Listen To My Words With Your Heart

Happy February 1st!

2012-02-01T04:36:00.000-06:00

Thank you, Teri Mauro, for allowing me to share this!
Rremember, there is one extra day this year in the month of February!
Yep, it's Leap Year!
And never forget the kind of love that you have for your child and their needs.
Without you, they wouldn't be where they are today!

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Tuesday Top Ten

2012-01-31T09:23:00.002-06:00

10. A random fever of 101.3 for the boy last week. No other symptoms. I don't like fevers.

9. Continued progress from both kids on the speech and language front. Thank you, Aetna, for covering this much needed therapy!

8. 60 degrees in January. In Chicago. Weird.

7. The almighty dollar getting in the way of me giving good care at work. That sucks!

6. Snow. What snow? It's gone!

5. Having two kids who absolutely LOVE school!

4. My husband losing his wedding band yesterday. I don't know who is more upset: him or me!

3. Planning an awesome SuperBowl Party!

2. 49 days until Spring. Wait, it's going to be 60 today! Maybe it's here already?

1. I LOVE my kids!

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Raising Small Souls

2012-01-30T13:14:00.002-06:00

My son's teacher shared this on her class email listserv.

Beautiful.
Breath taking.
And this reminds me to always fight for my children and how they learn.
You can view more wonderful subjects on the Raising Small Souls website.

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Who's Guilty of These?

2012-01-27T12:41:00.004-06:00

I saw this posted on Facebook and had to read it immediately!
I am sure that I have done one...or two...OK, maybe even three of these at one point or another.

*Hanging head in shame*

But no more!
The amazing Laura Mize over at TeachMeToTalk.com posted this on her webpage.
And if you haven't checked out her videos or shopped on her site, then you should.
A-MA-ZING!
Click here for some great tips and ideas (and a few no-no's) on ways to help your toddler talk.

Have a great weekend!

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Think.

2012-01-25T05:12:00.000-06:00

If only everyone thought like this.................

Have a blessed and beautiful day!

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Tuesday Top Ten

2012-01-24T09:23:00.002-06:00

10. A new swim coach this week. The kids took to change very well!

9. Progress, progress, progress on the speech and language front for both kids!

8. A bump in the road with reading for Kate. That's OK, we've got a plan.

7. A massive snow in Chicago last week Friday! We LOVE snow in our household!

6. Neighbors who are close-minded. Don't need garbage like that in our lives.

5. Networking and support! Thanks!

4. Kate's report card: satisfactory! She is so great!

3. My daughter informing me that "hummus" was a "dip" and that she ate it and liked it.

2. Friends.

1. I LOVE my kids!

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Happy National Handwriting Day 2012!

2012-01-23T13:39:00.002-06:00

Handwriting.
Something that many of us Moms and Dads don't do a whole lot of anymore since the computer, iPad, smart phone, and email has become the "norm".
But to those kiddos struggling with handwriting and other fine motor skills as such, keep up the great work!
Below are a few links to some of my favorite handwriting sites:

Handwriting for Kids

Handwriting Without Tears

The Therapy Shoppe

Writing Resources

Happy Writing and Happy Monday!

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"Forget it Mom, I'll Just Dance"

2012-01-20T10:05:00.004-06:00

It seems so long ago, but I remember the days when we could barely understand 90% of what Kate was saying due to her severe apraxia.
Translation: we only grasped about 10%, if that!
But with the progress that she has made, those numbers have reversed and she is thriving and making great strides!
And while her expressive language is booming, her receptive language is improving as well.
Now, we are focusing more on cognition and executive functioning and processing...no small task.
Her private SLP made a statement to me the other day that makes total sense to me this morning.
She said:

"She has so much that she wants to say. So much in her head. She is expanding her vocabulary and newer concepts are popping into her head and she wants to get it out. But this is when we are going to see her apraxia come out, too. I've seen her stutter and grope for words. We've got to kick it into high gear now."

I wish she said this to me two weeks ago.
It would all make sense.
Two weeks ago, we were driving towards the mall, dancing to "Let's Dance" from Lady GaGa.
And two weeks ago, Kate was trying to tell me something from the back seat of the car.
And I couldn't get it.
I couldn't figure out what she was saying.

Damn.

So I asked her to repeat herself.
"Say it again, Kate."
"Say it again, hon."
"One more time."

*sigh*

I couldn't figure it out.
I felt like we were thrust backwards about 6 years again.
She was struggling to get a word out.
I was struggling to figure out what she was saying.
I felt defeated by apraxia all over again.
And then our eyes met in the rear view mirror.
Quiet eyes saying the same thing to each other, knowing exactly what the other was feeling.
"Kate, do you want to tell me one more time what you were trying to say?"
"No, Mom. Forget about it. I'll just dance."

She may not know apraxia, but she knows what it does to her.
But she doesn't let apraxia win.
She takes the high road and dances like no one is watching!
I love this girl!

Untitled

2012-01-19T10:13:00.003-06:00

Every kid is different.

Every day is different.

Every age changes the way in which it manifests.

Diet and nutrition can make all the difference one day and do nothing another.

There is no “cure”,.

No antidote.

Not enough experts.

Differing opinions.

Too many sceptics.

Too much politics.

Not enough... support.

Way too much ignorance

And far too much discrimination from those who don’t get it.

And yet if I was given the opportunity to “send him back” and make him “better” I wouldn’t.

He is my blessing, my joy, my challenge.

More meaningful than any troubles I might ever have.

Much more important than anything that rises up in my own ego.

More precious than any metal I own and exactly as he is meant to be...

Perfect in his imperfections.

~Author Unknown

Tuesday Top Ten

2012-01-17T05:23:00.000-06:00

10. Back to school after a long Winter Break, only to have a four day weekend to recover. WHEW! I needed that!

9. A new pair of glasses for Kaitlyn.

8. A boy who can navigate an iPad better than anyone I've met! Way to go, Andrew!

7. New reading programs ready to go.

6. A break-up that was long overdue! Glad that is over!

5. When you make me choose between you and your drama or my children, I will always choose my children. Don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out!

4. At speech therapy...my little guy eating peanut butter for the first time! OMG!

3. Continued progress with Speech and OT for both kids. YIPPEE!

2. Our first major snow in Chicago last week!

1. I LOVE my kids!

My Friendship Circle Will Vote, Right?

2012-01-16T04:50:00.001-06:00

There is a little contest going on....and it's not going to last long.
And there is a lady that I know who has entered this contest and needs your votes!

This is the lady: Mary Clare.
And she already wants to win the iPad2 to GIFT IT to a well-deserving child that she knows!
Because this is all about giving, not receiving.
And the gift of voice for a nonverbal child is the closest thing to a miracle that she can do for this child.

Contestants were asked to "snap a picture of the Friendship Circle magnet in a creative display or a unique location. Your could be the big winner of an Apple iPad 2, a $200 Visa gift card or autographed celebrity apparel!".

Voting only runs from Jan 15th through Jan 19th.

And this is all you have to do:
1. Search "Friendship Circle of Michigan" on Facebook.

2. "LIKE" their page.

3. Click on "View Photos and Vote".

4. Click on the vote box for "Hot Rod Magnet"

That's it!
Only one vote per photo per person.
Do it today, and I won't bug you about it anymore...I PROMISE!

And thank so much for voting!

SpellingCity Website

2012-01-13T16:00:00.002-06:00

Once again, another great site to share with you: www.spellingcity.com.
It's FREE, too!
We all know that kids with apraxia and other speech and language issues also have problems with spelling.
This site is a great supplement to some of your homework!

VocabularySpellingCity.com is dedicated to helping students, teachers, parent-teachers, and school systems. VocabularySpellingCity is an award-winning site with ongoing introduction of new features, many based on input from existing users.

The site was launched on the web as SpellingCity in 2008 and has grown primarily through word of mouth. During the 2008-2009 school year, the site was used by over a half-million people in the peak months. In 2009-2010, SpellingCity was used by over a million unique visitors a month. The site's services have been steadily expanded over the years. SpellingCity became VocabularySpellingCity in January 2011 to reflect the addition of significant vocabulary capabilities. During the 2010-11 school year, the site attracted nearly two million unique visitors per month - over four million visits total, and over 40 million page views monthly. (source Quantcast.com). This level of traffic and usage gives VocabularySpellingCity a ranking as a top 1000 site in the U.S. during its peak months. VocabularySpellingCity is supported by revenues from Premium Memberships (which are priced low for maximum accessibility) and advertising displayed to non-Premium Members. VocabularySpellingCity prides itself as being amongst the best values in education

You can totally customize your spelling lists to your child's current abilities!
Having them see their successes will encourage them to continue, making learning fun!

Anyone else have some great sites they'd like to share?

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Attention: Mommy Bloggers

2012-01-12T10:02:00.003-06:00

Meet Jake.

He's a cutie of a boy with an infectious smile and dancing eyes.
A typical boy, I am sure.
And like my children, Jake has apraxia of speech.

I have been folloiwng Jake's Mom's blog for about a week now, and she falls in the same category as every single Mom that I have met who has a child with apraxia.
What is it with apraxia and strong Moms?
You look around and do not see a weak Mom out there!
It's basic math like "A+B=C".
Child with Apraxia + Strong Mom = Determination and Progress

You can meet Jake.
And his Mom.
And follow their progress here at Jake's Journey To Be A Little Man as well as on her Facebook page!

Strong Moms stick together!

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Tuesday Top Ten

2012-01-10T09:29:00.002-06:00

10. Back to school yesterday!

9. Boy, do I miss having my kids around all day, now that they went back to school yesterday. :*(

8. Expressive/Receptive language explosions from both kids over the holidays!

7. Is this the last semester before we mainstream? Are we going to go through with it?

6. Chewy tubes and wiggle seats.

5. My heart breaking as I watch my scared boy during swim lessons cry as he tries to float on his back with the coach. *sniff sniff*

4. Networking and great friends!

3. Being betrayed by a neighbor who I thought was a friend. So long!

2. Back to work after 2.5 weeks off. No comment.

1. I love my kids!

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Cheese!

2012-01-06T12:49:00.000-06:00

Look who got her new glasses!

For 8 days, we were without glasses.
Hard for someone with a vision deficit.
Even harder for a child with special needs to understand what happened.
A freak accident caused them to break.
My poor girl lost her footing and tumbled down, face first, five cement stairs.

Face first.

A bloody mess, I tell ya!
Thankfully, I held my composure and the RN in me kicked in:

"Never let them see the panic on your face that you feel inside".

Xrays confirmed that her "hurt tooth" was OK and she just had some soft tissue swelling.

But her poor face was ripped up, fat lip, blood everywhere!
Thanks to some diligent cleaning and antibiotic ointment, she is about 98% healed.
And we are so blessed that her shattered glasses didn't lacerate her eye!
Once again, a rainbow.

What does "RETARDED" Mean To You?

2012-01-05T09:11:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was my first day back to work in almost 2.5 weeks.
While it was a nice mini-vacation, it was also nice to get my hands back into what I really love doing: being a nurse.
My job is to help people: help fix them, help their pain, help them move on after an acute hospital stay.
But I can't help everyone's "hurt".
And what you are about to read below is something that really hurts.
When I got home from work last night, as I plopped on my bed to decompress from the day, I ran across this blog post from my friend, Jessica, over at Jumping Waves.

Powerful.

Precise.

Moving.

In fact, I don't think I breathed once as I read this.
I didn't feel my heart beat.
I am sure that my jaw was wide open in awe.
I have thought about this topic many times, yet never had the courage to write something such as this.
It's not that I am afraid or ashamed...I just didn't know how to put pen to paper and do it.

I’ve reposted this from Jessica's site, not in its entirety, so maybe someone will think twice before using the word “retarded”:

All around me, people use the word retarded without a second thought. Sometimes, I’ll say “Um, dude, really?” and they’ll say “Oops, my bad! But really! I was being so retarded!”

Sometimes, I let it slide. I realize that it’s a word that’s ingrained in our society’s vocabulary and people use it without a second thought to its meaning.

But what does it mean to be retarded? Well, I know what it doesn’t mean.

It doesn’t mean not being able to choose something for lunch despite 100 choices in front of you.

It doesn’t mean not being able to find your car keys.

It doesn’t mean saying the wrong thing to a person.

It doesn’t mean forgetting your best friend’s birthday.

It’s not something to describe yourself as when you’ve spilled your coffee, or tripped on a crack in the sidewalk.

It’s not something to describe your computer, car or phone.

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary the word “retarded” means -

: slow or limited in intellectual or emotional development or academic progress

For me, it’s not just any old word – it’s my daughter. My beautiful, bright, happy, loving, amazing daughter who is slow or limited in intellectual development and academic progress.

In our household, being retarded means something different.

It means not being able to fully care for yourself.

It means not understanding what the doctor is going to do to you.

It means not being able to explain what hurts when something hurts.

It means not being able to ride a two wheeler. Or read. Or ever be able to live on your own.

But ever the optimist, I also know that retarded means…

…never realizing the negativity behind the word retarded.

…never knowing the insensitivity surrounded the word’s usage.

…never realizing the ignorance of people.

…never knowing how other people view you.

Being retarded also means…

…loving unconditionally.

…finding joy in the smallest of things.

…being self-confident.

…not realizing that there are limitations.

…innocence.

One of Emma’s diagnoses is cognitively disabled. Which means retarded. When you call yourself retarded, you’re also calling my child stupid. Because you use the word as just that – another form of stupid.

Let’s get something straight here.

My daughter may have cognitive issues. She may have delays. She may never live on her own. Scratch that. She will never live on her own.

But Emma* is not stupid.

In her own way, Emma is very smart. Maybe smarter than us at times. She has more self-confidence than anyone I know who’s called themselves “retarded”. She is the best judge of a person’s character than anyone else I’ve ever known.

Yes, she is slow to learn things. But she is not stupid.

I know that most people don’t use the word “retarded” maliciously. Most people I know use it in a self-depreciating way. And when I point it out, they go “Oh wow! I’m sorry!” and they truly feel like a heel. But the thing is, you’re still using it in the way that people who do use it maliciously use it as – to describe stupidity.

