#EverythingIsAwesome about The LEGO Movie

Disclaimer: I was provided with passes to The LEGO Movie screening. All opinions are my own. 

When we first saw the preview for The LEGO Movie, The Boy said "I want to see that in the movie theater." Which was a really big deal for because we really go to the movies, and The Boy rarely expresses what he wants to see in theaters.

Going to the movies used to be a huge challenge for us. Over this last year, The Boy has gotten better and we've learned how to prepare. 

So The LEGO Movie. 

We are HUGE LEGO fans. And it was so cool to see our favorite Lego characters (and new ones) and scenes come to life. Fun and action packed, The LEGO Movie is a perfect family film as it appeals to kids and adults. 

What The Husband Loved: The Husband is a fan of Ray Harry Hausen and Rankin and Bass, The LEGO Movie was nostalgic of the Stop Motion features he grew up watching.

What The Boy Loved: The Boy loved all the fast-paced, action sequences. Some of the talking went over his head and he didn't get all of the humor. But he liked watching it. He did get antsy at point and I knew to take him out and walk him around. (This also caused me to miss what The Husband called "The best part of the movie…" ***spoiler alert*** it involved Lando Calrissian.) 

What I Loved: The LEGO Movie goes beyond being a fun film, it's a movie with a message and for me that was the real appeal. It also surprised me. There was a twist toward the end that I never saw coming which just made the movie all the more special. 

Whether you're a lover of LEGO or not, The LEGO movie will dare you to live your life more creatively.  

The LEGO Movie opens in theaters on February 7th. 

On February 15 at 10 am, there will be a Sensory Friendly Viewing of The LEGO Movie - for more details visit: www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films 

With The Boy waiting for The LEGO Movie to begin!

Disclaimer: I was provided with passes to The LEGO Movie screening. All opinions are my own. 

AW Sunday Review | 7 Steps to Nighttime Dryness

Disclaimer: I was provided with a complimentary copy of  Seven Steps to Nighttime Dryness  and a Dry-Me Enuresis Alarm for review purposes.  The opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

The Boy will be eight years old tomorrow and he still wears a pull up at night. It took us a few years for him to be fully potty trained during the day. I've been holding off night time potty training.

When I was approached by Renee Mercer, MSN, CPNP, the author of Seven Steps to Nighttime Dryness to review a copy of her book and to try the Dry Me Enuresis Alarm - I immediately said yes.

I just finished reading through the book and I think I'm really ready to start. Commitment and consistency are critical during daytime potty training and even more so for nighttime.

What I like about the Seven Steps to Nighttime Dryness is that it helps explain bedwetting and possible factors (including constipation). The book also breaks down the different alarms so that you may pick the one that's best for your child. There's also a weekly progress chart to help keep track. 

While the "7 Steps" is written for "typical" kids, Mercer has a section that goes "Beyond Seven Steps" which addresses special cases including kids with special needs. Mercer assures that if a child has maintained dryness during the day that nighttime dryness is a strong possibility. She goes on to say that: If you have a child with special needs, it is important to understand your goal. And then proceeds to explain various options. 

My goal is to get The Boy to wake up to use the bathroom during the night. And the Seven Steps to Nighttime Dryness has given me the tools and motivation to start the process. 

In the next few weeks, I'll share how we're preparing and our progress with the Dry-Me alarm. 

If you're considering daytime potty training your child, check out my Parents posts: 

• Potty Training Your Autistic Child 
• Nighttime Potty Training Your Autistic Child 

Disclaimer: I was provided with a complimentary copy of  7 Steps to Nighttime Dryness  and a Dry-Me Enuresis Alarm for review purposes.  The opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

AW Sunday Review | Fun and Function Space Explorer Suit for Sensory Activities

Disclaimer: I was provided with a space explorer suit for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Fun and Function is one of my favorite websites to shop for therapeutic toys and items for The Boy. Over the years we've purchased quite a few items. The items on Fun and Function are affordable and high quality. When asked if I wanted to review a product from Fun and Function, I knew I wanted something to address The Boy's sensory needs. The Boy is a sensory seeking kid who loves deep pressure. 

The Space Explorers Suit is great for sensory integration. As soon as I opened the box and pulled out the Space Explorer Suit, The Boy jumped right in and started rolling around. 

