Seams Away

Do you have to suffer through the dressing dramas every morning (or night)? Your child refuses to wear a piece of clothing because it itches or it won’t sit in the right spot or because it rubs. Nothing you can do will make your child wear that item of clothing, will it? That’s fair enough. Would you wear something that felt really uncomfortable?

Seams Away is an online store specialising in clothing for children with sensory issues.

This is from their website:

“More than 1 in 150 children have sensory needs that are largely unmet by the children's apparel market today. Soft clothing changes that. Soft is the first inclusive and universally designed line of clothing geared toward children with sensory or tactile sensitivity, a common symptom of Autism, Aspergers, and Sensory Processing Disorder. Soft is designed and constructed considering the needs of all children, particularly, sensory sensitive dressers.

Soft provides comfort and style for all children. Soft clothing features:

• Flat seaming and totally seamless construction throughout (for extra comfort)
• Soft, high quality cotton (combed, bio-washed and pre-washed for extra softness and smoothness)
• Wide collars (for a roomy fit)
• Encased elastic (waistbands that don't pinch)
• Printed labels throughout - printed with water based ink (for a smooth non-plasticy feel that won't itch)
• Vegetable dyes, natural enzyme washes and water based digital prints (to protect against allergies).”

The range is really good and includes everything from socks to coats. It also has a book called "I'll Tell You Why...I Can't Wear Those Clothes!" which helps to explain the reasons behind your child’s reactions.

This is a specialist store and I’m certain the products will be in big demand.

Toys On Sale

Have you been to check out our On Sale category on the website lately? We have added a whole lot of new items and prices start from less than $2.00!

What are our favourites?

1. The Rabbit Skipping Rope: This rope is really fun, with a carrot on one handle and a cute white rabbit on the other. The handles are perfectly sized for a child’s grip. If you love this idea, you will also love the Carrot Skipping Rope which has carrots for both handles.

2. Sound Machine: Don’t tell anyone but I like this one a lot. The little box contains all sorts of sounds such as applause, shotgun, breaking glass and a drum roll. Do you remember the episode of The Big Bang Theory where Rajesh used a sound machine to punctuate his conversation? This works the same way. It’s a lot easier for your child to become used to noises when he or she can control them.

3. World Safari Game: Have an adventure in your lounge room with this clever board game. And introduce your children to continents, countries, capital cities and oceans in this uncomplicated, yet fascinating game.

4. Garden Set In A Carry Case: Just in time for spring! Let your child learn about nature by pottering in the garden with his or her very own tools.

5. Pet Fashion In The Tub: Your child will be more inclined to hop into the tub when there are friends in there waiting to play. This set contains 2 foam friends, a poodle and kitty, and 32 outfits and accessories. That’s a lot of style to fit into one bathtub!

That’s only 5 items but there are many more and the prices are excellent. Buy some to put into your secret toy trove or put them away for Christmas and birthdays. You never know when you’ll need a toy or game.

Just For Today

I loved this poem when I saw it.  I love that it celebrates a child as he or she should be celebrated.  It doesn't matter what label they stick on your child.  He or she is still a child who loves the world in their own childish way.  They can still open the door to magic for you.  Always remember that.

Just For Today

Just for today, little one,
I'm going to forget that you're autistic
And remember that you're a child.
For this brief shining time,
I will only see the beauty of you and your world.

I will marvel at the spun gold of your hair in the sunlight.
How can anything be so impossibly brilliant?
I will see the blue-green of your infinite eyes
And not worry if they focus on me.
I will admire your concentration
And not mind that it isn't directed in the usual way.

Your smile and laugh will bring me joy.
It won't matter what caused them,
they are marvels unto themselves.
Through your eyes I will delve into the unseen,
Looking at the world with that perspective unique to you.

I will see your lines of leaves and stones
And share your happiness at their precision.
I will close my own eyes
And let the textures you explore overwhelm my senses.
Spinning in circles with you,
I will let go until all is lost but the dizzy.

Just for today,
I will close my books and ignore the research,
the worry, the 'shoulds' and the shadowy future.
You are my baby, my son, my love.
Today, we play.

Written by Delia Thompson

Putting Together A Sensory Box

The next time you give a gift consider the idea of the sensory box.  This can be suitable for any child and combines a range of different toys that relate to the different senses.