So why not just use the word “stupid” instead? Because I know what “retarded” is. I live with it in the form of my daughter. And in our world “retarded” doesn’t equate to “stupid”.

*I have replaced Maura, Phoebe’s daughter, with Emma. Because I couldn’t have said what Phoebe has said any better.

How many times did you breathe when you read this?

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Helpful FREE Stuff!

2012-01-04T05:22:00.000-06:00

I love finding great freebies on the web.
And when they are free advice, checklists, and so on....that's even better!
Click here for this great link to some pretty cool FREE STUFF to help you and your child on the road to special needs!

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Tuesday Top Ten

2012-01-03T09:29:00.002-06:00

10. A more than happy holiday for our family!

9. Two kids NOT afraid of Santa Claus this year!

8. Ringing in 2012 at home...in pajamas...eating deep-dish Chicago pizza with the kids!

7. A very long 2 week Winter Break. *sigh*

6. Homeschooling for two weeks. Boy is this hard! Props to all of you parents out there who do this full-time! I have an even deeper respect for you now!

5. Still no snow in Chicago. What the heck! I want to go sledding!

4. A sassy 8 year old girl who is really making progress in syntax and semantics!

3. Continued progress on the OT and ST front from both kids. HOORAY!

2. A wonderful 23 days off from work. Not a scheduled vacation, but a decrease in census causing me to be cancelled several times. Trust me, I'm not complaining....it's been nice to recharge my battery!

1. I LOVE my kids!

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Another Use for Straws!

2012-01-02T07:01:00.000-06:00

It may be Christmas/Winter break, but therapy doesn't take a vacation.
Crafty Moms need to be sneaky in finding ways to entice kids to work.
Let's face it, we're all still recovering from the "holiday hangover".
But take some scissors and add some straws and you have a fun activity!
With just the right amount of resistance (as compared to cutting a piece of construction paper), the straws provide a great avenue for increasing hand strength.
Nothing like pieces of straws flicking here and there while being snipped!
And yes, my daughter loved the projectile objects!
Now, to find a broom to sweep up this OT mess!

Happy New Year 2012!

2012-01-01T05:32:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Teri Mauro for allowing me to share these awesome calendars!

May 2012 bring you new sounds and words, new achievements, and the brilliance of new outlooks in your child's future!
Best wishes for a prosperous and successful 2012!

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Merry Christmas 2011!

2011-12-25T06:39:00.000-06:00

Wishing you and yours a blessed holiday!

Merry Christmas to you all!

Merry Christmas Eve 2011!

2011-12-24T05:36:00.000-06:00

From my house of apraxia and special needs to yours,
may you find peace and wonder in the miracles of this holiday season!

My Very First App Review: Monkey Math!

2011-12-23T14:41:00.007-06:00

It has been a couple of months now since we have had our iPad, and both of my children are thriving with it!
The apps out there are out of this world!
But one math app in particular has really caught my eye and I beam with pride and joy as I see both of my children doing so well in this area.

(The following info was taken from the iTunes site):
MONKEY MATH SCHOOL SUNSHINE FEATURES
★9 interactive games that teach kids about sequencing, patterning, counting, adding and subtracting.
★With very little interface, your child presses one button to immediately launch into uninterrupted play.
★Uses Knack Technology to instinctively adjust the challenge levels to each individual player.
★Irresistibly cute monkey guides the child through game play with animated celebrations for correct answers and gentle redirection for incorrect ones.
★Kids collect prizes to fill their very own INTERACTIVE AQUARIUM.
★Uninterrupted and unlimited play: game continues as long as the player desires.

★ADD IT UP and TAKE IT AWAY
Use your addition and subtraction skills to solve math problems. Trusty crab assistants supply multiple-choice options.

★PATTERNS
Monkey has a problem: Objects keep popping out of his bucket, creating a pattern - but one piece is missing! Help Monkey by completing the pattern with the choices provided.

★SHAPES
Is it an octagon? Or maybe a hexagon? Count each side of these shapes and help Monkey figure it out.

★SEQUENCES
Monkey has a group of numbers in the right order, but some are missing. Help him complete the sequence with the correct numbers.

★LESS/MORE
Monkey loves to blow bubbles, when he does, groups of shells, fish or turtles are inside each bubble! Use your expertise to figure out which bubble has either the most or least objects inside.

★BIGGER/SMALLER
Which bubble has the bigger number? Which bubble has the smaller one? Help Monkey figure it out by popping the correct bubble.

★CONNECT THE DOTS
Baby Turtle is stuck on the beach and she needs your help to get to the sea! Connect the dots to show her the way.

★WRITE IT UP!
Help Monkey learn his numbers by tracing them in the sand.

★BUBBLE POP
Monkey is running out of time! Pop all the bubbles that have either the right number or the right amount of objects inside before the time runs out!

What I love the most about this app is that they will play for one hour at a time and not realize that they are learning early math skills that will take them into the next levels in school.
The cartoon monkey is beyond cute, and he also has a wonderful way of encouraging your child to continue even if they make a mistake.
My kids LOVE to win a new fish or object for their fish tank when they successfully pass through a certain number of "number challenges".
Matching, greater than/less than, tracing numbers in the sand to help with handwriting and number formation, connect-the-dots to help with the whole hand-eye coordination, sequencing and patterns....it's all there!

Developed by THUP games, and for only 0.99, you can get the app here for your iPhone or iPad!

What Have YOU Learned?

2011-12-22T09:50:00.002-06:00

Thanks to one of my Facebook friends posting this, I decided that it is a "must share" with you all.
And of course, I am darned sure that you can come up with #12, #13 and even #107 of things that you have learned along the way.
But thanks so much to Leigh for putting this list together.
Props to you, Mama!
You can find her on Twitter here.
And you can find her on Facebook here.

1. Not knowing is a lot harder than knowing.
Yes, there is a lot we can do via therapy to help our children walk, talk, learn, etc. But the hardest thing to admit is that most of it is simply up to their brain and its wiring. There are no certain predictors that a special needs child will develop speech, be able to read, be potty-trained, or become self-sufficient . Good signs, yes. But nothing is certain. The not knowing can drive you crazy if you let it.

2. The internet is a blessing and a curse.
On one hand, there is valuable information out there. Yet, information overload can get you stuck. You end up reading too many awful things — that often don’t apply to your child at all — and it can deplete your hope and make you paranoid.

3. Connecting to the special-needs community (whether it be acquaintances, support groups, or the internet) can be both a lifesaver and bummer.
It is vital to find people who know what you are going through. Yet, sometimes it can produce even more negative feelings. Since there is always someone who has it worse than you, it can make you feel guilty for complaining. And, since there is always someone else who has it much better, you can sometimes forget that, when it comes to parenting, stress and worry are relative. Those people are just as immersed in their concern over their children as you are and, understandably, aren’t grateful simply because it could be worse. It can always be worse.

4. Holidays and special events magnify the situation.
Birthday parties are no longer joyful events. Your special needs child is in an unfamiliar setting, one with all kinds of new dangers. You actually have to observe typical children alongside your child, so his delays and social difficulties are painfully obvious. People naturally want to know what to buy your child. And you might not know. He might not play with toys. And you will have to endure the present opening and cake cutting that your child is tuning out in front of everyone present. No matter what is said and done, there is an air of sadness. Ditto for Christmas.

5. Well-intentioned people will silence you and add to your frustration.
They don’t mean to, but it is human nature to comfort and soothe. Invariably, they will attempt to do so in awful ways. Some will deny there is a problem and say that everything will be just fine. By denying there is even a problem, they effectively silence you and leave you isolated in your own mind. Some will try to remind you how grateful you should feel. And, while gratitude is a great thing, being reminded that you aren’t just makes you feel worse.

6. Picking your battles will take on a whole new meaning.
A lot of folks will look at you like you are crazy for “giving in” to a 24/7 diet consisting of nothing but chicken nuggets and crackers. Even more will judge you for “giving in” to what they view as tantrums and being spoiled. You, however, know that therapy, joint attention activities, and getting to school are the real nonnegotiables.

7. People will surprise you.
Causal acquaintances will step up to be better friends than the friends you most believed you could count on. There is nothing like becoming a special needs parent to give one clarity.

8. Doctors and other experts really don’t know everything.
Your pediatrician and other persons doing behavioral screening may not see what you are so worried about and may try to convince you nothing is wrong. They may encourage you to wait and see. You will want to believe them and may forget that childhood development really isn’t their speciality.

9. If you aren’t a naturally assertive person, you will have to become one.
People ranging from loved ones to Early Steps to the school system will give you a lot of reasons why they can’t meet your child’s needs. Even if it goes against your nature, you will have to fight for him. You will have to insist — which is both harder and easier than you might expect.

10. It’s easy to neglect others when you are caught up with the needs of one child.
You can forget the importance of date night with your spouse. You might forget a friend or loved one’s birthday. You might realize that your typically developing children aren’t getting enough attention from you. And you might realize you are not taking care of yourself and are about to fall apart. You will have to figure out a way to stay both connected and together. This is hardest thing to learn and do of all.

11. You will develop an appreciation for the little things.
There are moments of interaction and progress that will steal your breath. Hugs and kisses are unbelievably precious. And you will understand why this little soul was given to you. It’s because you are a perfect match for one another. And that is what sustains you through everything else.

So, who wants to be the first to add #12 to this list?

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Today's Top Ten

2011-12-21T04:46:00.000-06:00

10. An amazing IEP Meeting!

9. An amazing IEP Meeting!

8. An amazing IEP Meeting!

7. An amazing IEP Meeting!

6. An amazing IEP Meeting!

5. An amazing IEP Meeting!

4. Continued progress for Kaitlyn and Andrew in speech and OT.

3. An amazing IEP Meeting!

2. Did I fail to mention an amazing IEP Meeting?

1. I LOVE my kids!

The HandVibes Winner!

2011-12-20T14:18:00.002-06:00

Thanks for all of you who entered for Monday's blog giveaway for a FREE set of HandVibes to be given to the sibling of your special needs child!
They are the best cheerleaders that you could have, and we really need to give them props and show them that, while they are on the same journey with us, their passion and enthusiasm cannot go unnoticed.

So the winner of this week's giveaway is.....

AMY GORA ZWIERZ!

Congrats, Amy!

Amy, please email me at apraxiamom@gmail.com with your mailing info and we will get your set out ASAP.
As always, if Amy doesn't' contact me within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen at random.

Thanks again for all of those who participated and to HandVibes for allowing me to review this product and offer it to my readers!

A Giveaway For The Biggest Fans: The Siblings!

2011-12-19T05:33:00.000-06:00

During the hustle and bustle of driving to and from therapy and various appointments with our special needs kiddos, we are quizzing and drilling and doing therapy whenever we can to help perfect those speech sounds.
But sometimes, in the chaos of it all, we miss something: the siblings.

These are the unsung heroes when are always along for the ride to therapy.

Who sit patiently (or not so patiently sometimes) in doctors office waiting rooms.

Who are the quiet watchers and listeners.

Who defend their younger brother or sister while educating others on the speech disorder that their family member has.

Who cheer them on day in and day out.

Who are actually heard on many occasions helping out with the therapy and cheering on the little ones when they do something spectacular.

Well, big brothers and sisters...this one's for you!

These vibrant rings are hand painted with contrasting colored letters and feature 25 expressions and designs.
Plus, they are available in two sizes to fit different fingers or toes.
The Handvibes are novelty rubber rings with interesting words on them
in different colors.

They feature words and sayings such as “Rad,” “BFF,” “Epic,” “Dude,” “Boo-Yah,” “ROFL” and many more!
HandVibes are a fun way for kids to display their attitudes on their fingertips!
Adding to the collectability of HandVibes are ten rare black or blue swirl emoticon designs featuring smiley faces, winks, smirks and more, which are randomly inserted into just one out of every six ring packs.
Since HandVibes are sold in packs with two visible rings plus a third‘Mystery Ring’ contained in a hidden compartment, every purchase will have an element of surprise as kids discover if their Mystery Ring is one of the rare emoticon designs.
Nine vibrant colors!
25 unique sayings!
Ten hard-to-find emoticon designs for a total of 235 unique rings in all!
HandVibes are Definitely poised to become the newest craze in kids’ collectible, tradable fashion.

So who has a typical-developing sibling out there that would LOVE to have a set of these HandVibes for FREE?!

Here's all you have to do:
1. Make sure you "LIKE" my Facebook page already.
and
2. Head on over to HandVibes on Facebook, "LIKE" their page and let them know that I sent you there!

That's it!
Simple as that!

This blog giveaway will run from today, December 19, 2011 through 12:00 noon on Tuesday, December 20, 2011(CST).
One winner will be chosen at random.
You will have 24 hours to respond to me when I post your name as the winner.
Contest valid in the United States only.
Sorry, but no PO Box entries will be allowed.
No anonymous entries.
You must have a valid email address.
If the first winner does not contact me within 24 hours, another winner will be chosen at random.

GOOD LUCK!

The POP for Sight Words Winner!

2011-12-16T09:15:00.003-06:00

Thank you all for your great comments and excitement about this giveaway.

And a HUGE thank you to Learning Resources for making this possible!

Now, the winner of the "POP for Sight Words" giveaway is.....

MISTY BARTHEL!

Misty, please email me within 24 hours with your mailing information to apraxiamom@gmail.com

If Misty does not contact me within 24 hours of this posting, a new winner will be chosen.

Congrats, Misty, and thanks again to all of you who participated.

Next week is yet another giveaway....and this one is both unique and special geared towards the older siblings of our special needs kiddos!

Have a great weekend everyone!

It's Giveaway Time!

2011-12-15T13:01:00.003-06:00

With my daughter's IEP Meeting coming up in a mere 5 days, I thought a giveaway would be appropriate.
One of her goals involves sight words.
And while she is making gains on this goal, she still struggles with it.
Flash cards are no fun, for sure, and pointing to words in a book is so unmotivating.

However, the great people over at Learning Resources have given me yet another avenue to drill these oh-so-important words into her long term memory.

Introducing.......

POP for SIGHT WORDS Game!

Disguised as a box of popcorn, you will find 100 pieces of popcorn representing 92 of the most common sight words that are taught at the Kindergarten level.

