Sat. 5/9 at AMC, THE SHEEP DETECTIVES are Sensory Friendly

Last updated on June 14th, 2026 at 07:32 pm

Since 2007, AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other special needs “Sensory Friendly Films” every month – a wonderful opportunity to enjoy fun new films in a safe and accepting environment. On the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, family-friendly films are featured and Wednesday evenings, films for more mature audiences are screened. On Saturday May 9th, THE SHEEP DETECTIVES will be Sensory Friendly! 🙂

Enjoy the magic of the movies in an environment that’s a little quieter and a little brighter. Families will be able to bring in snacks to match their child’s dietary needs (i.e. gluten-free, casein-free, etc.) and it’s totally acceptable to get up and dance, walk, shout, talk to each other…and even sing – in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced during movie screenings unless the safety of the audience is questioned.

Does it make a difference? Absolutely! Imagine …no need to shhhhh your child. On this one day a month, for this one screening, everyone is there to relax and have a good time, everyone expects to be surrounded by kids – with and without special needs – and the movie theater policy becomes “Tolerance is Golden“.

Families affected by autism or other special needs can view a sensory friendly screening of THE SHEEP DETECTIVES on Saturday May 9th. Tickets are typically discounted depending on the location. To find a theatre near you, here is a list of AMC theatres nationwide participating in this fabulous program (note: to access full list, please scroll to the bottom of the page).

**It’s important to note that Sensory Friendly Screenings will begin immediately at its scheduled showtime, without trailers playing before the show starts. Please arrive on time so you don’t miss the movie!**

Also Coming in May: Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (Wed. May 27th)

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Editor’s note: Although THE SHEEP DETECTIVES has been chosen by the AMC and the Autism Society as this month’s Sensory Friendly Film, we do want parents to know that it is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for thematic material, some violent content and brief language. As always, please check the IMDB Parents Guide for a more detailed description of this film to determine if it is right for you and your family.

How Can a Sock Monkey Make Commuting with Your Kid Safer?

Last updated on May 16th, 2026 at 09:20 pm

Rarely do you find yourself getting excited while driving your kid to school. But, much to my teen’s chagrin, that’s just what happened one morning last week.

It’s all because my son was awake and observant that morning. As I was navigating a busy round-about near our neighborhood – he cried out, “What the heck?? Some crazy person has a life-size sock monkey in their front passenger seat!”

Now this intrigued me, but I didn’t manage to see the car since I was trying to keep us safe in traffic. So I asked him for more details, like who was driving. “It was a woman,” he said…..and then the all important clue: “And she had a little kid in a car seat in the back….what a weirdo!”

Now I am both a newly minted public health professional (MPH received last year!) and a child health and safety geek (seven years as Senior Editor at Pediatric Safety will do that to you!), so I immediately had a flash of insight. “Oh,” I said, “I know what she’s doing!!” “Oh that’s so cool!” I was practically bouncing up and down in my seat. Thankfully I had already merged into traffic on the local parkway.

“She’s taking her kid to daycare on her way to work, and the sock monkey is next to her to remind her that the child is in the back seat. When they aren’t using the car seat, the sock monkey sits in it – and when they put the little girl in the car seat, they move the sock monkey doll up front as a visual cue.”

The reason I was SO excited is this was an example of child safety in action. Forgetting a baby or young child in the back seat can happen to any parent when we are on autopilot, trying to get all the morning tasks done and get to work. And even a short time alone in a hot car can be fatal, since children’s bodies heat up faster than those of adults. More details on heatstroke and kids can be found at the links below:

• NHTSA.gov – Tips to Avoid Child Heatstroke
• Healthychildren.org (AAP) – Prevent Child Deaths in Hot Cars

Given the risks of heatstroke, government experts and child advocates recommend memory helpers, like keeping a stuffed animal in the car seat and moving it up front when the child is strapped in (see the links above). Experts also advise parents to keep something critical for their day in the back near their child – like a purse, briefcase or mobile phone.

Now you might think that you don’t need to take measures like this….but research shows that the easiest way to adopt a new habit or remember something is to set up your environment to help you – like ridding your house of fattening foods, keeping your gym clothes handy and visible….or putting a life-sized stuffed animal next to you in the car when your child is in back.

I don’t know who the woman was on the road that morning, but I commend her effort to ensure her child’s safety – and she really made a child safety geek’s day! Oh, and if you’d like to buy a life-size sock monkey, they have them on Amazon.

