Sensory Diets for Seekers

My son is a sensory seeker. His OT recently described it this way: "You know how when you are driving and you are getting sleepy. We roll down the window, turn the radio up high, fidget, eat, etc to stay awake. Well that is how he is ALL the time. He needs the extra sensory input." So what do you do for little sensory seekers = GIVE THEM MORE!!! Even if that means he goes outside in the cold and plays in only his diaper (CRAZY RIGHT). Well, since he can't do that all the time the goal is to give him some safe ways to get his sensory output throughout the day so he can be balanced and "normal" the rest of the time.This is called a sensory diet! A set of sensory activities done at specific intervals through out the day built into his routine. We do it for about 30 minutes three times a day.

WARNING SUPER LONG POST COMING 

First we do some vestibular activites. Vestibular activites are movement of his head in space (one of our senses-outside of the 5 we typically know). Some ideas are riding a bike, swings, rocking chair, roller-skating, somersaults, and scooter boards. While we do vestibular activities we listen to music. My son prefers arhythmic music like: rock, techno, latin/salsa, and jazz. So we do one or more activities the length of a song.

Spinning (Vestibular)

This Sit-N-Spin was bought at a kid consignment store for $4-score!!!

Another favorite thing to spin around in. This is what he did most of the summer-besides water play. This coup was at a yard sell for $1-can't believe the steal!!!

Rolling (Vestibular)

We gently roll him in our tunnel. These are inexpensive and great to set up an obstacle course.

We also roll him in a mesh laundry basket that has a lid

Secondly, we do a proprioceptive activity. Proprioception is another sense outside of the typical 5 senses. Most sensory seekers struggle with these two (vestibular & proprioception) senses especially. Proprioception is the movement of our limbs in space. One of the biggest proprioceptive areas is in our jaw so oral can be a huge activity on its own (one reason kiddos with SPD have feeding issues outside of food aversions). Food recommended for sensory seekers is sour, bitter, crunchy, hard, chewy, rough, and cold. Other great activities are blowing bubbles, whistles, swimming, theraband exercises, wall push-ups, pushing/pulling, and vibration

Jumping (Proprioceptive)

This trampoline was bought at Sam's Club for about $120.

We also have this bumblebee hop toy.

We use to have this type of trampoline but with no handle or safety sides he used it for other interesting purposes. I have seen people turn these into swings (another huge sensory activitiy) so I am saving it for that.

Heavy Work (Proprioceptive)

Push & Pull play is huge (shopping carts, strollers,  
wagons, laundry baskets,etc)

Heavy Work "blocks" (telephone books wrapped in duct tape) To provide extra weight . Could also use juice jugs, water, cans, make them carry groceries, and put diaper items in a backpack for them to carry.

Thirdly, we do a tactile activity. Pull those sensory bins out!. It can be playing tag, crashing, vibration, sensory balls rubbed over their back, bubble wrap, water play, jumping on textures, play-doh, fingerpaint, etc. I have MANY posts on sensory bins. For bins for kiddos that don't put everything in their mouth you can get ideas here for my sensory "bins". If you have a toddler or an oral fixated child you can get ideas here for my sensory "baskets".

Some tactile play:

painting with ice (colored with food dye)

Dry spaghetti bin

Playing with Dirt/Mud

Playing with jello

water play (this was like $10 at a grocery store) 

Lastly we do a passive proprioceptive activity. This would be squeezes (bear hugs), weights, and joint traction/compression. This is when I usually do the Wilbarger Brushing Protocal (see pic). This has been HUGELY helpful in calming down my boys but doesn't work for everyone. It is a brushing technique followed by joint compression. YOU MUST HAVE YOUR OT SHOW YOU THE PROPER METHOD BEFORE DOING THIS! 

Squeeze/Compression (passive propreceptive):

Boy sandwich :0) Bean-bags or pillows and then we lay gently on him. 

