22
Mar 2018

Kids Gym Entrepreneur Launches Special Needs Resource Network

By
We Rock the Spectrum

Another guest blog from Dina Kimmel! Kids Gym Entrepreneur Launches Special Needs Resource Network Dina Kimmel, the CEO and Founder of We Rock the Spectrum ( https://www.werockthespectrumkidsgym.com/ ), an international franchise with over 65 sensory gyms, announces the launch of Rocking the Spectrum ( http://www.rockingthespectrum.com/ ), a special needs resource network for everyone. The site features a library of inspirational and educational videos in its “Warrior Network,” ranging from topics like “Snacking on the Spectrum” which … [Read more...]

07
Aug 2017

How Sensory Gyms Help Kids on the Autism Spectrum

By
We Rock the Spectrum Photo

Guest Blogger Dina Kimmel writes this week... How Sensory Gyms Help Kids on the Autism Spectrum A trampoline, a zip line, and a climbing structure — these may sound like typical pieces of equipment at any regular kids gym. In actuality, they help foster an inclusive learning and play environment. They are some of the necessary pieces of equipment found in a sensory gym. A sensory gym is designed to serve and accommodate the sensory needs of children with sensory processing disorders, such as autism. Unique, specially-designed equipment helps … [Read more...]

27
Feb 2017

A Birthday and Autism

By
A Birthday and Autism

A Birthday and Autism   My son just turned fourteen. Now, he’s a fourteen-year-old boy—which means he’s into his devices. He’s not very athletic, however he swims three times a week on a VIP swim team. He has played soccer, but I think his interest is waning. He also plays baseball and that he loves. He’s getting better every year. Even though he’s becoming a gamer, he doesn’t spend hours and hours in front of a device. Either his mother or father will interpret that situation (we know that he needs to move his body from time to … [Read more...]

17
Jul 2016

Autism and Summer Camps

By
Autism and Summer Camps

Autism and Summer Camps I am sending my son to a summer camp at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center for two weeks. This is the first time my son has been to a “real” camp. What did my son do during the previous summers? My son was always in an Extended School Year program. The idea behind children with autism attending ESY programs is to give them some structure during the long summer break. Many don’t do well during the 10 week break. They need to retain some “school type” situation. The rest of the summers were spent either vacationing or … [Read more...]

14
Mar 2016

California Regional Centers and Your Child with Autism

By
Autism

California Regional Centers and Your Child with Autism This may come off as a rant, but really it's a warning to new parents out there. What is a California Regional Center? From the CA.gov website: "Regional centers are nonprofit private corporations that contract with the Department of Developmental Services to provide or coordinate services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities. They have offices throughout California to provide a local resource to help find and access the many services available to individuals and … [Read more...]

23
Feb 2016

Ageing Out of Autism Services

By

Ageing Out of Autism Services   My son has been in a social skills group since he was three years old. When he turns thirteen this year, he will "officially" age out of this group. What is social skills group? Social skills group is a structured play group with four to six children who are relatively near each other on the autism spectrum. They have two facilitators who strive to encourage the group to communicate, play, and interact with each other. My son was young when he started at age three. However, the facility (at that time) … [Read more...]

13
Sep 2014

More Schools and Outside Agencies

By
More Schools and Outside Agencies

More Schools and Outside Agencies In my last blog, I discussed how I took my son to an outside agency (by “outside“ I mean one that is not directly funded by the school district) to be tested for reading comprehension. He had scored low. Then, at his first fifth grade testing, he again scored low. Right before his December IEP, however, he was retested and the numbers were significantly better. He had improved greatly. At the IEP, we decided to not push the school district to fund a program for reading comprehension with this outside … [Read more...]

Next Page»