acceptance, understanding, strength and to appreciate the smallest things in life like a smile, hug or hearing the words most take for granted like “mum”. I believe all parents are given their child/ren for a reason and I am happy that God found me for Lachie and that I am a changed person with having him in my life!

My Husband - for having faith in me and allowing me to follow my dream and using our hard earned savings to start The Toy Bug. For his continued love and support in all I do and for helping out with the cooking, cleaning, ironing, stocktakes, packing orders and being my critic – yes I am a very lucky lady!

My son’s therapists who helped my son, taught me the most amazing skills, given me wonderful advice and helped my family in more ways than they will ever know.

My beautiful family and friends who helped me along the way with looking after Lachie when I needed to get things done, for giving me brilliant ideas, helping pack orders, giving me a shoulder to cry on when life gets too much and for making me take time out for myself so I don’t burn out!

A big Thank You to all the beautiful families touched by Special Needs – I thank you for your support and spreading the word about The Toy Bug. You are all an inspiration to me – how everyday you put one foot in front of the other and deal with whatever is thrown at you. For fighting day after day for your child’s rights so they can lead a fulfilling life and promoting public awareness.

A big Thank you to the wonderful networking communities I am apart of - I have meet some of the most amazing and inspiring people who have guided me, supported me and inspired me to be a better person, business women and Mum.

2010/2011 is going to be a big year at The Toy Bug, I am working on some wonderful new ideas, bringing you new products and supplying old favourites and I’m looking forward to sharing the journey with you!

So please grab your glass of whatever tasty beverage you have (mine has bubbles) and toast with me today to another year of The Toy Bug and too many more to come!

*Clink *Cheers*

♥

Product of the Week!

2010-05-19T05:09:00.000-07:00

Each week I will be reviewing a product that I love to use with my son and this week, my product of the week is the very versatile
~Wooden Lacing Reels~

These brightly coloured lacing reels come in a set of 20 reels with 2 laces. The size of the reel is 3cm x 3.25cm which make them great for little hands.

Lacing products are fantastic for encouraging Fine Motor Skills.

For those who are unsure what Fine Motor Skills are – they involve the use of the small muscles in the fingers, hand and arm to manipulate, control and use tools and materials. Another important component of Fine Motor Skills development is Hand-eye Coordination - that is where a person uses their vision to control the movements and actions of their small muscles.

My son has poor Fine Motor Skills so I always try to use toys that are fun, keep him engaged and involves his interests. The lacing reels are perfect for this as he loves lining/stacking things up, colours and counting so I can use the reels to teach my son multiple tasks like:

Lacing – using the lace to push through the reel is great for practicing the pincer grasp of the fingers. While he was lacing we were also counting the reels to a song like “one reel, two reels, three reels, four, five reels, six reels, seven reels, more”.
Stacking – we used the reels to stack on top of each other to see how high we could get them until they fell down or the fun part for my son was knocking them down!
Sequencing – we used the reels for my son to match the sequence of colours and while we sung our reel song (see above under lacing).

Matching – we used the reels for my son to match a reel to the coloured spots on the sheet.

Sorting – we used the reels as a sorting tool by asking my son to sort the reels by colour onto the correct coloured sheets and said each colour as he was placing them on the sheet.

Early Math – we used the reels as counters to teach early math with counting and number recognition.

Pretend Play – we used the lacing reels as pretend snakes and we were sliding through the forest while making ‘hissing’ sounds.

I was able to gain my son’s attention for a good 40 minutes and teaching him many different tasks from one toy all whilst having fun. Really the possibilities are endless – all you need is a little creativity and make it heaps of fun with lots of excitement and encouragement.

The Wooden Lacing Reels can be purchased from our online store for $14.95.

Happy Playing,

Why hearing the word "Mum" means so much!

2010-05-08T14:49:00.000-07:00

With Mother’s Day being today, I thought I would tell the story of why I love hearing the word “Mum”.