Burrito Boy. We use a thick blanket for extra weight. I gently roll them back and forth to add a little vestibular but this is suppose to be the calming portion, so be careful not to overdue it.

Other Propreceptive tools:

Zo-li (about $2 each) are great to wake-up the mouth before feeding. Also we use a vibrating toothbrush-a huge hit in our household. The white brush is a special medical brush for the Wilbarger Brushing Protocal. 

Few! Then we are done!!! Keep in mind this is a huge list of ideas. The whole sensory diet shouldn't be longer than about 30 minutes. We about 5 minutes for each of the four steps (give or take). Also these ideas are fun for all children (except maybe the last photo). If you have stuck with me for this ENTIRE LENGTHY POST you are my hero.

Coming up soon will be our bedtime routine-you can hardly wait I know!

Top 10 "First" Chapter Books

I haven't done a Top 10 book post in awhile. Since "A" is starting to become a more emergent reader the question is what are some of the first chapter books he (or any child) may enjoy. I have compiled a list that is not exhaustive. As I was thinking about which books to include I can think of at least 18 books to include. I have whittled it down by 1)  books that were at the reading level of an emergent/early fluent reader, 2) books that are not only at the appropriate reading level but the content is appropriate for the age range of 6-8, and 3) books that are in a series. The reason I chose books in a series is because if your child finds a book they like they will most definitely keep reading from the series, and at this age we want children to not only get use to reading frequently but love it as well. So hopefully you can find a series that works for you and your child.

1) Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown: This book has been around for 40 years (gasp). The original story is about a boy who gets flattened by his bulletin board and stays flat. He has many adventures (being a kite, stopping robbers, and mailing himself). New books keep being made and there is a whole new series called Flat Stanley Worldwide Adventures.
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Another important note about Flat Stanley books is the Flat Stanley project. Typically in 2nd grade, students read the first book at school and then make a Flat Stanley character. They then mail him off to people around the world, hoping the person returns it with a picture of themselves and the character. It is very common to see our soldiers holding Flat Stanley, and even Presidents of the US. If kiddos are super lucky they get a special care package back with goodies from their Flat Stanley's adventures. My sister recently moved to Okinawa, Japan, where her husband is stationed. She made a book of Flat ("A") and his adventures in Okinawa. Probably the coolest gift she has ever done. Here are some pics from the book:

My sister and brother-in-law with the Flat "A"

Flat "A" holding Japanese Yen

Flat "A" posing with some cool Japanese girls

Flat "A" using a squatty potty

Flat "A" with a Koji statue (I think that is right)

2. Weird School Series by Dan Gutman: This is a funny series about AJ (a boy who hates school) and his friends at Ella Mentry School. This series takes place in 2nd grade and all the grown-ups are weird. It has great titles like Mr Klutz is Nuts and Mrs. Cooney is Looney. The following year in 3rd grade begins the Weird School Daze series. This is a great series for kiddos that are hesitant to read and for boys who aren't interested in books.

3.) Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park: This is another series that takes place mostly at school. We follow a adorable girl through Kindergarten and 1st grade. This is one of the first "big girl" books a girl can read, but I have caught many boys reading them too. Junie B. is just such a likable character, and you won't be able to wait to read of her next antics. One of students favorites is the Batman Smells book in the series.

4.) Clementine by Sara PennyPacker: I can't mention Junie B. without then mentioning Clementine. Clementine is a newer series and very much in the same style of Junie B. She is an eccentric 3rd grader (all though I think she acts a wee younger) who innocently gets into all sorts of mishaps. I think Junie B. was the newer version of Ramona and Clementine is the newer version of Junie B.

5). Alvin Ho books by Lenore Look: This is a newer series and I am in love with them. Alvin Ho is Chinese-American boy who is afraid of everything. This 2nd grader has so much anxiety that he can't even talk at school (at home he is fine). These books are HILARIOUS and you will just fall in love with Alvin and his neurosis. These books are very much like Junie B. Jones books but the protaganist is a BOY (no way!)

