Horizons Developmental Resource Center
Evaluation and Treatment of Autism, Aspergers, ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Sensory Processing Disorder, Behavior Disorders
Question:I’m sure you get asked this question all the time, so I hope you have some good ideas for me. With the holidays coming I need gift ideas for my 6-year-old son with autism and my 9-year-old niece with Asperger’s. I’d like to get them gifts that they will enjoy but will also help them progress developmentally. Any and all ideas you have are appreciated!
Thanks – Joy in Richmond, VA
One of the thing adults often struggle with when trying to engage a child with autism, ADHD, or other neurodevelopmental issues in playing a game is helping the child stay oriented to them and not just the activity itself. When an adult gets out a game the child may immediately become focused on looking at and touching the items rather than focusing on playing the game together. This makes it very difficult for adults to guide the child to actually engage in playing the game together. The activity becomes more about the adult trying to keep up with what the child is doing, instead of guiding the child to think about and engage in the game in a productive way. It is critical to manage impulsive actions in a way that helps the child develop better emotional and behavioral regulation so that improvements in cognition, communication, and relationships can occur.
Question:I am looking for some new games to play with my boys, ages 9 and 10. Both are very intelligent but struggle with staying focused on activities not of their choosing. They also have some visual processing challenges we are trying to improve. Any ideas would be appreciated!
-Rachel in Michigan
My husband and I both work and have three children at home, two of whom have various developmental issues. One of the biggest challenges we have is making time for quality activities with the kids when we are home with them. Do you have any suggestions for us?
-Julie in Sacremento, CA
Watching pretend play begin to develop can be so much fun! Typically, when a child first begins to pretend it is by watching a parent or another child, and then imitating what they have done. This may be something as simple as taking a block and scooting it across the floor while making “vroom” sounds. There is something magical about pretend play and it offers great insight into a child’s awareness is of his/her surroundings.
Over the last few months, I have been watching a few of our clients and my daughter begin pretending. Each of them has started out with imitation of something that an adult is doing, and has progressed to more spontaneous pretending within a familiar context. One of my clients started out by just imitating the sounds I made for the animals in the barn, and has now progressed to the point where he takes the animals and moves them around the barn and makes the noises without my model. Another child has started to pretend using puppets and will act out elaborate stories based on actual shared experiences with his mom. This is a favorite activity for him and his mom. My own daughter will often pretend that she is going to the store, pushing her shopping cart to the kitchen and putting food in her cart.
I enjoy reading your newsletter each week and always find a lot of great support and strategies! One thing I struggle with is coming up with ideas of things to do with my two children. I have a 7 year-old son who is blind and has a cognitive impairment. I also have a 4 year-old daughter who doesn’t have any disabilities. When we have time to do things together I’m not sure what to do, and struggle to come up with ideas that allow me to be with both kids at the same time. Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks,
Laila in Kentucky
With the constant change in weather patterns here in Michigan and the world abroad, I have begun to appreciate a variety of activities that I can do with my family whether we are stuck indoors due to rain or snow, extreme hot or cold. Although it is hard to find an activity that they whole family can enjoy together, it is not impossible. Here are a variety of ideas that you can use when you are stuck indoors with your family, and unsure of what to do.
Question:I’m looking for a computer program to help my son learn typing and writing skills. He’s 7 years old and is interested in using the computer, but struggles with typing and getting his thoughts down in writing. Do you have any programs you recommend?
-Donna in Michigan
The snow is falling here in Michigan, and the winter season has begun to set in. Neighborhoods are buzzing with children sledding down snow covered hills, and families are busily decorating their homes. It really is “beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!”
Before we know it, school winter breaks will be here and our children will be home for a couple of weeks. With the holidays right around the corner, I thought it might be helpful to share some tips and activity ideas that will help you and your family thrive during this busy time of the year.
If your life is anything like mine near the holidays, it’ll probably sound a little like this: “Mom, can I get that for Christmas?” “I’ll put it on your wish list honey.” As the next commercial comes on, “Mom can I get that for Christmas?” “That does look like fun. I’ll put it on your wish list.” The television, newspapers, and billboards are inundated with advertisements for all the hot toys and gadgets for this year. As parents, aunts or uncles, and grandparents, it can be very overwhelming to know what gifts to buy that will be both fun and “educational.” Knowing what gifts will be best for our children – that they’ll enjoy – leave many of us going “hmmm.”
Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for all children:
