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My Child Has a Hearing Loss...What Next?
Information and resources for parents of newly diagnosed deaf and hard of hearing children.
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Defusing Tactile Defensiveness in Children with Blindness, Autism, Down Syndrome, and More!
By: Renata Bursten, Dragonfly Staff
Try using the Koosh Switch with children who are tactile defensive, a condition often found in children with blindness, autism, PDD, FAS, and Down syndrome. By hooking a rewarding switch adapted toy up to the switch, children will be immediately rewarded for touching the Koosh. A Switch Adapted Bubble Blower would be a real treat!
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PLAY Tip
Interpreting Facial Emotions
Many children (especially those with autism-like conditions) have difficulty interpreting facial expressions and understanding why people feel certain emotions. Moody Bear Puzzle, Emotion Cards, Smart Alex software all offers an opportunity to recognize expressions and hopefully talk about why the person might be happy or frightened. Try using them with a mirror and perhaps Polaroids of familiar people showing the same emotions. Eventually see if your child can make (and understand) the expressions, then take their pictures!