As a mother you can’t wait for your baby to say the word “Mum” - I was one of them. But I did not get to hear the word “Mum” until my son was around the age of 4 ½ and I still fills my heart with warmth just thinking about that day. I remember the cute little voice as he said it in; the tears streaming down my face, the joy of him finally acknowledging me as “Mum” and the excitement of ringing family and friends and shouting my son called me “Mum”. I remember thinking it was a miracle as I did not know if, let alone when, I would ever hear that beautiful word. It was a long journey to get to that point with many years of speech, occupational therapy and home therapy. It was hard for me as a mum to have a child who didn’t talk or did not want to be picked up or hugged. As a Mum those are all things you look forward to and some days I would have tears in my eyes when I went to pick my son up from day care as I would see other Mums collecting their children and their child running up to them with open arms and saying “Mummy”. For me most days I would have to go and sit in front of my son for him to realise that Mum was there to take him home.

Now I hear the word “Mum” every day and I love when I pick my son up from school that he now runs up to me saying “Mummy” with a open arms. I am ever so very grateful for this everyday and I never get sick of hearing the word “Mum”. But please spare a thought for all those mums out there that have not heard that gorgeous word yet and who are so longing to hear it. Even though their children may not speak I know that their children love them dearly by the hugs or kisses or just a touch of her hand to let her know they are there and every time I see these gestures it just warms my heart as I have been there.

So from me to every Mum out there I wish you a very Happy Mother’s Day and hope you enjoy having a big cuddle or a smile or a touch and if you are one of the fortunate ones - love hearing the word “Mum”!

♥ Jo xo

I found this poem for all the Mums who have children with Autism.

And Then God Created This Mother…

When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into his sixth day of 'overtime' when an angel appeared and said, "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."

And the Lord said "Have you read the specs on this order? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic, have 180 moveable parts – all replaceable, run on black coffee and leftovers, have a lap that disappears when she stands up, a kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair and six pairs of hands, ears that will hear things she doesn't want to hear, a mouth that can gently kiss away scrapes and bruises and yet tear the hide right off of those who try anything against the best interests of her child.

Yes, this model will have to be able to sit patiently and listen to outlandish reports about her child without flinching. She will have to hear how hopeless it all is and know that it isn't so. She will have to have those kinds of eyes which don't tear when she hears other mothers talk about how well things are going for their children."

The angel shook its head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands, yet? No way." "It's not the hands that are causing the problems," said the Lord. "It's the three pairs of eyes this mother has to have." "That's on the standard model"? asked the angel.

The Lord nodded and said, "One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, "What are you kids doing in there?" when she already knows. Another pair here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn't but what she has to know and, of course, the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs up for the 99th time and say, "I understand and I love you anyway" without so much as uttering a word.

"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve gently, "come to bed. Tomorrow…" "I can't, answered the Lord, "I am so close to creating something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick, feeds a family of six on one pound of hamburger and gets her nine-year-old to stand under a shower." The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. "It's too soft," it sighed.

"But tough!" said the Lord excitedly. "You cannot imagine what this mother can do or endure." "Can it think?" asked the angel. "Not only can it think," said the Creator, "it can reason and compromise."

Finally, the angel bent over and ran a finger across the cheek. "There is a leak," it pronounced. "I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model." "That's not a leak, said the Lord, "it's a tear." "What's it for?" asked the angel.

"Tears are for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness and pride… this model will know a lot about all that" answered the Lord, "But you know" He continued, "I don't even remember putting that tear there." "By the way", asked the angel, "what will you call this model?"

"I will call this one simply, the mother of an autistic child."

Author Unknown

It has been a while....

2010-05-08T04:44:00.000-07:00

I am so sorry that it has been so long since I posted on my Blog.

To be honest I think the main reason why is that I have been scared to write - that inner voice telling me no one will want to listen to what you write etc but I have had some lovely people lately ask me about writing my story with our Autism Journey and any tips/ideas that have helped us along the way. So I am going to step outside my comfort zone and give it ago and hope I don't bore you all too much.

So until tomorrow when I will write my Mother's Day post - Goodnight and Sweet Dreams!

Cheers Jo :o)

Christmas Packs Giveaway

2009-12-02T12:51:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have been so slack with my blog over the past couple of months - so much has been happening and there seems to be not enough hours in the day.

I still cannot believe Christmas is only 22 days away - where has the year gone!

To bring some Christmas cheer I have two gift packs to give away:

Girl's Christmas Pack - valued at $55.00

Boy's Christmas Pack - valued at $55.00

To go into the draw to win one of these packs all you have to do is spend over $40.00 (excluding postage) at The Toy Bug from the 1st December to the 17th December 2009. For every $40.00 you spend you receive 1 entry (so if you purchase $85.00 worth of products you receive 2 entries).

