Sensitive Sam written by Marla Roth-Fisch is an engaging look at how Sam feels and interprets the world. This is a great book for little kiddos trying to understand why they feel “different” and also good for older kids to grasp sensory processing issues. The author explores many sensory situations including school - which we all know is a biggie with our kiddos. Occupational Therapy is introduced and Sam and his parents learn how to help Sam feel better and more comfortable.

This is an amazing resource for any family. Parents will benefit as well. Specially if you’re overwhelmed and having a hard time understanding how your child might be feeling. Why they’re clothes are irritating them, why they’re having negative behaviours.

The pictures are colorful and fun. You’ll love Sam! I bought my copy on Amazon, but it’s also on the Future Horizon’s website www.fhautism.com.

We’re looking forward to another great conference with Autism One. Please see their website for more information - I couldn’t get the photos to upload this morning!

jan10-autism-one12

http://www.autismone.org/category/categories/conferences/2009-chicago-conference-page

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/health/2009/12/07/chetry.childs.brain.cnn.html

I thought this was an informative and articulate study and explanation on children with autism’s brain function.  The more we understand, the better we are.

Have a great day everyone!!!!

For the month of September, our friend Dayna, has offered 100% of sales to benefit Special Needs United, our non-profit organization.  Thank you so much for your support!  Please check out her website and pick some wonderful smelling delights - I know I’ll be there:)

It’s the end of summer and the kids are all going back to school or homeschooling is back in session.  I hope you all enjoyed at least a few relaxing days with your families. 

Some fun and helpful news in the tech world is a new app for your iphone or itouch “Is that Gluten Free?”

FEATURES

- Over 13,500 VERIFIED Gluten-Free Products
- Over 300 Brands, including Private Label Grocery Store Brands
- Search by Category, Brand or Product Name
- Frequent, FREE Updates with New Products and Brands
- Searchable Ingredients Tab designating Safe, Unsafe and Possibly Unsafe Ingredients
- Handy Alphabetical Index for Categories, Brands and Ingredients
- One-touch link to the company’s website allowing you to search for more information

As someone fairly new to the Gluten Free world this can be a very helpful tool.  Navigating through the grocery store and at restaurants has become quite the task and I for one will take any help I can get. 

I’d love to hear from anyone who has brands or recipes they recommend.  We’ve got to the extreme in my house - GF/CF, dairy free and soy free - so we’re basically eating meats, fruits and vegetables.   I thought trying the diet was going to be excruciating for my child addicted to pizza and French fries and milk, but after the first week it’s been smooth sailing.  There are a plethora of amazing products to choose from and we’ve been going through trial and error. 

I’ve found giving my son a reward for his healthy eating does wonders in motivating his healthy eating.  Two treats he loves are Peanut Butter & Co’s “White Chocolate Peanut Butter,” which is sweetened with agave and is all natural, and Purely Decadent made with coconut milk non-dairy frozen dessert.  I know, that’s a mouthful, but it’s yummy and fabulous.

If you check out the “Is that Gluten Free?” app, be sure and let us know what you think. 

Okay - How COOL is this?  See article in The Autism News I got off facebook - which has ALL the good articles.  This is very exciting for our sensory sensetive kiddos.  Thank you AMC!  See you guys at the movies:)  Click on article below!

http://www.theautismnews.com/2009/07/01/autism-society-and-amc-entertainment-to-host-sensory-friendly-films-this-summer/

Britt and I talked to Jenn at Special Needs Kids Talk Radio this morning, click on link below to listen.

http://www.specialneedskidstalkradio.com/

Please check out Special Needs Kids Talk Radio for TONS of information and lots of parents, experts, authors, filmmakers all sharing information on how to help children with Special Needs kids.