6.) Dinosaur Cove series by Rex Stone: This is a great series for those dino lovers out there. It is similar to MagicTree House in that the protagonist are magically transported back into time. Tom & Jamie live on east coast near a lighthouse. On the beach, they find a cave that by walking through they go to Prehistoric times. Each book highlights a different dinosaur. There are a few black and white illustrations. One thing I did was buy a copy to keep and then "A" colored all the illustrations. It was a fun way to make the book his own and keep him engaged. Both the characters are boys so it may be more geared to that sex but if your girl really likes dinosaurs she may love these adventures. Also if your kiddo loves dinos make sure to read my post for all my dino learning picks.

7) A-Z Mysteries by Ron Roy: This is our newest favorite series in our house. I think we are up to letter N in the series. This is a fabulous way to introduce the genre of mysteries. The story is of Josh, Dink, and Rose (three best friends) who solve mysteries in their small town. Each mystery is from a different letter of the alphabet (Absent Author, Bald Bandit, Haunted Hotel, etc). I love the books as a mother because the characters are really good kids. They listen to their mother, help people in the neighborhood out, and are overall do-gooders. In one book they win a large sum of money for solving a crime and they give to a friend for college money. The mysteries aren't overly scary either!

8) Stink series by Meg McDonald: Stink is the smart & funny younger brother to Judy Moody. I love these books and the Meg McDonald's use of language. I actually prefer Judy Moody over Junie B. and Clementine but they are a little higher reading level (why I didn't include them in the list). Stink books are just as funny as Judy Moody (and we still get to hear about her), but these books are about Stink's adventures. He is inventive and proactive. I remember one book where he wrote to the jawbreaker company and complained that it didn't last as long as advertised. When he got gifts from the company in return he wrote to letters of all the toy companies he could think of to get free loot. Pretty clever! Also the Judy Moody (with Stink) movie came out recently on DVD and is live streaming right now on Netflix (just saying)!

9) Rainbow Magic Fairy books by Daisy Meadows: This is a series most likely only for the girl readers. If your daughter loves fairies (and Tinkerbell) this is the series for you. They are easier to read then the Tinkerbell Disney fairy series that came out and there are TONS to choose from. The themes are endless: fairies named after colors, jewels, flowers, weather/seasons, and even some with pets. 

10)  Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne: This is the number one books for beginning chapter readers. They appeal to both boys and girls with a sense of adventure! Jack and Annie find a Magic Tree House in their backyard and realize by opening a book they can wish to go to the setting of the story. The books take them to the rainforest, moon, ice age, Camelot, Revolutionary War, etc. There is a great deal of fantasy and adventure, but it is a great way to introduce history as well. There is a fun computer game to play and a passport book online as well. You can read a blog I wrote about it here.

Well there it is, my choices.  There was a lot more I could include (especially classics) but it's called Top 10 ;0). If you did want more suggestions just ask. Encouraging a love of reading at this stage is so vital to creating a life-long reader. My next Top 10 post will be on Fairy Tale spoofs-can't wait!!!

What in the world is SPD?

I have mentioned in a few posts about my youngest being diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). What is SPD you may ask? Basically it is a neurological disorder where the brain doesn't process sensory cues like normal people. The wires get crossed so to say. This can present itself in kiddos who experience senses more extreme than others or it can be the opposite and they don't experience senses as intensely. Some kiddos experience both depending on the sensory we are talking about. It is a spectrum disorder so there is a wide range of how it can turn out in each child diagnosed with it.

I am still learning myself. It is like learning a new language and I have had to learn quickly. My youngest was diagnosed at 19 months because I originally thought he had a speech delay. A development specialist and speech pathologist came to observe him and all though he didn't say anything they observed "hurricane play", extreme reckless behavior & rough play, eating issues, and more. They really felt the language was there, but because he could regulate his sensory issues he wouldn't use language. In fact, the sensory issues was affecting his entire way of being able to function. Then came an observation from an OT (or new saving grace) and she confirmed SPD diagnosis.