If you have purchased from us since Tuesday 1st December and have spent over $40.00 (excluding postage) you are already in the draw!

On Thursday 17th December we will be using www.random.org to generate our lucky winner numbers. We will notify the winners and their packs will be posted off security express on the Friday to get to them in time for Christmas.

Happy Shopping & Good Luck!

Cheers,

C2M AusMumprenuer Awards

2009-09-07T19:18:00.000-07:00

The Toy Bug is so very proud to announce that we have WON the Judges Choice for "Most Likely To Be Big Award" Category in the Connect2Mums 2009 AusMumprenuer Awards.

We also received a Highly Recommended for the "Babies and Kids Award" Category.

We are very honoured to have participated in these awards and want to congratulate all the nominees and award category winners. I would of hated to be a judge as there were truly amazing business sites and blogs to choose from - I believe we are all winners and it is so nice to get recognition for what we all love doing!

For anyone wanting to meet some amazing people and wonderful businesses, I recommend you grab a coffee and go and take a look at this fantastic site - Connect2Mums - you will be pleasantly surprised.

Hope you all have a wonderful day! :o)

Winner for our Wooden Toy Pack Competition!

2009-08-23T02:08:00.000-07:00

A big Thank You to all who entered our competition. Thanks to random.org the winner of our competition is ....JODIE MAHER.....

Congratulations Jodie and I hope whoever receives our great Wooden Toy Pack enjoy playing and learning with them at the same time.

Have a wonderful evening!

Competition Time!

2009-08-17T15:38:00.000-07:00

Would you like to win this gorgeous wooden toy set? This great set includes Frog Bowling, Fish Jigsaw, Pull Along Turtle, Lacing Sheep and cute little Car & Trailer!

All you have to do is Subscribe to our Newsletter and post a comment below telling us what you LOVE about The Toy Bug!

How simple is that!! Competition closes at 5.00pm Sunday 23rd August and a winner will be randomly drawn using random.org.

Have Fun! :O)

Live Chat at Connect2Mums - Tonight 7th August 8.00pm

2009-08-05T18:56:00.000-07:00

If your name is listed below this is your lucky number to win prizes! I will update the list as more people RSVP:

1. Jo Debnam
2. Paula
3. Jacki Falco
4. Kim Baker
5. Helen MacMillan
6. Louise - Scamps Boutique
7. Kylie - Boutique Creations
8. Nicole Grant
9. Tracey - My Baby Bump
10. Sandy - Pure Earth Noosa
11. Jodie Maher
12. Monique - YCM
13. Vicki Wallis
14. Jodie Quinlan
15. Alison Bird
16. Maree - Noteable Designs
17. Caddie Noakes
18. Nicole Leigh Bertles
19. Louise Newman
20. Kylie Handford
21. Peace
22. Claudette Betterridge
23. Catherine Oehlman
24. Susan Wallis
25. Amanda Guilfoyle
26. Jayne Day
27. Marieke Troncoso - TatYourTot
28. MJ Photography
29. Sue Healy
30. Sophie Feick
31. Rebecca
32. Andrea Melville
33. Rose-Leigh

Come and chat, win prizes and get to know me and other members.. I am also giving 20% off tonight to use in our store but you need to be at the live chat to receive the code..

See you there!!

What's New In Store!

2009-08-05T03:37:00.000-07:00

I have been busy uploading many new products the past week and here is a peak of what are my favorites in our "What's New" Category:

Fido - Pyjama Bag! I love this dog - he is so cute and super soft. There are many ways he can be used - as a pyjama bag of course but my son uses him as his comforter when he goes to bed. We put a warm wheat bag inside of Fido and he is so warm and cuddly that I even would like to take him to bed (sorry hubby!). He is great just to cart around the house - my son loves sitting on the lounge just hugging Fido while watching TV. So as you can tell Fido is a big hit in household.

Little Hands Chunky Markers and Little Hands Rainbow Chalk - I love these as they are big and chunky. My son has problems with his pencil grip and these are just great because it has encouraged him to want to draw and be creative where with normal felt pens or chalk he is not interested as it is too hard for him. So these get a big Thumbs up from us!!