Thank you Jenn for talking to us - it was a pleasure and we hope to be guests on your show again!

http://mommosttraveled.com/occupational-therapy-with-britt-collins-dvd-series/

The site is written and run by CanCan, the mother of two strapping young boys; Jojo (born 10/04) and Deeds (born 8/07). They have logged in lots of miles, traveling around the globe.  She’s got lots of great information - so check her out.  I for one loved the blog about the coconut oil, which I ordered after reading. 

Enjoy!

Hi there - we’ve got a special Autism One Radio show airing tomorrow, June 5th, 2009 on autismone.org.  Dr. Angela N. Hissong and Britt Collins, M.S., OTR/L talk about Moms!  How they need their own time, how to do this, how insurance can help, and then they go over resources, tips and suggestions.  I know I sure enjoyed the show and I was the one asking questions:)

Here’s a list of Dr. Angela N. Hissong’s recommended resources:

1. Ban Breathnach, S. Simple Abundance Series. http://www.simpleabundance.com/
2. Bateson, M. C. (1990). Composing a life. New York: Penguin Publishing.
3. Belenky, M.F., Clinchy, B.M, Goldenberger, N.R., & Tarule, J.M. (1986). Women’s ways of knowing: The development of self, voice, and mind. New York: Perseus Books.
4. de Marneffe, D. (2004). Maternal desire. New York: Little, Brown and Company.
5. Domar, A. (2000). Self-nurture. Learning to care for yourself as effectively as you care for everyone else. New York: Penguin Putnam Publishing.
6. Hasselkus, B.R. (2002). The meaning of everyday occupation. Thorofare: Slack.
7. Louden, Jen. Comfort Queen Series http://www.comfortqueen.com/
8. Morrow-Lindbergh, A. (1955). Gift from the sea. New York: Pantheon. ://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5232208
9. Ruddick, S. (1989). Maternal thinking. Boston: Beacon Press.
10. SARK Series http://www.planetsark.com/index.htm

Dr. Angela N. Hissong, OTR/L, CAPS  BIO and current information:

Dr. Angela N. Hissong is a community-based occupational therapist and faculty in the occupational therapy programs at Pennsylvania State University & Chatham University. She received a doctoral degree from Pennsylvania State University in adult education with an emphasis on feminist studies and women’s wellness. Prior to her doctoral studies, she earned a baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy from the Medical College of Virginia. She also holds a baccalaureate degree in biology focusing on health sciences and a master’s degree in special education from Shippensburg University.

Dr. Hissong sincerely attempts to facilitate ways of knowing & learning in the areas of everyday living issues for children and youth, rural women’s health and well-being, and agriculture-related disabilities. Her primary areas of research and evidence-based practice involve gleaning a better understanding of the occupational performance, challenges, and adaptations of children and youth, mothers living in rural communities, and farmers with disabilities. She resides on a small farm in south central PA with her husband, two sons, and a host of animals.

Occupational Therapy - Living Life to Its Fullest

Academic Fieldwork Coordinator

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

http://www.ma.psu.edu/ota

Mont Alto Program

Healthcare Education Specialist

AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians

http://aee.cas.psu.edu/agrab/Agrability.html

University Park

Potty training can be a difficult task for any parent, especially when your child has sensory issues. Britt will take you through ways to help families set up a sensory approach to potty training and any situation that proves difficult due to poor sensory processing abilities. *By purchasing you will also receive a Bath Time Tips newsletter and special invites to Britt’s future webinars. 

For more information please go to:

·          http://ot-advantage.webex.com (make sure to omit the www)

·         Make sure to tell the participant to click on “recorded sessions”, unfortunately no links will go to this page

·         The coupon code is: k6tk1ss5.  This is a master coupon and can be used for up to 50 people.  It will expire 30 days from 6/3/2009

·         Once on this page they can click on the title and purchase it.  It is viewable for a designated amount of days and downloadable to their PC.

I’m going to tune in and watch her live at 9am!  Thank you to Alison Boder at OT-Advantage for her amazing, informative website and special events.  It’s where I get a lot of my OT information and updates.  That woman is on it!  We’re happy to be included.