The Space Explorer provides calming deep pressure, heavy work and proprioceptive input for tactile defensive children, sensory seekers and crashers, including children and tweens with autism. This fun suit helps children develop spatial and body awareness, muscle strength, motor planning and creativity.

The Space Explorer Suit is something that Norrin can get in and out of easily. Sometimes he buries himself inside, other times he just likes to be in it while reading or hanging out in his room. When The Boy's hiding, I pretend that I can't find him - he thinks it's hysterical! I can tell that being inside calms him. The Space Explorer Suit can be used for pretend play, sensory integration and heavy work. And what's great about the Space Explorer Suit is that I don't have to worry about it getting dirty because it's machine washable. I think the Space Explorer Suit is great for home and would work well in a sensory gym with an occupational therapist.   

Disclaimer: I was provided with a space explorer suit for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes and LEGO Friends | AW Sunday Review

Disclaimer: I was provided with a review copy of Lego Marvel Super Heroes. All opinions are my own.

Back in September, I was invited to a blogger event where I got a sneak peak (and a chance to play) some cool new video games - including LEGO Marvel Super Heroes and LEGO Friends. 

I know some parents are concerned about screen time but video games have been critical in helping The Boy. So I am always on the look out for video games that will be fun, interesting for him to play and have some kind of educational component to them. 

Since The Boy is a huge LEGO fan, I knew that he'd be interested in LEGO Marvel Super Heroes. We have been playing the Xbox 360 version for a few weeks now and he's really gotten into playing. He is familiar with all the characters and playing has been a great way to explain to each superheroes specific power. Even though it's a lot of information to absorb, I feel like the more he hears us talking about it - he'll get it. Like everything else, it's about repetition. And I love watching The Husband and The Boy play LEGO Marvel Super Heroes together.

What the husband likes about Lego Marvel Super Heroes is:

• gameplay is pretty straight forward
• puzzles are easy to figure out
• the ability to switch back and forth between characters
• each character has its own special ability to complete certain tasks.

This game is Rated "E for Everyone 10+ and The Boy will be eight in January. So yes, he's still too young to play and to completely understand the mechanics of the game. But it's a game I feel comfortable with him playing. Right now, we focus on The Boy learning to maneuver the characters around the game and reading the instructions between levels and the subtitles.  

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes features an original story crossing the entire Marvel Universe. Players take control of Iron Man, Spider-Man, the Hulk, Captain America, Wolverine and many more Marvel characters as they unite to stop Loki and a host of other Marvel villains from assembling a super-weapon capable of destroying the world. Players will chase down Cosmic Bricks as they travel across LEGO Manhattan and visit key locations from the Marvel Universe, such as Stark Tower, Asteroid M, a Hydra base and the X-Mansion.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes: Available for Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation4,PlayStation3, Wii U, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation Vita, PC

***

While at the event, I also got a chance to play LEGO Friends. Being a girly girl, I loved playing it. It was fun creating a character that reflected my style and personality. Players are also able to pick their character’s outfits, hairstyles, and accessories, select a pet or design and personalize their character’s bedroom. 

LEGO Friends is available for Nintendo 3DS  and DS and is rated “E” for everyone.

The Boy doesn't have a Nintendo 3DS or DS so it's not a game he can play. But if he had one (and we're hoping to buy one for his birthday), I'd have no problem with him playing LEGO Friends. I don't believe in gender specific toys or games. The Boy enjoys playing with all LEGO products including the Friends line. The Boy would especially love picking out his own pet. I also think the Friends game would help him understand the concept of picking out clothes - something we've been working on for a while. I think the LEGO Friends video game would be a good 'starter' game for him to play on a handheld device.

Disclaimer: I was provided with a review copy of Lego Marvel Super Heroes. All opinions are my own.

AW Sunday Review | Body Talk: Teaching Students with Disabilities about Body Language

Disclaimer: Woodbine House provided me with a complimentary copy of  Body Talk: Teaching Students with Disabilities and Body Language  for review purposes.  The opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Ever since The Boy was diagnosed with autism, doctors and therapists have told me that The Boy has no sense of personal space. (Neither do most of the folks on the New York subway, but that’s for a different blog…)

As The Boy gets older, personal space has become more of an issue. People are more likely to laugh off a two or three-year-old touching their face. A big seven-year-old touching an adults face? Probably not. The older The Boy gets, the more worried I become. Living in a city like New York, getting in someone’s personal space is the kind of the thing that could lead to serious trouble.