ABC Blocks Cart - this is an old fashioned toy that has never really gone out of fashion. My son is addicted to numbers and letters and this block cart keeps him amused for hours. It is also great for his fine motor and hand/eye coordination. We love the ABC Blocks Cart..

Who does not enjoy umbrellas - I loved them when I was a little one and I just love the new Iggle Piggle and Upsy Daisy umbrellas from In The Night Garden. They are easy to hold and a perfect gift for any In The Night Garden Fan.

So grab a tea or coffee and go take a look at our "What's New" section to see all the cool stuff we have in store just for you.

Happy Shopping!

Come Join Me on Friday Night!!

2009-08-04T23:28:00.000-07:00

Come and join me this Friday Night - 7th August at 8.00pm to talk about Toddler and Toys at my 'Live Chat'!! Where you ask - the best interactive magazine on the web 'Connect2Mums'. This the place where all Amazing Mums come to meet when they are not busy on domestic duties, looking after their kids or working.

There will be great prizes to win and you have to be there to get the code for my special - 20% off storewide!

So please grab a coffee or tea and take the time to go and check this wonderful site out and if you are not already a member - join up - it's free and come and spend a wonderful hour with me and many other spectacular mums - I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised at the support and connections you will make.

Hope to see you Friday at 8.00pm (Qld time)!

Cheers

Look at what I have won!

2009-07-25T20:31:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share some of the fantastic products I have won over the past month from wonderful businesses I have meet through Connect2Mums.

Look at this gorgeous cat I won from "Your Cheeky Monkey" - how cute is it!

Monique from Your Cheeky Monkey loves creating beautiful hand made products and she is dedicated to supplying products on her site that are either Hand Made, Organic, Fair Trade or Australian Made. Most of the items you purchase from Your Cheeky Monkey will not be seen in shops. Go and have a look around Your Cheeky Monkey to find some gorgeous handmade gifts.

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I won this fabulous Cheeki BPA Free stainless steel bottle from Pure Earth Noosa.

Pure Earth Noosa have a great range of Eco friendly products for your home and family. Sandy from Pure Earth Noosa shares a passion for natural health products and a strong desire to share her knowledge within the community. Pure Earth care about the environment and care about you that's why you will not find any harmful and synthetic chemicals in their products. Go check out Pure Earth Noosa and see what other great products they have to offer - you will be pleasantly surprises.

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I was very fortunate to win a gift voucher from Swish Lily and I purchased the following products for my hubby's cousin who is having a baby girl in November so she will be the lucky recipient of these gorgeous products.

Jayne from Swish Lilly created her online shop to combine motherhood with a career and to supply reliable and quality online shopping for mums; where you can discover gorgeous items for your precious little one at an affordable price. Go and take a look around Swish Lily for some gorgeous items.

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I have been very lucky and blessed to be part of the C2M family. If you want to meet great people that talk about everyday issues and meet other WAHM's then go and sign up to Connect2Mums - you won't be disappointed.

Pure Earth Noosa!

2009-07-23T17:44:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for Eco friendly products for your home and family? Well go no further than Pure Earth Noosa!

The lovely lady that runs Pure Earth Noosa, Sandy, shares a passion for natural health products and a strong desire to share her knowledge within the community. Pure Earth care about the environment and care about you that's why you will not find any harmful and synthetic chemicals in their products.

I live on acreage and have septic/grey water system - to be kind to the system as well as the environment we needed to change all the cleaning products we used in our home and have found Pure Earth products to be exactly what we needed.

To start out I purchased their fantastic Gift Packs - you save money and get the best of the products to try out!

I can highly recommend their cleaning products especially the Toilet Cleaner - it smells divine and works wonders - my hubby keeps saying that he has never seen me clean the toilet so often...LOL

My son has very delicate skin and suffers from cradle cap when we use harsh shampoo's - since using Pure Earth's baby shampoo and conditioner his cradle cap has disappeared and I love the baby lotion that much I use it on myself.

If your like me and suffer from dry hands, especially in the winter months, well you have to try Pure Earth's Hand Creme - your hands will never feel the same again!