Service Dogs in Schools? What Do You Need to Know?

Last updated on May 3rd, 2026 at 02:41 pm

There are many questions and concerns involving the use of Service Dogs by children in schools, but it is becoming a recurring theme in the news of late. So I decided to write a post about it to better educate parents in case this becomes an issue in your school. What are the pros and cons? Do the pros outweigh the cons? Are there risks to your child both physically and educationally by having a dog in the classroom? These are all topics I would like to discuss with you, because I think they are important.

So I think the first step needs to be precisely defining what a Service Dog is, and what their role is for a person with disabilities. And I think it is important to explain that not all disabilities that require a Service Dog are visible.

That being said, in layman’s terms, a Service Dog (or SD) is a dog that has been specifically trained to perform certain TASKS that allow the owner with disabilities the ability to live a full and independent life. What do I mean by ‘tasks”? Let’s break it down into obvious and not-so obvious disabilities (visible –vs- invisible) that allow a person to function and perform what we call ‘daily living skills.’

Obvious Disabilities:

• Someone in a wheelchair may have a dog that pulls the wheelchair for them.
• Someone who has difficulty walking due to certain medical conditions (such as Multiple Sclerosis or Cerebral Palsy) may use their dog to lean on to get them from one place to another. (Also known as a Mobility Support Animal)
• Someone who is blind may have a guide dog.

Not-So-Obvious Disabilities:

• Someone who suffers from seizures may have a seizure alert dog. Under ‘typical’ circumstances, they look just like everyone else and you would never know they have a debilitating disability. But this dog can save their life. The dog cannot stop the seizure from actually happening, but by ‘alerting’ their person (often with a touch or a whine or bark) that a seizure is imminent…. it allows the person time to get themselves into a safe position (ie: lying down or out of the shower or tub) so when the seizure hits, they do not fall from a standing position, causing a possible head injury, or drown in a shower or tub.
• Someone who suffers from diabetes may have a diabetic alert dog. The dog is trained to ‘alert’ their person if their glucose levels becomes very low, or too high. Unlike the seizure alert dog, where the dog cannot physically stop the seizure from happening, by alerting their person that their sugar levels have changed, it enables the person time they would not have had before to check their sugar levels and correct the situation before it can become dangerous.

Put yourself in the shoes of the parent of the children who suffer these disabilities (and many others….. there are just too many to list) and ask yourselves this: if you had a child with some of these issues, how much comfort would it give you to know that they have a constant ‘early detection device’ with them at all times?

I have touched on some of the life-saving ‘pro’s’ of the child having their Service Dog with them. But here are a few other benefits:

• Integration into everyday life: A child with disabilities can easily feel ostracized or different from other people. This may make them shy, insecure, fearful, and at times unable to talk to or connect with their peers that they see as ‘normal’. They are more open to taunting and bullying. I mentioned in a previous post how I was once so painfully insecure, I did not know how to approach or talk to people. What I did not mention was that had it not been for my Golden Retriever Radar, I doubt I would have made it to or through my first Narcotics Anonymous meeting! In my mind, it was just one more group of people that would reject me! But amazingly, walking in with my dog broke the ice. People approached ME and asked me questions, which opened up that line of communication I so desperately needed!
• Independence: If you are anything like me, asking for help is never an easy thing. I like to be self-reliant. So imagine having to constantly ask for help with things, and what a toll that might take on your self-esteem and confidence daily? Now imagine having something that suddenly allows you to do for yourself what you previously always had to ask others to do for you? Can you imagine the sense of freedom that would give you?

I want to share with you here a wonderful short video that can show you first-hand (From the perspective of both a parent and a child) how a service dog can drastically change the life of a child.

So what we have focused on until now are the positives for the parent and child WITH disabilities. So if you are a parent who has a child with disabilities, this post may open new doors for you!! After reading this, you may have never thought of getting a Service Dog for your child, and this may have shed some light on some of the wonderful advantages your child may enjoy by obtaining a Service Dog! If you are interested in learning more about obtaining a service dog for your child, there are numerous organizations that specialize in training Service Dogs specifically for children such as Canines For Kids and 4 Paws for Ability.

But what if you do not have a child that suffers from disabilities, how can having a SD in a classroom affect your child?

