Bridge School Shares Halloween Costume Secrets

The Bridge School, located in Hillsborough, California, has put together some great ideas for Halloween costumes for special needs kids, especially ones in wheelchairs. Betsy, Clay’s Mom who we understand is the costume creator supreme every year has compiled her ideas along with contributions - instructions, materials needed - from other Bridge School parents to create a “how-to” manual which we have posted for you on our Special Kids Place website. It is a chance to let your “little ghost or goblin” share Halloween fun with friends and family as never before. Check it out.

Yay…I can communicate!

Colin is learning cause and effect skills using a computer and a switch.

Colin has started to work on Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) techniques with Assistive Technology expert, Alisha Magilei, from Dynamic Therapy Solutions. Colin is learning about cause and effect skills using computers – a Stealth computer loaded with “Nursery Rhymes” from Inclusive Technology and a Mac loaded with the software, “Rad Sounds” and “Child Switch It Progressions” from RJ Cooper. The computer gives prompts and directions supplemented by consistent prompts from Alisha like “Make it work” and then Colin responds by activating the Tash switch, which is connected by the switch adapter to the computer. He is learning how to make these choices using multiple switch sites (hands, head, feet).  Today he is indicating these preferences using his head - his most accurate movement at this time.  

In this photo, Alisha places a switch at the right side of Colin’s head, far enough away to ignore his involuntary head/body movements.

Creating a story about Humpty Dumpty, Colin, uses his head movement to make his choice between a “green boat” or a “motorcycle.” Colin makes his choice by listening to the auditory prompts provided by the Nursery Rhymes software and looking at the computer.  He chooses the fast motorcycle for Humpty to drive.  

In this image, Colin is listening to “Rad Sounds” an RJ Cooper software program and responding to prompts on his Mac computer - he was so excited! Now to activate the switch…

He did it!  Yay! Colin gets his body to move!  He moves his head to his right to activate the switch and makes contact!  Good Job Colin!

Note:  Our thanks to Alisha Magilei from Dynamic Therapy Solutions, located in Northridge, California.

Time for School

Colin's backyard becomes an outdoor classroom.

Today was the perfect day for a lesson about the coming Fall season.  Teacher Patty sat Colin in his beanbag under the shady Mulberry tree.  They talked about the crinkly falling leaves, the squirrel scampering across the lawn, the birds looking for seeds in the grass.  Teacher Patty picked up leaves from the lawn and placed them on a baking tray where Colin could touch them along with a small furry stuffed squirrel.  Teacher Patty sang a song about the birds.  She also read to Colin from a picture book or two that she had  brought with her.  Colin liked his outdoor classroom.

It's Fun to be 7!

Colin celebrated his 7th birthday doing some of his favorite things...practicing yoga, kicking balloons and eating cupcakes.  His sister, Claire gave him an iPod which she loaded with his favorite music and audio books.  He also got a new big-boy bed and the rest of the family is contributing to his new Kidwalk  -  a gait trainer that allows Colin propel himself while being in an upright position.  

Happy Birthday, Colin!!!

Flash cards are fun!

Colin likes to use the “Look at Me" Mirror Discovery Cards that Teacher Patty brought today. The mirrored flash cards allow Colin to watch and see himself and they provide a way for him to learn how people and animals communicate. It’s fun to hear Teacher Patty make the animal sounds, and she always tries to engage Colin to imitate them. 


In addition, Colin continues to work on his fine motor skills by learning to hold the flash cards.

The Baby Einstein "Look at Me" Mirror Discovery Cards include 19 disc cards.

Exploring textures and shapes is fun

Colin wonders, " What surprises will be in my sensory bin today?"

© Special Kids Place

Today, Colin’s occupational therapist, Rebecca Anderson from Los Angeles Unified School District, worked on tasks that would provide a meaningful sensory experience for Colin.

The lesson took place in the eating area adjacent to the kitchen. Colin was sitting in his new Ormesa Bug: http://www.adaptivemall.com/newbugsesy.html seating system, which continues to add to the success of each of Colin’s daily activities...from eating to learning to playing or just hanging out.

Becky brought various types of materials to put into the sensory bin – a plastic shoebox - that she planned to use. However, the sides of the bin were too tall for Colin to easily reach inside and touch the materials. Angela Pichinte, Colin’s caregiver, brought out what she usually uses for the sensory bin, a baking tray; and the size and shape was perfect for the lesson. Becky tempted Colin with various sizes of birdseed that he could feel with his fingers, plastic golf balls that he could roll and hold and small toys that could easily fit into his hand.

Colin likes to feel different textures and looks forward to his daily sensory adventure.

NOTE: Please send your comments, questions and suggestions to our new email address:teamcolin@specialkidsplace.org.

Light, Sight, Action...

Colin explores circles, squares and triangles with his light box.

© Special Kids Place

Today Colin and Julia Russo, teacher of the visually impaired, from Los Angeles Unified School District, worked with the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) Light Box #2. Colin sat in his new Bug Seating System. The Bug, made by Ormesa, was perfect for the fine motor activity that the lesson required and made a real difference in how Colin performed. With the vest attachment in place, Colin was able to have upper trunk support, thereby allowing him to focus his energy on his visual performance.

First, Julia slightly darkened the room by adjusting the window shutters. This was done to reduce the surrounding visual distractions - the morning sunlight, the toys, the objects on the wall.

Julia then plugged the APH light box in a nearby electrical outlet and set it on the tray of the chair, talking to Colin and explaining to him what they were going to do for today’s lesson. They talked about shapes… circles, squares and triangles, and Julia assisted Colin as she traced the outline of each shape with his hands. Then they felt the raised edges on the shapes. They matched like shapes. They matched shapes by colors, red and yellow, which are especially good for children like Colin who suffer from Cortical Visual Impairment. Each time Julia visits Colin, she leaves a note for Colin and a special note to his parents. Today’s note to Colin was shown on his light box. It was an amazing lesson.

NOTE: Please send your comments, questions and suggestions to our new email address: teamcolin@specialkidsplace.org