They also stock the Australian brand 'Cheeki'- BPA free stainless steel water bottles. The kids range is so cute and they are dishwasher safe and freezable. What a great idea for the kids school drinks - fill them up the night before school and pop them in the fridge or freezer and they have a nice cool drink for school. You can even do this with the bigger bottles for work and it is a great way to reduce the consumption of disposable plastic bottles.

So go and check out Pure Earth Noosa's website and see the great range of products they have to offer - you will be pleasantly surprised!

For any Sunshine Coasters - you can find Sandy at the Pomona Markets every 2nd & 4th Saturday of the Month.

If you have any questions about the products or are not sure what products to use - please send Sandy an email or join Pure Earth Noosa's facebook page - Sandy is always happy to help!

Happy Shopping!

Grocery Shopping with the Kids!

2009-07-23T17:13:00.001-07:00

Do you have problems with little ones when grocery shopping? Well I have a great product to keep little ones engaged whilst doing the weekly shop.

Introducing the DooWell Shopping List Game!

Make shopping fun with this magnetic board shopping game!

A visit to the shops will become a whole new experience with this portable folding magnetic game board that challenges a child to fill their magnetic ‘basket’ before they reach the check out.

Before the shopping begins, the child and parent make a list of items they need to buy using magnetic tiles placed on the game board’s own ‘shopping list ‘ The child’s objective is to find the items on the shelves. Children have great fun spotting the items and sliding the tile down from the list into the trolley until the basket is full. The game can be made even more engaging as they can also help collect the actual items from the shelves and place them into the real trolley.

My Shopping List Game is a simple concept, but one that every child will love, as well as providing pleasant relief for their long suffering parents.

Size: 18 x 18cm

Age: 3+

You can purchase the DooWell Shopping List Game for $24.00 from The Toy Bug.

Happy Grocery Shopping!

Cheers,

Connect2Mums - Check this site out!

2009-07-04T14:15:00.000-07:00

If you have purchased from us in the past month you would of received a Goodie Bag from some great WAHMS (Work At Home Mums) at 'Connect2Mums'. Well I wanted to tell you a little about this wonderful site and invite you to go and join up.

I came across this wonderful website called 'Connect2Mums' a couple of months ago. It is an online interactive magazine that connects not only mums and some dads but grandparents too.

There are all different discussion forms and many groups to join and participate in - we talk about our every day issues - children, cooking, movies, pampering, business info, actually - anything really. I have meet some of the most wonderful people from all over the globe on this site. You will find a lot of people on 'Connect2Mums' who are very talented at sewing, photography, jewellery, making beauty products and much more - it has given me the creative bug and wanting to make something from scratch - just have to think of what..

We have "Live Chat" evenings where a 'Connect2Mums' member's business is showcased and it is so much fun to learn about them personally and professionally and you might even be lucky enough to win a prize (have won 2 so far) and most of all I have not laughed so much in a long time - they are a great bunch of people! It is a real pleasure to be a part of this great & supportive family!

Who made this all possible - The lovely PAULA KUHNEMANN! She founded 'Connect2Mums' in April this year to help Australian and New Zealand mums to connect and network their fabulous business. I especially love her purpose in life: 'To empower women to reach their full potential and support them in their quest to the seemingly unattainable Family/Work Balance. Can you have it all? Paula's belief - 'Not without support and connections'. And I can vouch that this is exactly what 'Connect2Mums' is all about.

Over the coming weeks I will showcase the wonderful WHAMS that are in our 'Connect2Mums' Goodie Bags and tell you a little about their fabulous business.

So please grab a coffee or tea and take the time to go and check this wonderful site out and I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised at the support and connections you will make.

Have a great Week!

Cheers

Bilibo

2009-05-28T21:48:00.000-07:00

The Bilibo is a big favourite in our house! It is mostly used for spinning but there are unlimited ways to play with Bilibo's - from rocking, spinning, sitting in, to hiding under, carrying with and peeking through. Not only it great at home, you can use it at the park, in the sand or water.

The Bilibo was designed by Swiss designer, Alex Hochstrasser, in consultation with childhood development experts from the University Children’s Hospital in Zurich. The shell shape and bright colours invite a wide range of interpretations and encourage children to use their imagination and invent their own games, providing hours of open-ended play.

The Bilibo is made of high-density Polyethylene, that’s shock resistant, non-toxic and 100% recyclable.

