Ipad Alternatives

As a parent of a child in the Autism Spectrum I know how we have all heard how Ipads are recommended therapy for children in the spectrum. But sometimes it's not easy to obtain one, and the rules to get one through programs often change. Such as only if the child is non verbal, or cannot communicate, etc.  There are some sites that offer an opportunity to get them as well, such as Danny's Wish.  I know that many parents cannot afford to outright purchase these computer tablets or do not qualify for whatever requirements some programs have. So that is why I wanted to make a list of cheaper alternatives.

I had written an article previously about a similar subject for Squidoo, but since then there have been more tablets in the market that are just as good or similar to the ipad.  One of the things that you will run into is memory, and processing speeds will be a lot smaller compared to ipads, but it is a sacrifice that must be made. Kindles are good, and cheap, such as the Kindle Fire HD with a 7" screen this is a very good alternative. It has 16gb of memory. I own this model myself, and my son used it for a long time before we were able to get him an ipad.

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Another cheap alternative, and one I feel is more kid friendly is the Nabi. Although the Nabi 2, which is the newest version available is more kid friendly it has a lot less memory with only 1GB, and it cost more than the Kindle Fire HD. But the Nabi will interact, and has Nick themed apps. So it's really a preference of the user, as to which is better.  They also have a Disney themed device, and both are pre-designed with the outer rubber case to protect the device.

I have pointed out a couple of different options in which to go if you cannot afford an ipad. So I hope that with this information and knowing your childs preferences I have helped you in making a wise choice.

Weighted Blankets as Therapy

There are more than a few uses for weighted blankets, but we got one for our son, so that he would sleep more restfully. He has sensory processing disorder, and loves deep pressure, as it calms him.

Our son with his Angry Birds Weighted Blanket

I do not know for a fact if the benefits of using a weighted blanket are true for all conditions, but it is said that people with different forms of anxiety disorders can use this as a calming technique. Anyone of any age can also benefit from their use. Perhaps you suffer from insomnia, restless leg syndrome or ADD?

They are made according to the users height and weight, so that the blanket will be more effective for that individual.  If the person enjoys the feeling of tight clothing or being swaddled up in blankets then this is the perfect item for them.

Star Wars Angry Birds Telepods Multipack 2

Lego Movie Review

We went and saw the Lego Movie opening night. The version we saw was the 3-D, and was worth it. The theatre was packed with kids who were Lego fans , and a few adults too.  One of my friends compared it to The Matrix meets Toy Story. It had a lot of action scenes, and never got slow. I know that sometimes my son will not be interested if a movie gets slow, but this film had the perfect blend to keep him interested. It was funny for both kids, and parents. Of course being that it is the Lego brand there were a number of cameo appearances by popular lines of their product. I won't spoil it for you...you have to go see for yourself. I really appreciated the meaning behind the story that you do not have to always follow instructions, and to be yourself. This is one film that we will surely purchase for future viewing when it becomes available to do so. I would also add that this is a 5 out of 5 star film.

Lego Movie...

Buy This at Allposters.com

Sensory Seeking Kiddos : Crash Pad

Some children in the Autism Spectrum avoid sensory, and others crave it, and seek it out. Our son is one who seeks out sensory experiences, and we got him a crash pad; so that he can crash safely into it, and not get hurt. But it has other uses, such as the whole family can play on it, or it can be a comfortable lounger.

Germs Are Not For Sharing

We just picked this book up from our local library, and I have to say it is a very cute and informative way for kids to learn about not spreading sicknesses. The cute illustrations show the many scenarios in which to prevent the spread of germs, and it is fast paced; with short sentences to hold the attention of most kids. I rated this 4 stars on goodreads.com , and it should be a staple in elementary school libraries.  These books are a part of a bigger series called "Best Behaviours".

Book mentioned -

Inspirational Movie About Someone with Special Needs

Sometimes I may just share a film that I have found to be inspiring about people with special needs. For instance I am currently watching And Your Name is Jonah about a little boy who was born deaf, and he was misdiagnosed as being mentally challenged because of it.  Watching this film helps us to understand that sometimes when cannot fully understand just what it is like for someone else unless you fully see what it is that they are dealing with.  It takes place in the '70's, and stars Sally Struthers of the All in the Family tv series.

Film mentioned -