Friday, December 7, 2012

COMING SOON...DEVELOPMENTAL WONDERS....PARENT/BABY-TOT GROUPS

Developmental Wonders
There is nothing more wonderful than bringing home your new baby. Yet, with this excitement there is often an overwhelming sense, of "Now What?". As all of us know, along with this amazing child also comes endless questions with no "tried and true" instruction manual to help. There are hundreds of books and websites. And of course, our family and friends are always eager to provide advice; but this often only adds to the confusion of what's best for your baby. Each baby is a unique individual and deserves customized support. Child development is a wonder in itself. To watch our babies grow from newborns to infants to toddlers and then to children is nothing but truly miraculous. Therefore, Stephanie Puryear, OTR/L, the founder of Sensory Steps, Inc., with over a decade of specialized developmental expertise, specifically for children ages birth to three; and early childhood, ages three to five; has created Developmental Wonders.

Developmental Wonders is a tailored developmental parent and baby/child playgroup that meets weekly to provide support, guidance, and developmental tips for the specific stages that you and your child are emerged in. Meet with other parents and their children in similar age groups and develop lifelong bonds while having a safe and secure place to answer your questions, provide your baby with opportunities to grow and develop, and receive consistent expert developmental unbiased and educated advice as you navigate through the wondrous developmental stages with you child. More information regarding groups, locations, and registration will be coming soon. Developmental Wonders groups are expected to start in the 2013 New Year.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Sensory Clothes

Hello Everyone,

Please check out this website that sells specially designed clothes for children with unique sensory needs.

I think many of you may find it helpful.

Happy Shopping!

http://www.kozieclothes.com

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Something Fun & a Great Cause

From Daily Candy.....here's something fun and also helps a good cause:

Roma Boots

Saturday, September 1, 2012

New App Recommendations for Parents & Kids

Kids:

KidFriday-#1 Tech Podcast for Kids

Parents:

Kinder Town Educational Apps Recommended by Age & Subject

OverDrive Media Console-Download ebooks and readers online

School A to Z- Digital Tutor to help parents brush up on a variety of subjects to help their kids with their homework

Organization:

InClass-Keep track of assingments, projects, and due dates

RedLaser-Savvy Shopper



Food Allergies

Allergy Wrist Bands

AllerMates has created a resourceful website for parents, caregivers, family members, and friends of children with food allergies.  On this website you can also purchase specially created wrist bands that your kids can wear to specifically identify what foods they cannot eat.

Please check out the website: AllerMates

Bullying Tips

Here are some additional tips to help stop bullying:

1.  Talk to your children about what "bullying" is, and remind them to tell an adult if they are being bullied or if they see someone else being bullied.

2.  Remind children if they are telling an adult about a "bullying situation" they are NOT being "tattle-tails"; instead they are being a good person and a good friend to either themselves or someone that is having a tough time.

3.  If your child is having a tough time about dealing with bully situations, get on the floor with them and engage in social play and turn taking to play out bully scenarios and how to best react to those tough situations.  Use toys and incorporate the directed play to reflect your child's developmental level.  This is where a Floortime Developmental Expert can help if further assistance is needed.

DIR/Floortime Model

3.  If there are troubles at school be sure to let the school know and document all discussions.

4.  For children ages three years and up, there is a great book about friendship and how to best ignore bullies: Bad Apple by Eward Hemmingway.

"Bad Apple" by Edward Hemmingway

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

"Bullying and the Special Needs Child" a lecture by Dr. Esther B. Hess

Last night at Center for the Developing Mind, Dr. Esther B. Hess presented a community based lecture "Bullying and the Special Needs Child".  It was wonderful to see medical professionals, educators, parents, and community advocates in attendance to try and further understand, identify, and stop bullying of our children.

Please take this National Survey on Abuse of People with Disabilities  to help Spectrum Institute have a better understanding regarding abuse and bullying of people with disabilities.

www.disabilityandabuse.org/survey

Let's all work together to make a difference!

Top Weekly Book Recommendations

Here are this week's top book recommendations (in no particular order):

"Parenting from the Inside Out" by Daniel J. Siegel, MD & Mary Hartzell, M. Ed.

"Transforming the Difficult Child: The Nurtured Child Approach" by Howard Glasser, Ph.D.

"Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder" by Lucy Jane Miller, Ph.D., OTR/L

"Raising Lions" by Joe Newman

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Need Advice?

Do you have questions regarding your child's development or just need general advice regarding your child?

Here's your chance to receive FREE Developmental Expert Advice.

Please post a question on this blog or send Stephanie an email for specific individualized Developmental Expert Advice given on an as needs basis. This can be done via private and secure email correspondence, or if you prefer directly on the blog for others to view.

Please note, diagnosis of illness or specific conditions can only be made by a medical doctor. This is a free service (for a limited time) that can provide advice and recommendations related to developmentally appropriate activity ideas, answer questions about resources and treatment ideas relevant to your needs, incorporate suggestions about potential specialists that should be seen, and offer a second opinion. This is a great way to have your questions answered by a licensed and experienced professional in the privacy of your own home and at your own convenience. Advice will be detailed and may include, but not limited to: offering toy recommendations, home activity/program ideas, and/or provide help with daily challenges.

Monday, August 13, 2012

The Back to School Transition

Tips on how to transition your child back to school:

~Keep a routine as much as possible during the summer.  Try to start a routine similar to the school schedule 1-2 weeks prior to the start of the school year (earlier bed times, wake up same time, dressing, breakfast, etc.).

~Go visit the school ahead of time.

~If possible, schedule an appointment to have a school tour and meet with the teacher.

~Take pictures of the different teacher and activities. Make a social story outlining the school day routine and label the teachers by name.

~Have your child help you make a book about their new school or new class. You can have them help you glue pictures into a book, color, label pictures, write words or sentences, and/or look through the book with you.

~Use this time to talk about how the day may go and what they can expect.

Here are some links with additional advice:

http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/community-connections/back-school-its-transition-time

http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/iep-guide

http://www.centerforthedevelopingmind.com/tips-to-support-your-child-with-selective-mutism-transition-back-to-school

http://www.specialeducationadvisor.com/top-ten-back-to-school-tips-for-parents-whose-children-have-an-iep/

http://www.carolinaparent.com/articlemain.php?Tips-for-Going-Back-to-School-With-Special-Needs-2947

http://www.kidspeech.com/index.php?link_type=events&option=com_content&task=view&id=831




Please feel free to contact Stephanie Puryear via email at otpuryear@gmail.com.


NEW ONLINE SERVICE
Sign up for monthly subscription that provides specific individualized Developmental Expert Advice given on an as needs basis via private and secure email correspondence. With this subscription you will receive detailed advice on an individual basis specific to your unique needs.

Please note, diagnosis of illness or specific conditions can only be made by a medical doctor.  This is a subscription service that can provide advice and recommendations related to developmentally appropriate activity ideas, answer questions about resources and treatment ideas relevant to your needs, incorporate suggestions about potential specialists that should be seen, and offer a second opinion. This is a great way to have your questions answered by a licensed and experienced professional in the privacy of your own home and at your own convenience.  Advice will be detailed and may include, but not limited to: offering toy recommendations, home activity/program ideas, and/or provide help with daily challenges.

**Once you subscribe for this service and send an email detailing your needs, you should receive a response within 12-24 hours.


Developmental Advice




If at anytime you would like to discontinue this service you are free to unsubscribe.




Please feel free to contact us directly to inquire about the specialized services we offer:

Los Angeles, California:
Sensory Steps, Inc.
Division of Center for the Developing Mind
2990 So. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 308
Los Angeles, CA 90064

Contact: Stephanie Puryear, OTR/L, Director of Occupational and Physical Therapy Phone: (323) 761-0262 or Fax: (847) 884-9416 or Email: otpuryear@gmail.com

Chicago Suburbs in Illinois:
Sensory Steps, Inc.
Schaumburg, IL 60195

Contact: Stephanie Puryear, OTR/L, Owner and President, Director of Therapeutic Services
Phone: (847) 530-8943 or Fax: (847) 884-9416 or Email: sensorysteps@comcast.net

Sensory Steps, Inc. TM-http://www.sensorysteps.net/-(323) 761-0262 or (847) 530-8943-Center for the Developing Mind TM-http://www.centerforthedevelopingmind.com/-2990 So. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 308, Los Angeles, CA 90064         (310) 444-0111 or (310) 652-7581





Thursday, August 9, 2012

Discounted Developmental Advice Subscription Prices-TRY IT NOW!

