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Want to find crafty ideas to make your own assistive technology solutions?  How about ways to adapt play for your child with special needs?  You can find these tips and more, shared by SNEAK, via the colorful, fun, and visually easy interface of Pinterest!  Here's how!

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Tips for Choosing & Using Apps for Kids with Special Needs

Finding the right apps for your child with special needs can be an overwhelming task.  At times, the search can also feel like a shot in the dark since many app developers offer little insight into the look and feel of their apps.  This leaves us, as consumers, with limited information prior to taking the purchase plunge.  As mobile technology consumers with the best interests of our special kids in mind, we want to make educated choices when it comes to these apps.  After all, the "Ah, it's only 99 cents, what have I got to lose?" idea only goes so far, especially when that $.99 turns into $29.99, $249.99 and so on. :)

Figuring out the best way to support children with special needs as they use this wonderful technology can also be daunting, and at tines, the importance of scaffolding from savvy and supportive facilitators (the would be you:) is overlooked.  Many apps can help children develop new skills, but they are all utterly useless without the proper support from a facilitator (e.g., parent, teacher, therapist).

Here are a few general tips to guide you through the process of choosing and using apps for children with special needs:

Find Apps on Blogs and App Review Sites Before You Buy: The App Store offers just a snapshot of information about Apps, and since the descriptions are written by the developers, they are quite bias. Many times, Apps will have no reviews or few reviews in the App Store.  Many blogs and review sites offer a more detailed, hands-on description and critique of apps. Here are a few great sites that offer reviews of educational apps for kids with special needs:

Bridging Apps (formerly SNApps4Kids)

Smart Apps for Kids
Moms With Apps
Apps for Children with Special Needs (a4cwsn)
Therapy Apps 411

Be sure to visit "SNEAK's Fav Blogs" and "SNEAK's Fav Links" on the SNEAK homepage for more great sources for App reviews.

Connect with Developers:  Many of the developers who create the Apps we use have websites of their own that you can connect to through the App Store.  Going to developer websites helps you gain further information on particular Apps.  It also helps you see what Apps are coming up from that developer and what other Apps they make that you might want to check out.  Sometimes, developers will even have more screen shots and/or videos that let you get a better idea of the App you are interested in.  Sign-up for email updates from App developers you like so you know when they release new Apps.  Don't be afraid to email developers if you have specific questions.  I have found that most are very willing to talk about their Apps and how appropriate they might be for your child. Some of my favorite developers include:

Grasshopper Apps
Toca Boca
Duck Duck Moose

Check for a Lite Version:  Many of you may be well aware of the "Lite" or free versions of Apps.  More app developers are starting to provide this version for their Apps so that users can try before they buy.  However, the Lite version of Apps doesn't always come up first, so you may have to include it in your search terms.

Watch Video Demos When Possible:  Search You-Tube or App developer websites for video demos and video tutorials.  Add "You Tube" or "video" to your search terms on Google and other search engines in addition to the App title in order to limit your results to just videos.  Videos are an awesome way to see if an App is appropriate for your child.  Check out "SNEAK's Peeks" for video demos of Apps as well (I promise to add more videos soon!:)

Ask Around:  Don’t be afraid to reach out to other parents and professionals in your community and/or   through online forums (blogs) by asking questions about specific apps.

Play With a Purpose:  Most, if not all apps, can be used to target a variety of skills when supported by the right guidance.  Work with the therapists, teachers, and others who support your child to see how you can modify App play to promote your child's development of language, speech, fine motor skills, social skills and cognitive skills.  Incorporate real-world activities around the themes and language in the Apps you present to your child.  For example, Playing Toca Kitchen together to model pretending with toy kitchen items and food and then playing with a toy kitchen set works on
refining real-world skills by creating opportunities to experience what is seen on the App.  Technology is a great stage for practice, but real-world experience is the ultimate tool to build long lasting skills.

How do you find great Apps for your child with special needs?  

UTW Tip #3: Connecting to Special Needs Resources Through Twitter

I have to admit, I have been rather resistant to Twitter, and it isn’t MY favorite way to connect with information. Bu,t for some, it really is a simple, fast, and fun way to explore real-time news. I’m warming up to it . :) Are you using Twitter right now, but you just don’t know how to connect with the special needs related information that you want? Or maybe you have no idea what on earth a Tweet is and you keep wondering what all the fuss is about? In this post, let’s explore what Twitter is, how it works, and how you can get what you need from it when it comes to special needs resources. 

