SCOOOT
New Device Gives Disabled Kids Freedom to ‘Scooot’
Scooot is a 3-in-1 rider that allows children with disabilities to move and play without an adult’s help. Scooot is the latest creation from Firefly, the online company behind the much-celebrated Upsee. Scooot doesn’t stand out as a special needs product, so it’s easier for children to join in and participate in games with other kids. It has three modes to suit different kids and it’s more affordable than most mobility products.
www.fireflyfriends.com/scooot [1]
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Kozie Snap Snap Swimwear – Maximus
This one-piece, rash guard suit features our fish print in awesome colors and longer sleeves for your little man. Kozie’s SnapMe helps children (and caretakers of children) with motor, neurological, social, and emotional challenges dress, toilet, and change: No more messy diaper changes or struggling with wet suits, just unsnap and change. Suits are full lined and have two rows of snaps for an adjustable fit.
accurate dosing!
www.kozieclothes.com/product-page/boys-kozie-snap-bathingsuit-maximus [3]
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Avaz Together app
Avaz Together is the world’s first app that can be used at home, in everyday life, to help your child learn communication faster. Avaz Together will help parents develop, teach and track their children’s communication skills. Parents can learn how their child uses different sentence structures, or strings together pictures to communicate their needs, through the app. Avaz Together is the only speech therapy tool that trains you, the parent, to help your child start communicating.
www.avazapp.com [5]
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Fun Family Travel Games
Spring break and the onset of summer prompts families to pack up the car, roll down the windows and take a road trip adventure. Many families plan vacations to help kids learn about new places and gain new experiences. The great news is that the destination travel time can be packed full of learning opportunities, too.
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Being in a car for an extended period of time can inspire feelings of shared collective adventure or sometimes can feel like an “inCARceration.” One trick to make travel time or hotel stays feel like a healthy family experience rather than captivity is to pack play products with the same priority you pack clothes.
Here are a few suggestions that will make the miles and minutes fly and memories of the journey almost as fun as getting to the destination:
1. ThinkFun – ThinkFun has many options for travel games and many games come with a cloth bag to store pieces!
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Travel Friendy Companions
Rush Hour [9] is a classic game that as survived the test of time in its popularity and will hopefully be the only traffic jam on the trip! Amaze is the perfect travel companion because this puzzle is one piece with a ton of challenges to keep kids focused (and quiet too!).
2. Smart Toys and Games- Smart Toys and Games has designed a series of travel friendly companions like their Busy Bugs [10] travel puzzle game which offers 48 challenges and four levels of play. The puzzle is magnetic and encourages young bug lovers to build logic and spatial reasoning skills. There are many other travel games that appeal to the personality and preferences of your child..
3. Downloadables – Don’t forget about the classic scavenger hunt style games like state license plates or road signs. A family road trip is a great time to talk with your kids, engage in activities and unplug (for at least part of the trip!).
Reviewed by Ahren Hoffman, Manager of Industry Relations & Partnerships, National Lekotek Center
Helpful Books for Parents of Children with Special Needs
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Body Safety Education — A parents’ guide to protecting kids from sexual abuse’
by Jayneen Sanders ,Upload Publishing, Ltd.
This step-by-step guide is for parents and carers so they know how to protect children from sexual abuse through personal Body Safety Education. This guide contains simple, practical and age-appropriate ideas, as well as important information about how abusers groom as well as signs a child may be being sexually abused. This book is an invaluable guide for parents, caregivers, teachers and healthcare professionals.
Buy it at Amazon.com [12].
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A Manual for Marco
by Shaila Abdullah, Loving Healing Press
This confronting, yet touching book about sibling love, is perfect for children who are having trouble coping with an autistic brother or sister. From the viewpoint of an 8 year old sister, the book shares the day-to-day life with her brother. The author makes a list of the things that she thinks make him “special” and “not-so-special” and creates a “Manual for Marco”.
Buy it at Amazon.com [14].
Do you have a product you would like to share with our readers? Send an email to [email protected]
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Shop [15]
Toy Ideas
- 100 + “Mom Approved” Gifts for Kids with Special Needs [16]
- 9 Great Toddler & Preschooler Toys for Kids with Special Needs [17]
You May Also Like
- Toys“R”Us: Safe Play Tips for Children with Special Needs [18]
- The Upside of Making Your Own Educational Toys [19]
- TOY Safety? [20]
- The Taming of the Toys [21]
- Language and Literacy Learning: Success With Technology [22]
- Interactive Technology May Be a Double-Edge Sword for Children [23]
- Digital Safety: An Ongoing Conversation [24]
- Life-Changing Apps for People with Disabilities [25]
This post originally appeared on our March/April 2015 Magazine [26]