I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream

Impromptu dance parties are a favorite for our family.  We have the different gaming systems with the "just dance" programs but have found the same "dance" videos on You Tube.  Watching them on You Tube is much quicker for us, our TV is connected to our computer so we can pull up videos within seconds.


It is very touching watching all the kids, no matter the age, dancing, singing and laughing together - ability and coordination doesn't matter as they are just having fun.

Today we decided to mix it up and had our dance party while making "Ice cream in a bag"

What you need:

Ice cubes (1/2 fill each large ziploc bags)
1/2 cup rock salt
1 medium size ziploc bag
1 large size ziploc bag
1 cup half and half
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla

Optional: 1 tsp chocolate syrup or strawberry syrup, for flavored ice cream.

Directions:
Combine sugar, half and half, and vanilla in medium ziploc bag then seal tightly.  Add optional flavors if you want a flavored ice cream before sealing.

Place salt and ice in large ziploc bag, then place sealed smaller bag in large bag.  Seal large bag.  Now shake the bags until the mixture hardens (about 5-10 minutes).  We danced while shaking our ice cream making the time go faster.  Feel the small bag to determine when it's done.

When done take the smaller bag out of the larger bag and enjoy your ice cream right out of the bag.

Working myself out of a job

It seems today that so many children are raised with their parents doing everything for them.  When my children arrived at college they were shocked to learn that their roommates do not know how to cook a meal, wash their clothing, make an appointment, etc.  Some of their friends even had their parents doing their college assignments for them.  I feel as parents,  it is our job to teach children these skills and many more.  When parenting any child I feel we are doing them a disservice if we don't start teaching them these skills as early as possible.  With children with special needs it may take a very very long time for these skills to be mastered so we need time on our side, so start early.  The more that a child is able to do the less you have to do for them as an adult.  This may be the difference for an individual with special needs being fully dependent to semi independent.

Start teaching life skills, as early as possible, as it takes longer for individuals with special needs to master skills.  Young children have a desire to do what the adults in their lives are doing so take advantage of that. In our family we do not "hold" the children back if they haven't mastered one skill but want to try another. If the skill they are wanting to try is to difficult then we break it down to smaller parts. For example we have a few that are not able to dress themselves however they are able to sort their dirty laundry.  Some aren't able to bath themselves but do wash "some" dishes. By attempting these different life skills the child is building new strengths that will hopefully help in mastering the deficits in their other skills.  I feel learning these skills are like "practical" therapy that will bring our children further in life.

 We have laundry baskets for dark and light colored clothing just outside of the bedrooms and have the children put their dirty clothing in the baskets.  Our 2 year old is able to put his clothing in the basket, he doesn't sort but has mastered putting his dirty clothing in the basket (and then pulling it out and doing it over and over because it is fun to him).  Building his coordination and strength. As the children get older they are able to sort their laundry between dark and light. Color recognition  When they show an interest (want to help) in using the washing machines and dryers we encourage that.  Have them put the clothing in or take it out.Gross motor/heavy work.  Show them how to turn the machine on.  We have a chart on our machine with step by step directions how to turn on the machine.  We have put color coded stickers on the machine so they can independently turn on the machine.  following directions, color matching, fine motor skills.  

When it comes to washing dishes we fill up 2 sinks and only work on dishes that are safe for them to handle.  They will wash the dishes and then pass them to us to "rinse/re wash".  While working on this we are labeling items and chatting.  fine motor skills, speech, sensory.  Putting cutlery away is similar in concept to a shape sorter which works great and is practical for an older child.  At meal times we teach them how to set the table and encourage them to clear their own dishes.  We have a picture of a place setting that the children will take from spot to spot at the table and then lay out the cutlery.  fine motor, matching

As with all activities, you need to ensure what you are having your child do, is safe for their abilities but encourage your child to help and learn new skills.   Spend the time now "working yourself out a job"  it will be more work for you teaching them but in the long run your child will be better off.

When traditional swimming lessons aren't enough

The kids have been busy learning to swim which has been proving to be a very labor intensive endeavor for some.  Learning to swim has always been a priority for our family especially since we live at a lake.

With many of our kids they took swimming lessons each summer of their childhood in the lake.  Our community has a section of the lake that is like a "pool" with a wharf around it, a slide, diving boards and life guards/instructors. At the beginning of summer each year the water was always freezing cold so the children would have hot chocolate after each class and by the end of summer you had trouble getting them out of the water.

For some they also participated in a recreational swim team during the fall/winter/spring at a local indoor pool. Practicing weekly for 2 plus hours each session really increased their swimming skills.  We would also visit different public pools for family swimming.  With all this swimming all but one became very competent swimmers and then we adopted our sibling group of 7 which are proving for us that swimming is a challenge.
We have needed to change how we have been teaching swimming as we have 8 children struggling to learn.  Our almost 19 year old has been taking multiple sessions of lessons every year for 13 years now and still struggles to get across the width of the pool.  When she gets tired she just stops swimming, she does not have a fight or flight reflex so when combined she stops swimming, she sinks to the bottom of the pool and then needs to be rescued.  Unless she has someone directly with her she must wear a life jacket so she can happily bob along in the water.

