Sensory toys are a wonderful gift for any child, but they are especially great for children with sensory difficulties. Be those hyper or hypo senses (or most commonly a combination of hypo and hyper senses) The unfortunate part of wanting to give a child sensory toys is the cost typically associated with them. I find that many companies that offer them as specifically “sensory toys” do so at exorbitant prices.  Now that’s not to say that our children are not worth it! As far as I’m concerned my children are worth anything and everything. However, I do not currently have a money tree in my backyard, and so the less I spend on each item means the more I can get them in general. So below are some of the ways that I am using to create an entire sensory area for under $200.

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When parents separate they are often surprised at the changes they see in their children’s behavior. While granted some changes can and often are due to the emotions they are trying to process from such a huge change as their parents separation as long as they are given support to help them deal with the change coupled with the knowledge that each parent loves them they will eventually be okay with the change from one home to two. However once they are accepting of the change, you can be baffled by the child’s poor choices within each home, all you want is harmony within your blended family.

It is at that time that the tips below can be very helpful to restore the harmony that comes from all of the family members being in sync with one another and with the goals, and expectations of both homes.

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It’s that time of year again, the nights are getting colder, there’s a distinct chill in the air in the early mornings, and days are getting shorter. With every season change comes the cleaning out of dressers, but what to do with those clothes that no longer fit? Typically I give my children’s “too smalls” to various people through a group called Freecycle. It lets me post what I have to offer for free to people who are local to me who can pick up my offerings. Emails are exchanged and I know that someone else is getting good use out of things I (or in this case my kids) don’t need anymore. But with their clothes, I always find myself reluctant to give away a couple of pieces.

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We all know that our children are supposed to eat a well-balanced diet. We are all aware of our national food guides such as the Canada Food Guide (depending on your country of residence yours might be different) No matter what nation’s official food guide you follow, they all say the same thing about fruits and vegetables: That they are healthy and that multiple servings of different colors should be consumed every day. There are numerous studies out there that state the same thing. But what happens when you have more than just a picky eater?

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I have heard many specialists and doctors quote a lack of empathy as something that is naturally occurring in autistic children and I completely and utterly disagree. I think that the problem is not a lack of empathy, it is instead directly related to the diminished social skills a person with Autism often possesses. I believe that children with autism have just as much empathy as neuro-typical children, the difference is that they have a lack of understanding as to how to show or convey that empathy.

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Recipe for parenting: While baking the other night, I realized that I parent essentially the same way as I bake. I have a good understanding of what results various ingredients produce. I have absolutely no concern with getting my hands dirty. I know that if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right, so I’m willing to put some serious effort into my endeavors.

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When my youngest son was diagnosed with autism, the developmental pediatrician asked if we would consider getting him tested for fragile x syndrome. He was tested for fragile x syndrome because the chances of having a second child with autism is supposed to be no more than 18% if both children share both biological parents, it’s even lower if they only have one biological parent in common.

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It’s a somewhat familiar routine, your child comes bounding into the room filled with excitement as they proudly exclaim “Mom I made a new best friend” Sometimes upon further questioning they aren’t sure what the other child’s name even is, what they like or even when they’ll see/play with that child again.

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While I respect that you as their biological mother might rather your child not bond with me, I don’t know your reasons for sure; Perhaps you are upset at how it all went down between you and your ex. Perhaps you don’t know enough about me as a person and are wary of what kind of influence I’ll be on your child. Perhaps you are worried about your child sharing their affections between us. Perhaps you just don’t like me for other reasons.

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  I have heard the term “helicopter parent” as most of you probably have as well.  I will happily admit that I tend to be one with my children. I know that often our society suggests that helicopter parents are trying in some unhealthy by proxy way to achieve the goals and dreams they were not able to achieve in their own lives prior to having children.

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I have no official title prior to my name other than “Mrs.” and I do not have any letters after my name. These facts do not however give an indication of my level of intelligence. The reverse is true as well; having letters after your name or a specific title does not guarantee that you have the intelligence to do great or even good things with it becuase quite honestly formal education is not a guarantee of intelligence.

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I was reading a post on Facebook from a special needs parent that does not get invited out anymore for “girl’s nights out” and how lonely she feels because of this. It got me thinking about the last time I was invited out, and well it’s been awhile.

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3 years ago I was married and officially became a step-mother to 2 girls. Going from one child to 3 was a monumental change. But it wasn’t just a big change in the ways that I had imagined.

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My son told me he doesn’t smile at people because he doesn’t think he’s handsome. He told me he doesn’t like the way he looks and that if he could, he would change his face and body. Oh how those words hurt. See I’ve struggled for years with my body image. I know that the majority of adults out there can say the exact same thing.

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They say money can’t buy you happiness, but can it buy you friends? While most people know the obvious answer to that is a firm “No” Sometimes people on the spectrum have more trouble with the concept of buying friendship doesn’t work.

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