But what about the other 8, ApraxiaMom?
Well, the remaining 8 pieces have the work "POP" written on them and they are pieces that make this game so fun!

Why are they so special?
Well, as two or more players are playing this game, taking turns choosing a piece of popcorn and saying the word that appears on that piece.
But, watch out, because a random piece of popcorn labeled "POP" may be chosen.
And if that happens.....you lose all of your pieces back to the box!

But this game is more than just learning sight words.
I have found (with my two children) that I have been able to teach:
*turn taking
*they may not always be the winner
*using the word in a sentence
*explaining to me what the word means or represents
*playing fair

I am sure that you can come up with many, many more ways of using this game as both a fun and educational addition to your household or classroom, too!

So, who would like to own this game?

Here is what you need to do.
PLEASE FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY TO BE ENTERED.

1. You must LIKE Learning Resources on Facebook and tell them that I sent you there from today's giveaway.

2. You must leave a comment on my Facebook page as a separate post stating why this game would be perfect for you!

That's it!
Simple as that!

This blog giveaway will run from today, December 15 ,2011 through 9:00am on Friday, December 16th (CST).
One winner will be chosen at random.
You will have until 9:00am on Saturday, December 17, 2011 to respond to me when I post your name as the winner.
Contest valid in the United States only.
Sorry, but no PO Box entries will be allowed.
No anonymous entries.
You must have a valid email address.
If the first winner does not contact me within 24 hours, another winner will be chosen at random.

GOOD LUCK!

And thanks again to Jenny and the great people over at Learning Resources for this wonderful opportunity!

The Magic of Christmas

2011-12-14T09:49:00.000-06:00

Watching two kids anxiously and patiently wait for cookies to bake.

To decorate sugar cookies with sprinkles of very color.

This is what drives me and fulfills my life.
They are my magic!

Tuesday Top Ten

2011-12-13T05:22:00.000-06:00

10. Less than two weeks until Christmas...and this Mama hasn't started shopping.

9. Prepping for Kate's huge IEP Meeting. Yeah, I got this!

8. Having a plan and sticking to it.

7. A successful first swim lesson for Andrew.

6. A second swim lesson for Andrew...with tears. Yes, the newness has worn off.

5. An OT eval that really makes sense.

4. Being on the same page with regards to goals for OT.

3. Continued progress on the speech and language front for both kiddos!

2. Friends, family, and an awesome cookie exchange!

1. I love my kids!

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"I Did It!"

2011-12-12T20:20:00.003-06:00

Last week Monday was Andrew's first swim lesson.
The boy is afraid of water.
Afraid to get his face wet.
But the care and compassion of his coach made it so easy for him.
This video was 10 minutes into the lesson.
He went from a boy afraid of water to a boy telling me "I did it!"
Love that little voice!

Yes, Andrew, you did it!

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Thank You So Much!

2011-12-09T14:14:00.004-06:00

Yesterday, I received an email stating that I was chosen as one of the Top 115 Parenting Blogs from eCollegeFinder.

Thank you so much!
Being a student isn't an easy job, and neither is being a parent. Despite how tough it may be, many of the students who visit our site are the courageous parents who are pushing limits, working hard, and returning to school. The Top 115 Parenting Blogs Award was created especially for you, student moms and dads, and includes a large collection of helpful and encouraging blogs from other parents. Our award winners include blogs that address how to thrive raising children, through thick and thin, while keeping a sense of humor, remaining green, healthy, frugal, crafty, working, going to school, or just staying sane!
I still do not know who nominated me, but I am humbled and for that I thank you again and again.
I am honored to be listed among over 100 other bloggers who share their stories and struggles daily, making the most of what they have and thanking God for the chance to help others in the same situation.

If you would like to see the complete list of bloggers, click here!

Thanks again!

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Today's Top Ten

2011-12-07T05:32:00.000-06:00

10. Two weeks until our MEGA HUGE 3-year re-eval IEP Meeting for Kaitlyn.

9. And no, I have not started to prep for above meeting.

8. Andrew's first swim lesson = success!

7. Semi-private swim lessons for special needs kids = the best decision ever!

6. More great handwriting progress for Kaitlyn!

5. The end of the first half of the school year is creeping up on us already? Really?!

4. No snow yet...and it's December 7th???

3. Dreaming of sleeping in....yeah right...in my dreams!

2. Haven't started Christmas shopping yet.

1. I LOVE my kids!

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A LoudMommy Christmas!

2011-12-06T14:07:00.002-06:00

If you haven't met my friend, Loud Mommy, yet....you are missing out!

This is the Mom with a cute-as-a-button boy and together they are conquering the world!
And today, she launched an amazing giveaway!
Click here to see it and enter!
You only have until Sunday, December 11th to enter to win!

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*Frosty the Snowman and Bad Words

2011-12-02T09:25:00.004-06:00

I never liked the word "stupid".
Never.
Even when I was growing up and heard others say it, I simply didn't care for it.

But now the word is one hot topic in my house, thanks to the Frosty the Snowman DVD that my children are addicted to.
It is played over and over.....and over.
At home.
In the car.
Wherever a DVD player is, so is Frosty.
It's a cute movie and I get all tickled when I listen to my kids sing along to the catchy tunes.

That is, until my daughter announced one day "Mom, the Professor said a bad word!"
Really?
He said something bad?
I've never heard anything bad, and I've got ears like a hawk!
She insisted that the Professor said a bad word and insisted that I play it back so that she could show me.

And sure enough, she was right!
Right out of the mouth of that crabby old Professor Hinkle!
He's so ticked off that he is a horrible magician and that his rabbit is not cooperating and now has raw egg in his hat....and the kids would rather go outside to play in the newly fallen snow than to watch him.
And just to clarify, he calls the snow "stupid", not the rabbit or any child.
Good choice, Prof!
*And while the actual word "stupid" is not technically a bad word, it is in our house.
Falls into the same category as the four-letter words that had better not come out of my kids' mouths!

In my 3+ decades of watching Frosty the Snowman, I never noticed this.
But leave it to my daughter.....the one with the speech, language, and processing issues to identify it and bring it to my attention.

If you've never heard it before, click below.
You'll hear the word "stupid" around the 2:17 mark.
It's amazing that I hadn't picked up on the word after 30+ years of watching that movie.
But my daughter with special needs did.

Yep, this kid continues to amaze me!

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Happy December 2011!

2011-12-01T09:33:00.003-06:00

Can you believe December is here already?

Have a wonderful day!
And thank you to Terri Mauro for allowing me to share this!

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Top Ten

2011-11-30T05:16:00.000-06:00

10. A wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

9. Loving the homework for Kaitlyn!

8. Continued progress with handwriting for Kaitlyn.

7. Continued progress for both kids on the speech and language front.

6. Counting down the days until Christmas.......oh dear.....

5. The spirit of Christmas through a child's eyes.

4. A nonfunctional left ear tube for Andrew. Why do I have this feeling of impending doom?

3. Emerging manners from the little boy. WHOA! Where did that come from?

2. Less attitude from the little girl. FINALLY!

1. I love my kids!

How To Get Funding for Advocates/Attorneys

2011-11-29T05:44:00.000-06:00

I'm sure the title of this post caught your attention, didn't it?
Funny how money makes people's ears perk up like a kitty stalking a bird in the yard.
The fact of the matter is that special needs attorneys and advocates are not cheap.
Then again, you wouldn't want a cheap one, would you?
You'd want someone to go to bat for your child like it was their own.
You'd want them to expect work from you as well.
It's called a team approach.
And when that attorney does his/her job, you realize that each and every hard earned penny that went towards that retainer fee, traveling fee, or copy fee was worth it and well spent, right?

That's what Jessica and Brett wanted for Emma.
And that's what Jessica and Brett got for Emma.

This is Jessica, and she has quite the story to tell you.
She has a cute-as-a-button daughter named Emma.
And yes, Emma has special needs.
And when I read Jessica's blog, I have to ask myself "Don't I know this girl?"
She sounds so much like me and what I would do.
Funny thing, that special needs community out there, isn't it?
I'm not sure exactly when I met Jessica, if it was through Blog Frog or on a random Internet search of special needs blogs, but I am grateful that I did meet her.

She is one tough cookie!
She would fit in well with me on the south side of Chicago, I tell ya.
A feisty little spit-fire with a passion for her child and her needs like no one else I have met in a long time.
And because Ms. Jessica has a soft, compassionate side, too...she wants to help other parents just like her.
You see, Jessica and Brett and Emma went on this Attorney Journey, and it wasn't some all-expense-paid-kind-of-trip-that-one-wins-on-The-Price-Is-Right.
No balloons falling and confetti caught in your hair or bells and whistles.
It was hard work.
The kind of work that paid off...BIG TIME!

It is this kind of Attorney Journey.

Once you read the ending story of the journey, go back to the beginning.
See where it all started.
See how low they pounded into the ground.
Then see how they rose victorious like a phoenix from the flames.

OMG!
She's from Arizona, too!
OMG!
I am too freaking creative tonight with the whole "phoenix" comment!
(*Apraxia Mom pats self on the back!*)

Alright, back to my whole point of this blog post....and I do have a point here.
Go to Jessica's Etsy page and help her help other parents fund an attorney or advocate for their special needs child.
100% of purchases on cards and jewelry will go directly towards helping another child.

You can join me on the Jumping Waves Facebook page to continue following Jessica, Brett and Emma on this journey.
I'm sure there will be more great news to share!

Thanks, Jessica, for being such a warrior Mom!

Unique Child Study

2011-11-28T14:01:00.004-06:00

Columbia University in New York needs your help.
They are doing a study on children with special needs.
Unique children, like ours.
Researchers at Columbia University’s Paul F. Lazarsfeld Center for the Social Sciences studying how children who are unique in some way are identified and developed.
They are currently collecting stories from parents with children who have been identified as gifted, children who have unique artistic, scientific, or physical abilities, children on the autism spectrum, and children who have been identified as having attention disorders.
While all children are unique, the goal of this study is to identify how children with unique developmental abilities or trajectories develop over early childhood.

Simply click on the link here to participate.
There is no catch.
It's a simple survey, and you can abandon the survey at any point if some of the questions make you uncomfortable.

"Parents have different experiences and observations of their child’s development and they have different personal resources with which they access services or programs. Parents also differ in the type and extent of their support networks and social relations. And finally, parents make different decisions when finding the right academic, extra-curricular, or other placements for their children. We would like to give parents the chance to tell their stories. Survey responses will help us understand the experiences of unique children as well as their development over time."

Thanks for your help!

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Toilet Paper Roll Turkey

2011-11-23T04:48:00.000-06:00

This toilet paper roll turkey is a simple, but really cute Thanksgiving Day craft. Kids will enjoy cutting out the different color feathers of construction paper and putting the turkey together.

What you'll need:
•Toilet paper roll
•Red, Yellow, and Orange Construction Paper
•2 Googly Eyes
•Glue
•Scissors

How to make your Toilet Paper Roll Turkey:
•Cut feather shapes out of the construction paper. You'll need 2-3 feathers of each color.
•Cut a small triangle out of orange construction paper for a beak.
•Cut a small peanut shape out of red construction paper for a waddle.
•Cut two feet out of orange construction paper.
•Tape the feathers onto the back of the toilet paper roll.
•Glue the eyes, beak, waddle, and feet to the front of the toilet paper roll.

Have fun!

Tuesday Top Ten

2011-11-22T12:51:00.002-06:00

10. A short week due to the Thanksgiving Holiday!

9. One week off from work! YIPPEE!

8. Speech and Occupational therapy that is really bringing out the best in my kids!

7. Refusing to put up any Christmas decorations in or around my house until AFTER Thanksgiving! That's the rule!

6. Making an appointment to visit with Santa soon!

5. I am so thankful for my husband and his support and love!

4. I am so thankful for my children and the joy that they bring to my life!

3. I am so thankful for my family and friends!

2. I am so thankful to all of you who read this little blog of mine!

1. I love my kids!

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ThanksGiving Crafts!

2011-11-21T09:52:00.003-06:00

Since this is a short week and we will all be gathering soon to celebrate with our families and friends to give thanks for all that we have and for the progress that we have made, this week will be devoted to crafty ideas for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Cute.
Simple.
Fun.
And yes, sometimes a little messy.
But what better sensory play than messy sensory play, right!!

Below is a simple craft that your child can do with very little guidance...ENJOY!

What you'll need:
•Yellow and green construction paper
•Printable corn template
•Scissors
•White glue
•Red, orange, yellow, and white washable paint.

How to make your Fingerprint Indian Corn:
1. Print our a corn template or draw your own.
2. Cut the pieces out.
3. Trace the corn piece onto yellow construction paper, and the husk piece onto green construction paper, then cut both pieces out.
4. Glue the corn piece onto the husk piece.
5. Have your child dip their fingers into the paint and dot the different colors onto the corn.

*This works best if you can convince them to use one color at a time, but looks just as cute if they all get smeared together, too!

Happy Crafting!

Santa and the Girl Scouts

2011-11-18T05:34:00.001-06:00

When I was growing up, we always traveled to both Grandparent's houses to celebrate Christmas Eve.
Dinner.
Gifts.
Family.
Fun.
Those are the memories that I will never forget.
And at the end of the day, I remember driving home, anxiously waiting to see if Santa paid our house a visit.

And he did!

But before me, my sister or my brother could open any gifts, my parents would read us a letter that Santa had left for us.
I was always amazed at what the jolly ole elf knew about us!
Um, good and bad.

So how would you like to give your child a personalized letter from Santa Claus this year AND help a well known organization at the same time?

Except this group of Girl Scouts is comprised of little ladies with special needs!

This Christmas, surprise your child with a letter from Santa!
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to send your child a personalized letter from Santa Claus!
For only $5.00, your child will receive a letter from Santa through the mail that is personalized with his/her name.
Each letter will be printed on holiday stationery, and will contain a thoughtful message from Santa.
Delivery is guaranteed before Christmas Eve!

Proceeds will be donated to help support Girl Scouts Troop #200, a troop giving girls with special needs the opportunity to build courage, confidence and leadership and to make this world a better place.

