Month: August 2012

Why the Toys R Us, the new Ricki Lake show, Disney and ABCFamily “Get it”

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This week Toys r Us unveiled their annual TOY GUIDE for DIFFERENTLY ABLED CHILDREN.  I love this catalog! It is by far the best one catalog I receive all year long! Included are great fine and gross motor activities, as well as games to stimulate language and overall cognitive skills.  Wonderful for families and educators.  Nancy O’Dell promotes this inclusion catalog and wishes all to “create magical play moments”  on a video that you can watch (captioned) here:   BRAVO to Toys R Us!   GO RICKI! GO RICKI! GO RICKI!   Once again I must give a shout-out to the staff at the new RICKI LAKE SHOW!  Again, they “get it”.  Bryan Moore, director of social media is meticulous at making sure that the content is inclusive.  The team was uber positive and excited when I filmed a number of ASL and captioned videos for them as their FRIEND OF THE WEEK for #FriendsofRicki . To view the videos click here:  RICKI VIDEOS

Meet some of the wonderful staff behind the new RICKI LAKE SHOW.. Begins September 10th. Check local listings for the station in your area and air time.

“THE MOUSE” aka Disney once again celebrated the deaf community  by opening their original Disneyland to thousands who live and love within the deaf community. This year they added another great element- the cast of SWITCHED AT BIRTH (via ABCFAmily). This was a brilliant  pairing of a beloved theme park with a “hot” show which highlights families with both deaf and hearing members. Equipped with many interpreters and staff, the day was deemed a wild success and much enjoyed by young and more “mature” lovers of all things Disney.   Check out one of their blogs which helps to frame the endeavor.CLICK HERE

So a warm THANK YOU to Toys R Us, Ricki Lake and Staff, Disney and ABCFAMILY for “getting it” when it comes to setting an environment and tone for inclusion!

NEW on my shelf and in my KINDLE… ah.. random joys…

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 Summer is a great time to curl up poolside with a book or magazine.  Here is what is sitting on my summer reading bookshelf  this month.  Note to readers- the list is as random as the writer!

        The MOMMY MD GUIDE- GUIDE TO YOUR BABY’S FIRST YEAR

          by Rallie McAllister, MD and Jennifer Bright Reich. (Available Amazon. Twitter as @MommyMdGuides)

I had NO IDEA what to expect when this book arrived.  I was approached by the authors who thought that my blog may be a great fit for a review.  I had a preconceived notion that  it would be a traditional parenting guide with some step by step directions of how to care for your baby.  Color me WRONG!

This book is clever, unique and educational. Written with the input from the personal experiences of  dozens of  physicians and other medical professionals, all who write about their own personal journeys into parenthood.  These vignettes are then juxtaposed with sound advice on topics ranging from breastfeeding to developmental milestones.  The Psychologist in me  LOVED THIS BOOK!  In fact, it is now on my list of books to give as a baby gift for rookie parents and suggest for early intervention programs to place in to their infant-toddler lending libraries.  Wonderfully written. Easy to read.  A++ . Bravo!

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New Magazine for the Ricki Lake Show- airing September  10th. Photo property of Ricki Lake Show magazine.


THE NEW RICKI LAKE MAGAZINE  and RICKI LAKE Book- NEVER SAY NEVER       I think it really is awesome that there is a community of people from all over the world who have one common link this year  –  They are Friends of Ricki – a group based on social media bonding!  Banded together as fans of the timeless and quirky actress, Ricki Lake (who I LOVED in HAIRSPRAY ). Her social network groups are genius. Her magazine is engaging.  Her book is a must read.   Frankly, it is so raw and honest you almost feel guilty for reading it!

Ricki– I love all  of the energy your team has built  from your groups to your magazine. And, I can’t wait to see you back on the air starting September 10th!

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LITTLE GREEN by Arnold Rudnick is the second book I have reviewed for this author. This preschool – early elementary level book is based on the concept that one should accept themselves for who they are, including their limitations.  Beautifully illustrated it is a good conversation starter for parents and children. I can see this book being a wonderful addition on bookshelves of families who have children with special needs or considerations.

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This next book I adored!  I love the concept that you can find smiley faces in common objects throughout our natural environment. That is the premise of the children’s book , THE SMILEY BOOK OF COLORS.   Children and parents can read about colors on common objects – which make a smiley picture!  There is one draw back of this book… it is addictive.  Now, I find myself looking for spontaneous smileys EVERYWHERE!  Below is a video of my “findings” and the authors,  Ruth Kaiser.   I also inserted some real kids smiling!  As a side note, I recently met Ruth at the premier of the new RICKI LAKE SHOW. She is as wonderful in person as her book! And, she has a beautiful smile!

Autistic Children and Water Safety

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photo by Louise Sattler

H20- Water.  A very common element in our world. Often to be admired from a sandy shore used to quench a thirst or to bathe. However, for children with Autism- water represents a much different element. It is soothing. Calming. Therapeutic. Quiet. And, sometimes dangerous.

Children on the spectrum have for years been offered water therapy to help with sensory integration, enhance communication skills, and improve socialization.  There is no doubt that water therapy is often essential in helping children with Autism and I have seen for myself the outstanding benefits.  Yet, because water is often familiar and a preferred environment for these children, it can pose significant concerns.

Note that it has been reported that over 50% of children with Autism wander, also known as elopement*.  This is why if a child is missing in your neighborhood or school- check local pools and other waterways- quickly!  Annually, children with Autism who have fled a scene due to curiosity or fear are sadly found on the bottom of pools. For some states, such as Florida, promotions for water safety courses for children with special needs have been implemented. What a wonderful idea! BRAVO!

First Responders, who have attended my presentations are often surprised to learn how a child with Autism may flee. Many are unaware that during an emergency or even something as commonplace as a child pulling a fire alarm by accident, they need to be extra mindful of keeping tabs on children with special needs.   Often EMS learn for the first time about the threat water poses to children who have heightened sensory awareness.  They often are unaware that Autistic children may use water/pools as a way to seek calm and quiet from the chaos that ensues during school evacuations or other emergencies.

I have found several interesting references and articles.  Here are just a few:

 SUN SENTINEL  

PARENTING SQUAD

SPIRIT OF AUTISM

Curriculum for Autism about Elopement

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