Working on personal space has become a goal at school and at home.

I was really excited about reviewing Body Talk: Teaching Students with Disabilities about Body Language by Pat Chrissey. It’s the kind of book that I know I will return to again and again.

Children and teens with autism and other developmental disabilities can be taught the language of nonverbal communication with the practical strategies developed by veteran special education teacher Pat Crissey. More than 100 activities break down elements of body language into teachable components.

What I appreciate about Body Talk is that it really goes step by step and breaks down all forms of body language: emotions, facial expressions, posture, body orientation and eye gaze, personal space and touching and gestures.

However Body Talk just doesn’t tell you what to do – it shows you. The activities and games are great ways to make learning fun. It’s simple enough to be done at home one on one or in a group setting at school. What’s especially helpful about this book is that it comes with a CD so you can easily print out all the activities. I printed out the personal space activities for The Boy's teacher. 

The activities vary in age and functioning levels and you can easily modify activities to suit your needs. Body Talk is a must have book if you have a child with autism. And it's a book that will grow with your child from the early childhood years to young adult.

Body Talk: Teaching Students with Disabilities about Body Language is available on Woodbine House for $23.99.

Disclaimer: Woodbine House provided me with a complimentary copy of  Body Talk: Teaching Students with Disabilities and Body Language  for review purposes.  The opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way. 

A Parent's Guide to Special Education in New York City

If you live you in New York City and have a child with special needs A Parents Guide to Special Education in New York City and the Metropolitan Area by Laurie Dubos and Jana Fromer will be your bible. Especially if you are going through the Turning 5 process. I purchased this book more than three years ago and it's one I still go back to again and again. And it's one that I always recommend to parents.

So what's so great about this book? Well...it's broken up into 4 parts. Pay attention, these parts are important.

Part I provides an overview of special education in New York City. Talks about the children entering kindergarten and how they may be identified. It goes through the evaluation and referral process and the types of evaluations that are needed when applying to private schools. It also explains the difference between a Psychoeducational and a Neuropsychological. It breaks down the IEP and explains parents rights. 

Part II talks all about private school placement and the application process.

Part III is all about the schools. It provides all the key factors of the school - whether it's graded or ungraded, if it's 10 or 12 months, what kind of classifications they accept, what related services they offer and other critical information. If you don't know how to find a school - this is a great place to begin.

Part IV provides local resources: evaluation centers, therapists, medical professionals, websites and more.

A Parent's Guide to Special Education in New York City is a must have for parents and even for special education administrators and teachers.   

For more on the Turning 5 Process check out my new weekly series Turning 5 Tuesdays #T5Tue click HERE.

AW Sunday Review | The Sensory Child Gets Organized

Disclaimer: I was provided with a complimentary copy of  The Sensory Child Gets Organized  for review purposes.  The opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way. 

Tomorrow is the first day of school for The Boy. It's time to get back into a routine and try to provide some kind of organization. So when approached to review The Sensory Child Gets Organized by Carolyn Dalgliesh, I jumped on the opportunity.

The book provides a clear sense of what a "sensory child" looks like and helps parents assess and understand how their child learns best. Through objective observation and journaling behaviors, parents can determine their child's learning preference: Visual, Auditory or Tactile.     

Once a parent understands their child's learning style, organization can begin. Dalgliesh breaks down how to design a room based on your child. She encourages parents to let go of the "specific vision of how our child's room should look based on a magazine picture" and to create a room tailored to meet the child's specific needs. 

The section on "Sensory Organizing and Storage Systems for the Bedroom" was especially helpful. I've written how I've organized The Boy's room but it needs to be maintained and obviously there's always room for improvement.

The other chapter that will be useful for us is "Connect with Your Child." In this section, Dalgliesh shares tips on creating structure and routines in the home. This is something that we constantly struggle with. Before I was a mom, I didn't follow a routine - it's just hard for me and even harder for The Husband. However, I've learned that The Boy thrives on structure. And we need to do a better job of providing it for him. (I think many parents will benefit from The Homework Plan.)         