Girl Scouts turns 100 years old in 2012 (1912- 2012) and in August 2012 Girl Scout Troop #200 will be making the road trip down to Savannah GA, the founder of Girl Scouts.

Please fill out the info below on a separate piece of paper and mail it along with your payment (checks made payable to NCHS DECA) by December 7, 2011, to:

Katie Barry, DECA Advisor
Naperville Central High School
440 West Aurora
Naperville IL 60540

Questions???
Katie Barry at kbarry@naperville203.org or
Christine Bell at clbell@naperville203.org

Parent/Guardian Name: ________________________________________________
Purchaser's Name (if different from parent):________________________________
Phone (only used if there is a question regarding the order): ___________________
# of Letters: __________ @ $5.00 each = $____________ total payment enclosed

Only ONE Child per letter. (Please make checks payable to NCHS.)
Personalization - PLEASE PRINT NEATLY
***Child's First and Last Name
***Male or Female
***Age
***Address (Street, City, State, Zip)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Note: Each Child in Your Order Will Receive a Different Letter

Thanks for your support!

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Did You Ever Wonder HOW They Learn?

2011-11-17T09:55:00.002-06:00

Did you ever wonder HOW your special needs child learns?
Why it takes longer for some simple tasks and quicker for more complex tasks?
I have.
And I have found a wonderful book for you all to read.
I bought mine on Amazon.com and read it in one night.
And I must say that it has opened my eyes to what my own child with special needs is going through.

Thank you, David Sousa!

"Since the first edition of David A. Sousa's bestseller on a brain-based approach for special education, scientists have made remarkable progress in understanding how the human brain functions. Now, How the Special Needs Brain Learns, Second Edition, helps you turn the latest developments in neuroscience into practical classroom activities for students with common learning challenges.

In this completely revised second edition, Sousa builds on the latest data by examining both simple and complex learning strategies that can be adapted for students with learning disabilities such as ADHD/ADD; speech, reading, writing, and math disabilities; emotional and behavioral disorders; autism; and Asperger's syndrome.

Emphasizing lifelong independent learning, increased retention, and cognitive flexibility, this revision offers educators targeted assistance with:

•Responsiveness to Intervention (RTI) for evaluating students at risk
•Expanded chapters on attention and autism spectrum disorders
•Revised material on reading, emotional, and behavioral disorders
•A new final chapter featuring a practical framework for identifying, accommodating, and motivating special needs students
•References to more than 230 new scientific studies

Offering real strategies for real classrooms, Sousa's latest work is an indispensable tool for all educators, school administrators and teachers, staff developers, preservice educators, and even parents who want to better understand the way their children process and retain information."

"Mom, I Can't Hear"

2011-11-16T05:01:00.000-06:00

That was the message that Kaitlyn gave me on Tuesday morning when she woke up.
She's been battling a cold for about a week now, but those words made me believe that something else was up.
Aside from my fear of an ear infection, I was pretty impressed with what she had to tell me.
And the fact that she did tell me.
In her own words.
And that I didn't have to try and figure it out or play charades to figure it out.
Because for so long, that is what I had to do to figure out the few words she had.

So, being the bad Mom that I was being Tuesday morning, I sent her to school.
Why shouldn't I have sent her?!
She didn't have a fever.
She did have a snotty nose, but no fever.
So off to school she went.
But that little Mama voice in my head told me to call the pediatrician's office and get her in to be checked out ASAP.

We had an appointment at 3:45pm.
She looked a tad worse than when I sent her to school.
Something was really kicking her butt.
And the doc's trusty otoscope told me the inevitable: she has an ear infection.

Well, she did tell me that she couldn't hear that morning.
But she didn't have a fever, so I didn't think "infection".
Yep, bad Mom and bad Nurse...all in one day.

So now she is on the pink stuff.
And now I have to hope that sounds and words don't start to suffer because of it.
It's happened before, and I've been there.
Until her next speech session, I've got to bump up her speech therapy at home.
Need to work on those lower decibel sounds.
Focus on the /s/ and /th/ and /f/ sounds for a few days.

The lesson learned here?
Listen to my kids.
Lesson learned.

Tuesday Top Ten

2011-11-15T05:05:00.000-06:00

10. Mainstreaming.

9. Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences!

8. Watching my son make stick figures and faces with HUGE ears! LOVE!

7. Kaitlyn's successful OT consult!

6. A date night and a babysitter.

5. Reflection and anticipation.

4. Two stuffy-nosed kiddos in my house.

3. To-Do Lists that actually get done!

2. Dancing to Lady Gaga!

1. I LOVE my kids!

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How To Include Special Ed With General Ed

2011-11-14T19:05:00.000-06:00

Please don't ask me to answer this question.
Because I don't know the answer.

All I do know is that my husband and I have prayed and talked and prayed some more about this topic for several weeks now.
We have known for some time that this day would come.
And while we are both excited and anxious, scared and nervous, confident and determined to make it work....the day has come.

The day?
Kaitlyn will be mainstreaming to our home school.
Saying good-bye to the security blanket of what we have come to know in the self-contained setting which she has been in for almost three years.
While I will miss the warmth and comfort of that security blanket, I know in my heart of hearts that it has become too restrictive for her.
And while she is not completely ready to have her wings clipped to fly away on her own, her current setting is holding her back from the potential that she has inside.

There will still be a lot of hand-holding and guidance required (of both her and myself!), we are ready to embark on the new adventure.
It won't happen until the summer of the 2012-2013 school year, but there is a lot that has to be done prior to the "big move".

How do I teach the new staff about my child?
About her abilities?
About her disabilities?
About what motivates her and what scares her?
Will I ever be able to relax and just let her go?

Of course I will!
Because this girl and I can swim with the sharks!
Better yet, we swim BETTER than most sharks out there.
And together, we will do this!
We will be successful!

Click here for some great tips to help you include your special ed child in the general education setting.

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Tips for Handwriting

2011-11-10T13:39:00.003-06:00

The following blog has been copied/pasted from the Handwriting Without Tears email that I receive monthly.
I want to give them props because this article below is all theirs.
Not mine.
I'm too tired today to even think of putting a coherent sentence together.
Worked yesterday.
Very busy.
See? I'd rather write in single words than long elaborate sentences!
Just read below, OK.............

4 Steps to Teach Correct Grip
Good habits that begin in early years will last a lifetime—and holding a crayon or pencil correctly is a very important habit.
Awkward grips can cause fatigue, cramping, and even pain—making writing difficult. This problem can be prevented.
The foundation starts with general upper body strength and fine motor skill activities.
Follow these four steps to teach proper grip.

What you see here are the two efficient grips that are universally recommended for children to achieve: the tripod grip and the quadropod grip.

For the tripod grip, the thumb, pointer, and middle finger work together to hold a writing tool.

For the quadropod grip, four fingers work together to stabilize the writing tool. Notice how the pencil rests on the ring finger and this provides additional support.

You might observe children holding their crayon or pencil with too many fingers or placing their thumbs on top of their fingers, or their fingers on top of their thumbs.
If you notice this, you will need to help children form the proper grip to help them with the mechanics of writing and ultimately, to become better writers.

Follow these four steps!

1.Determine Handedness.
Determine the skilled or preferred hand to teach grip.
Notice which hand the child uses more often during activities requiring hand use, for example, eating and stringing beads.
You may want to collaborate with teachers, parents, and therapists, so they too are watching too and can help you decide.

2.Teach correct finger placement.
Show children how to position their fingers on the writing tool, using one of the grips above.

3.Use small tools.
It is important for children to use writing tools that promote the correct use of the thumb, pointer, and middle fingers.
Often, when children are given primary size pencils and crayons, their grip becomes awkward because these tools are too heavy and long for their little hands.

4.Play! Provide creative opportunities for children to develop fine motor skills that are necessary for correct grip, such as scissor activities, manipulating play dough, stringing beads, etc.

I love Handwriting Without Tears!

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Top Ten

2011-11-09T04:12:00.000-06:00

10. Back to blog giveaways! Woo-Hoo!

9. A fiesty IEP meeting for Andrew.

8. Adding 30 minutes of OT to Andrew's IEP for school effective...now!

7. Deciding to look into private OT for Kaitlyn.

6. Contemplating swim lessons for Andrew.

5. Upcoming Parent Teacher Conferences for both kids.

4. Mainstreaming.

3. Decisions.

2. A fun Halloween for both of the kids.

1. I love my kiddos!

And the SPIO Winner is.....

2011-11-08T12:41:00.002-06:00

Sarah Beth Daigneault Moore!

Congrats, Sarah!

Sarah, you have 48 hours to contact me via email at apraxiamom@gmail.com with your mailing information.

If Sarah does not contact me by 1:00pm (CST) on Thursday, November 10, 2011 a new winner will be randomly chosen.

Thanks to all who participated, and thanks again to SPIO for allowing me to review such a great product!

A SPIO Giveaway!

2011-11-07T09:16:00.017-06:00

I am always on the search for new products that could potentially help my children during school or one of their many therapy sessions.
I always hope that they could maintain their attention long enough to participate and gain something from a session.
Both of my children have sensory issues and are constantly "seeking" in one form or another.
While one fidgets in their seat, the other loves the close contact of the therapist.
And they both love hugs!
Fortunately, thanks to SPIO, I have found a product that provides what both of them need.

SPIO, which stands for Stabilizing Pressure Input Orthosis, is a compression garment useful for providing sensory input to help children with a variety of conditions to improve their trunk tone, function, and posture.

SPIO™ systems were designed by Cheryl Allen, a mother of two children with tone, movement, and severe sensory processing disorders, and Nancy Hylton who is a Physical Therapist, Licensed Orthotist, and the mother of a son with cerebral palsy.

Unlike other products, the principle of SPIO is compression, deep pressure and sensory input: everything a sensory-seeking child may crave.
It does not provide physical or rigid support, so this vest may not be helpful to children with extremely low tone or spinal deformities.
Below are a variety of products that SPIO offers:

Since they are made of a patented Lycra fabric with a unique multi-directional stretch, they allow for ease of movement, all while providing the compression and sensory input that you are looking for.

And, if cared for properly, all SPIO systems allow for a 25% growth.

I have used the SPIO shirt and pants for my daughter for several weeks now during her speech therapy sessions.
It is not uncommon for her to touch her therapist or look for a hug when she does something good or pronounces a sound correctly.
She thrives on praise!
I had been told by our SLP on a few occasions that she would have my daughter sit on her lap while she hugs her to give her that sensory input she was craving.
And I was also told that during these "hug" portions of her therapy, her concentration improved greatly as did her progress.
Now that we have a SPIO product on during the session, she is able to sit and attend during the session with the same outcomes!

AMAZING!
And yes, I am a believer!

And the great folks over at SPIO would like to give ONE WINNER your own SPIO product of your choice!
But as always, please check with your personal physician if this or any product would be appropriate for your child.

So here is what you need to do to enter this giveaway:
*************************************************************************************
1.) Leave a comment about this giveaway on my Facebook page.

2.) Go to the SPIO Facebook Page and "LIKE" them and leave a comment.

***To be considered a valid entry, you MUST comment on SPIO's Facebook page that you heard about their product from my blog giveaway and product review today!

3.) Follow SPIO on Twitter and "retweet" my post about this giveaway.

SIMPLE AS THAT!

This giveaway begins on Monday, November 7, 2011 and ends on Tuesday, November 8,2011at 12:00noon (CST).
Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email and announced on my Facebook page.
Contest valid in the United States only.
Sorry, but no PO Box entries will be allowed.
No anonymous entries.
You must have a valid email address.
If the first winner does not contact me within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen at random.

GOOD LUCK!
For more information on SPIO, their products, and sizing information, please check out their website at http://www.spioworks.com/

NOVEMBER!

2011-11-01T10:06:00.003-05:00

What have your children taught you?
What have you learned?
It's amazing what our children can make us see, isn't it?
*Thanks to Teri Mauro for allowing me to share this calendar!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T13:31:00.002-05:00

Tonight a lot of creatures will visit your door.
Be open minded.
The child who is grabbing more than one piece of candy might have poor fine motor skills.
The child who takes forever to pick out one piece of candy might have motor planning issues.
The child who does not say trick or treat or thank you might be shy or non-verbal. The child who looks disappointed when he sees your bowl might have an allergy.
The child who isn't wearing a costume at all might have SPD or autism.
Be nice.
Be patient.
Its everyone's Halloween...

It's Right There....Black and White!

2011-10-28T13:58:00.005-05:00

IEP Meetings can be a battle.
Sometimes you can be yourself and ask nicely and get new things added that would benefit your child.
Other times, you have to get a little more feisty and show the school a different side of you and ask in a way that means business.

Today was one of those days.
Today, I had to get a little feisty.

We met this morning to meet and discuss Andrew's IEP.
We had an OT eval done and it was decided that it would be beneficial for him to add OT to his IEP and modify his classroom plan to facilitate meeting those OT goals.
Perfect!
But yesterday, the school also sent home his updated goals with a little "X" in the column if he has met the goal, is meeting the goal, or is not meeting the goal.

Thanks for this update!

Really!

No, really!

These two "X's" were never emailed to me prior to yesterday.
These two "X's" were never sent home after school at any point.
So to see that really got my undies in a bunch, so to speak.
And this scheduled IEP Meeting allowed me to address the two "not meeting at this time" indicators.
One was for the classroom routine, the other for speech.
So when the team leader asked if I had any questions or comments prior to the meeting starting, I jumped at the opportunity to address those two "X's".

The first one, the classroom routine, was easily addressed.
A new task strip was going to be made.
Great! Let's move on, now.
And we did move on....to the meeting.
But never fear, I did not forget "X" number 2.
Once the meeting was completed and it was time to determine service minutes, I waited for the right opportunity to address that second "X".

"I will propose to keep the minutes at what they currently are for speech."

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
(Insert 1970's vinyl record screeching here.)

Lemme get this straight.
You state that he is struggling with one of the speech goals that has been in place for almost 10 months now.
He is getting there, but not good enough yet.
You typed...in black and white...that he is still struggling with one of the speech goals that has been in place for almost 10 months now.
And you think I was going to agree that keeping the same amount of minutes is justified?

Uh-uh.
Nope.
Ain't gonna happen.
Not today.