Bilibo's unique form arouses curiosity, stimulates the senses, engages the imagination, and encourages creativity.

Bilibo comes in 6 great bright colours and can be purchased from our shop for $38.00.

Big Hugs - Laa Laa Teletubbie

2009-05-28T19:51:00.000-07:00

The Teletubbies are back in fashion after popping on our screens 10 years ago. These four unlikely looking characters captured the hearts of little ones everywhere and remain much loved to this day! My son still has the 4 Teletubbies from when he was a baby and last year he was given the Big Hugs Laa Laa to test drive for us.

Our son having problems sleeping (not wanting to sleep by himself and thinks 5 hours a night is enough sleep for everyone in the house) I thought the Big Hugs La La would be perfect to help sooth him to sleep.

Laa Laa Big Hugs is made from super soft yellow material that is patterned with stars and moons. Laa Laa has two night modes 1. Lullaby mode plays the Teletubby theme tune to comfort baby and shuts off automatically after 5 minutes and 2. In night mode the tummy glows and gently changes colour to soothe and comfort baby.

Big Hug's Laa Laa also has interactive features for daytime fun - Laa Laa gives a yawn when tummy is pressed, giggles when kissed and says 'ahh' when hugged.

Laa Laa has worked wonders for our son - he uses Laa Laa's lullaby and night light every night and you can even hear the lullaby at 2am when he wakes. Laa Laa's night light tummy is just bright enough to see around the room.

Laa Laa is now part of our family and I think will be for a long time to come.

You can purchase Laa Laa Bug Hugs from our website for $68.00.

I am Back!

2009-05-20T19:06:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,

This is a long time coming but am back on track and ready to get stuck back into work. Once again I would like to thank everyone for their understanding with my time away after the death of my brother.

To get started I have revamped my website a little so I would love to hear what you think of it - I welcome any suggestions (good or bad).

I have also done a Links Directory on the website but am very excited about the Autism Resources Links I am in the process of updating. I am listing all the sites I have found invaluable with my son. I found a lovely song written for Autism by Mark Leland. Mark's song is called "Missing Pieces", a song he wrote for Autism. The proceeds of this song benefit Autism Awareness, research programs and those who have Autism.

It is a beautiful song and made me cry - go have a listen at:
http://www.markleland.net/markleland.net/HOME1.html

I am looking forward to bringing you some blogs on new stock and am going to do some blogs on the toys that have helped my son with his therapy on our Autism journey.

So please make sure you come back and check out my blog regularly.

Have a Great Day!

Cheers Jo :-)

The Toy Bug Open Again & Heartfelt Thanks!

2009-01-05T16:53:00.000-08:00

I hope you all had a good Christmas break and a Happy New Year!

Some of you may have notice that I had closed The Toy Bug down for 3 weeks - this was due to my only sibling (brother) being killed in a car accident just prior to Christmas. It has been hard for me and my Dad as my Mum was also killed in a car accident 9 years ago. I have decided to open The Toy Bug up again so I can keep busy and to try and get back into every day life - Life goes on as they say!

I wish to thank all of my customers who have sent messages of sympathy - your support has been overwhelming and greatly appreciated.

We have some new products that will be added to the website in the coming weeks and we look forward to bringing you new, exciting and fun toys during the year.

Cheers Jo :)

Melissa & Doug Puzzles

2008-11-24T16:11:00.000-08:00

Your never too young or too old for one of Melissa & Doug's puzzles.

A little about Melissa & Doug - they started their company 20 years ago in their garage. They are now one of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children's products.

The Chunky puzzles are a favourite of mine. They are perfect for little ones with large colourful pieces that fit neatly into board and also stand alone allowing for additional pretend play.

The puzzles are beautifully designed and excellently crafted and are sure to become a favourite in every little ones toy box.

These puzzles can be purchased from our shop for $17.00 each.

Very Hungry Caterpillar Giant Board Book & Plush Toy

2008-11-24T14:58:00.000-08:00

You know those books that stay in your memory from when you were a child - well The Very Hungry Caterpillar is one of them.

We have the small version and the giant book version with the plush toy. The Very Hungry Caterpillar giant board book was the first book our son would let us interact with him as I could you the plush caterpillar as a puppet and keep his attention and make it fun.

