It's here!

Time to catch up, first I would like to share with you something I put together for any special needs caregiver.

Included in it are forms for keeping track of professionals, agencies, and close contacts who support you in times of need; goal-setting and organizing charts and forms that cater to anyone receiving a behavioral intervention of any kind; last but not least I couldn't leave out taking care of the #1 caregiver, whoever is probably using the pack, there is a section for bragging about your research, workshops, and more.

This pack is intended to be used over multiple different scenarios, and is flexible for multiple individuals with special needs (you may want to print duplicates of some of those forms in that case!)

The best part, is I made this pack to help myself and others WORRY LESS about staying on top of things or fumbling through long waited appointments and coming out of it empty handed.

Therapy Planner Printable Pack

Festivities!

It is closer and closer to the holidays, some have already begun, and others are only a matter of days away. At this point I would like to direct your attention to the corresponding facebook page, to this blog, whatever for? Because with the amount of unschooling that takes place in our home, particularly as the boys mature, and I learn more about being a teacher.. this place (here) is where I share meme's, homework activities, crafts, and overall philosophical goodies that truly define what homeschooling means to us, right NOW.

Gift of Curiosty is my go-to stop for free printables that are so well done, I recommend them to everyone. If it works for two different boys on the autism spectrum, there can't be many kids it won't appeal to!

 Gift of Curiosity - Christmas Printable Pack

This is an example of the basic language and logic skill sheets.

 Gift of Curiosity - Christmas Printable Pack

This is an example of the fine motor, cutting with scissors activities.

With our weekly trips to the library for books and primarily educational videos, with seasonal shows in between, we sure have been learning daily about science, social studies, and culture. 

So with that, I would like to remind anyone who is facing questions from themselves or others.. .

Busy Busy December

I have been, or simply felt very busy over the last many weeks, allergy season is upon us, and now the holidays season as well! So I don't have much to write here at the moment but I would like to share some of my collection of resources that support my needs and probably the needs of many other parents of children with things to learn.

1. Learning to read readingeggs.com
2. Well-Trained Mind support forum WTM
3. Integrative Computer curriculum technokids
4. IXL online math for all ages IXL Canada
5. occupational therapy (fine motor) planning system otplan.com
6. Learning to read starfall.com
7. Math for Boys smartstarts
8. Practical Language development ESL printables
9. Music Theory printables
10. Nutrition for pre-k homegrownfriends
11. Anxiety CBT
12. Speech development speech therapy ideas
13. Good quality behaviour charts kidpointz
14. Printable packs for Pre-K/K developmental skills gift of curiosity
15. Learn anything, credible and recognized resources no excuse list

Facebook Groups or Pages (open)
1. Sensory Processing Disorder - support and awareness group
2. Gifts of Autism
3. Crafts for Boys
4. A great homeschooler/philosopher TLH
5. Educated and Practical Autism Advice in General ADP
6. Dyslexia dyslexic kids
7. Special Needs Homeschooling
8. A special place for all kids Surviving your spirited child

 Last but not least ! Sensory Homeschooling (moi!)

Environment Changes

Let's start this blog off with a chat.. I have always been changing 'something' in our home for the sake of easier access to better alternatives to safe play.

Wall of books:
- Sensory Seeker: loves the sight of favourite characters strung along a bare wall.. he previously showed us that the bare walls are a problem by drawing all over them!
- Sensory Avoider: loves this simple storage idea that is free from swiped off a shelf, scattered on the floor, and the minimal work needed to attain a storybook

Bookcases are climbing apparatus in worst case scenarios, best case scenarios they are cleared off and used as a display shelf and play area for trains.
Bins are routinely dumped and left as a mess for the noise it makes, it helps Seeker alter auditory perceptions.

There were few alternatives left! it has been nearly a week so far, and this stays up, and lined with books. I'm going to change the selection with the holidays or with our needs and interests so its also a good place to showcase what we are learning.. and aids in them looking at academic books at their own leisure.. and also for me to pick up on unspoken interests!

Learn to Dress.. Easy Peasy Closet:
- Sensory Seeker: is understimulated here, and has little need to explore unless looking for clothes. (being its his closet, Avoider isn't relevant here..)

Dressers are climbing apparatus in worst case scenarios, best case scenarios the drawers are emptied and filled with toys.
Closets are too high for him to reach on his own, and therefore become simple nuisances and messes. This is short, and easy for him to see all his things without climbing, or having to open doors to find things.

This didn't leave many options! He is fantastic and independent at undressing, however.. since he doesn't love to be dressed, he is lagging behind in getting dressed independently. His bins are clearly labeled so putting away laundry is a task we can easily do together; there is a mirror so he can see what he is doing, and can stay self-aware; some toys and posters to fill the empty space; last but not least, there are no hazards if he does decide to climb. The bottom bin is held up by picture hooks, and the curtain rod is spring loaded. The mirror has tape over the glass, and is nailed to the wall. His 'nicer' clothes hang above, and his everyday clothes are in easy reach.