So after I had to state my case, repeat, repeat, and repeat again for a total of 6 times why I believe that an increase in pull-out service minutes is justified, she had to have realized that I wasn't going to back down.
And she is lucky that I only asked for an additional 15 minutes of private/small group minutes rather than 30!

So the moral of the story?
If it is spoken to you that goals and benchmarks aren't being met in a timely fashion.
If it is written to you that goals and benchmarks aren't being met in a timely fashion.
PUH-LEASE...do us all special needs parents a favor, and throw us a bone in the form of additional minutes, OK?
In a good way (and not so good way), I've been around this block a few times now.
I know how the game is played.
And I bring my A-game each and every time.
And when it is right there in black and white, I know what I can ask for.
Because in the end...it's all about the child and what is most appropriate for that child.
Not the best.
Just the most appropriate.
Parents...don't ever be afraid to advocate for your child.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Special Ed...State By State

2011-10-26T04:19:00.000-05:00

Did you ever wonder how your State stacked up to the state next door in terms of providing for special needs and special education?
Interested in eligibility categories?
Ever wondered where your state ranks?
Looking for a specific disability and how it measures up?

Click here for some great insite!

Tuesday Top Ten

2011-10-25T19:05:00.002-05:00

10. An upcoming meeting for Andrew at school. (Hint: we are adding OT!)

9. An impromptu phone call from Kate's teacher with the theme of "transition". Eek!

8. Warm, Chicago weather for October!

7. Celebrating Kate's 8th birthday bowling! It was great!

6. Networking and new friends.

5. More and more progress on the speech front.

4. iPad!

3. Upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences

2. How many days until Halloween?

1. I love my kids!

Apraxia, Meet Your Match!

2011-10-24T18:36:00.000-05:00

This girl of mine.......

...Just turned 8 on Friday.

...Got sassy with her teacher this morning.

...Got sassy with her private SLP this afternoon.

...Has lost privileges twice today.

Am I mad?
No, not really.
Because while I am disappointed at the sassy behavior, the mouthiness, and the back-talk, I'm actually eased as punch.

Why, you ask?

Because apraxia has stolen my daughter's voice for far too long.
And now she is finding her voice.
And it makes me so happy that she is asserting herself.
And yes, I am working on those negative behaviors.
But a wise Latin once said "to the victors go the spoils".

Right now, I am savoring these sweet victory!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAITLYN!

2011-10-21T05:41:00.001-05:00

Tuesday, October 21, 2003.
5:21pm.
6 pounds 8 ounces 19 1/2 inches.
My heart now walks outside of my body.
I am in love.

One Year Old.
I love you more and more each day.

Two Years Old.
You are quite the character.
You are strong.

Three Years Old.
You are my special girl.
You teach me new things each and every day.
I am in awe of your strength.

Four Years Old.
Your eyes smile when you smile.
You make me learn that love is more than words.

Five Years Old.
You are my hero.
I am blessed and honored to be your Mom.

Six Years Old.
You are a warm, loving little girl.
Any you learn to jump hurdles like no other.

Seven Years Old.
You found your voice.
You continue to inspire me.
You are my reason for waking every morning.

On this day, your 8th birthday, I have so many wishes for you.
But the biggest of these is LOVE.
I love you, my dear daughter.
Always.

Peek-a-Boo Ghost Craft!

2011-10-20T09:27:00.005-05:00

This peek-a-BOO ghost craft is a fantastic Halloween craft for kids!
The happy ghost (on a popsicle stick) pops up out of his decorated cup to say "boo!".
This is a great Halloween craft for preschoolers as the materials are fun and engaging and the end product is a toy.
With a little prep-work, this craft can be adapted for even very young children to do.

Here is what you will need:
•Paper or styrofoam cup
•Ghost template
•Black tissue paper
•Glue stick
•White construction paper
•Crayons
•Halloween stickers
•Popsicle stick
•Scissors

Here is how to make your Peek-a-BOO Ghost Craft:
*Use the scissors to cut a slit big enough for the popsicle stick in the center of the bottom of the cup (Moms and Dads should only do this!)
*Cut the black tissue paper into strips that are manageable for your child.
*Glue the tissue paper onto the cup.
*It works best to have your child coat one section of the cup at a time with the glue and then to go back and glue the loose ends down later.
*Print out your ghost template and cut the ghost out.
*Use crayons to draw a face on the ghost and to decorate if your child wants.
*Glue the ghost to one end of the popsicle stick.
*Decorate your cup with Halloween stickers.
*Insert the popsicle stick into the slit cut in the cup (the ghost goes into the cup) and then show your child how he pops out and says "BOO"!

Great way to work on that /b/ sound, too!

An OT Halloween Craft!

2011-10-19T05:00:00.000-05:00

How about a Halloween craft that combines both fun and some OT work?
That's what you will get when you do this Lacing Spider Web craft!
Kiddies will be so busy lacing that they won't realize they are actually working those little fine motor skills!

Here is what you'll need for this craft:
*Small paper plate
*Orange paint
*Single hole punch (any size)
*Black felt or construction paper
*Spider template
*White string, yarn or ribbon (Note: shoelaces work the best!)
*Scissors (safety ones for smaller children)
*Glue
*Paintbrush
*Scotch tape

And here is how to make this craft with your child:
*Paint the paper plate orange.
*Trace a spider onto black felt or construction paper and cut the spider shape out. *Cut three small slits into each side of the spider shape to make legs.
*If working with a preschooler, let your child try to make the smaller cuts to make the legs.
*When the plate is dry, punch holes around the rim.
*Lace the string through one of the holes and either make a knot or tape the end down to the back of the plate.
*Encourage your child as they lace the string back and forth across the plate.
*When they get to the end, tie off the last piece (or tape it to the back of the plate).
*Glue the spider onto the plate.

That's it!
Now you have a spider in a web!

Spider Craft

2011-10-18T09:25:00.002-05:00

Let's get one thing straight: I HATE SPIDERS!

Eww!

The moment I see one, I flip out and scream!
I won't kill it, for fear that it will come after me.
So I do what any other spider-fearing woman would do: I make my husband kill it.
But this little guy is cute, so I am OK with it.

Here is what you will need for today's craft: •Small paper plate
•Black paint
•Paint brush
•Scotch tape
•Black construction paper
•Scissors
•White pipe cleaner or yarn
•Glue
•2 large googly eyes

And this is how to make your Paper Plate Spider:
•Paint the paper plate black on both sides and let it dry.
•Cut 4 strips of construction paper out.
Each strip should be the length of the paper.
Then cut each strip in half so you have 8 legs.
•Tape the legs to the bottom of the plate, 4 on each side.
•Glue the eyes onto your spider.
•Have an adult help poke a hole in the center of the plate and attach either a string or a pipe cleaner through the hole so that you have a way to hang your spider craft.
If you use the pipe cleaner, bend it once it's through the hole and then tape it to the bottom of the plate to secure it.

You can even substitute pipe cleaners for the spider's legs and bend them this wasy that that way to make it look like he is walking.
What is so great about this craft is that a preschooler could do it!
And even if the legs are lop-sided or not placed in the right place, it's OK.
The look of accomplishment on their faces is priceless!

BOO! A Great Halloween Craft Idea!

2011-10-17T14:14:00.003-05:00

In the spirit (um, no pun intended there! Hee-Hee!) of Halloween, I will be focusing this week on crafty fun ideas that you can do with your children.
They are simple crafts and will hold their attention, too!

Today's craft will be a ghost...made from your child's foot!
Cute, isn't it?

Here is what you'll need:
•Construction paper or that thick, foamy craft paper
•Crayons
•Glue stick
•Scissors
•Googly eyes

Here is how to make your Footprint Ghost:
•Carefully trace your child's foot and cut out their footprint.
•Glue the footprint onto a piece of construction paper.
•Cut two arms out of construction paper (the same color as the ghost) and glue them onto your ghost.
•Have your child draw a face onto your ghost.

Try and allow your child to do most of the work, if possible.
Allow them to watch you and model your steps as you make your ghost.
Cute and simple!
Have a "boo-tiful" afternoon!

"POP!" for Sight Words Game

2011-10-14T14:29:00.000-05:00

Ah, yes!
Yet another way to teach children sight words.
Oh, how we just love our sight words in this house!
Can you sense my sarcasm?
The problem with sight words is that flash cards are boring and the mere fact of bringing the Ziploc baggie out with those flash cards make my kids run in different directions!

Well, let's just see what happens when this game comes in the mail!
I couldn't order it fast enough!

Pop for Sight Words Game by Learning Resources!
Students will gobble up handfuls of fun as they recognize and read aloud sight words.
Fast-paced game play is great for improving fluency.
Even use the abundant word cards for your own early literacy activities.
Includes 100 die-cut popcorn cards (92 sight words and 8 POP cards) in box with engaging graphics.
Measures 3"L x 3"W x 6 1/4"H. For 2–4 players. Grades 1+.
Fast-paced game play is great for improving fluency.

Pick a popcorn card, read the word correctly, and build your popcorn pile
Don't pull the POP card or all your pieces go back in the box
Player with the most pieces wins!

If I can get my hands on another one of these, you can be sure a giveaway will be involved!

Thank You, Loud Mommy!

2011-10-11T13:05:00.026-05:00

Words can't express my deepest thanks and most sincere appreciation for a gift from Loud Mommy for my son, Andrew.
Having one child with apraxia is rough.
Having two children with it is even harder.
Basically, some days are really a struggle to muddle through.
But after the rain and storms, there is always a rainbow.
And trust me, we have had our share of stormy days.
And in our world right this very minute, our "rainbow" is Loud Mommy!

What do you say to the person who has given you yet another avenue to help your child (or in my case, children) with their speech and language therapy?

How can you even begin to explain the sparkle in your child's eye or the smile on their face?

How do you explain the look that your child has on their face when they are trying to figure something out?
Or the look that they have when they realize they just "got it"?
How do you explain that desire and drive that they have to prove to everyone that they could do it....if you only slow down and give them a chance?
How do you capture the sheer joy of their successes?
Or their anticipation of a job well done?
How do you bottle the feelings that pour out of the heart of a parent with a child with special needs?
...when at this very moment....your child looks no different than any other child?
Amongst the clouds and storms of life, we are surrounded by little rainbows.

They aren't always there right in front of you, though.

Hidden, magical rainbows.

The type you see in movies and dreams.

Although life's rainbows are even better!
And if you can't see yours, then you just need to stop looking so hard and simply pay attention.
How would you say "thank you" for such an amazing gift?

What words would you choose to convey the emotional feelings that you have at this point?
Where would you start?

Maybe I should just let Andrew say a few words about what he thinks:

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Yes, thank you, Loud Mommy!

Oral-Motor Blog Giveaway Winner!

2011-10-11T12:38:00.007-05:00

And our winner is.....

KIM!

Kim, you didn't leave your last name on your email, but this is what you wrote to me:

"Great give-away! My son Matt is 26 months old and hyposensitive. He constantly
sucks his thumb and recently has found his sisters toy that spins and vibrates
that he has started to suck on(even though he knows not to!)He shoves his mouth
full of food and takes huge drinks, which most of ends up running out of his
mouth and down his clothing. He also has speech apraxia and receives 2 1-hour
sessions each week. These would be great tools for him!!

If you could resend that original email to me, then you are our winner!
If Kim (minus-the-last-name) does not respond to this post within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen!
Thank you to all of you who participated! I really wish I had a case of these kits to give to all of you!
And finally, a big THANK YOU to The Therapy Shoppe for this great opportunity!

An Oral-Motor Giveaway!

2011-10-10T08:59:00.006-05:00

In keeping with the theme of Sensory Processing Awareness Month, I have a great giveaway which is specific to those children who seek sensory input via their mouths.
Whether it is thumb sucking, mouthing objects, or pocketing food for long periods of time, many children with special needs seek oral input at some point.
That is why this kit is perfect for you!

The Therapy Shoppe is giving away...to ONE of you...

NEW TEXTURED/TACTILE CHEWY TOOLS SAMPLER KITS!

Each kit features a 3-piece assortment of popular chewy tools that were hand-selected by their seasoned therapists:
*** a (Blue) Unscented Textured Chew Stixx,
*** a Knobby (Red) “Super Chew”
*** a (Purple) ARK Textured Chewy!

They feature three enticing bumpy, textured surfaces that provide sensational oral-tactile stimulation.
Basically, it is the ultimate multisensory product!

The Chewy Tubes feature a stem-handle with tons of bumpy nubs and are designed to provide the extra tactile and oral stimulation your child craves.
Chewy Tubes are a safe and effective tool for practising biting and chewing skills.
Non-flavored and latex-free, they do not contain PVC or phthalates; this makes them super safe, too!
(Parents, please supervise your child while they are using any sort of oral-motor tool, OK?)

Chewy Tubes, or “chewies,” are plastic tubes that are often used with kids with various special needs.
They may be used with children who are always mouthing objects, and need extra sensory input, or with children who require a bit of extra proprioceptive input

Maybe your own therapist has suggested the use of Chewy Tubes in the treatment of children who are developing initial oral motor skills.
Many young children with special needs desperately seek the additional proprioceptive input into the jaw and oral surfaces.
So these Chewy Tubes are an innovative oral motor devices designed to provide a resilient, non-food, chewable surface for practicing biting and chewing skills, increase jaw strength, and satisfy the oral-input seeking urge.

Observations have shown that children who having access to a chewy, and learning how to bring it to their mouth and chew on it, can help them to develop their proprioception abilities and have a calming effect on the child.

So who is interested?
Who wants one of these kits to try with their own child?
Here's what you have to do to enter:
*************************************************************************************

1. Leave a comment on this blog post about how you would use this with your child.

or

2. Leave a comment on my Facebook Page about how this product could work for you.

Simple as that!

This giveaway begins on Monday, October 10, 2011 and ends on Tuesday, October 11,2011 at 12:00noon (CST).
Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email and announced on my Facebook page.
Contest valid in the United States only.
Sorry, but no PO Box entries will be allowed.
No anonymous entries.
You must have a valid email address.
If the first winner does not contact me within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen at random.

GOOD LUCK!