In my last post on Connecting with Special Needs Resources Through Blogs, I tried to paint a picture of what a blog is and what characteristics about blogs make them an attractive tool for staying in the special needs loop. Keeping with that blog theme, let’s think of Twitter as a microblog, a smaller version of a blog-smaller in a few, figurative and literal ways. Straight from “the bird’s” mouth: “Twittter is a real-time information network that connects you to the latest stories, ideas, opinions, and news about what you find interesting” (Twitter.com). So like blogs, Twitter is focused on topics, and like blogs, twitter brings information to you without you having to visit individual sites when content is updated (i.e., “real-time). So what makes Twitter different form the other social media tools we have discussed so far this week (i.e., Facebook, Blogs)? Twitter brings you a smaller snapshot (a “Tweet”) of a news story than a blog. Again from the Twitter bird’s mouth “At the heart of Twitter are small bursts of information called ‘Tweets’. Each Tweet is 140 characters long, but don’t let the small size fool you- you can discover a lot in a little space. You can see photos, videos, and conversations directly in Tweets to get the whole story at a glance, and all in one place” (Twitter.com). This relatively smaller scale makes Twitter a nice way to receive small bits of information at one time and then decide which bits to explore further. For those of you in a time crunch, this could be just the ticket. So how does it work and how can you connect with the topics you’re interested in? 

  Here are a few tips:

• First thing, if you haven’t already, open a Twitter account. Like Facebook, it is completely free of change and only takes a moment. Once you have an account, you will have to teach Twitter what you’re interested in. 
• You can share a bit about yourself and your interests in your Twitter profile so that others know what you want to know about. However, this isn’t required to explore Twitter and connect with others, so you can always choose to keep these details private. 
• Everyone in Twitter has a username that is preceded by the @ symbol. For example, the username for SNEAK outside the box on Twitter is @sneakotb. Look for Twitter usernames on many of the printed resources you receive from special needs organizations already. Like with Facebook, most companies, organizations, and even blogs have Twitter accounts that they use to share information. Once you know their usernames, you can “Follow” them on Twitter to stay connected. “Following” someone on Twitter makes you are part of their Twitter conversation. Much like subscribing to an RSS feed (discussed in my previous post), this means that you will see the updates of those you are following right on your Twitter page, making it faster and easier for you to receive information, join in a discussion, or ask a question. Here are a few ways to Follow people who talk about things you are interested in: 
• Click on the Twitter icon on the home page of your favorite special needs websites and blogs to follow the sites/blogs on Twitter. 

• Search for the Twitter username of the organization/etc... you want to follow. To do this, click on the “@Connect” link t the top of your Twitter profile and then type the name you are searching for in the search box on the right. Keep in mind that Twitter usernames don’t have spaces in between words. :) 
• Twitter will also suggest who you should follow based on what it knows about you so far. If you have already started following a few Tweeters, Twitter may suggest some of their followers (the Followers of the Tweeter you are Following-phew, another mouthful :). You can see these suggestions on your Twitter home page each time you sign on. Read the profiles of these Tweeters and see if they are talking about what you’re interested in. If so, Follow them and check out who they are Following, you might want to connect with them as well. These branches are a lot like exploring a Blog Roll on the home page of your favorite blogs, or the “liked” pages of your Facebook connections (see my previous posts on Facebook and Blogs for more details:). 
• As with Facebook and Blogs, you can also search for keywords on Twitter to connect with relevant special needs information. In Twitter, keywords are called “hashtags” and they are preceded by a pound symbol (#). For example, the keyword “AAC” would look like this on Twitter “#AAC”. Hashtags are used by Tweeters to put their Tweets into categories and help other Tweeters find their information. To search for keywords from your Twitter homepage, click on the “#Discover” link and type in your search term in the search box on the right. When you are searching, you don’t have to include the hashtag, but doing so may limit your results to those more specifically related to your keyword. Your search results will include Tweets that were marked with the keyword (hashtag) you searched for. Your results will also include photos and videos that are tagged by this term and a list of People who write write Tweets marked with this topic. This could be a nice way to find People on Twitter who are talking about the keywords you are interested in and Follow them. 
• Twitter also lets you browse categories from your homepage to find information on broader topics like Technology, Family, and Education. If searching for specifics is too overwhelming at first, try to connect with general Tweets by browsing categories first, and then go from there. Save your favorite 
• Twitter searches so you can search those terms often without having to re-enter the keywords. You can save your searches after you search by clicking on the gear icon (or it might look like a sun :) and clicking “Save search”. You can re-visit your saved searches later by clicking on the #Discover link and clicking in the search box. Your saved searches will appear in a list underneath so you can just click on the term you want to search. 

