The Christmas season is upon us! We all like making and enjoying seasonal traditions, but sometimes things can be overwhelming for kids who have sensory differences. The following activities are autism-friendly, in the sense that it’s possible to find quiet spaces when you need one, or choose how much time you want to spend, or choose times when things are […]
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“Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.” -O. Fred Donaldson What would you think if your school told you that they had a plan to help your child with autism make friends and enjoy playing with them? Most of us have fond memories of times we enjoyed stretching our imaginations with our friends. […]
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Credit for this topic goes to Marlaine Willborn, a retired speech therapist in Winnipeg, who demonstrated the use of ideas from ‘Giggle Time: Establishing a social connection’ by Susan Aud Somers. Play is how children learn, and most adults want to play with their children. Sometimes we can feel that our children don’t really want to play with us. Many […]
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As we’ve said before, our Manitoba winters are long! We’ve created a list of outdoor fun, but sometimes even the toughest of us need a break from the cold. In recognition of that fact, we’re providing a list of more places to play – this time indoors. Indoor Playgrounds Indoor playgrounds come with many of the benefits of outdoor ones […]
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Christopher Ulmer is a special education teacher. In his third year of working with the same class of students, he wanted to highlight what he saw in his students – their brilliance, humor, and beauty. His first idea was a book in which his students would explain life from their perspectives, but when that didn’t work out, he started videotaping and […]
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We are Manitobans, and winter is long! So a bit of cold weather shouldn’t mean we get stuck inside. There are lots of ways to get out and embrace the season, and here is a list of excellent places to visit. The best ones offer an opportunity to learn something, try something you haven’t done before, or build up skills […]
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We love stories – here’s one about a mother and her child, learning to communicate and problem-solve through play. My son has begun his Autism Outreach therapy. For those of you unfamiliar with it – it’s a developmental therapy offered for children with autism. And it’s basically using play to help kids hit those developmental milestones. Our therapist is amazing. […]
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Outdoor play is good for kids. It’s a natural form of exercise, it encourages kids to stretch their capabilities, physically and in their imaginations. Being outdoors helps with sensory and emotional regulation. Playgrounds provide settings that facilitate interaction and communication, as well. It’s good for parents to be outside too, providing a break in home routines and an opportunity for […]
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Originally published on RDI Connect. Those of us raising children in Canada are keenly aware of and attuned to the seasons and their impact on the flow of our daily lives. There is nothing like living through a harsh, bitterly cold winter, then being able to throw off our winter boots and mitts on the first warm, sweet spring day. […]
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Summer has finally come, and many of us are thinking about how to make the summer days both fun and productive. Here are three principles that will guide our family’s summertime choices: 1. Build on Their Interests When our kids are interested in something, they’re often really interested. This can either be a problem or an opportunity. Paula Kluth’s book […]
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