Welcome to “On the Horizon”

Issue 96: Indoor Sensory Ideas and Activities

On
the Horizon is an award winning
weekly ezine for parents of children with developmental disabilities
who want simple, effective strategies to reduce stress, support their
child’s development, and improve quality of life for the whole family.

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keep receiving On the Horizon,
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New Ideas

A Note from Nicole: Changes

Idea of the Week:  Popcorn Balls

Feature Article: Indoor Sensory Ideas and Activities

The Horizons Team Recommends: Do Something Daily Calendar; Workshops

Upcoming Events:  RDI® Parent Teleseminar; Sibshop

Hi Everyone,

This is a week of change and adjustment at our office as we said goodbye to our long-time office manager us last Friday.  us has been part of our team for many years, but is now moving onto a different path in her life and career.  We definitely miss her, but wish her the best in these new endeavors.  The good news is that we have been able to find someone to take the position of office manager very quickly, and she is wonderful.  Her name is Christine and she is already busy figuring things out around here.  Next time you call or email the office be sure to say hello and welcome Christine as the newest member of our Horizons family!

In this week’s feature article Courtney shares ideas for providing your kids with sensory activities and outlets when the weather makes you stay indoors.  This is so important for us in Michigan (and anywhere else it’s yucky weather for a while each year) because it is generally too cold to be outside for long.  Try some of these great indoor activities and let us know if you come up with additional ideas!

If you’ve been thinking about attending a one-day workshop with us in March make sure to register soon.  Many of you attended our teleseminars where I provided a taste of what we will be covering during these one-day events.  You can get all the information here.

Enjoy the week!

Looking to the horizon,

Popcorn Balls

Who doesn’t like popcorn as a great snack?  Here’s an easy twist on regular popcorn.  All you will need is a few ingredients – for 5 quarts of popped popcorn you will need ¾ cup of corn syrup, ¼ cup margarine, 2 TBSP cold water, 2 5/8 cup powdered sugar, and 1 cup of marshmallows.  In a sauce pan you will cook all the ingredients together until they come to a boil.  Carefully combine this mixture with the popcorn until the popcorn is covered.  Then, grease your hands and form the popcorn into balls – they can be any size balls you want.  Enjoy your delicious popcorn ball treats!

Indoor Sensory Ideas and Activities

By: Courtney Kowalczyk, M.Ed.

The snow continues to fall here in Michigan, and it seems like forever since my family and I were able to enjoy the outdoors without worrying about frostbite. Cabin fever is really beginning to set in. I cannot wait for the warm sunny spring days to arrive, and to go for a bike ride with my family!

The cabin fever that my family and I have been experiencing lately seems to be a common theme among many of the families with whom I have been working. This time of year seems to be difficult for all of us, and especially for children who have sensory processing difficulties. During the mid-winter months, we typically see an increase in sensory seeking behaviors due to the limited amount of play time outside or elsewhere. The holidays are now over as well, which means that the lights and intense sensory input of the holiday season has past. It is still important to make sure that the sensory needs of our kids are being met. Here are a few simple sensory ideas that you can use during the indoor times of the year.

• Set-up a sensory course.  Children always seem to enjoy making and playing on indoor sensory courses. You can set-up a simple course in your living room, bedroom, or basement using household materials. Couch cushions, pillows, flat sheets, and other items are wonderful materials that you can use to create a sensory course. Your children will have a blast jumping into a pile of cushions, or crawling under a sheet!

Continued…

HorizonsDRCWorkshops.com

You Have Questions.
We Have Answers.

Join us for learning experiences designed to provide you with the information, tools, and motivation you need to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

Horizons Workshop Opportunities

• Evaluating for Autism: The Nuts and Bolts of Quality School-Based Autism Spectrum Disorder Evaluations

• Autism in the Classroom: Simple & Effective Strategies to Learn Today and Use Tomorrow

• Day of Change: A Groundbreaking Workshop for Parents of Children with Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders

• Extreme Makeover: Autism Education Edition

For more information, click here

Do Something
Daily Calendar

Do you dread hearing your child complain, “I’m bored”?
Struggle to
think of something fun you can do together?
Have trouble squeezing one-on-one time with her into your
day?

That’s why we
created the Do Something Daily Calendar.
The Calendar offers a daily dose of inspiration and ideas
for spending time together–whether you have 60 seconds or 60
minutes.

In addition, $1.00 from every calendar sold goes toward research to improve the quality of life for those with autism, through a donation to the Foundation for Autism Research and Remediation.

For more
information, click here.

Please join us!

• RDI® Parent Teleseminar: Topic: Home Schooling
  Two home schooling Moms share their experiences
  (Horizons Families Only)
  Thursday, Feburary 18, 2010 from 11:00-12:00 PM EST
• Sibshop – Horizons Sibling Network
  Open to everyone!
  Saturday, Feburary 20, 2010, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM EST
• RDI® Parent Teleseminar: Q&A with Michelle and Courtney
  Topic: School
  (Horizons Families Only)
  Monday, March 1, 2009 from 1:30-2:30 PM EST
• Workshop – Evaluating for Autism:
  The Nuts and Bolts of Quality School-Based Autism Spectrum Disorder Evaluations 
  
• Workshop – Autism in the Classroom:
  Simple & Effective Strategies to Learn Today and Use Tomorrow 
  Friday, March 12, 2009
• Workshop – Day of Change:
  A Groundbreaking Workshop for Parents of Children with Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  Saturday, March 13, 2009
• ExtremeMakeover: Autism Education Edition
  August 4-6, 2010