Consider the Flashing Spinning Top that comes with bright coloured lights that change patterns when spinning.  Even the Flashing Squishy Pig is fun as it has interesting textures to touch and feel, it lights up when squeezed and makes a great fidget toy.

The Rainmaker makes a gentle sound as the coloured beads cascade down the different layers and also links movement with sound and allows the little ones the opportunity to explore the different rhythms.  The Musical Triangle is another great idea that allows the development of rhythms as well as coordination.  

The Zebra Teething Bling is a safe alternate comforter for teething babies or children requiring oral input.  In addition, the Fruit Bubbles are ideal for identifying smells, as they come in different scents.  The watermelon, strawberry and grape flavous can be smelt when the bubbles pop.

The Hopper Ball is perfect for developing coordinatin and balance as well as being a great exercise that can help to strengthen leg muscles.  The Scrunch Ball will also help to develop coordination as it is very squishy, and even huggable which makes it very catchable plus also light and safe for indoor play.

These are just some examples of the type of toys you can use to build a sensory box but there are so many more options.  Have a look through the Sensory Toys section to get more creative ideas for your sensory box. 

Taking Sensory Development Outside

Going outdoors can be a great adventure for anyone of any age as there is so much to do and to get involved with. For children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) there can be some significant benefits because it can aid with sensory development as they can examine, interact and explore with the environment.

Going for a walk through a local park or even bushland and being able to smell the difference fragrances from flowers and plants, holding branches or leaves and feeling the different textures is a great experience plus an ideal form of cardiovascular exercise.

Kicking a soccer or football, throwing and catching a tennis ball or passing a rugby ball are all perfect ways to help develop coordination. Often if your child is undertaking any form of occupational therapy many of these activities can assist with the program.

Some parks also have animals that can be fed such as ducks or even fish if there is a lake. Even down at the beach you are sure to encounter seagulls that will be hungry and this can be a great way to interact with wildlife. If at the beach, the added benefit is the interaction with the salt water, the sand as well as being out in the sun. Being able to build sand castles is also a great activity and allows the imagination to be applied as they construct their creation.

Always be conscious of the abilities of your child and adjust the activity accordingly. Also, as they may be easily distracted or just curious, they may find dangerous situations in the most placid of places so of course you need to keep your eye on them all the time. In some cases and depending on your child, you may even be able to use these circumstances to teach and raise their awareness of dangerous and safety issues when outdoors.

The outdoors is a fun place to be and it is full of textural and sensory things to explore.

Explaining Autism

One of the hardest things to do is to try to explain to others what the life of an autistic child can be like. Many people have no idea of what the child goes through on a daily basis.

We found this clip on YouTube which is a great introduction to the world of an autistic child for those who know nothing. It was prepared as a ‘tips for teachers’ clip to help them manage children with autism in their classrooms.

I don’t think this needs any explanation or introduction. This video is what you send to people when they “just don’t get it”.



We hope this clip helps smooth the pathway a little for you and your child.

Construction Toys

We have a great range of construction toys that have been specifically sourced and selected as they are ideal for hand eye coordination as well as igniting the creative spirit in your child. These toys can also be educational as your child needs to follow steps to put the pieces together as they construct the actual toy. We have a huge range to choose from:

• Wooden Rainbow Stacker: Use the 8 brightly coloured rings to build a rainbow pattern tower. Helps with coordination and motor skills while learning about different colour combinations.

• Educational Learning Blocks: Comes with 48 different blocks made up of coloured textured letters and numbers. Great for learning to spell words or counting numbers but also perfect for building a tower and knocking it over so it can be rebuilt. It also comes in a sturdy wooden box making it easy to store all the pieces.

• Classic Baby Beads: This toy comes with wooden beads that are held together with elastic cords. This makes it easy to change into an endless number of shapes and as the beads come in a range of bright colours they can form some imaginative patterns.

• Domino Rally Game: This game is made up of 247 coloured blocks that can be formed into domino structures. This is perfect to apply imagination as the domino structure can be made into different patterns, directions and of different lengths. Great for motor skills, contraction and patience as the challenge can be to see how many of the dominos can be used without them falling over.

• Ninja Stacking Dolls: This set of 5 Ninja Russian Stacking Dolls can be set up from largest to smallest or any other combination for a great looking display or they can also be put inside one another.

We have a whole lot of other construction toys so check out our link to see our huge range.