First off, it is important to understand that the training that goes into a Service Dog is quite different from the training you would get for an everyday pet. It begins the same way, with basic housebreaking and commands, but after that, it becomes very different. Depending on the type of Service Dog required, some Service Dog training companies such as CCI (Canine Companions for Independence) or the Guide Dog Foundation begin training at eight weeks old or younger. The pups are raised by people or families known as ‘puppy raisers’ where they learn things like the basic commands, leash manners, and are brought into numerous different situations to acclimate them to things like sudden loud noises, (such as cheering at a ball game) flickering lights (such as in a movie theater) constant action (like in a mall or store) or even sudden applause (like at a show.) Then at 18 months, they are brought back to the facility where they came from for extensive training, where they learn specific tasks, like pulling a wheelchair, turning lights on and off, picking things up when they fall on the floor, etc. I will add here that an any given time, the facility may determine that a dog is NOT suitable for this type of work, (they may be a bit too energetic, or may be easily distracted…. all traits that could be very dangerous for the person depending on them!) and their SD training ends there. After about a year of this extensive training, they are finally matched with their eventual owner/handler and for the next six to eight months, the dog/handler team work together at the facility on the challenges the specific owner has that requires the Service Dog’s assistance.

Photo Credit: de:Benutzer:Rmarte; CC BY-SA 3.0

Some Service Dogs, again, depending on the situations the dog is needed for, may be owner taught, or the owner may have hired a professional trainer to make their current dog a Service Dog. Back in 2017, all Service Dogs were required to pass a Service Dog Public Access Test to be recognized as a SD. Although the requirements are a bit less strict these days, many still receive specialized training, similar to that which was previously required. If you are interested in learning more about this test, and the training dogs receive to pass it, you can watch this video on the requirements to pass the test.

So safety-wise, your child should not be at risk having a Service Dog that’s received training by a professional trainer in your child’s school, because the standards for training a Service Dog are quite high!

However, there are some potential risks to your child health-wise. For example, if your child has severe allergies to dogs, this may make it very difficult for your child to be in an enclosed environment (such as a classroom) with one.

And educationally… it may cause some issues for your child as well. Let’s face it….having a dog in a classroom (even an extremely well behaved dog, doing nothing but lying quietly next to the child’s desk) can be a major distraction for the first few weeks or months…. especially for a child who is easily distractible to begin with. (Think about the words to Mary Had A Little Lamb…. “It made the children laugh and play to see a lamb at school.’)

And lastly, we don’t want to forget about the child who is deathly afraid of dogs! Especially since most dogs trained to work with children tend to be on the larger size for stability reasons.

So how can we make this a win-win situation where everyone is happy? By following some simple guidelines right from the start:

If it is your child’s dog:

• Make sure the school is aware that your child will have a Service Dog with them before the term begins.
• The school has quite enough to do ensuring the safety and well-being of every child in their care. It is not their responsibility to walk, clean up after, or take care of the dog. So you must make sure that either your child can fully tend to their own dog (taking them to potty and cleaning up after them, giving them water, etc.) or make sure to arrange for yourself or someone outside of the school staff to take care of them periodically throughout the day.
• Prepare your child for different scenarios that may come up and coach your child on how to handle them. For example, kids will be curious, and do not know how to ‘sensor’ questions the way adults learn to, so your child may be asked, “What’s wrong with you that you need a dog?” Explain that the child may not necessarily be trying to be cruel, but probably just curious. You can also prepare your child on what to do if someone comes up to pet the dog, or asks to pet the dog. (It might help to have a “Working: Do Not Pet” patch on the dog’s vest.)
• Be aware of your child’s rights to have their dog with them in case you come across any difficulty and you need to advocate for your child. Be willing to be flexible and accommodating if another parent has a kid with severe allergies but is stead-fast on their child staying in a specific classroom for whatever reason. Remember, it is not about who is right and who is wrong here; it is about working together for the best outcome for all children involved.

Suggestions for the school:

• Send out notices to the parents regarding the presence of the dog several months prior to the start of the term. You can even ask the parent of the disabled child if they would like to create the first draft: it will save you hours of worry about wording it correctly and help them to protect their child’s privacy…at a minimum they’ll appreciate your making the effort. Also, sending notices early will give you time to identify any potential conflicts (i.e. if a child with severe allergies or a fear of dogs is scheduled to be in the same class). This will give you ample time to move one of the children into a different classroom prior to school beginning, or to allow parents the opportunity to ask any questions they may have.

Note: keep in mind the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) states: “Allergies and fear of dogs are not valid reasons for denying access or refusing service to people using service animals. When a person who is allergic to dog dander and a person who uses a service animal must spend time in the same room or facility, for example, in a school classroom or at a homeless shelter, they both should be accommodated by assigning them, if possible, to different locations within the room or different rooms in the facility.”