2011-10-07T09:54:00.004-05:00

"Enjoy the little things,

for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."

-- Robert Brault

"Happiness is like a butterfly which,

when pursued,

is always beyond our grasp,

but, if you will sit down quietly,

may alight upon you."

-- Nathaniel Hawthorne

So Long, Miralax!

2011-10-06T20:55:00.004-05:00

In January 2010, Kaitlyn decided that an admission to our local hospital's pediatric unit was something that she wanted to cross off her "To-Do List".
Remember this post?
We were discharged on a maintenance dose of Miralax and was informed that this could be a long-term addition due to her special needs and sensory processing issues.*
Um, also due to her stubborn behavior and desire to be in control.

But, I am happy to say that it has been 2 weeks now and we are Miralax free!
Don't get me wrong....I think it is the best thing since sliced bread and it really allowed me to not worry about her bowels and another hospital admission because of how it works.
But she is growing up.
She is understanding.
She has more of a knowledge base for these things.
And, quite truthfully, it is one less thing that I have to worry about

This is good.

*This post is not meant as medical advice. This is our own experience. Please speak to your own physician regarding this and any medication.

Top Ten

2011-10-05T05:02:00.000-05:00

10. NO meetings this week? Get outta dodge!

9. Continued progress on the speech front for both kids. Way to go, guys!

8. Andrew's fever from out of nowhere last week.

7. Pumpkin farms!

6. Field trips!

5. Curriculum nights in preschool. WOW!

4. Planning my girl's 8th birthday party.

3. Successful addition of OT for the little boy.

2. Aetna and I in agreement. Thank you, very much!

1. I LOVE my kids!

SPD: 1 in 20

2011-10-04T13:25:00.002-05:00

First of all, I want to thank a dear friend of mine for posting this on her FB page.
She is Luke's and Maggie's Mom, and she is all that and then some.
And she is a blessing to me!

1 in 20.
Those numbers are astounding!
1 in 20.
And that is just an estimate.
Think of those children who are not even diagnosed!

I have 2 children with this in my house.
Two.

We all know what our senses are, right?
But your senses are more than the five that you learned in science class in 5th grade.
The 5 senses that will all know about, sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste.
But there are also hidden senses: proprioceptive and vestibular.
These senses give us what we need in terms of perceptions of speed, movement, pressure on our joints and muscles, and the position of our bodies.

Sensory Processing Disorder is a term that refers to the way the nervous system receives sensory messages and turns them into responses.

Proprioceptive sense refers to the sensory input and feedback that tells us about movement and body position.
It's "receptors" are located within our muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissues.
It is one of the "deep senses" and could be considered the "position sense"

Vestibular sense is input from the inner ear.
This input provides information about balance and movement, and how the size of our body relates to the sizes of other objects.

Does your child have difficulty motor planning?
Difficulty executing those planned movements (motor control)?
Difficulty grading movement?
Difficulty with postural stability?

Vestibular disorder is input from the inner ear
This input provides information about balance and movement, and how the size of our body relates to the sizes of other objects.

Here is a link to a Sensory Processing Disorder checklist.
Take the test.
See how your child does.
If you are concerned, talk with your pediatrician.
Talk with your schools.
Do whatever you can to provide the additional sensory inputs that your child is craving....to help your child succeed!

And my dear friend also let me in on a little secret of hers: a book she is reading.
Of course, I went right to Amazon.com and ordered it.

October Already???

2011-10-03T18:41:00.003-05:00

Where did the summer go?
Pack up the beach-wear and bring out the flannel sheets!
Well, we are in for 80 degrees in Chicago here later this week.
But, wait 24 hours and something is bound to change!
Typical Chicago-weather!

October is filled with so much fun in my house.
Besides Halloween, there is a little lady who will be turning 8 years old in a few weeks.
And THAT is typically a mega-celebration!

So break out the sweaters and jeans.
Pour a great cup of coffee or tea.
And enjoy this month's calendar....thanks to Terri Mauro!

post signature

Field Trip 2011

2011-09-30T13:52:00.003-05:00

Today is Kate's field trip.

She was in an awesome mood this morning and couldn't wait for me to get to school so that she could board the big yellow bus for her trip.

In school this quarter, the focus has been on "The Community" and things or places that one would find in the community: stores, banks, restaurants, etc...

So today her class is taking a trip to a local "big box" type of store and then off to a great burger joint for lunch.
Kaitlyn loves to shop!
She is like her Mama!
She loves to look at the sales ads that come in the paper and the various catalogs that I get in the mail.
But something tells me that she is going to beg and plead and use whatever tactics that she has in her arsenal of tactics to get one of the chaperones to buy her a new baby doll.
I know it.
I just know it.
It happens every single time we go to a store that has a toy section.
I hope, for their sake, that they are stronger than me because I can't say "no" to her and those long eyelashes!

And as for the burger joint.....it's right up her alley!
I can't wait to pick her up from school today!
I can't wait to hear all about it!

Field trips rock!

Gravity

2011-09-29T10:06:00.000-05:00

Gravity
by Alysia Butler
*******************************************************
I am stuck
Buried under the weight
Of unwashed laundry, unpaid bills, and
Unmet obligations.

I can’t breathe
Smothered by the pain
Crushed by the special needs mother that I have become
Versus the mother I thought I would be.

I can’t move
Held down by incompetence
Trying to do everything for everyone
Accomplishing nothing.

And then…

I see my boys
Giggling, tumbling, playing
Like siblings should.

I am weightless
Lifted by their laughter
Buoyed by their love
Ready to take on another day.

What Drives You?

2011-09-28T04:25:00.000-05:00

That face.

That smile.

Those eyes.

That boy.

His progress.

His happiness.

My heart.

My mission.

My job.

My son.

My drive.

Yet even MORE proof why I fight for my kids everyday.

Our "Do-N-Slide" Winner!

2011-09-27T12:29:00.008-05:00

Congrats go to......

MANDY SEVERANCE SAWICKI!!!!!!

Congrats, Mandy! Please email me at apraxiamom@gmail.com with your mailing info and we will get this great product out to you ASAP!

If Mandy does not respond with 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.

Thank you, Do-N-Slide, for a great product!

Thanks to all of those who participated and stay tuned next week for yet another great giveaway for our special needs kids!

Have a great day, everyone!

A Giveaway on My "To Do List"

2011-09-24T15:27:00.020-05:00

I cannot live without my "To Do List".
I make a new one every Monday morning for the week.
Phone calls, doctor appointments, follow-up phone calls, chores, stores, etc...
My husband laughs at my "To Do List".
I am a Type-A person and have to get things done.
And with two children with special needs, my time is not always my own.
Therefore, a "To Do List" helps me focus and stay on track.
Plus, with the bright yellow highlighter that I use when something is done, I like that sense of accomplishment that I get.

So that got me thinking.....
Wouldn't a "To Do List" for my children serve the same purpose for them as it does for me?
Would they get that same euphoric feeling of accomplishment?
Would they be able to use a visual reminder as a tool to complete a task?

Well there is a company that helps children organize their little thoughts while providing that visual tool which they need....thus leading to accomplishment.

It's an honor for me to introduce you to Do-N-Slide!
Your child seems confused when you ask them to clean their room. Maybe they just don't know HOW or WHERE to start!
Do-N-Slide can help them learn the steps.
Maybe you'd like to help your child with autism get through an unexpected change in their daily routine.
Use Do-N-Slide to represent the unexpected event.

Trying to find and easier way of teaching new skills to your child, such as
making a sandwich, packing their lunch, or setting the table?
Set up a
Do-N-Slide and watch them take control and learn new tasks faster.

Each Do-N-Slide kit (each sold separately) comes with a board and brightly colored "tasks" which the child can slide from the "TO DO" to the "ALL DONE" columns as they are completed.
The boards can be placed in an area which would be convenient for your child, either on an easel, hanging from a door knob, or on the refrigerator (if you purchase your own magnets and attach them).

Below are examples of "Do-N-Slide" products:

There is Toddler's Day (including help around the house),

Potty Training,

and Preschool Day

Each kit comes with:
*20 picture cards
*7 Days of the Week cards
*6 Blank cards which you can personalize
*1 case to hold all unused cards

The boards are so easy to use and it allows your child to have a "say so" in things that are done.
Simply slide the day of the week into the top of the board, then add the appropriate picture cards in their respective spaces for what you want your child to do on that specific day.
You do not have to use all 5 picture card spaces, so choose what is best for your child.
Remember, as the parent, you know what would work best for your son or daughter.
This product will help to promote your child's independence by allowing him/her to choose some of the activities to take place.
Because of this, you may even see a reduced resistance to less favored tasks!

With the extra blank cards that you receive, you can use them to represent a person, place or activity not covered by the cards in the set.
Attach a photo!
Draw free hand!
Have your child draw something!

The options are endless with this visual schedule!

'Visual Schedules' are a form of visual prompts, particularly useful for
children. A visual schedule is the display of a planned activity or sequence in
pictures, ordered in the way the activity or sequence is to take place.

How does it help?

A visual schedule helps children in 3
fundamental ways:
1.It helps them to understand what is to take place.
2.It helps them to anticipate what will come next.
3.It helps them
participate in the activity displayed on the schedule.

Helping children in these 3 ways, also has the cascading effect of lessening the anxiety associated with unexpected changes to routines, and to move between activities with less fuss and hesitation. It also encourages an understanding of organizational sequencing and the passage of time.

You can follow Do-N-Slide on Twitter or on Facebook for more ideas as well as announcements of new product lines!
So here is what you need to do for a chance for ONE PERSON to win this giveaway:
*************************************************************************************
1. Visit the "Do-N-Slide" page on Facebook..."LIKE" their page...and tell them that Apraxia Mom sent you.

2. Leave a comment on the "Do-N-Slide" Facebook page of which product you would like if you are chosen as a winner.

3. Make a suggestion on the "Do-N-Slide" Facebook page of a NEW product theme you would like to see them add to their choices.

This giveaway begins on Monday, September 26, 2011 and ends on Tuesday, September 27,2011 at 12:00noon (CST).
Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email and announced on my Facebook page.
Contest valid in the United States only.
Sorry, but no PO Box entries will be allowed.
No anonymous entries.
You must have a valid email address.
If the first winner does not contact me within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen at random.

GOOD LUCK!

Fall: My Favorite Time of Year

2011-09-23T09:43:00.007-05:00

I love fall.
With the cool crisp air and bright sun, it has to be one of my favorite seasons.
The scent of pies baking.
Warm sweaters.
Flannel bed sheets.
Chicago Bears Football!!!

And fall is also a great time for crafts!
My two don't like to do crafts in the summer as they would rather play outside or bike or swim.
But with the cooler air, I am able to entice them to work on socialization skills, fine motor skills, and creative imagination as well!

Now, I found this online and copied it, but I cut off the author.
So no...this is NOT mine.
But if the real author is out there....PROPS to you for a great project!

Here is what you'll need:
*Construction paper (green, brown, red, orange, yellow, blue)
*Glue stick
*Scissors
*Pencil
*Ruler

How to make your Fall Tree:
Cut a tree shape out of brown construction paper and glue it to the blue piece of paper.
There’s no template for this because it is another part of the craft that an older child could help create.
Once you get the trunk glued down, the limbs are just long and short rectangular pieces of paper glued on.
Cut a wavy, thick strip of green construction paper to be the grass.
Use a ruler to draw two to three straight lines on the red, orange, yellow and brown construction paper.
Ideally you want to create two ~ inch long strips.
Have your child cut along the line to cut the strips out if they are able.
Then have your child cut the strip into small squares.
These will be your leaves.
Use the glue stick to attach the leaves to your tree.
Remember, it’s fall so the leaves can be on the ground, falling to the ground, or floating through the air above the tree!

Math and Me = Oil and Water

2011-09-22T21:06:00.003-05:00

Have I mentioned that I don't like math?

Well, I don't.
Like oil and water, we don't mix.

And please don't let that scare you.
Yes, I am a nurse.
Nurses need to do math.
Yes, I do math on a daily basis.
But that is medication dosing math.
Division.
Fractions.
Complex math that I use to keep my patients alive or save their lives.

Not the easy stuff that Kate is learning.
Nope, I can't teach my daughter the fundamentals of math.
I can keep a patient alive by titrating Heparin infusions but I can't do 1-2-3 math.
So I leave the math portion of homework and education up to my techy-husband.
He works and thrives on math.
Math is like breathing to him.

So are you like me?
Do you like math or avoid it?
How do you teach your children math?
Yes, of course I have an article to share with you!

Click here to see new ways to teach your child (or yourself...*cough cough*...) MATH!

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Can You Really Teach Your Child To Focus and Listen?

2011-09-21T05:16:00.000-05:00

I recently read an article written by a Mom named Mary Beth Sammons about how to teach your child to listen and focus.
Being the Mom to two children who have a tendency to look at me like I have two heads, act like a "spaz" or just simply ignore me as I speak to them, her words validated that what I was doing was correct.

WHEW! Thanks, Mary Beth!
For a while, I thought I was talking to the walls!
So the answer to the question is a resounding YES!
YES, you can teach your child to focus and listen.
But it is not something that comes overnight and it takes a lot of work...on your part as well as your child's.
So I would like to share her article and examples with you as well:

1. Get Down to Your Child's Level and Make Eye Contact
Speaking to your child when you can look him right in the eye is the best way to get a toddler's attention.
Get down on his level.
If you are not already doing so, get down to his level and make him look at you when you are talking to him.
It helps to take away distractions.
Otherwise just keep doing what you are doing and follow through with the discipline if he is not obeying or listening.

2. Be Firm, Be Clear, Be Consistent
Don't harp on it, just tell him simply and clearly that you expect him to listen when someone else is talking — at home or at school.
The best thing is consistency.
Make sure you, your husband and the daycare/preschool teachers are all on the same page with how you handle his behavior and what he gets time outs for.
If there are any differences it will confuse him.
Also make sure to point out the positive behavior as much as possible.
This is just as important as consistency.

3. Follow Through Quickly
Make it clear to your 3-year-old that you mean what you say by following up immediately with a timeout if he continues to talk or shout over you or someone else he is supposed to be listening to.
Being swift to correct a child will pay off quickly.