Staying Connected with Twitter on the Go

Now that you have started “following the conversation” on the special needs topics you are interested in, it’s time to figure out the best way(s) to keep yourself connected to your Twitter home page so you can get your information quickly, easily, and frequently! You will always be able to access your information by signing in to your Twitter account on Twitter.com. But, if you are using an iPhone, Android phone, iPad, or mobile tablet, you can also use mobile Apps to get your Twitter feed anywhere. These apps are free and easy to use, check them out here.

Twitter also has a service called Fast Follow which lets you receive notifications and Tweets through text messages (SMS) on your cell phone. You can set this feature up in your Twitter account settings. This will not send you a text message for every Tweet, only those Tweets and other notifications that you specify in the settings.

Visit SNEAK on Twitter to follow posts on technology for special kids and also link to other professionals and parents discussing special needs topics. You can explore the Tweeters SNEAK is following and see if you want to join their conversations. :)

Check out these helpful links for more in-depth information on Twitter:

What is Twitter? Wikipedia

Twitter.com-About Twitter

How To Use Twitter (You Tube Video of the Basics)

How do you use Twitter to find special needs resources?

SNEAK's Top 5 Web Resources for Teaching Language to Kids Who Use AAC

I often encounter colleagues and parents who find themselves stuck at many levels of the AAC and language continuum.  For some of us who support kids who use AAC, getting tangled in the technology can often leave us feeling confused and overwhelmed (Imagine how our kids feel!)  In my own quest for a life raft in this sometimes daunting task, I have found some wonderful resources to support the process of teaching language to children who use AAC! as well as those responsible for teaching them!  Here are my fav 5 web resources for AAC implementation strategies:

 

1.  AAC Language Lab is a site operated by Prentke-Romich Company, an AAC device manufacturer.  Even though the resources on this site are designed to be used with PRC's Unity software on their devices, the activities and resources here can be used to teach core vocabulary to kids who use any device or low-tech system.  Access to all info and teaching resources on this site is completely free!  I use the plans and handouts on this site daily with my kids and families and all of the information is clearly illustrated, in parent-friendly language, making AAC Language Lab an awesome resource for therapy sessions and carryover across daily routines. 

2.  PrAACtical AAC  is an amazing blog and web resource with frequent posts on language building strategies to support AAc users at a variety of levels.  PrAACtical AAC also has an AAC e-Toolbox with tons of implementation techniques, handouts, articles, and videos.  There is a wealth of other valuable information on this site and it is updated frequently with PrAACtical tips :). 

3.  Dynavox Implementation Toolkit  is a site by Dynavox Techno,ogies, another AAC device manufacturer.  This site is intended for use with Dunavox's InterAACt software on their devices.  However, much like the AAC Language Lab by PRC, the principles outlined in this extensive toolkit can be used with other devices and low-tech systems.  I especially like this resource because it has a range of information that varies in detail, making it a great source for pros, teachers, And parents.  You have to create an account to use the toolkit but it is quick, easy, and free to do so.  :)

4.  AAC Intervention provides a Tip of the Month on implementing ASC and archives all other tips for reference.  Eavh tip focuses on a different topic in ASC implementation and most include detailed handouts on what the strategy is, how to use it, and why.  The site is free for all resources and is updated somewhat frequently.  

5.  YAACK: Connecting Young Kids has a wealth of information on  the span of AAC, from defining through assessment, and also has some great, basic information on teaching AAC and building communicative competence in AAC users.  This isn't a site that is updated frequently as it is a compilation of information by Ruth Ballinger, completed for fulfillment of her Masters in Special Education.  BUT, it is an essential reference for anyone supporting an AAC user, especially those who are a little shaky on the subject of AAC.  

Have an AAC site or other resoirce that you depend on for guidance?

 

 

 

 

 

Your iPad Settings are Your Friends!

Using iPads with kids can be tricky, especially when it comes to keeping them out of functions where they can wreak havoc! At times, you may just need some safe-guards to keep kids away from unfiltered content (e.g., You Tube), or just keep them focused on the task at hand, rather than exploring other Apps and functions.  Advance recently shared a post on getting to know your iPad settings and how making a few easy changes can save you from disaster!  MacWorld also shared a post in October on the new accessibility settings on iOS5 (iPads with the most recent software update) which outline built in features that help children and adults with visual, hearing, and physical disabilities better access the iPad.