• Hold an assembly or at least a classroom meeting at the start of the year to explain to the children a few important guidelines and boundaries regarding the Service Dog. For example, the fact that the dog is not a pet, but that it is working, and the importance of them not petting or distracting the dog from its job. I find it helpful to explain to children that in this case, the dog is really no different than a wheelchair or crutches would be for a child. I have also found that many children are very excited and proud of their dogs, and the things their dog can do for them… so ask the child if they would like to participate and help talk to the children about their dog. This may also avoid a situation like I mentioned above…. Questions being asked out of curiosity that may hurt a child’s feelings.

If you have a non-disabled child that will be in a class with a SD:

• Talk to your child in advance about there being a Service Dog in the classroom to help a child who needs assistance. Ask for their input if they feel this would make it too distracting for them, and really listen to their answers. Remember, the parent of the disabled child is looking out for the best interest of their child by having the dog; you have to look out for the best interest of yours! It is not a matter of not caring about the other child, but remember, you are always your child’s best advocate! And your child has rights too.
• Encourage them to ask you if they have any questions, and if you are not sure of the answer, spend time with them researching the answer online.

In conclusion, I will wrap this up by saying that it is important to remember that every single child matters! Each child has their own set of strengths and weaknesses that make them special and unique. If we all work together, we can create a safe, loving, caring, and happy environment and future for each and every one of them!

Why Parents Need to Know About 764

Last updated on March 15th, 2026 at 08:15 pm

Previously for Pediatric Safety, I have written on cybersafety issues about specific apps, including Instagram and on how predators actively try to hunt our children. Recently, my local police department reported that through October 2025, they have made 17 arrests for predators against children. What’s more, over the past three years, they reported making 49 arrests. That’s a pretty high number considering where I live (even one is too high in my opinion).

What was notable was the distances that these men reportedly traveled to meet up with their underage targets. It made me think more about this type of activity and what parents need to learn to keep their kids safe.

What is 764?

Put simply, 764 is a loosely affiliated group of people all over the world who have goals that are abhorrent to most people. Their exact number of members is unknown. At their core, they have a hatred for the human race and humanity, which is ironic as they are part of what they hate. They reject any/all moral, religious, or social values. Key among their actions is tricking minors to carry out sexual acts, to harm themselves, and even to attempt suicide, all as they watch and record it all.

Due to their nature of staying hidden in the darkest shadows of the Internet, it’s very difficult for law enforcement to identify them. One of the more successful methods to do so by is posing as a young child and waiting for one of them to attempt to lure a child into doing something they would later regret. You would probably be appalled at how quickly people reach out to these

Their reach is global, thanks to the Internet. Here are just a few stories from England, Germany, & Canada. There are plenty of other examples from around the globe.

Their goals are despicable and are a parent’s worst nightmare, as they specifically target both boys and girls of all ages (far younger than you would expect). This is important because parents need to understand that as much as parents may engage with their children about what happens online, predators are actually engaging with them online and they’re very good at what they’re trying to do.

Five Takeaways to Help Protect Your Kids

The good news is that worldwide law enforcement agencies are aware of 764 and they have made some major arrests in 2025 of their leadership. What can parents do to help prevent any predator from grooming their child? Here are five things:

• Build up your child’s self-esteem so that they are more able to avoid attempts to trick them using the techniques I described previously for Pediatric Safety.
• Get involved in what your children are doing online and stay informed about what you need to know. If you’re reading this article, you’re already doing that.
• Let your children know that if a problem does happen, they can come to you for help. I’ve known too many kids refuse to tell their parents until it’s too late, which only makes matters worse.
• Never give an order that you know won’t be followed, such as completely banning them from using technology, because if something bad does happen, they will be less likely to come to you for help because they may expect to get into trouble for disobeying you.
• Read this article from the FBI which gives great tips on what to do and what not to do to keep your kids safe online.

How To Avoid Accidentally Locking Your Kids In The Car

Last updated on March 15th, 2026 at 08:15 pm

Mornings can be hectic with little kids, right? There are breakfasts to be made, lunches to be prepared, and kids to be dressed, not including preparing yourself for your workday too. When all that is taken care of, you still have to get the kids into the car, along with whatever you need to take along for work that day.

