Thursday, April 5, 2012

News You Can Use - Volume 3

Here it is again.

Great stuff from around the interwebs.

All in one place.

All for you.

Since Easter is this weekend, how about trying this fun Easter Egg Lunch Hunt for the kids?

photo courtesy of Gluesticks

Lily is definitely motivated by food so I think this just might encourage her to look for those plastic eggs again this year.  (Click here to see how I got her to hunt last year.)

I am really liking these 12 Creative and Cute Sensory Bins and thinking we might try a couple of them out over the long weekend.

sensory07 12 Creative and Cute Sensory Bin Ideas

In my house, the countdown to summer has officially begun.  And summer means that many of us will be traveling.  Here are 7 Travel Agencies Specializing in Special Needs Travel that might make those trips just a bit easier for everyone.

And keeping those kiddos occupied while on the road or in the friendly skies is no problem for you.  Why? Because you know of 11 Online Toy Stores for Children with Special Needs that are sure to have something (or lots of things!) your child will love.

If you're a parent who worries about your child with special needs wandering away, here's some great news:  Emseeq by EmFinders can help you keep track of your child through the use of cell phone technology.

 Untitled 1 228x300 Autistic Kids Who Wander: Amazing Technology Alleviates Parents Worst Fears

The device can be worn on the wrist like a watch, or around the ankle over socks.  And here's something impressive - the device can only be removed with two hands and a key, especially important if you have a child like mine!

Now, a News You Can Use post would not be complete if we didn't talk about apps and tablet cases, right?  I am constantly looking for the best case to protect these expensive devices and Lily is almost always able to outsmart those supposedly indestructible cases and then this happens:


Just to let you know, Lily has been banned from iPad use in our home until I come up with a better solution.
  
So I'm walking through Toys R Us one day a couple of months ago and something catches my eye:  this Laugh & Learn Apptivity Case by Fisher Price.  It's for an iPhone or an iPod Touch.  
I wondered if it might work for the Bird's Touch.  Yes, it looks babyish but I knew Lily wouldn't care.  But what sold me?  It was $14.99.  I've easily spent double that (or more) on cases that have been an utter failure.  I figured $15 wasn't too much of a risk if it didn't work.  

I want you to know, that cheap case has worked better than anything else I've tried!  Lily can't take it off (nothing short of a miracle) and it's been dropped and licked and chewed and even took a quick dip in the potty and the Touch just keeps on ticking.

Best news of all?  They now have the same kind of case for the iPad.  


Oh joy!  Once I buy one, the Bird just might get to use an iPad again!

At Lily's school, they use a touch screen desk-top computer for certain tasks and the Bird loves it.  While I would love to reinforce some of those skills she's learning on that computer, the only trouble is that I don't want to buy a touch screen computer - and we've just seen how well the iPad is working for us now.  So I was super excited to discover this portable touch panel usb that turns any monitor into a touch screen!
touchscreen
photo courtesy of Tips 4 Special Kids

I'm the only person in my family that still uses my trusty Apple desktop because it has an enormous screen that I don't have to squint or reposition to see and that makes me happy.  But I'm thinking if I buy one of these touch panels, I can set Lily up at my computer and we can do some of the more educational apps without a mouse and keyboard.

And since we're on the subject, how about a great list of 32 Apps for Toddlers?  I know lots of our kiddos are no longer considered toddlers but many of these apps teach some skills that the Bird still needs to learn and practice.

Rounding out this edition are two links just for us parents.

One, a list of 25 Clever Ideas to Make Life Easier .  My personal favorites?  The rubber band around the apple and the bread tag cord labels.  Don't forget to click on the bottom of the article for 25 more clever ideas.

And lastly, alternaVites is a quick dissolving vitamin powder (think Pixie Stix) that your child just might enjoy taking, thus also making your life a little easier. 


Well, that's all folks.  

Except for this - since tomorrow is Good Friday and all my girls are home, I'll be taking the day off to hang out with them.  But I'll post a little Easter note on Saturday or Sunday so be sure to check back!  

Have a great Thursday!

10 comments:

  1. I am going to get that iPad case...I have been waiting for it since I saw the one for the iPod! This list is so helpful! I am working on the series called Therapy Secrets. I'll let you know when it's up!

    Have a great weekend!

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    1. Can't wait to see the series! I know it'll be great!

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  2. hey! I'd hunt eggs for those fun snacks!!! Let me know if the Bird needs someone to model the hunt for her!- of course, you might need two sets of eggs if that happens ;) great idea --
    I like that the ipad/ipod touch cases have built in handles too! Think anyone would judge if I carried my iphone in one??
    As for the apps, I have several of these already on my phone just for Lily, but once she locates YouTube, it's all over except for the song -- Backyardigans or some French cartoon seem to be the favs. -- but I enjoy the other apps totally. -- just sayin'

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    1. Well, maybe the list of apps shouldn't have an age guide! I'm thinking I might even make the big girls a snack in those plastic eggs - they're not too big for something that cute! :)

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  3. I'm torn on the new FP iPad case for Cam. It looks durable and it's cute but he's at a point now where he enjoys navigating different games and needs to push that little button. For the longest time, I wanted that button covered and now that I can get it covered, I need it to stay reachable. I can't win!

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  4. On the FP touch case, the strip that blocks the home button is only on one end so I just put the device in backward so Lily can get to it. I'm hoping the iPad case is the same way!

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  5. Wow... This has got to be the most in-depth news you can use EVER!

    I love the Easter egg snacks -- been lookng for a fun way to do our hunt that won't have Little Miss sugared up the rest of the day and I think we just found it!

    I hope you and yours have a happy Easter!

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    1. I put popcorn in Lily's eggs for the "practice run" and she loved it. We're doing the lunch tomorrow!

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  6. Happy Easter to the whole Rush household! I am loving this news you can use posting! The dozen eggs with the little treats is too cute not to try. We are not big egg hunters here either. T just does not want to be bothered - just give me the candy mom! He and Lily think alike!

    Love those FP cases for the iPad. Hope I can find one since T has been trying to take the old one off lately. I think the touch screen converter is awesome for Lily! Love every one of these links! Thanks Lana! :)

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