says Sensory Integration really Works!!!

I used to try several things with textures, colors, smell and motion with my son but nothing so far had an impact maybe they did but nothing that brought any change in his attitude or reaction or response to the objects.
But as my vision therapist kept telling me to keep trying anything and everything we can possible get our hands on and who knows what could trigger his attention.
And really I’m glad I followed her wise advice and after 2 years and 3 months my son finally touches something and wants to keep going at it and to top it off he looks in the direction of the object, sees it and reaches and touches it.
God I feel so thankful now. I don't suppose there is a better word to say how happy I feel that my son could intentionally do something.

Okay this is what we tried, I just bought these microfiber dusters from Wal-Mart like on the 26th of Feb and on 27th I put the duster over a piece of black fleece fabric and left it near him, I never really hoped that he would touch it, by amazingly he brought and held his hands out over the duster and dropped his palm right in the center and started caressing it. Then he rolled over and tried more. oh boy what an achievement.


Here's to his success.

says Cortical Visual Impairment: Visions of change conference in June

Western PA School for the Blind is organizing a conference on CVI called the visions of change as part of their 125th year celebration.

Please visit their website for more information
http://www.wpsbc.org/18761083101838763/blank/browse.asp?a=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&c=55228&18761083101838763Nav=%7C254%7C&NodeID=282

Little Idea Log will also be there for a presentation. We look forward to meeting more parents, therapists, specialists and many more good resources.
More about this in the future.

says iPad Apps

The iPad is a genius idea. Thanks to Mr. Steve Jobs.
Today I'll be reviewing some of the iPad apps that I use with my son. He is currently 2 years old with severe hypotonia, seizure disorder, macrocephaly and CVI. Although I have to mention that we are not sure whether it’s due to CVI or severe Hypotonia and motor weakness that my son is unable to touch the screen. I try the hand over hand and hand under hand but nothing seems to encourage him to touch the screen. Yet we keep trying. If anybody else has any suggestions for us on this regard it would be really great!

Please Note: Some of the apps I’ve reviewed have movement, colors and brightness which may induce seizures in some children so please use your discretion in deciding which apps would be safe for your children. Also make sure you move the iPad away from the child while changing from one app to another because the sudden change in contrast or brightness will cause discomfort to their vision or may even induce seizures. And finally don't leave a child unattended with an iPad!

1. Peekaboo HD by Gotclues, Inc
Star Rewards * * * *
This is a typical barn animal’s app recommended my son's speech therapist. The animal make sound from behind a hay stack and on the touch of the screen the hay moves away and only the animal is focused on the screen. My son is attentive 6 out of 10 times. We use the hand over hand method to help him touch the screen to see the animals behind the hay stack.

2. iLove Fireworks Lite by Fireworks Games
Star Rewards * *
Well I still have this app and occasionally show it to my son. He is not so interested probably because the screen totally black and fireworks only occur when you touch the screen. And touching the screen it a little difficult without guidance for my son. I have to say that the fireworks that appear are not as bright as I expected, I believe that brightness could motivate my child a little more.

3. Art of Glow by Natenai Ariyatrakool
Star Rewards * * * * *
This is one of the best apps and my son's attention is 99%. You should definitely try it. The reason it is so good is that not only are the colors bright but there is constant motion in the images that we draw on the screen. As we know that children with CVI require movement in the object they see or we'll notice that the child we move his/her head or body while trying to look at things.

4. Pandora Radio by Pandora Media, Inc
Star Rewards * * *
Wondering why I'm mentioning some radio app here? Well because they have stations that play children's music. This app could be played in the background while trying to show some visual app to the child. I'll mention about playing Pandora on the apps that are otherwise only visual as I discus them further on in this list.

5. ChoiceBoard-Creator by Techno Chipmunk
Star Rewards - Not Rewarded Yet
This will be a great app only when the child is able to cognitively touch and choose what they prefer or want. As currently my son does not cognitively want something or express his feelings or even touch any object including the iPad screen I’m unable to reward this app. But I'm sure this will come handy someday so I have downloaded it. It’s easily customizable. we can take pictures of the choices using the iPad itself and we can manipulate the number of choices we want to present to the child. Can be used in place of a communication Board when necessary.

6. Tap-n-See Zoo Lite by Little Bear Sees
Star Rewards * * * *
Nicely designed app focusing on children with CVI. I use the Lite version with my son mostly when he is lying on his sides. He liked to watch the animals move on the screen, more so because it was a black background and the animals were red (the preferred color for children with CVI) When his hands or fingers accidently touch the screen the animals move towards the direction of the touch and if my son's extremities accidentally touch the animal itself then the animal enlarges in size and we hear a rewarding sound like the laughter of a child or applause. The rewarding sound was attractive for my son and motivated him to keep his hands and fingers closer to the iPad screen.

7. Piano Free with Songs by Better day Wireless
Star Rewards * * * * *
My speech therapist recommended this app. And Sripathi liked it instantly. Because of the black and white contrast. There were several instances he touched the screen to play music. Not sure if he touched the screen anticipating hearing music or just trying to reach and touch the contrastingly looking screen. Sometimes I feel it’s the motivation of the rewarding sounds because I know he likes to look as black and white books (the one I show my son is called "Look Look! by Peter Linenthal") though he attentively watches every page of the book he is not motivated to touch them. Whatever be the reason I'm glad he is motivated to look and reach. Here is a video of my son using the piano app.