And don’t forget the squabbling over rain coats, bickering over seating arrangements (but Mommy, I want to sit in his car seat today!) and then navigating the frustrations of rush hour traffic on the way to begin your day.

And there is the big chance that you forgot something very important.

It is very easy to be a distracted parent. There are so many curve-balls be tossed your way at once it can be hard to make heads and tails of the situation. Perhaps the biggest fear parents have in their morning routine is if they left something important at home. Did I grab enough diapers? Where’s the wallet? Do I have my phone? My keys? Did I make sure to turn off the stove?

And then there’s the remote possibility of accidentally locking your kids in the car.

Believe it or not, this kind of mental blunder is not uncommon to even the best parents. Most parents assume this would never happen to them… until it does. Many times local locksmiths are called in to help open the doors of a car and liberate the tots inside.

The following are a few tips that parents have learned the hard way that can help you remember not to lock your kids inside a car:

No. 1 — ANY TIME you leave your vehicle, make sure you ALWAYS have your kids with you

While this may seem obvious, what this means is if you need to hop out to grab something really quick from the supermarket, take the kiddos with you! If your one-year old that has trouble sleeping has fallen asleep in the backseat, and you desperately need diapers, you have a choice to make – and neither option includes leaving him in the back seat. In many states this is required by law, especially in those states where the temperatures can get pretty high (such as Florida). By making this a habit, you will avoid leaving them in the car, and locking them in the car by accident.

No. 2 — Don’t leave your Keys where the kiddos can get them

Even if you are in the comfort of your home. The auto lock feature on the key fob makes it easy for even a small child to secure the vehicle with themselves inside. Spare keys are a must, and please don’t make the mistake of putting the spare key on the same ring with your primary key. Finding a competent locksmith to create a spare is far easier than having this job done at the dealers.

No. 3 — Pre-arranged Communications with your child’s caregiver

Make sure you are in constant communication with your child’s caregiver and that they will call you if your child does not show up at day care. Parents have been in such a flurry, they have left their child in the backseat of the car as they head to work. These are the absolute worst lock-ins as they can be potentially fatal. There are “reminder” smartphone apps that require check-ins – if your child does not arrive at the caregiver’s location, a pre-programmed alert will be sent.

No. 4 — Check the Seat

Yes, a simple routine whenever you enter or exit your car should become second nature to a concerned parent. The same way you can check to make sure your keys, cellphone and wallet/purse are in your possession, you can flip your head to the backseat and make sure your little one is where he should be, Place a sign on the dashboard if it will help you remember.

No. 5— Have a Locksmith on Speed Dial

Despite taking every precaution accidents can and do happen, so have a plan in place for the “just in case” scenario, keeping in mind that the harshness of the situation will ultimately determine your response. If it is at the height of the heat of the day, 80 degrees and climbing and your child is in the car, you will want immediate action. Call the police, ambulance, and attempt to break a window for entry into the car.

If it is cool outside, and your child hasn’t been in the car for long, you may want a less drastic option, such as calling your local locksmith. Locksmiths are typically on-call 24/7 and will have no problem showing up onsite to spring your tiny tot from their imprisonment. If you need help finding one near you, and you are in the U.S., you can use this site for help in finding a local one near you.

In Conclusion — you must always be vigilant when it comes to car safety and your child. Parents tend to spend a lot of time researching the perfect car seat for their child in the event of a car accident, God forbid. However, they don’t really think that they’ll ever accidentally leave their child in the car. They don’t think they’ll ever be that sort of parent who could be so neglectful.

The truth is that it so easy to make the mistake of accidentally locking your child in the car. With the off chance of that happening, parents must remain vigilant and create a plan to prevent this situation ever happening. Take these tips to heart.

Is Sitting at a Computer Hurting Your Child?

Last updated on March 15th, 2026 at 08:13 pm

I ache. Frequently. You’ll understand if you’ve ever had it. Back pain. More debilitating than you could have ever imagined….until you’re actually experiencing it. And then there’s the treatment and coping strategies, sometimes painful and difficult, other times seemingly goofy but necessary. I particularly remember the spectacle I was at the office for several months – scaring colleagues when they discovered me lying prostrate on the floor in an empty cubicle, hiding in small meeting rooms to do pelvic exercises and surely defying some corporate dress code with the fluorescent orange crocs I wore when standing at my computer.