NEW ONLINE SERVICE
Sign up for monthly subscription that provides specific individualized Developmental Expert Advice given on an as needs basis via private and secure email correspondence. With this subscription you will receive detailed advice on an individual basis specific to your unique needs.

Please note, diagnosis of illness or specific conditions can only be made by a medical doctor.  This is a subscription service that can provide advice and recommendations related to developmentally appropriate activity ideas, answer questions about resources and treatment ideas relevant to your needs, incorporate suggestions about potential specialists that should be seen, and offer a second opinion. This is a great way to have your questions answered by a licensed and experienced professional in the privacy of your own home and at your own convenience.  Advice will be detailed and may include, but not limited to: offering toy recommendations, home activity/program ideas, and/or provide help with daily challenges.

**Once you subscribe for this service and send an email detailing your needs, you should receive a response within 12-24 hours.


Developmental Advice




If at anytime you would like to discontinue this service you are free to unsubscribe.




Please feel free to contact us directly to inquire about the specialized services we offer at otpuryear@gmail.com

Let's Go to the Movies

Enjoy a family night out at the movies. AMC & Autism Society have partnered to offer "Sensory Friendly Films"on a monthly basis in select communities.

http://www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films

So let's all go to the movies!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Expert Developmental Advice Available by Subscription

NEW ONLINE SERVICE

Sign up for monthly subscription that provides specific individualized Developmental Expert Advice given on an as needs basis via private and secure email correspondence. With this subscription you will receive detailed advice on an individual basis specific to your unique needs.

Please note, diagnosis of illness or specific conditions can only be made by a medical doctor.  This is a subscription service that can provide advice and recommendations related to developmentally appropriate activity ideas, answer questions about resources and treatment ideas relevant to your needs, incorporate suggestions about potential specialists that should be seen, and offer a second opinion. This is a great way to have your questions answered by a licensed and experienced professional in the privacy of your own home and at your own convenience.  Advice will be detailed and may include, but not limited to: offering toy recommendations, home activity/program ideas, and/or provide help with daily challenges.



Developmental Advice



Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Our Amazing Country

Article from Charleston Daily Mail @ Dailymail.com about a young autistic boy who loves the United Sates and requested postcards from all over the USA.  The mail was delivered.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Specialty Books

For wonderful reading and a multi-sensory learning experience related to art, please check out:

"Touch the Art" Book Series by Julie Appel and Amy Guglielmo.









For Olympic and London related educational fun, please check out:





Thursday, July 19, 2012

Wonderful New Book-"A Special Friend"

A Special Friend is a children's book written from the point of view of a child with special needs. The illustrator has Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Please check out these links:
http://www.facebook.com/lmaspecialfriend

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120707/news/707079914/

Summer Activities

Summer Activity Ideas for Adults and Kids of All Ages

  • Go to the playground
  • Sand & Water Play
    • This can be done at the beach, some water parks, or even at home in your backyard
  • Play in the sprinklers
    • Go to a sprinkler park, or use the ones in your backyard 
  • Backyard camp out
    • Add a supervised campfire: Roast marshmallows, make s'mores, have a sing-a-long
  • Bike rides
  • Sidewalk chalk
  • Paint with water 
    • Use paint brushes, spray bottles, sponges
  • Take a walk around your neighborhood
  • Try different local community pools
  • Play outdoor sports: tag, catch, soccer, baseball, horseshoes, croquet, frisbee, golf, basketball, volleyball, swimming, running, bike riding, etc.
  • Have an indoor our outside family "dance" party
  • Take a trip to the zoo
  • Have a late night board game marathon (inside or outside)
  • Family story night-create your own and have each family member add to the story details, and keep it ongoing until everyone feels the story is complete
  • Go to a movie to stay cool
  • Go to your local library to stay cool and find some fun new books

Enjoy and have a wonderful summer!

***Remember that all of these activities can be modified and adapted if someone in your family needs extra assistance.  Check with your medical/therapy team for advice to help make the summer fun for everyone.