4. Keep Reinforcing Your Message
Repetition matters.
Repetition matters.
Repetition matters.

5. Model Good Manners and Listening Skills
You can't just talk the talk, you have to walk the walk when it comes to modeling good manners and listening skills for preschoolers.
Modeling manners will go a long way.

6. Remember, It Gets Better
Hang in there even if your child comes home with reports from the teacher that he is jumping all over the place when she is trying to get the class to sit on the mat and listen.

So if you are doing all of this at home...hang in there...it will get better.

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Tuesday Top Ten

2011-09-20T13:10:00.002-05:00

10. A school meeting for Andrew on Friday.

9. A Domain Meeting for Kaitlyn this morning.

8. Juggling for babysitters. *sigh*

7. An ever-growing "To Do List".

6. Language explosion (both expressive and receptive) updates from our private SLP!

5. Loving our new private OT.

4. Cooler, Chicago fall weather!

3. Planning for Halloween and Kaitlyn's upcoming birthday.

2. Going for flu shots today.....oh my.

1. I LOVE my kids!

A Circus With Soul

2011-09-19T13:11:00.013-05:00

HEADING TO CHICAGO SEPT. 21-OCT.16

UNIVERSOUL CIRCUS TRANSFORMS THE HEART AND SOUL OF AMERICA WITH A SHOW THAT’S OUT OF THIS WORLD!

“THE AWESOMEST SHOW EVER”

We’re on a Mission to be the Most Liked Circus in the World!

“The Awesomest Show Ever” to take place under the big top is heading to Chicago as UniverSoul Circus brings the most electrifying and interactive single ring extravaganza to Washington Park, Sept. 21-Oct. 16.

Tickets are on sale now!

There’s no doubt about it – the 243 year history of the modern circus has finally been reborn in the form of UniverSoul Circus, nationally recognized for its unique brand of high energy audience interaction and thrilling circus artistry.

Whether you’re dancing in the aisles with the Ringmaster,

rapping to The Sugarhill Gang,

volunteering for the “Soul Train Line;”

singing 2,200-part harmony with the kids to Sponge Bob Square Pants,

or enjoying a musical finale with the entire cast line-dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” – there’s something for everyone to interact with at UniverSoul Circus!

Recently proclaimed by a youthful online fan as “The Awesomest Show Ever.”

WHEN: Sept. 21-Oct. 16

WHERE: Washington Park 5531 S. Martin Luther King Dr., Chicago, IL 60637

TICKETS: Tickets prices $12 to $30.

Children under 1 are FREE!!!

All tickets available by Ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.com/

or by calling 1-800- 745-3000.

SHOWTIMES: Opening day, Wednesday, Sept. 21 @ 11:00 a.m. and 7:30 pm

Tuesdays thru Fridays @ 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Saturdays @ 12 noon, 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sundays @ 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Visit www.universoulcircus.com for more info, show times, and schedules in a town near you!

The Best Laid Plans....

2011-09-16T14:15:00.002-05:00

...sometimes actually work and fall into place nicely!

Well how 'bout that?

This morning, I had a mini-IEP Meeting to discuss the addition of OT to Andrew's IEP.
Since his private OT evaluation has brought some "issues" to the surface, I realized that many of those same issues may (could?) affect him academically.
And the only way that OT will be added to his IEP is if they come to the same, if not pretty darned similar, conclusions that indeed his "issues" may affect him academically if they are not appropriately addressed in the school setting.

So the meeting went well, and I didn't even need my trusty cup of coffee or calculator!
It was very relaxed...7 ladies sitting around the table chit-chatting about the boy wonder and how well he is doing as well as validating my concerns on the OT front.

Especially the whole regression thing that's been like the elephant in the room for me.

In the end, the papers were signed and the plan was put into motion.
Data will be collected, evals (both subjective and objective) will be done, and we will reconvene in 5 weeks to make determining decisions based on the above.
In the meantime, he will continue to attend weekly OT sessions to work on a few kinks in his system.

For a change, this was a nice way to end the school week and start the weekend!

Regression

2011-09-15T10:09:00.002-05:00

Regression.
Noun.
To relapse to a less perfect or developed state.

Unfortunately, there has been some regression in both kids.
Kaitlyn has regressed with handwriting.
Andrew has regressed with some fine motor skills as well.
I blame Kaitlyn's regression on her June 2011 surgery...and myself.
I didn't push her during that 3 week recovery period.
Hey! Who would want to write when all you wanted to do is take your pain meds and sleep and hope that your nasty sore throat would go away from a tonsillectomy?
So I didn't push.
And now we are paying for it.
Then ESY started and there was speech therapy and summer fun.
We didn't work that hard on handwriting.
Therefore, we have regression.

And Andrew?
I blame his horrible ESY experience.
Six weeks of a summer program that allowed him to fall through the cracks on the OT front.
No thanks to that horrible 3rd grade teacher who "thought" she could teach preschool ESY.
Yeah, maybe she could if she put down her phone and refrained from yelling "STOP IT!" and "STOP DOING THAT!" and focused on what really mattered: the kids in her class.
Oh, I let my husband write the complaint letter about that one because if it were left to me, heads would've rolled and that girl would never be allowed in an ECE setting again.
So now we are dealing with regression in Andrew.

So what proactive steps have I taken to fix this?
Well, first of all, I have had Andrew evaluated privately by an OT.
And thanks to her, we have an action plan in place.
And I have also contacted his school (during the Meet-n-Greet) to get an official school OT eval going.
You see, if it is affecting him academically, he needs an addendum to his IEP and he needs the services to start ASAP.
And from what I see and what the private OT eval sees, it WILL affect him academically.
Fortunately, he has a super-enthusiastic teacher and we have an official IEP meeting set up for tomorrow to get the ball rolling, so to speak.
And I am coming armed with an official OT eval detailing his "issues" that she sees.
There will be no arguing that.

And as for Kaitlyn, a brief phone conference with her school OT has set forth some great homework assignments and aggressive plans for this semester.
We are on the same page when it comes to having expectations and knowing what is expected from each other.
And let's not forget Kaitlyn's amazing teacher this year!

It really helps to have a great team in place when it comes to the success of your child in school.
Hopefully by December, we can cross off "conquer OT regressions" off of our "To-Do List".

Reading: Cause and Effect

2011-09-14T05:42:00.000-05:00

(The following excerpt is taken verbatim from Reading Rockets. I liked how it explained cause-and-effect and the ways that you can teach your children.)

***********************************************************************************************

Cause and Effect
By: Reading Rockets (2011)

"If you drink your milk, you will grow big and strong!" "If you clean up your toys, you can go play outside." Most parents and caregivers talk to their child about cause and effect long before we expect our children to understand those terms. We teach cause and effect every time we help a young child recognize a relationship between two things, or when we demonstrate that one event is the result of another.

Science seeks to explain and understand the natural world. Things happen for a reason: there is a cause for every effect. In science, the cause explains why something happens. The effect is the description of what happened. Many simple activities can be done at home and in the backyard that will help develop your child's understanding of cause and effect. Consider these ideas:

Ask your child, "What do you think will happen if we leave this Popsicle out in the sun?" Allowing the Popsicle to melt provides an opportunity to talk about the sun's heat and its effect on the icy popsicle. During the winter, do the same thing with small cups of water. "What caused our water to turn into ice?"

Play a simple game in which you orally provide a situation (or a cause). Ask your child to fill in an action (or an effect). For example, you could say, "It was snowing outside." Your child could fill in, "All the kids got their sleds." "Someone rang the doorbell," could be answered with "Our dog began to bark." This game is perfect for helping your child realize that there is not one single right answer — as scientists they will learn that there can be several causes and several effects.

Keep track of the plants in your yard. As you observe a plant thriving and growing, ask your child why. Is the plant receiving good light and water? If the leaves on a plant are drooping, ask your child what could be causing the droopy leaves. Does the plant need more sun? More water? What effect could a new location and some water have on the plant?

Share the children's book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie with your child. Point out the use of specific cause/effect words used in the book, including if…then. Keep a running tally of all the causes and effects that happen in the story. For example, if you give a mouse a cookie, he'll want a glass of milk to go with it. If you give him a glass of milk, he will ask for a straw, etc.

Young children learn by engaging in activities that are real and meaningful to them — activities that encourage the development of skills, knowledge, and ways of thinking and learning. Parents can help teach children the early skills for literacy as well as science and mathematics development by creating simple settings that encourage learning.

A StarFall Winner!

2011-09-13T13:22:00.005-05:00

Thanks to all of those who participated in this week's blog giveaway.

More than that, thank you for casting your vote for LOUD MOMMY to win her campaign

Now, without further ado...the winner of this week's giveaway is.....

JOEAL MAZUROWSKI!

Congrats, Joeal!

Please email me at apraxiamom@gmail.com with your mailing info and I will get these gift certificates to http://www.more.starfall.com/ to you ASAP!

If Joeal doesn't contact me within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen at random.

And thanks again to Starfall for this great offer!

A StarFall Giveaway!

2011-09-12T09:34:00.010-05:00

At age 9, young Stephen Schutz was still struggling to read. What came easily
for some children required many more hours of Stephen's work, and he was
consistently toward the bottom of his class in reading. Now a PhD in physics
and
a successful publisher and artist, Dr. Schutz wanted to make sure
children in
his situation today have a resource that can help. He turned to
the Internet and
conceived a program that would be available online across
the world to all
children who are learning to read in English.

Starfall.com opened in September of 2002 as a free public service to
teach children to read with phonics. Our systematic phonics approach, in
conjunction with phonemic awareness practice, is perfect for preschool,
kindergarten, first grade, second grade, special education, homeschool, and
English language development (ELD, ELL, ESL). Starfall is an educational
alternative to other entertainment choices for children.

I was never a fan of computers in the school.
I always felt that reading and writing were more important than mouse skills and staring at a screen.
But my opinion has now changed.
And it's all because of a great program that my daughters' school uses.
Last year, Kaitlyn came home daily and excitedly proclaimed "I did StarFall today!"
I couldn't understand her enthusiasm.
I didn't get it.
I didn't know much about what Starfall was at the time.
One night, I googled it.

I was impressed!
So impressed that I added the link to my "Favorites" and now use it at home for Kaitlyn to supplement what she is doing at school.

But there is much, much more to StarFall than meets the eye!
And the key word here is MORE!

If you log onto http://more.starfall.com/, you will see what I mean.
Not only does this extension of the site help teach ABC's (sounds/phonics) and learning to read, but you can also take advantage of the following:

Numbers
Math Songs
Colors
Motion Songs
Nursery Rhyme Videos
ABC Rhymes
Backpack Bear's Books
Learn to Read
Short Vowel Pals
More Phonics
Addition/Subtraction
It's Fun to Read
I'm Reading
Talking Library
Multiplication/Division
Historical Folk Songs

Now you can see why this portion of the site requires a membership.
For families, up to three authorized users are allowed for the cost of $35.00 per 365 days.
However, Starfall would like to offer you a FREE 3 month membership!
Try it out!
See if you like it!
See if your children like it and respond to the programs as positively as I know they will!

And yes, they even have apps for your iPhone and iPad!

So who is interested?
Who would like to WIN a FREE 3-month membership to this great site?
Here's what you need to do!
But pay attention, because this time there is a NEW requirement to enter this giveaway.......
*************************************************************************************
1. Go to Facebook and "LIKE" Starfall's page and tell them that I sent you.

2. Vote for LOUD MOMMY in BOTH campaigns that she is entered in:
Campaign #1: Julie's Corner Store

Campaign #2: Burger Barge's Halloween Campaign

For those of you who may not know, Loud Mommy grants iPads to children with apraxia of speech and other speech and language issues.
Both of my children have apraxia, so Loud Mommy, her foundation, and her vision are very close to my heart.

YOU MUST LIKE STARFALL'S FACEBOOK PAGE AND VOTE FOR BOTH CAMPAIGNS TO BE ENTERED FOR THIS WEEK'S GIVEAWAY!

This giveaway begins on Monday, September 12, 2011 and ends on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 12:00noon (CST).
Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email and announced on my Facebook page.
Contest valid in the United States only.
Sorry, but no PO Box entries will be allowed.
No anonymous entries.
You must have a valid email address.
If the first winner does not contact me within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen at random.

GOOD LUCK!

And thank you to Starfall for this great donation!
(Please see "Discalimer Tab" for this and all giveaways on this site.)

Holy Homework, Batman!

2011-09-09T14:09:00.006-05:00

Be careful what you wish for....or ask for.

When I met with Kaitlyn's teacher on the second day of school, I specifically asked what kind of homework would be sent home with her.
I was told that homework would be sent home for the entire week and it would encompass most, if not all, of what she would be working on in school at that time.

And the only way that a parent can see what kind of work that is being done in class is in the homework that is sent home with the student.

And yes, I am that type of parent who requests homework.

I have a daughter with special needs who is behind her typical peers, for goodness sakes!

I can't expect the school to "fix" her.

I have to pull my end of the weight as well.

Hence, the request for homework.

Well, that homework folder came home this week!

HOLY HOMEWORK, BATMAN!

And this was much different than last year's homework which was sent home.
Last year...every Monday...I would receive a sheet of paper which listed what assignment was to be done on Monday, what was to be done on Tuesday, and so on.

This year...ahem...is a whole new ballgame, folks!
We are overflowing with homework!

*Letter handwriting pages.
*Specific handwriting pages focusing on specific lines and angles.
*Math homework.
*Reading homework.
*Speech sounds homework.
*Books to read.

I know I am missing many other topics, but I am still so shocked and amazed by what I saw.
Now, the rule of thumb for homework is typically 10 minutes per each grade:

10 minutes
x 2nd grade
------------
20 minutes per night
of homework

Now you know why I titled this post "Holy Homework, Batman!"
Yes, seeing this makes me even more excited about what this year will continue to offer and the leaps and bounds my girl will continue to make!

Looking For ONE VOTE...

2011-09-08T10:10:00.003-05:00

Who wants to help a dear friend of mine (Loud Mommy) win $500 for her organization to purchase an iPad for a nonverbal child?

She helps children with speech issues...the same one (apraxia) that my daughter has been battling since she began speech therapy at the age of 16 months.
She is now 7.11 years old.