But back pain is just the jumping off point for this story….where it led me is on a journey into the world of office “ergonomics.” Significant and increasing numbers of workplace injuries are related to poor workstation ergonomics – or, said another way, computer stations and desks that don’t properly fit the person using them. The field of ergonomics is full of technical terms and fancy equipment but, in the end, it’s really about the kind of common sense advice you used to get from your grandmother: “don’t slouch,” “sit up straight,” “keep your legs in front of your chair and your feet on the floor” – and its relevance unfortunately goes way beyond the world of factories and office workers.

Although a focus on “ergonomics for children” is relatively recent, we know that children are subject to many ergonomic stresses – from heavy backpacks to long periods of study or play in front of computers, often at desks that are not set up for their size. Data is currently limited on the immediate risks to kids for injuries like neck and back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome, but given that it takes several years for these types of injuries to appear, can we afford to take a “wait and see” attitude?

What can Parents, Schools and Child Safety Advocates Do?

Know what good looks like. Can you recognize healthy computer posture? Do you model these habits at home? Despite all the knowledge I gained at work, I realized I wasn’t following the advice at home because I didn’t have the same set-up and equipment. But a little education and some simple, inexpensive “fixes” can help get your family on the right path (see box below for tips on healthy computer use).

Teach your children. Mastering proper computer use will be of life-long value to any child in today’s high-tech knowledge economy. Children should know how to work safely at the computer and be aware of the risks of poor habits. However, many children learn better visually. In addition to discussing good posture, consider placing photos of good and bad computer ergonomics next to your home or school computers. Some sites provide examples you can print (see Cornell photos and comic), but you can also have your children be the models. They will find it fun to have their photos on the wall and might learn more by having to demonstrate both good and bad habits!

Monitor the situation. Kids aren’t as aware as adults of their body position, so you will need to give regular reminders about their posture. Also monitor their time on the computer – ensure they take breaks every 30-60 minutes. You can download free usage monitoring software that reminds kids when they need to take a break and suggests stretches to do – or you can always set a kitchen timer (click here for Cornell’s stretching exercises-scroll to #4).

Focus on schools. School districts worldwide are focused on increasing student access to computers; however, the majority of emphasis is on the quality of the computers, not the workstations. Check to see if your school or district has computer ergonomics guidelines and curricula. This is becoming a higher priority in education, as evidenced by last year’s ergonomics equipment and teaching resolutions passed by the California state-wide PTA organization. And just like at home, improvements don’t have to require lots of expensive equipment.

Healthy Computer Use for Kids

Start with looking at how well the computer station fits your child or students. Is the computer used for the whole family, or a range of different-sized kids? If your child is having to contend with a poorly fitting workstation, problems may be on the horizon. To ensure healthy computer use by children – by anyone – the most valuable thing to remember is the 90-degree rule: that key body elements should be at “right” or “90-degree” angles when sitting at a computer to maintain natural body alignment and not cause stress through over or under extension. A few useful guidelines:

Chair / Lower Body

• Whatever your child sits on should position the keyboard at elbow height. Achieve this through an adjustable chair or by using a pillow to raise him up.
• Make sure the feet are supported so that his knees are bent at roughly 90-degrees. His thighs shouldn’t slope up or down, or pressure is increased on the lower back. While there are specially-designed footrests on the market, you can also use a sturdy box or low child footstool. As I type this, my feet are resting on my Wii Fit board…at least this way it’s getting some use!
• Also ensure support for his lower back via a pillow or rolled towel. This will help minimize slouching and support a 90-degree angle between his torso and thighs.

Keyboard and Mouse / Upper Body

• Arms should be relaxed at the side with the elbows bent at 90-degrees and the keyboard should be positioned so that wrists are straight – not angled up or down.
• A wrist rest may be useful for support. You can purchase one from any office supply store or fashion one with a towel (be sure it is sized to keep the child’s wrists straight).
• The mouse should be placed near the keyboard to prevent strain from reaching.
• If your child struggles with the size of the keyboard or mouse you may want to consider child-sized equipment (see “Little Fingers” keyboard). Also, some kids find trackballs easier to manipulate than a mouse.

Monitor / Head and Neck

• The monitor should be placed so that your child’s head will be facing straight ahead and level – so the chin and neck are roughly at 90-degrees. You definitely don’t want him looking up or too far down.
• Arrange lighting to avoid glare or bright spots on the monitor to prevent eye strain. To do this you may need to use overhead room lights and position desk lights away from the monitor.
• Remind your kids to look away from time to time and blink…studies show that computer use results in decreased blinking. Make the computer a “zombie-free zone!”

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