One setting change in the Accessibility settings of iOS5 that I have found handy is toggling the Zoom.  I noticed with my kids with motor challenges that they often lean on the iPad screen a bit with their hands or fingers, or some with better motor skills may double tap the screen.  These gestures make the screen zoom-by turning the Zoom off when working with these kids, I saved some redirection time.

Being visually impaired, I LOVE the Accessibility features of the iPad and I recently stumbled across one that I didn't notice before.  Check out my next post to learn about the Reader function in Safari :)  

iPad Still Works After A 100,000 Foot Fall From Space and Some Great,Rugged Cases to Kid-Proof Your Tech

This was originally shared at AppAdvice and I had to pass it on!  To test the durability of their new rugged iPad case, the Extreme Sleeve, these developers launched a working iPad (protected by the Extreme Sleeve, of course) via weather balloon into space and watched as it fell nearly 100,000 feet to the ground!  Don't worry, the iPad was ok, just check out the video at the link below :)

This iPad Still Works After A 100,000 Foot Fall From Space

I figure if this case can hold up to such an extreme challenge, it can certainly handle being chucked across a room, drooled on, and otherwise utterly abused by our kids, right?  If you haven't taken the time to find a security blanket for the brand new iPad you got your child for Christmas (this year or last :), now is the time to check out these great rugged cases for iPad 1 and iPad 2. 

Extreme Sleeve by G-Form

iAdapter by AMDI (This one is a speaker and a case!)

OtterBox Defender Series by OtterBox

RJ's Ultimate iPad Case by RJ Cooper Associates

Big Grips by KEM Ventures

Many of these cases do not have built in stands so you will have to look for positioning options to purchase in addition to the case.  Check out the links above to see what they offer for iPhone as well.  Some of the cases are bulkier than others and there are many other rugged cases that are not quite as durable as these on the market, should you need a case for a gentler child. :)

The Apps Assistant is Available for Free Trial!

A quick follow-up to a previous post:  The Apps Assistant, a web-based, fee-for- service resource that assists AAC professionals in narrowing down current AAC Apps based on a feature-match process is now available for free trial for a limited time at AAC Tech Connect!  Just create a free login account and you will be able to explore this great new tool in a matter of minutes!  For those of you who don’t have a chance to take advantage of this free trial, or those who may miss the trial window, I will create and post a demo video this week!  Check back tomorrow! :) Or go to AAC Tech Connect now to explore it for yourself!  (click on "Preview" to create login for free trial)

iCloud to the Rescue!




Apple iCloud



If you haven't already explored iCloud on the new iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch upgrade (IOS 5), procrastinate no longer! The days of emailing the photo you took on your iPhone (to yourself) so that you can open it on your iPad, which has the App you need to create that thing you need (the App which is NOT on your iPhone)…. are OVER! iCloud makes it easier to integrate all of your iDevices, allowing you to share photos and music, sync apps, contacts, notes, docs, and calendars, and even back up your devices, ALL without ever connecting to a computer! It’s relatively easy to set up, and for basic use, entirely FREE! Check out Apple’s iCloud online info page for a simple overview and demo videos. You can also check out YouTube for a host of How-to videos to walk you through the features of iCloud, as well as step-by-step guides on setting it up on your iDevices. Now I only wish Photo Stream (on iCloud) shared my videos too. :(   I guess Drop Box will have to do for now. :)

14 Apps for AAC

No Limits to Learning shared a post today on AAC Apps that is particularly nice because it includes links to YouTube video demos on the Apps discussed.  This post was two parts, the links are below.

No Limits to Learning: 14 Apps for AAC, Part One:
No Limits to Learning: 14 Apps for AAC, Part Two

Although these App lists are very helpful in keeping up with the incredible amount of AAC Apps currently available for iDevices, parents and professionals are still left with the question of which one is best for their kids. This is further complicated by the fact that many of the AAC Apps currently available do not offer demo versions in the App Store, nor do the App developers offer sales representative services in which the Apps can be    demonstrated at an AAC evaluation. 

Feature matching is a strategy used by AAC professionals to assess currently available AAC technology with regard to various "features" (e.g., the symbols on the device, the manners in which a user can access or interact with the device, etc...) and then to match those features with the needs of the AAC user to assist in finding the best AAC system for that user.  As you can imagine, this can be a cross-referencing nightmare!  Luckily, in the field of AAC devices, many professionals and companies have attempted to simplify this task by compiling feature-match charts and creating software programs to help professionals and families narrow the search for the best system.  

