Snippets - Let's Play

"Make time for fun. A child coping with autism is still a kid. For both autistic children and their parents, there needs to be more to life than therapy. Find ways to play and have fun together. Don't obsess over whether or not these activities are therapeutic or educational. The important thing is to enjoy your child's company!"

- 1001Tips For The Parents Of Autistic Girls, Tony Lyons

Reprinted with permission from Helpguide.org. See

www.helpguide.org/mental/autismhelp.htm

for additional resources and support.

Blueberries For Little Bub

Berries are a good choice to feed your little ones with. They are bursting with nourishment. It's berry day for little Iggy today. Mama bought blueberries for him to enjoy, although she doesn't fancy them too much.

Wonderful balls of antioxidants.

 

Puréed to perfection for little Iggy to have for lunch.

Now I mix in a little bit of organic cereal that has the blueberry flavor in them.
Feeling nostalgic, as it looks like my favourite childhood dessert - Pulut Hitam.

What does Iggy think of it?

I little sour I guess. But it's alright.

 Happy eating!

Clumsy Child Syndrome

Ever heard of such a Syndrome? Not me. It sounds so strange.

As kids grow up and learn how to manipulate their gross motor skills, they learn how to move around. Some kids are just more clumsy than others. But should there be any concern?

"CCS is obviously more than a child's striking out in a baseball game or every once in a while tripping over his or her own feet- it is about a pervasive and negatively impacting lack of coordination."

 

"Also known as DD or DCD (developmental coordination disorder) or, as the DSM calls it, specific developmental disorder of motor function, CSS is a learning disorder (different than an LD, learning disability) that involves the involves the impairment of movement, although it can involve language, spatial, and thought problems as well. It is often considered a closely related disorder to SID (sensory integration disorder) and NLD (nonverbal learning disorder) and its often diagnosed as such, or vice versa.

Dyspraxia, which is the defining characteristic of CCS, is the difficulty with the entire sequence of a sensory-motor task from initiating it, planing it out, and then carrying  it out."

- Alphabet Kids: From ADD to Zellweger Syndrome by Robbie Woliver 

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Sweets And Health

Being a mum is a very challenging full time job. One with no retirement, seriously! Sometimes, as busy mums, we all cheat our stomachs with sweets when we get hungry.

I ask of you ladies, try not to do so. I have done so, for too many a times. I always have an excuse to do what I do. But as I mature and started reading more on health, I realized what a grave mistake I was making. Thank God, I never got any illness due to that.

It is very, very important that we take good care of ourselves for the sake of our children. I was surprised to find out that our bodies are so intelligent, that it can actually think for itself. Did you know that when you eat regularly, the body stores only a small portion for later, as compared to when you have irregular meals, your body stores more fat. Think about it, when you are not eating regularly, your body fears of when the next replenishment will be, thus, it stores more. Should you eat regular meals the body sees the consistency. Well, to me, that is a pretty smart body we have there. So the next time you skip a meal and stuff down a candy bar, out of convenience, think again. Sweet foods with refined sugars can help you for a while, but what they do is actually raise your blood sugar. Then when you hit a 'brain fog' your blood sugar levels drop and you end up with a negative effect. Such as mood swings, irritability, loss of attention.

To avoid this, I always have little packets of oatmeal cookies in my handbag. I literally look for the ones that are pre-packed with two or three pieces. This way, I don't have to worry if I can't stop for a meal. Running from therapy sessions to work and then for check ups can be very time consuming, and the last thing you want to do is, to look for a healthy place to eat. (me, I would rather kick off my shoes and slouch on the sofa as I relax from a tiring day)

So ladies, the next time you find yourself in a time crunch, reach for a granola bar and some orange juice. Take care of yourself, your children deserve the best of you.

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Snippets - Acceptance

"Accept and love your child for who he is. Rather than focusing how your autistic child is different from other children and what he or she is 'missing' focus on what makes your child happy. Enjoy your kids special quirks, celebrate small success, and stop comparing your child to others - developmentally challenged or not."

Book: 1001Tips For The Parents Of Autistic Boys, Ken Siri

- www.helpguide.org/mental/autism_help.htm

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Did Your Child Tell A Lie?

Many atimes, when a toddler tells you something that is other than the truth, we think that he is telling a lie. Look at it another way, could your child think that he is telling you the truth. The truth that to him happened in his fantasy? Children tend to have a hard time differentiating between fantasy and reality. That be said, see the depth of the situation, is the truth too far fetched or otherwise. Sit your child down, and explain. Ask your child questions such as 

• When did this happen?
• Where did it happen?
• Was anyone else there?
• What did you do after that?
• Are you sure you did not imagine/ dream about this?

The answers to these, should give you a vague idea as to where the truth is coming from. Children can be manipulative to get your attention, support and love. But they are not devious, to scheme lies. The next time, you think your child told a lie, give him the benefit of the doubt, and assess the situation first.

If you are caregiver or teacher, never label a child a liar. Always look into the situation, see if the children understands the difference between fantasy and reality.

"Another sign that children are distinguishing between reality and fantasy is the use of the word "pretend". Parents who introduce a word like "pretend" as they play with their two-year-olds usually find that their children pick up the term quickly. Once the two-year-old is familiar with the term, it becomes easier to discuss situations in which the difference between reality and fantasy is unclear. Imaginary thinking has both the power and limitations. It can create a powerful imaginary experience, but not directly change the real world. As children play out a variety of themes, and as parents talk to them about their pretending, children begin to appreciate this paradox."

Resources: Your Child At Play: Two to Three Years by Marilyn Segal, Ph.D.
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