I love this Eric Carle story – it is a simple story but keeps little ones captivated with its colourful and lovely illustrations and wonderful narrative about a hungry caterpillar growing up to be a beautiful butterfly.

Along with reassuring repetition--"He was still hungry ..."--the book includes some wonderful interactive moments – with the plush caterpillar the little ones can push and pull the caterpillar through the holes while easting his way through various delicacies or what little one can resist sticking a finger through that hole in the page. I also love that this story is educational – in that little ones learn about numbers, food and butterfly life cycles.

A favourite in our house and it can be in your house too – it can be purchased from our shop – it is currently on sale for $40.00.

Dado Cubes from USA!

2008-10-02T18:36:00.000-07:00

Dado Cubes - a specialty toy that's as BEAUTIFUL as it is EDUCATIONAL...Dado™ combines art and science as kids of all ages explore architectural principles...proportion, balance, structure, composition, and color. A contemporary twist on classic stacking blocks, Dado™ engages the imagination as the slits on each cube are interlocked to create an unlimited number of three-dimensional structures. Constructed horizontally, vertically or nested together, Dado™ invites visual spatial development and problem solving through design-centered, attention-grabbing fun!

This fantastic toy is made by Fat Brain Toy Company - they are a dynamic, fast-growing company serving the specialty toy industry. Fat Brain Toy Co. designs, develops and distributes specialty toys throughout the world. They identified a need for the development of more design- centered toys. This great company combines style with educational substance to develop innovative products.

After our order from Fat Brain Toy Co arrived, I gave a set of Dado Cubes to our son to see what he thought. Although he could not tell me in so many words what he thought (due to his Autism) I could tell that he loved it as it kept him engaged and me too! It is quite addictive - in that you want to see how many different things you can create.

As well as the fun aspect of Dado Cubes they also help children improve fine motor skills, including hand strength, finger dexterity and coordination of small muscle movements.

They are made from durable, heavy gauge plastic and each set features 10 cubes, scaled from 2.5 to 12.7cm, capable of building structures over 81.3cm high!

Dado Cubes are developed, manufactured, and assembled in the USA.

They can be purchased from our store for $41.00 a set.

IT'S FINALLY DONE!

2008-09-25T14:15:00.000-07:00

Hi to all,

After a long 6 months and many days and nights of juggling family and lots of data entry, writing and at times trying to keep my eyes open.. The Toy Bug website is now LIVE!!

I have to say a special Thank you to my husband and son for putting up with me during this time (especially my son who does not like change and my husband who took over the daily house hold routine). And a special thank to all our suppliers who have helped out along the way.

A little history on The Toy Bug - we established The Toy Bug back in July 2007, a year and a half after our son was diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). After accepting that we had a long road ahead of us and taking our son to different therapies every week, I decided to be a stay at home mum and put 100% into helping our sons therapy at home. So I spent countless hours looking for the toys his therapists were using and toys that would keep his attention and help with his developmental delays.

On sourcing some fantastic products - I wanted to share these wonderful toys I had found with other parents so I began selling our products via a catalogue through our local ECIC (Early Childhood Intervention Centre) and the Day Care Centre where our son attended. From word of mouth I started having people ask me "do you have an online store we can purchase from?". So I decided to go into business online and bring our wonderful range of educational and fun toys into the lives of children, helping them to learn as they play and create many cherished childhood memories (for both the child and their parents)

We have some fantastic products in stock so I hope you will take the time to visit our store and have a look around. As we have new stock arriving we will post a sneak peak here on our Blog page to let you know what is coming in soon.

One new service that we have added recently and are really excited about is our 12 week Lay-by service. What a great way to get organised for Christmas - it is so simple - you choose the products you wish to purchase - at Checkout select "Lay-by" as your Payment type and we will forward you an email with your Lay-By Form within 24 hours of you placing your order. We ask for a 10% deposit to secure your order and then every fortnight you make a payment to whatever amount you can afford at that time. How easy is that! For more information on our Lay-by Terms and Conditions please go HERE!

Over the next couple of weeks I will be doing profiles on some of our Award Winning Toys and what's going to be HOT for Christmas.

So take care - enjoy browsing around our gorgeous store and I hope you will check back often to see what's new at The Toy Bug.

Cheers :) Jo xo