AAC Tech Connect, a site with many AAC resources and tools to offer (for free and fee) comes a bit closer to categorizing popular AAC Apps by feature (e.g., “Apps with Pictures” and “Apps with Spelling”).  It appears that they plan to release a fee-for-service tool called “AAC Apps Assistant” at some point this month (although a release date was unclear on their website, as was whether this tool would be web-based or run directly on an iDevice).  The sample layout of the assistant shown on the website appears pretty promising.  I look forward to checking it out and being able to follow up on its relevance in later posts. :) 

POST UPDATE:  As of December13, 2011,The Apps Assistant is available (free trial for a limited time) at AAC Tech Connect!  (Click on "Preview" to set up login for free trial)

Does anyone have a feature match or other AAC App selection tool that they currently use?

Tanna's Top 10 Traditional Toys (with a Twist!)



Baby Wonderland Gifts

 As promised in an earlier post  (Awesome Holiday Gifts for Special Kids), here is my list of the simplest but most versatile, traditional toys for targeting cognitive, physical and communication skills while playing with kids who have special needs.  Many of these toys can be adapted to suit the level of support needed by your child.  They don't come with all of the bells and whistles of a computerized toy or iPad, but I think they have their place as essentials in every child's toy box. :) As a speech therapist, I NEVER leave home without them!  These toys can be purchased at most toy stores (and even dollar stores), or you can buy them online here from Amazon. :) (Visit the SNEAK aStore for great toy ideas for special kids)

 1.  Bubbles

Bubbles entertain children of all ages!  They are a great way to practice fine motor skills like putting in and taking out, isolating a finger to pop, and pinching or grasping the bubble wand;  gross motor skills like stomping, jumping, swatting, and waving arms; and oral skills like rounding lips to blow.  You can also create many communication opportunities with bubbles by talking about what you see, do, and experience.  What do your bubbles look like?  Where are they going? How do they feel on your fingers?  Talking about the play experience models language for children in a context that is concrete and fun.  Use words like up, down, blow, in, out, stomp, pop, high, low, wet, dry, fun, yucky, and more!  Bubbles can be adapted to support children with motor limitations by using bubble machines, bubble blowers, or bubble wands that only require gross movements to work. 

 2.  Blocks 

Blocks are a great way for special kids to practice constructive play.  Simple, flat blocks versus those that needd to interlock in a certain way (e.g., Legos, bristle blocks) are the best because of their flexible use.  Create towers, houses, farms, schools and buildings with your blocks.  Talk about what you are building, how it looks, and what you do in it.  Combine blocks with other toys to expand play experiences, such as crashing them with cars or using toy figures to pretend inside of the structures you have created.  Children can expand their imagination by using blocks to create symbolic things.  Talking about your play experience models language and actions for your child, giving them the words they need to understand and express the things they are doing while they play.  Use words like on, off, fall, build, up, high, down, low, oh no!, tall, big, little, etc...  Blocks can be adapted for children with physical challenges by adjusting the size and consistency of the block (soft or hard) depending on the child's needs and adding magnets or velcro to the blocks to help them stack more securely so that less precision is needed in building.  Check out these magnetic blocks!

 3.  Balls

Ball play is an early way to take turns with play mates.  It is also a great way to build gross and fine motor skills and learn language.  Use different balls and talk about their differences to practice new words like big, little, soft, hard, and colors.  Combine balls with other toys to expand play, such as knocking blocks or pins down like a bowling game, throwing balls into clothes hampers or boxes for basketball, rolling under tables and over couches.  Using balls in different ways helps expand the language that you can model about the experience.  Balls can be adapted to suit different physical needs by using different sizes and shapes.  You can also use lighter or heavier balls depending on the needs of the child.  Some balls even come with holes to make them easier to grasp and throw (like the Oball).  Using balloons as balls is a nice way to help children with motor challenges get the time they need to catch a ball(because the balloons float). 

 4.  Books

Choose books specifically for the learning level of your child.  Books are a great tool to learn new words, practice answering questions, and explore new people, places, items, and actions.  Books with simple, repetitive language are great for teaching early literacy skills and for setting a stage for communication.  Don't be confined by the words written on the page, you can always change a book to suit the interests and learning level of your child with just a little imagination.  Let loose and use silly voices, sounds, and songs to help engage your child.  Encourage interaction with the book by pointing to pictures, pretending with the pictures, and acting out the actions in the story.  Books can be adapted for children with physical challenges in a variety of ways, including adding binder clips or velcro between pages to make them easier to turn and securing books to a table top easel so that they are easier to see and flip through. 

