says Light up toys

For children who have visual impairment such as CVI (Cortical Visual Impairment) vision therapy with the means of lighted objects and specific colors and multi sensory textures are necessary. I'll be sharing ideas on how to use different types of lighted objects and toys and also where to procure them and how to utilize these with children with CVI.

Light Box - An absolute necessity for children with CVI.
Where to loan : Early Childhood Intervention or Vision Therapist may provide, School district may provide.
Where to Buy : American Printing House for Blind (http://www.aph.org/) the cost is over $100. Amazon.com sells tracing light box (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_13?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=tracing+light+box&sprefix=tracing+light) which is less than $50
How to use the Light box -
1. Start by showing your child's favorite food's or toys or pages form a book printed out on transparent sheets. Here are some of the stuff I got printed at Fedex kinkos.








2. Hang beads on the lightbox, shake them and encourage your child to feel the beads.




3. In a Ziploc pouch pour couple of ounces of Hair gel and a few drops of food color. Hang the ziploc on the lightbox and have your child press and move the gel around.





4. On a blank piece of paper make outlines for a picture using fabric paint and set it aside to dry. Once dry lay the paper on the lightbox and have your child feel the outline and paint the picture using finger paint.




5. Wrap the lightbox with plastic wrap and spray some whipped cream on the wrapped ligtbox.
Keep some wipes and tissue to clean the mess.
Lay your child on his/her tummy on a pillow and have them reach and spread the whipped cream.





Twinkle Lights - Hang them up on a wall or around a table. You may also wrap the lights in colors veil like fabric.

Here I've wrapped the lights around the table that I adapted as a little sensory room. Little Idea Log will say all about adapted sensory rooms on another post.




Laser Finger beams - These are simple LED light up toys.
Where to buy - If you are lucky you can find it at walmart or party city or dollar store. I bought it online from Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_17?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=laser+finger+beams&sprefix=laser+finger+beam
How to use - Preferably at night or ensure the room is really dark. Just wear the laser beams on your fingers and place your child on your lap or on the bed and start showing the beams on the wall before the child. Move the beams in a pattern, probably hum a tune and moves the beams to the tune. This will help the child focus and also track.


Light stick/roller - These come in different forms and shapes. Some look like a sword or a fan or rings or globe
Where to buy - Any kind of toy store, again if you are lucky try walmart, party city, dollar store. I bought one from walmart and one from a toy store at the mall.
How to use - Preferably in a dark room, try to sway the stick before the child or just leave it near the child see if he/she will touch it or try to place his/her hands over the stick.
My son is not so fond of it, so I just do it for a little while and stop it if he fusses. Good Luck!


Lghted Bubble Gun - Well if your child is fascinated by bubbles you should try this.
Where to buy - Try any toy store, I'm sure this is a popular toy. But I bought it from Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dtoys-and-games&field-keywords=lighted+bubble+gun&rh=n%3A165793011%2Ck%3Alighted+bubble+gun&ajr=0
How to use - Squirt bubbles with the gun and enjoy. My son who has CVI requires consistency with everything. Only if I keep showing him a toy or book everyday will he be able to recognize or even look at it for more than a moment. I just go this toy so let's see how it goes.

Consistency is the Key! Whatever we try with our children we must try to do it on a schedule. Try to club some of the things together so its easier. I do all the light up toy games like the finger beams and the stick and the gun before bed time as the room would be dark. So I keep these toys near his bed.
The light box is one thing I sort of have to tag around, sometimes do it during breakfast/lunch. Sometimes while he is getting for time on the standing frame. Sometimes during therapy when he is placed on his tummy or having to sit up on a bench.
Also a very very recent addition is the ipad. We started this just 2 days back. We are planning on showing him only 2 apps. One was a barn animal app and the other was an art app. I'll confirm these on a separate post on ipads.

says Compression Garments for Trunk Support

We use a couple of different compression garments for trunk support for our son
1. SPIO - You can find more about it from http://www.spioworks.com/
We've tried the SPIO vest and the full arm suit with pants.
They are great when we do therapy.
A Spio Vest
A Spio full arm suit
A full Spio suit with pants
In addition to the SPIO I sometimes warp his trunk from my old maternity belt (this thing is made of stretchy material, its soft and has velcro) This also helps provide additional support while i make him sit on a bench.

2. Hip Helpers - Try http://www.hiphelpers.com/
Make sure you got the perfect size otherwise it does not help.
My son always had his legs wide spread and after using hip helpers for a week or so he slowly stopped spreading his legs. Its also good to use when making the child sit with his/her legs together.

3. Theratogs - I've heard good reviews of these therapist designed compression garments from http://www.theratogs.com/
I've never tried this with my son because they are very expensive.

Also here is a very informative link from Complex Child on Trunk support options with images of almost all products.
http://articles.complexchild.com/jan2011/00263.html