Finished Project

The first attempt didn't come out like I expected, so I went back to the drawing board and the next try was great!

I have one done with a Finding Nemo pattern and the next one will be a Winnie The Pooh pattern. Can't wait to try this again.

Here is the finished project! I used my son as a model.

New Project

I am excited to start on this new project today. I have gathered all of my materials and will be starting to put it all together shortly.

This project is geared toward light sensitivity. I was able to procure some of the materials for free from my ophthalmologist's office!

I will post the finished product later today.

New Project

This one turned out great! I took a store bought cut out and mounted it onto a piece of balsa wood.
It gives it dimension and also creates a visual stimulus for the child. Trains!

I will be experimenting with making masks for my next project. Something fun that those sensitive to light can use to block out that stimulus. Creating an immediate calming effect is the goal.

Here are the pictures!

New Mediums

I found a new medium that I have added to two of my projects. It is ridged shelf liner and it is clear.

It is very easy to cut and work with. I like that it is clear, especially for the sword so the brown handle can be seen.

I also had a situation occur with one of Tyler's peers. It was a comment that made me stop and realize that not everyone is educated on what Autism is all about. When you try to explain things as complex as Autism to younger children, they don't always grasp the concept. I think of Tyler as an equal to his peers, but he learns differently. If anyone has any thoughts or ideas on how to convey this better to a group of eight to ten year old children without them referring to "the special kid", please post!

Here are the pictures.

I am excited about this next project. I was able to get a paint stick for free when I went to Ace. I cut and sanded it to look like a sword.

Then, I painted it and added the shelf liner as a medium on the handle. It is the perfect size for little hands to grasp.

I also have learned that a few of the therapist here in Lake Havasu, AZ, have adopted the concept for the silicone hand animals. I am anxious to see what they report!

I have had a few suggestions since starting this blog. I really liked one of them that came from my son's teacher.

I found a small lock that was smooth and used shelf liner to attach around it. I will make some more interchangeable pieces to go with it.

Locks are easy to use and can help with fine motor skills!

Here are the pictures.

I will try to find a larger lock as this one is relatively small and might cause frustration.

I went on a shopping trip to Ace Hardware today and came across something interesting. It is a silicone hand gripper for the oven.

Immediately after I saw it, I knew that it would be a perfect project. It is green and reminded me of a hand puppet.

It has ridges on the inside or the mouth for my project. I decided to turn it into an alligator or crocodile. It is soft enough to gently grasp little fingers or toes.

Here are the pictures!

This was an awesome find!

 

I decided to experiment with gorilla glue for my first project. I am not sure if I will be using it again.

 

I also did not find a lot of pre cut shapes on my first shopping trip, however this is the basic idea. I used a fluffy fleece fabric for this first trial and will need to brainstorm a little as it is difficult to work with.

 

I do have several other fabrics and some plastic textures that I will be using on future examples. After a few trial and error projects, I am sure that a good design will emerge.

 

I may try to mount the shapes on a square piece of wood as this may make it easier for me to attach and detach the different texture pieces. I will keep posting examples as they are completed.

I have been buzzing with ideas the past few days and encourage anyone who reads this blog to comment with any ideas, suggestions, or requests. I will be posting some pictures soon of a few projects I have started once they are completed.

I am concentrating on tactile sensory projects right now, but will be expanding to other sensory areas. A lot of those with autism suffer from sensitivity to light and sound as well as touch.

I would also like to note that if there are any questions at all about autism, please ask! This blog will also be used as a support group for others who are dealing with or have dealt with family members or friends with autism.

This is a chance for parents or caregivers to share their experiences and offer help to others. I will ask that no derogatory remarks be made. There is no such thing as a stupid question and I myself have been through some difficult times.

Listed below are websites that have some great information on them! When there is a community behind us, anything is possible.
www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism
www.autism.com/symptoms_sensory_overview
www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/tactile-defensiveness.html

Hello! I am currently studying to become an occupational therapist.  Our youngest child, Tyler, has autism. I left my job as a medical assistant to stay home with him once he started kindergarten. He is now in second grade.

When he was younger, he had some issues with the weights the occupational therapist used for his therapy. I decided to make some fun covers for the weights with dinosaurs on them, which are his favorite toys.

 He was more receptive to the weights once he saw the covers, because they were dinosaurs. I had made a few extra covers in other patterns and gave them away to other clients of our occupational therapist.

Now that Tyler is older, he has fewer struggles with sensory issues. However, I still have to pull out his sensory brush once in a while when he is feeling overwhelmed.

I thought about integrating some of the tactile mediums we used when he was younger with toys. If the child has something which they consider fun, why not use that as an advantage.

 It would make them more receptive to touching the different mediums and make their perception of that particular sensation more positive.

This can transfer into all aspects of life. For instance, using a toothbrush. If you incorporated a particular medium onto the handle of a favorite character themed toothbrush and let them get used to that, they may be more inclined to brush their teeth.

I am hopeful that by using a child’s particular interest or favorite character, it will engage them to step beyond their boundaries. Making progress fun is the ultimate goal.