 5.  Mr. Potato Head

Mr. Potato Head is another great, versatile, constructive and pretend play toy!  Practice body part names and concepts like putting in and taking out.  Talk about spatial concepts like the eyes are over the nose, the ears are on the side, and the shoes are on the bottom.  Use larger sets of Potato Head pieces to compare the differences between eyes, shoes, and ears, such as their shape, size, and color. To make Mr. potato easier to grab and hold, attach a handle on his back with a shower curtain ring or wooden knob by using hot glue. You can also use velcro on the head and pieces (soft side on the head, bumpy on all of the pieces) to help the pieces stay in place.  Once you build your Potato Head pieces, combine him with other toys to expand pretend play.  Have him crash your block tower, make him a meal with play utensils and food, or take him for a ride on a toy car! 

 6.  Crayons & Paper

Other than the obvious use of coloring with the crayons on the paper, I like to use this simple toy to expand the play of other toys.  If you are playing with a train, draw a train track for it to chug on!  If you are playing with a rubber duck, how about drawing a pond for him to swim in!  Using drawn environments with physical toys helps kids meld the lines of real and abstract and really gets their brains making connections!

 7.  Play Doh

Play Doh can be used with children of young ages as long as you supervise!  This toy is a favorite of ALL kids and a great tool for enhancing many developmental skills (not to mention, a cool sensory experience).  The play and language modeling possibilities are limited only by imagination!  Use play doh as a tool to create a platform for pretending!

 8.  Toy Figures

Toy figures like animals, action figures, and people are also very open-ended toys for practicing pretend play.  They can be combined with other toys and settings in the home to create wonderful play scenes and opportunities for learning and communication. 

 9.  Common Objects Box

Dishes, toy food, a brush, keys, a hat-you name it!  Kids learn language and other developmental skills by watching daily routines and imitating them.  A clear plastic bin or drawstring laundry bag with a variety of common household objects and small toys inside is a great tool for open-ended play, pretending, and learning life skills. 

10.  Wooden Puzzles

Puzzles can be tricky for kids with special needs but I LOVE them for setting the stage for interaction.  Use wooden puzzles with large knobs that display pictures that interest your child.  Pretend with the puzzle pieces, hide them in pockets, containers, or around the house, and use silly voices and sounds to help engage your child in puzzle play.  You can adapt puzzles with small pegs for handles by adding rubber pencil erasers (the kind you put on top of your pencil when the eraser runs out) with hot glue to each peg.  This makes a nice surface for kids with motor challenges to grip pieces. 

Read more about these toys and buy them online at the SNEAK aStore.  :)  When you purchase items by linking to Amazon through the SNEAK aStore, you help support our blog at no extra cost to you. 

Want to know more specifics about how to adapt these toys and use them to play with your special child? 

Awesome Holiday Gifts for Special Kids

Parents often ask me what toys to buy for their special kids, as many traditional toys are not made with special needs in mind.  I came across  a link to the 2011 Gift Guide for Individuals Living with Paralysis (compiled by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation) and I was inspired to share the link, and to also compile a list of my own. :)  Below I have listed some web resources that I have used to help guide the gift buying process.  Check these out and share them with the families you serve.  I will follow up with my own tips and tricks on adapting my Top 10 Traditional Toys to suit the special needs of kid's with cognitive and physical limitations (that and more, in a later post. :) 

Toys R' Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids is an amazing compilation of great, traditional toys (non-adapted) that is compiled by Toys R' Us with the professional guidance of the play experts at Lekotek.  This guide is available in Spanish and English, Flash version and PDF, which makes it great for sharing with families.  You can also order print version of the guide (free or charge) to distribute at your school or center.  The greatest part of this guide is that it showcases toys that are easily accessible for most families as they can be purchased locally and don't usually cost as much as adapted toys.  The guide is conveniently organized so that toys are accompanied by symbols to help parents find those toys that promote different skills, such as Auditory, Language, Social, Creativity, and Fine and Gross Motor Skills.

Fisher Price Toys & Playtime Tips for Children with Special Needs is a web resource provided by Fisher Price with the guidance of the experts at the Let;s Play Project.  Although it does not currently provide specific toy suggestions, it allows parents to pick the level of support their child needs in certain developmental areas (Hearing, Seeing, Talking etc...) and then provides general toy buying tips on features to look for in toys to make them more accessible.


Visit the SNEAK aStore to find these great toys, and other, hand-picked toys for special needs kids that you can buy easily from Amazon!