What I really love about this book is that it goes beyond organization within the home. The last chapters of The Sensory Child Gets Organized focus on helping your sensory child tackle the great wide world. 

The Sensory Child Gets Organized is an excellent resource for parents and provides real solutions and suggestions that any family can follow.

About Carolyn Dalgliesh: Carolyn founded Systems for Sensory Kids, LLC, a leading edge organizing model that bridges the gap between clinical support and practical in-home solutions for rigid, anxious, and distracted kids. In addition to her sensory organizing work with families, she has published numerous articles and presents regularly at conferences for parents, caregivers, and educators.

The Sensory Child Gets Organized is available on paperback and Kindle.

Disclaimer: I was provided with a complimentary copy of  The Sensory Child Gets Organized  for review purposes.  The opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.     

AW Sunday Review: The Boys' Guide to Growing Up

Disclaimer: Woodbine House provided me with a complimentary copy of  The Boys' Guide to Growing Up  for review purposes only.  The opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way. 

The Boys Guide to Growing Up (available at Woodbine House, $16.95 ) is written in clear and simple language (3rd grade reading level) and paired with age-appropriate facts, realistic illustrations and photos, The Boys' Guide to Growing Up, explains in detail the many changes of a boys body. 

The book is written for boys 9 - 16 with Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, fragile X, or other special needs, this book is the companion to The Girls' Guide to Growing Up (2011), also by Terri Cowenhoven. 

The Boys' Guide to Growing Up also discusses feelings and discretion while emphasizing personal safety and privacy.  

Its reassuring, matter-of-fact tone shows boys what changes--inside and out--to expect during puberty, and how to manage them:

• Growth spurts and bigger muscles
• Voice cracking and deepening
• Blemishes and oily skin
• Body and facial hair
• Moodiness
• Crushes, flirting, and sexual feelings
• Erections, wet dreams, and masturbation

The Boys Guide to Growing Up concludes with a Q&A to prompt conversation.

I've already started to see small changes in The Boy. And I'd like nothing more than to close my eyes, stick my fingers in my ears and shout "Lalalalalalaaaa I can't hear you!" But I can't. The Boy will hit puberty soon and I need to be prepared to handle it and talk to him about it. The Boys Guide to Growing Up is much as a preparation guide for me as it is for The Boy. 

If you have a son with special needs, this is the book that can help answer all those really tough and sometimes uncomfortable questions. Just like with any other kid, we need to be open about sexuality. It will keep them safe.

Terri Couwenhoven, M.S., is certified in Special Education by the AASECT and specializes in working with individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, their families and professional support. Couwenhoven is also a mom who gets it, her eldest daughter has down syndrome.  Terry Couwenhoven, M.S. writes with professional expertise and maternal sensitivity. 

Have your kids hit puberty yet? How have you handled it?

Disclaimer: Woodbine House provided me with a complimentary copy of  The Boys' Guide to Growing Up  for review purposes only.  The opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.  

Build Your Own Disney Infinity Toy Box

Disclaimer: I was invited to the Disney Infinity Launch event and provided with a complimentary Disney Infinity Toy Box. All opinions are my own.

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Yesterday we attended one my favorite Blogger events ever!

The Disney Infinity Hack-a-thon at the Nintendo Store in New York City  

For those who know us in real life you know that The Husband is a hard core gamer and that he's been really working with The Boy to play video games. Recently, The Boy has been into it. And it's something we like to do together. Well, they play. I usually just watch. 

Top: The Boy with Little Lady & Little Man of GUB
Bottom: Me, The Boy & Jeff Bunker and Me & Ruby of GUB

Disney Infinity will be in stores today, we had the opportunity to play yesterday. And you know who taught us the ins and outs of the game? Jeff Bunker - the artistic director for the game. It was so cool. 

And then we got to meet up with one my favorite blogger amigas:  Ruby of Growing Up Blaxican. 

This was our first Blogger Event as a family and I was nervous about how The Boy would do. But I was really proud of him. He talked and made eye contact. He didn't try to wander away or have a melt down.  