8. finger drums! by Indigo Penguin Limited
Star Rewards * * *
This is a very recent app that I’m trying to use with my son. I like the fact that the drums move and vibrate to the touch; they are again in contrasting black and white. I would say with consistency he would show the as much interest in this app like the piano app.

9. Cartwheel by Chris Allert
Star Rewards Not Rewarded Yet
This is an app that will go great with Pandora, preferably a station that plays classical music. I use Andre Rieu. Only thing I would have liked is if the colors were brighter or if the lines or images that appear could have been thicker. But I guess it would be a nice app to use when the room is dark and the child is in Active Alert state. 10. Ooze by Collective Cognition Star Rewards Not Rewarded Yet This is a nice app similar to "Art of Glow". But this is more like a lava lamp. The color keeps changing and oozing on the screen. Also you can drag the colors in different direction. This again is a great app in combination with one of Pandora's classical music stations.

says Good Books

Here is a list of Books that helped us through our journey with Sripathi. Some of these books were recommended by our Doctors and Therapists.
Books on Epilepsy
Ketogenic Diets: Treatments for Epilepsy and Other Disorders
Authors - Eric H. Kossoff M.D., John Freeman, Zahava Turner, James Rubenstein
But Online - http://www.amazon.com/Ketogenic-Diets-Treatments-Epilepsy-Disorders/dp/1936303108/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326341772&sr=1-2

Seizure and Epilepsy in Childhood - A Guide
Authors - John M. Freeman, Eileen P. G. Vining, Diana J. Pillas
Buy Online - http://www.amazon.com/Seizures-Epilepsy-Childhood-Hopkins-Health/dp/0801870518/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326341691&sr=8-1


Books on Visual Impairment
Cortical Visual Impairment: An Approach to Assessment and Intervention
Author - Christine Roman-Lantzy
Buy Online - http://www.amazon.com/Cortical-Visual-Impairment-Assessment-Intervention/dp/0891288295/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326341867&sr=1-2


Books on Therapy
The following book can be used for several types of developmental delays.
Teaching Motor Skills to Children With Cerebral Palsy And Similar Movement Disorders: A Guide for Parents And Professionals
Author - Sieglinde Martin
Buy Online - http://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Children-Cerebral-Movement-Disorders/dp/1890627720/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326342000&sr=1-1


Books on Sleeping/Napping
The 90-Minute Baby Sleep Program: Follow Your Child's Natural Sleep Rhythms for Better Nights and Naps
Author - Polly Moore Ph.D.
Buy Online - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761143114/ref=oh_o01_s00_i00_details

True Stories for inspiration and ideas
Loving Rachel: A Family's Journey from Grief
Author - Jane Bernstein
Buy Online - http://www.amazon.com/Loving-Rachel-Familys-Journey-Grief/dp/0252074831/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326342215&sr=1-1

Rachel in the World: A Memoir
Author - Jane Bernstein
Buy Online - http://www.amazon.com/Rachel-World-Memoir-Jane-Bernstein/dp/0252076826/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326342250&sr=1-1

Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid: A Survival Guide for Ordinary Parents of Special Children
Author - Gina Gallagher, Patricia Konjoian
Buy Online - http://www.amazon.com/Shut-About-Your-Perfect-Kid/dp/0307587487/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326342281&sr=1-1

Special Kids Need Special Parents: A Resource for Parents of Children with Special Needs
Author - Judith Loseff Lavin
Buy Online - http://www.amazon.com/Special-Kids-Need-Parents-Resource/dp/0425176622/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326342334&sr=1-1

The Story Of My Life: The Complete And Unabridged Edition
Author - Helen Keller
Buy Online - http://www.amazon.com/Story-My-Life-Complete-Unabridged/dp/1438278314/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326342373&sr=1-6

When Bad Things Happen to Good People
Author - Harold S. Kushner
Buy Online - http://www.amazon.com/When-Things-Happen-Good-People/dp/1400034728/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326342471&sr=1-1


Books to use with children with CVI
I found all these books on Amazon.com.
My son who has CVI and is 2 years old likes all these books. I started introducing him to books when he was 7 months old.

Where Is Baby's Belly Button? A Lift-the-Flap Book [Board book]
Author - Karen Katz

Fuzzy Bee and Friends (Cloth Books)
Author - Roger Priddy

Look, Look! [Board book]
Author - Peter Linenthal

Fluffy Chick/Snowy Bear (Cloth/Board Books Packs)
Author - Roger Priddy

Daddy and Me [Board book]
Author - Karen Katz

Where is Baby's Mommy? [Board book]
Author - Karen Katz

Squishy Turtle and Friends (Cloth Books) [Rag Book]
Author - Roger Priddy

Hello, Bugs! (Black and White Sparklers) [Board book]
Author - Smriti Prasadam
Illustrator - Emily Bolam

Little Cloth Book of Trucks (Cloth Books) [Hardcover]
Author - Roger Priddy

Also the recordable books from Hallmark are amazing. Sripathi's Vision Therapist gifted one when we moved from Florida to Texas. He loves to listen to her voice and at the end of the book a show him a picture of him with his therapist.

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.