The other 7 children all have uncontrolled seizure disorders along with a multitude of other challenges and are still relatively young.  Of this group the 5 that are being home schooled plus their almost 19 year old sister are currently taking semi private swim lessons.  With a few phone calls (actually quite a few) we were blessed to secure the ultimate lesson set up for this group.  Our 6 children (assuming they haven't had a seizure yet that day) are the only people in the pool with their 3 instructors.  This set up has been working amazingly well as the kids are being well supported, they aren't as overwhelmed as they would be at a busy pool and they are having fun with the hope of learning how to swim.

When planning activities for your child (especially if they have special needs) think outside of the box.  If something isn't working talk to people and see if you can find a solution that works.  Don't give up keep trying!  Please comment and let me know of different solutions that you have come up with for things that weren't working for your child.

shared at http://www.growinghomeblog.com/growing-homemakers-link-141-2/
http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2014/04/t2t-linkup-98.html
http://abidingwoman.com/
http://http://teachingwhatisgood.com//
www.aboverubies.ne

The power of pets

Family pets can be a great addition to any family.  We have found with many special needs in our family that pets have been a tremendous support for the individuals with these needs.  Your average domestic pet can provide many therapeutic and health benefits.

Having adopted 13 children over the years a lot of grief and loss has been processed throughout this time.  Our dogs and cats are always loving and present when needed providing a great sense of security.  Pets never judge, they don't talk back, they just sit and listen while soaking up the attention of being stroked, cuddled and held.  The pets have been there for each child as they processed all the emotions that go along with adoption.

One of our daughters with autism does not like to engage with people however she will spend hours speaking to our cat O'Malley.  She will be playing with her toys and pass him some to play with while he lies next to her listening to her.  While speaking with our animals she is learning how to interact and give commands so the animal will listen.  This same cat will be there while the kids are doing their school work or if someone isn't feeling well.  This cat loves everyone but has a special knack of being there when needed.

For our children with limited strength and mobility the dogs have supported them in a therapeutic way.  Brushing a large dog is teaching how to care for the animal but also provides an opportunity for stretching and building strength with the brushing motion.  The need for a dog to be exercised is an engaging way to motivate a child this exercise could be in the form of a walk, playing fetch, agility classes etc.

There is also the benefit from having to take responsibility for something other than yourself.  We have children with limited skills that are responsible for feeding the animals (with supervision).  Scooping up the dry food and pouring it into the pets bowl is a challenge but gives a great sense of accomplishment.

Of course the children and pets involved must both be taught how to behave with one another to make these interactions beneficial to both parties.

shared at http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/

http://sewcraftyangel.blogspot.ca/2014/04/turn-it-up-tuesday-sew-crafty-angel.html#more

http://www.lovethatmax.com/

http://mamadecreations.com/fantastic-friday-link-29/

Therapeutic horseback riding

When we first looked into therapeutic horseback riding both my husband and I thought it was just a way for horse enthusiasts to encourage/justify horse riding.  Really how much benefit could someone get from sitting on a horse.  We were mistaken the benefits are real and the kids are having fun while gaining these benefits.

Just by sitting on a moving horse the children's muscles are being worked as the horse moves.  While on the horse the children are encourage to sit up straight and in the center of the horse which is working on core strength and balance.  Depending on the riders abilities they may have a side walker on each side of the horse holding the riders leg, a lead person guiding the horse and an instructor running the lessons.  They are taught right from the start to use their voice (if able) and body to tell the horse what they would like the horse to do ie. squeeze their legs and say "walk on".  As their abilities increase so does what is expected from the child - they progress from just sitting to sitting and holding the reins, once holding the reins is mastered they start directing the horse with the reins.  What a huge boost to the child's self esteem and confidence it is when they realize they are commanding this huge animal and it is responding to their directions.

The rider is also learning sequencing, patterning and motor planning - the riding ring has letters on the walls and the instructor will give directions of where to ride.  For example ride from a to b and then cross over to d.  The child is learning with support of side walkers and the horse leader how to follow these directions.

In our family 5 children ride weekly and it is a highlight of their week.  When its Emma's turn to ride she gets to the riding block and yells at the top of her lungs for her horse to come.  Nicole cannot get on her horse fast enough.  Normally Nicole only speaks to people she really knows well when the mood strikes her but while up on the horse she transforms into a very chatty little girl speaking with everyone. Kayley has progressed that she doesn't need side walkers or a person leading the horse, she guides the horse with the reins and body movements.

The benefits of riding are incredible and I have only touched on a few of the many benefits.  We are very thankful that our children can participate in this program which is run mainly by volunteers.  Without the support of all these amazing volunteers our children would not have this sort of opportunity so a big shout out "thank you to all the volunteers".