1. Go to Julie's Corner Store on Facebook.

2. You have to "like them" for you vote to count.

3. Next, Look on the left hand corner and find the tab that says “Vote Here for 500" and click that tab.

4. Then: VOTE FOR LOUD MOMMY!!!

Simple as that.
You only vote one time.
Simple as that.

Maybe the next child that Loud Mommy helps will be yours.
Good Luck, Loud Mommy!

2011-09-07T05:09:00.000-05:00

10. Two kids' teachers that rock! Then again, 99.99% of them do!

9. A great overnight getaway. More info to follow later.

8. Sleeping with a four year old boy is no easy task. Take my word for it.

7. Kids that look like prunes.

6. A great start to a new school year.

5. An upcoming consent meeting for Kaitlyn's 3-year re-eval. Oy!

4. Trying to figure out what testing to allow and which ones to say "Heck no!" to.

3. Cool, fall-like Chicagoland weather.

2. Planning the girl's upcoming birthday party.

1. I LOVE my kids!

Please Leave a Message After The Beep.....

2011-09-06T04:36:00.000-05:00

Yes, I am out of the office, so to speak.
Spending a sweet, last minute getaway....just the four of us.
No meetings.
No school.
No therapy.
No IEPs.

Nothing.
Nada.
Zip.

Just the four of us...relaxing as a family.....

So if you'd like, please leave a message and I will get back to you when I return in a day or so.

Happy Labor Day!

2011-09-05T11:40:00.003-05:00

Labor Day, the first Monday in September.
A creation of the labor movement.
Dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers.
It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Enjoy your day off.
Enjoy family, friends and loved ones.
Just enjoy!

Something Old, Something New

2011-09-02T04:55:00.000-05:00

At the time of this posting, we will have had about two weeks under our belts in terms of the 2011-2012 school year.
And in my honest opinion...it's been great!
And while some things have changed, some things have stayed the same.
Hence, the title of this blog post.

SOMETHING OLD
Both kids are in the same school as last year.
Both kids have the same group of friends in class, or at least see them often.
Both kids start and end their days on the same schedule as last year.
Both kids are content.
That makes Mom content.

SOMETHING NEW
Both kids have new teachers.

Yep, that's about the only new "change" to their school days.
And while this was to be expected, having kids with special needs and changing their teachers can be a little scary.
Kaitlyn loved Miss M....a lot.
And Andrew was IN LOVE with Miss F...a lot!
Yes, my boy had a crush on his Pre-K teacher.
And Mom and Dad both appreciated each of those teachers.

Now, Kaitlyn has a new teacher: Miss L.
Miss L and Miss M are polar opposites.
While Miss M was a newer teacher overflowing with enthusiasm and ideas, Miss L brings over two decades of teaching experience with her to the classroom.
Miss L is all business.
Miss L had already rearranged Kaitlyn's schedule...on the second day of school!
Miss L means business with Kaitlyn, and little Miss Kaitlyn knows that.

And then there is Andrew.
Gone is Miss F and we met his new teacher, Miss S.
It took a while for him to warm up to her, but I knew in my heart that she would be a perfect fit for him.

At our Meet-n-Greet, she tested the waters and gave him the space that he needed.
But within thirty minutes, they were sitting side by side, playing a game and talking away.

While the comforts of something old are just that...comfort...we know that something new brings so much to the table.
New ideas.
New sets of eyes.
New thoughts.
New objectives.
New benchmarks.
New goals.
New dreams.
New friends.

Here is to hoping that you all are finding the beginning of your school years as promising and productive as ours has been!

September!

2011-09-01T10:02:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite months!
School.
Cooler weather.
Baking pies.
Sleeping with the windows open at night.

Thank you, Teri Mauro, for allowing me to share this!

2011-08-31T04:27:00.000-05:00

The Misunderstood Child
A poem about children with hidden disabilities

by Kathy Winters

I am the child that looks healthy and fine.
I was born with ten fingers and toes.
But something is different, somewhere in my mind,
And what it is, nobody knows.

I am the child that struggles in school,
Though they say that I'm perfectly smart.
They tell me I'm lazy -- can learn if I try --
But I don't seem to know where to start.

I am the child that won't wear the clothes
Which hurt me or bother my feet.
I dread sudden noises, can't handle most smells,
And tastes -- there are few foods I'll eat.

I am the child that can't catch the ball
And runs with an awkward gait.
I am the one chosen last on the team
And I cringe as I stand there and wait.

I am the child with whom no one will play --
The one that gets bullied and teased.
I try to fit in and I want to be liked,
But nothing I do seems to please.

I am the child that tantrums and freaks
Over things that seem petty and trite.
You'll never know how I panic inside,
When I'm lost in my anger and fright.

I am the child that fidgets and squirms
Though I'm told to sit still and be good.
Do you think that I choose to be out of control?
Don't you know that I would if I could?

I am the child with the broken heart
Though I act like I don't really care.
Perhaps there's a reason God made me this way --
Some message he sent me to share.

For I am the child that needs to be loved
And accepted and valued too.
I am the child that is misunderstood.
I am different - but look just like you.

Sweet Dreams! We Have A Winner!

2011-08-30T12:46:00.000-05:00

Thank you soooooo much to DreamCatchers Weighted Blankets for this great opportunity to profile and give away one of your amazing products!

And now....the winner of the custom-made blanket is........

MISSY HUGHES!

Congrats, Missy!

Missy, please contact me within 48 hours to claim your prize.

If Missy does NOT contact me, another winner will be randomly chosen.

Thanks to all who participated and another BIG thanks to DreamCatchers Weighted Blankets for a great product!

Sweet Dreams and the Sensory Child

2011-08-29T05:00:00.001-05:00

For a child with sensory processing issues, even nighttime sleeping can be a struggle.
Their constant need for sensory input can follow them from the time they get up in the morning until the time they go to sleep at night.

That is, IF they sleep.

Eileen and JC Jackson are a true testiment of this.
Their son, Cody, was "classic" autism, nonverbal until the age of 6, woke up every night every couple of hours, and didn't sleep through the night until the age of 9.
Because of their experiences with their own son, they sought out ways to provide a necessary comfort for him which would allow the entire family to sleep well at night.

After trying every form of "sleep therapy" they could wrap their minds around, their OT suggested a weighted item to see if it would help.
But they weren't satisfied with what was offered out there: too expensive, poor workmanship, too small, unsafe materials or uncomfortable fabrics.

Finally, after some trial and error (as well as some flannel and rice), the company DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets was born.

DreamCatcher(tm) Weighted Blankets specializes in making custom weighted blankets for those who are comforted and benefited by them. Being specialized and focused on offering quality weighted items with each item handcrafted entirely at our sewing facility, with no outsourcing. Our highly skilled sewing staff are perfectionists and are further trained in crafting DreamCatcher designs. Each item is inspected multiple times during the sewing and weighting process. The items are inspected again during cleaning and packaging. This personal attention to details provides our clients with a superior product.

They are an amazing family with an amazing product!

Read below what they guarantee to each and every customer:

*Customer's choice to an endless selection of fabric type, color and patterns

*Inner layers of 100% cotton fabric for added durability

*Commercial grade, non-recycled, non- toxic, hypoallergenic, high
temperature heat rated polypropylene (PolyPro) weights

*Commercial grade threads

*A unique to DreamCatcher's strength stitch applications for stress less seaming and added durability

*A DreamCatcher DLS technique applied to heavier weighted blankets

*Evenly distributed weights "quilted" into multiple layers of fabric

*Smooth backing for added comfort

*A sewing application not found in any other weighted blanket design.

The concept behind these blankets is deep pressure touch stimulation.
People who have benefited from the deep pressure touch stimulation (DPTS) provided by a DreamCatcher tm Weighted Blanket include children, teens and adults affected by, but not limited to, those on the Autism Spectrum, ADHD, ADD, PDD-NOS, Sensory Integration Disorder , ASPD (Adult Sensory Processing Disorder, Bi-Polar, Anxiety and others with sensory issues.

The very short version of the theory behind how DreamCatcher weighted products
work, is the deep pressure touch stimulation (DPTS) supplied by the weight in
our products, is believed to release a chemical in the brain, which naturally
calms.

What is the chemical, you ask?

Serotonin.

Serotonin, is the neurotransmitter that studies show is released by deep
pressure touch stimulation. Massage and deep pressure releases both serotonin
and endorphins. The serotonin acts as a calming mediator for the body while the
endorphins act as a happy stimulator for the brain. Together they can bring
pleasurable feelings and general elevated moods in both your body and mind. It
calms you when feeling anxious.

As an added benefit, Serotonin converts
to Melatonin which is the hormone the body releases at night. Studies show that
Melatonin aids in giving the body a good night's sleep.

So the wonder folks over at DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets is offering one of you a blanket for FREE!
This is a retail value of $200.00!

(NOTE: Please check with your pediatrician or physician if a weighted blanket would be appropriate for you.)

Here's is what you need to do to enter:
*************************************************************************************
1. Post a comment on my Facebook page why you think this product would be beneficial to you or your child.

2. Go to DreamCatcher's Weighted Blankets Facebook page and "LIKE" them, too. Please leave them a message that I sent you.

3. Leave a message on this blog post as to why this product could benefit you or your child.

You may enter all 3 ways!
That's it!
Simple as that!

This contest will run from Monday, August 29, 2011 and will end on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 12:00 Noon (CST).
Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email and announced on my Facebook page.
Contest valid in the United States only.
Sorry, but no PO Box entries will be allowed.
No anonymous entries.
You must have a valid email address.
If the first winner does not contact me within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen at random.

Thank you, DreamCatcher Weigthed Blankets for this wonderful opportunity and generous donation!

(Please see Disclaimer Tab at the top for info regarding this and any other giveaway on this site.)

Articulation Therapy Made Easy!

2011-08-26T13:55:00.006-05:00

Have I ever introduced you to Heidi?

NO???

My apologies!

Well, she is awesome!
Love her!
She's my bestest buddy!

(Confession: I don't really know her...I just stalk her website!)
*Hanging head in shame right now*

Heidi is an SLP and Mom to 4 kiddos.
And yes, she knows her stuff!
Her most recent post is on Setting Articulation Goals and ways you can track your child's progress.
Like all of these letter sounds below:

And she has these AWESOME sheets that you can download from her site to help you with your tracking...without your little one knowing that you are tracking!
See?
I told you she is cool!

And you can get more great info from her site Mommy Speech Therapy.

Just tell her that her best buddy (ME!) sent you!
Better yet, don't do that.
Then she might know that I have been stalking her site.
But stalking in a good way!
OK, just go over there and check out what she has to offer....it's great stuff!

The State of OUR Union*

2011-08-25T14:33:00.000-05:00

(*union = special needs and special education).

The National Center for Learning Disabilities has released a published, critical report that will further the debate over how to strengthen the programs and policies we have in place to serve and protect students and adults with learning disabilities.

Have you ever wondered where your child's disability falls?
Is your child's disability even listed?
Check out some of these staggering statistics, complete with bar-graphs and pie charts for you visual learners:

To download a copy of this report, click here.

Today's Top Ten!

2011-08-24T05:23:00.000-05:00

10. Kaitlyn's first day of school...YIPPEE!

9. Meeting Kaitlyn's new teacher.

8. Hearing Kaitlyn's new teacher's plans...WOW!

7. Meeting Andrew's new teacher at Meet-n-Greet Tuesday. Sweet!

6. The start of a great new school year!

5. Formal speech eval for Andrew and the start of therapy for him. *sigh*

4. The suggestion of an OT eval for Andrew. *bigger sigh*

3. Prepping for a family getaway Labor Day Weekend!

2. So many things to blog about and some great, awesome, amazing blog giveaways coming up!

1. I love my kids!

Listen To My Words With Your Heart

Happy February 1st!

Tuesday Top Ten

Raising Small Souls

Who's Guilty of These?

Think.

Tuesday Top Ten

Happy National Handwriting Day 2012!

"Forget it Mom, I'll Just Dance"

Untitled

Tuesday Top Ten

My Friendship Circle Will Vote, Right?

SpellingCity Website

Attention: Mommy Bloggers

Tuesday Top Ten

Cheese!

What does "RETARDED" Mean To You?

Helpful *FREE* Stuff!

Tuesday Top Ten

Another Use for Straws!

Happy New Year 2012!

Merry Christmas 2011!

Merry Christmas Eve 2011!

My Very First App Review: Monkey Math!

What Have YOU Learned?

Today's Top Ten

The HandVibes Winner!

A Giveaway For The Biggest Fans: The Siblings!

The POP for Sight Words Winner!

It's Giveaway Time!

The Magic of Christmas

Tuesday Top Ten

"I Did It!"

Thank You So Much!

Today's Top Ten

A LoudMommy Christmas!

*Frosty the Snowman and Bad Words

Happy December 2011!

Top Ten

How To Get Funding for Advocates/Attorneys

Unique Child Study

Toilet Paper Roll Turkey

Tuesday Top Ten

ThanksGiving Crafts!

Santa and the Girl Scouts

Did You Ever Wonder HOW They Learn?

"Mom, I Can't Hear"

Tuesday Top Ten

How To Include Special Ed With General Ed

Tips for Handwriting

Top Ten

And the SPIO Winner is.....

A SPIO Giveaway!

NOVEMBER!

Happy Halloween!

It's Right There....Black and White!

Special Ed...State By State

Tuesday Top Ten

Apraxia, Meet Your Match!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAITLYN!

Peek-a-Boo Ghost Craft!

An OT Halloween Craft!

Spider Craft

BOO! A Great Halloween Craft Idea!

"POP!" for Sight Words Game

Thank You, Loud Mommy!

Oral-Motor Blog Giveaway Winner!

An Oral-Motor Giveaway!

So Long, Miralax!

Top Ten

SPD: 1 in 20

October Already???

Field Trip 2011

Gravity

What Drives You?

Our "Do-N-Slide" Winner!

A Giveaway on My "To Do List"

Fall: My Favorite Time of Year

Math and Me = Oil and Water

Can You Really Teach Your Child To Focus and Listen?

Helpful FREE Stuff!