It has been a whirlwind last three months. With lots of reading and scouring the internet. The most ironic thing is my oldest son may have it as well. There are some major red flags, but they are completely different than my younger ones. Hence, the spectrum part of things. Here is some things that helps shed light on the whole issue if you interested (they can explain it far better than me):

Books that I like on SPD:

Super long post I know. Hmm now you know what has been on my plate. The good thing: a lot of the way you work with these kiddos is with sensory play. Well I can do that-I have been doing that. Now I am learning new ways to play and can I just tell you my little one is up to saying 18 words since we started OT sensory activities. He also will look at a book, and can point out body parts & animals, and play (well for a little bit). It's true! That doesn't mean I don't have a LONG road up ahead because I do. I hope you still read as I continue working with my boys, even if it tends to be more sensory related. Post this week on sensory play ideas that are great for ALL kids!!!

Categories

This is a game of critical thinking that we do in the teaching world. I decided to introduce the game to "A" who is going into 1st grade next year. You want to take picture of something that are related, but not completely. For example you could do geometric shapes but not all triangles or animals but not all mammals. I chose to teach "A" the game with animals because I just happened to have a bunch of National Geographic animal cards that come in the Little Kids magazine (love this magazine for primary kiddos). I know they also have similar cards in the Zoobook magazines.


The way you play Categories is to have the child sort the cards into different categories of their choosing. You can tell them they can sort it by type of animal, color, where they live, whatever they want it is their choice but all the cards in that category must be related somehow. Tell them you will guess which categories they chose when they are ton. Then sit back and RESIST THE URGE to tell them what to do or direct them in any way. The point of the game is critical thinking so they need to work it out for themselves. I left the room actually. When "A" was done he called me in to guess. His first were things that live in water, near water, and completely on land. It was a tricky one. Have the child explain the categories and why they chose them (part of the critical thinking process). Next I sorted the cards and he guessed. This is a great way to model how to play. He loved it and we played many rounds of taking turns making categories. Here is some of the categories we came up with:

With shells

Birds

Baby Animals (another group was unsure of age)

Have Spots

Stripes

What continent they live on (that was me not me 6 year old)

The sky is the limit on the different categories you can make just with the animal cards alone. In a school setting we have played this game for almost every unit we teach: plants, colonial life, Native Americans, geometry, landforms, habitat and environment, rocks & minerals, etc. If you don't have cards make ones from magazine cut-outs or Google images. Kids love thinking they can stump, and better yet, teach adults-its empowering!

Happy Playing Everyone!

Motives for Blogging

My mom asked me if I was still blogging and the answer is yes-sort of! This is the thing: I am really investigating my motives for blogging and if it is healthy for me. When I first started I LOVED it. I loved all the pretty posts and my accomplishments immortalized.  I loved the idea of my boys being able to see all that we had did together. I felt like part of a community of amazing people-parent bloggers.

Then I started looking at how many hits I was getting-obsessed actually. I started worrying why some post weren't getting any attention. Then I started to get insanely jealous about people who started blogs after I did and yet had more followers. Oh man-the whole follower thing....is that how my worth is measured?

If you can't tell I have a tendency to compare myself to others-bad habit, I know! When I do this honestly I don't stack up! I am NOT the perfect mother. Man, oh Man do I screw up-daily. I also have two extremely difficult boys. Its a battle everyday just to do the mundane. I love my boys but motherhood is H-A-R-D!!!! You look at other mothers and its hard to wonder how their life can seem so easy or simple, just like people who may read my blog must think the same thing.

So to make this super, long story come to an end. I plan on blogging, for my boys! Since it is for my boys some weeks don't go as planned and we don't accomplish anything and other weeks are great. Those are the weeks I will blog! I hope I still have some readers by then, but if not I understand. Not only do I understand but I will convince myself that I am still a good person and decent mom despite of it.