Many of the options work very well with the SMARTBoard - I love the Snakes and Ladders game which is very similar to the board game, Shoots and Ladders. This game is awesome for practicing counting skills, eye/hand coordination, turn taking skills, etc. Some of the options also present with audio support- like the Shopping Time Game. 

HelpKidzLearn was created and is maintained by Inclusive Technology Ltd.  There is a great interactive visual timeline produced by the Down’s Syndrome Association, that once downloaded can be used to easily produce timetables with pictorial clues for young children and those with more complex difficulties.  This timeline can be a positive supplement to daily schedule boards to assist students in anticipating transitions and daily schedules. ENJOY!

 Yesterday when I brought Darren for his annual physical this young boy who was at the doctor’s office looked at Darren and stated “Mommy, that  boy’s face looks really funny.”  It was obvious that his mother was embarrassed and didn’t know what to say and quickly pulled the little boy to another area, scolded him for making the comment and told him to be quiet. After getting Darren’s permission to talk to this boy about him I went over and explained that Darren has Down Syndrome, which is why he looks different, but that Darren is just like him in so many other way.  During our conversation I was reminded of the book ”What’s Wrong With Timmy?” by Maria Shriver, because Timmy reminds me of our Darren- someone who lives life to have fun, give love, never judges and just wants to be accepted for who he is.  Darren has brightened our lives and definitely reminds me each and every day what is important in life. Believe me when I have had a rough day at work and I come home to Darren’s “Be Happy” attitude, all of the problems seem to melt away.

 The essence of this book is best explained by  Maria Shriver when she writes, “Anytime children see children who look, talk, or act differently, their first question usually is, “What’s wrong with them?” My hope is that this little book will help children understand that kids with disabilities are not to be feared, pitied, or ridiculed, but are to be embraced, challenged, and included. It is, I believe, one way to teach our children that no matter how we are born, we are all God’s unique children.” 

So if you haven’t read this book with your children yet, you might want to put it on your “have to read” list.

Special needs cheerleaders

I came across this MSNBC story from Colorado and wanted to share- it touched my heart, made me smile and reminded me of the quote-”Nothing is impossible to a willing heart.”
       – John Heywood, sixteenth-century English poet

My friend, who is a SLP, emailed me the following information: On April 14, 2008  AbleNet acquired Tash. “Including Tash products in the AbleNet family of products is a win-win situation. Tash brings an outstanding combination of products that enhance our capacity to deliver the best and broadest assortment of assistive technology solutions to persons with disabilities by way of the educational, physical therapy, rehabilitation and daily living assistive technology markets,” stated AbleNet CEO Jen Thalhuber.

To visit the new list of prodcts available please click on this link: http://www.ablenetinc.com/tash/

I have been using Voice Thread with my students since last week with some very impressive success. My students are enjoying the recording feature – as they say “listen to me in the computer”– not to mention that they love seeing their pictures on the SMART Board!  We started a history unit on the American Revolution- specifically George Washington- and they have been eagerly recording their thoughts and what they have learned about our first President.  If you want to see a great example of  Voice Thread being incorporated into a classroom check out Christine’s Blog–she shares a Voice Thread she created with her students.