November’s Sensory Friendly Movie Screening
Last updated on November 14th, 2010 at 06:52 pm
We first heard about “Sensory Friendly Movie Screenings” this past January, in a guest post by Rosie Reeves. For those of you not familiar with this fantastic program, AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite “family-friendly” films in a safe and accepting environment.
The movie auditoriums will have their lights turned up and the sound turned down. 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.
To borrow from Rosie’s post: “It can be challenging enough to bring a child to a movie theater – they are dark, the sound is very loud, there are tempting stairs and rails and they are expected to sit still and stay quiet. When a child has special needs all these elements and many others can prove too daunting to even attempt such an outing. And yet getting out, being with the community and sharing in an experience with an audience can be invaluable for just such children – and their caregivers, too”.
This month “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1” will be screened on November 20th. To find a theatre near you, here is a list of AMC theatres nationwide participating in this program.
Coming December 11th: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
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Editor’s note: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: part 1 is rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence, frightening images and brief sensuality. Please check the IMDB Parent’s Guide for a more detailed description to determine if this movie is right for you and your child.
Kathy Ireland Urges Funding for Down Syndrome Research
Last updated on March 3rd, 2018 at 12:55 pm
Model, actress, designer and mother 
Kathy Ireland is now the aunt of a three-month old girl with Down Syndrome. Kathy reminds us that one out of every 800 babies has Down Syndrome in her touching opinion piece for AOL Health. Kathy has been advocating for Down Syndrome research, which faces budget cuts due to the economic crisis and growing healthcare costs. Kathy urges each of us to write to your area’s legislators to urge them to support funding for research on prevention and treatment for Down Syndrome.
iPad Helps Autistic and Special Needs Kids
Last updated on October 6th, 2015 at 12:06 am
As you start shopping for those back to school supplies you might want to add one other item to the list – an iPad. 
Therapists and caregivers nationwide are reporting that autistic and special needs kids are taking to the large screen and colorful icons, using educational apps and even communicating – sometimes for the very first time. The IPhone and iPod Touch are also big hits as well as great tools for many special needs individuals. The devices show videos and play music, all great distractions for avoiding meltdowns. Schools are beginning to use the iPad as a teaching and therapy tool, and insurance carriers are debating covering the technology in the future. Read a great article on the iPad and autistic kids here.
To find a local Apple store near you, find your town here.
My New Buddy Brian – Questions for Every Parent
Last updated on July 1st, 2018 at 11:46 pm
This past weekend I was out walking my pack o dogs on one of our many trails. We were almost back to the parking lot and let me tell you we were hot. I had some bottles of water for me and a jug of water for the dogs. Right where we were to 
turn off to the parking lot there is a “T”. You could go North or South or to the parking lot. Here at this T junction was a special needs teenager on a adult tricycle looking back and forth, North and South, North and South. I watched for a minute while the dogs panted and waited. I asked him if he needed help and his response was to ask where his Dad was. This young man’s name was Brian. He had passed me about ten minutes earlier and was alone- no one else was with him.
Brian did not know whether to go North or South or which direction he had just come from. On his own he did not know what to do. He did know his Dad’s cell number. Brian did not have a phone but I never go anywhere without mine so we called his Dad. Of course we got voice mail but Brian left a message. We walked/rode to my car and we all had some water. Within about 10 minutes, Dad called back, very worried. Dad did not know the area very well and another hiker and I were able to eventually talk him to where we were. Brian had actually made it quite far- several miles at least.
When Dad along with Mom showed up one of Mom’s questions was to ask whether or not Brian had asked for help-whether or not he recognized he was in trouble on his own and asked for help. My answer to Mom that he did not- visibly upset her. Even though this was a minor event that turned out well- I’ve given it quite a lot of thought.
- When does a child know they are in trouble?
- When do they know it is time to ask for help?
- When is a child too young to go off riding on their own or walking to a neighbor?
- A recent article here on PediatricSafety reminded parents to teach the 911 number to their young children. Along with 911 do our kids know our phone numbers?
- What is the right age to consider a cell for our kids for emergencies if for no other reason?
- Do our kids know our real names are not Mom and Dad?
- Do they know their address?
- If we are separated from our kids do they know what to do? Do we?
I like to think that I’m a pretty decent guy and I tend to think most people are too. Most- not all as the headlines remind us. It only takes seconds or minutes for something bad to happen. I realize this asks more questions that it provides answers. I hope others chime in and offer sound advice.
Wii helps special needs kids get exercise
Last updated on March 3rd, 2018 at 01:18 pm
Video games get a bad rap from most experts, but now there may be a few reasons to let your kids play Wii. A recent study from the University of Oklahoma showed that active video games like Wii boxing or Dance Dance Revolution get kids as active as if they were taking a walk. Plus in many parts of the country most playgrounds – even the universally accessible ones – are just too hot to visit in the summer once it gets near lunch time.
Britt Collins, an occupational therapist, has come out in support of the Wii gaming system as a form of exercise for special needs kids. Britt told the June 2010 issue of Parents magazine that the Wii can help special needs children elevate their heart rate while also working on skills such as timing and visual and motor coordination.
Britt’s top picks for the Wii are:
Wii Sports – a child in a wheelchair can bowl or swing a virtual baseball bat with one arm.
Wii Fit – standing alone or with support, a child can master challenges like heading a soccer ball
We Ski – standing or sitting on a Wii balance board and shifting their weight helps build core strength and upper/lower body coordination
Raving Rabbids – combines the balance board with controllers and helps perceptual skills
Britt Collins is the cocreator of the DVD series TRP Wellness, which includes her video OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM, SPECIAL NEEDS & TYPICAL with Britt Collins.
Hollywood shows us a family dealing with Aspergers on Parenthood
Last updated on March 3rd, 2018 at 02:12 pm
Tuesday night I got to watch NBC’s Parenthood, based on the Ron Howard film of the same name. With a cast of wonderful actors the show examines the intertwined lives of of one family and airs on Tuesday nights at 10pm. In last night’s episode one of the adult siblings learns that 
his son Max has Aspergers Syndrome. While the show will not give you any new information on the disorder it is a wonderful window into how the boy’s behavior affects his family. His older sister seems a bit jealous of all the attention he gets, yet she is the one who knows how to best manage him. His father wrestles to understand that this is a permanent condition and that he can’t just be “cured.” His mother seems to be preparing for what she knows will be a long, hard road. His uncle uses it as an excuse to juggle girlfriends.
The episode mentions some treatment options and therapies when the overwhelmed parents visit another couple with an Aspergers child and pokes fun at how hard it can be to get in to see some specialists. To watch the episode go here. Next week’s episode will feature some of the issues Max has with school.