The Boy had a BLAST playing with the Disney Infinity game. He was really interested in playing with different characters and switching out disks. He was curious and asked questions. He was focused on playing. He played for 30 minutes. 30 MINUTES! And whenever The Husband tried to help, The Boy would brush him off and say, "I can do it all by myself."

I think video games are so important for kids with autism. I've written about the impact games have made with The Boy. Disney Infinity really allows a child to use their imagination. They hold the power to play the game they want to play. To build their own world with their favorite Disney Characters.     

What's great about Disney Infinity is that there is no such thing as losing. So it's the perfect game for me. No pressure, you know. But it's also great for kids like The Boy because they can just play freely. And the free play allows kids to really learn how to handle the control pad. It could be a stepping stone to other games.  

You don't have to be a hard core gamer to play Disney Infinity - its truly a game the whole family can play and enjoy. And I am really looking forward to creating many new adventures.    

About Disney Infinity Disney Infinity is an all-new video game initiative starring the beloved characters from Walt Disney and Pixar Studios’ most popular franchises. Players can place real-world toy versions of their favorite Disney characters onto a device called the Infinity Base and transport them into the virtual game worlds of Monsters University, the Incredibles, Cars, Pirates of the Caribbean and The Lone Ranger, as well as into a giant Toy Box.

The Disney Infinity Starter Pack includes:

(retails for about $75.00)

• 1 Disney Infinity Video Game
• 3 Disney Infinity Figures (Captain Jack Sparrow, Mr. Incredible and Sulley)
• 1 Disney Infinity Base
• 1 Power Disc (may vary by pack)
• 1 Starter Pack Play Set piece
• 1 Web Code Card  

Additional Figures and Power Discs Sold Separately 

Circular Discs

• Bolt’s Super Strength – Character that you’re playing with does 10% more damage

• Fix It Felix’s Repair Power – Character you’re playing with has 20% more health

Hexagonal Discs

• Mickey’s Car – Drive Mickey’s Jalopy in the Toy Box 

• Sugar Rush Sky Skydome – Adds a “Sugar Rush” theme from “Wreck-it-Ralph” to the Toy Box sky

• Alice’s Wonderland Texture Set – Adds an “Alice in Wonderland” (animated film) theme to Toy Box terrain objects

• Nome’s Seascape Skydome – Adds a “Finding Nemo” theme to the Toy Box sky 

Rare Hexagonal Discs

• Dumbo the Flying Elephant – Adds the Dumbo ride from the Parks in the Toy Box

You can play Disney Infinity on all of your favorite game consoles, PC and iPad. 

Disclaimer: I was invited to the Disney Infinity Launch event and provided with a complimentary Disney Infinity Toy Box. All opinions are my own.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Raising Kids on the Spectrum

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Raising Kids with Autism

101 Inspirational Stories for Parents of Children with Autism and Asperger's

Edited by Dr. Rebecca Landa of the Kennedy Krieger Institute, Mary Beth Marsden, Nancy Burrows and Amy Newark

I've been a fan of the Chicken Soup books for years and I was so excited to see one for autism parents. Five years ago, when my son was diagnosed with autism - this is the book I would have wanted to read. And I am so grateful that this is available now. 

What I love about this book is that the stories are divided in sections: Challenges, Finding the Funny, School and many more. The stories are short and easily digestible - you don't have to read this book in any kind of order. You can go to a section for a daily dose of inspiration.

I read this book during my commute to and from work - I found myself choking back tears, laughing out loud and filled with hope. 

Two of my favorite stories were "Don't Stop Believing" by Liane Kupferber Carter - where she talks about what it took for her son to be able to get a hair cut and "Friendships" by Dawn Hentrich - a brutally honest post about the months after a diagnosis. Some of my other favorite autism writers/bloggers are also featured: Jean Winegardner, Laura Shumaker, Jennifer Bush and Leigh Merryday.    

There is something in this book for everyone. Whether your kid was diagnosed yesterday or ten years ago - you will see yourself within the pages of this book.

To read an excerpt or place an order, please visit www.chickensoup.com

Disclaimer: I was provided with a complimentary copy of Raising Kids on the Spectrum, 

all opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

The Story of Luke

Last night I should have been working on my thesis. Instead, I decide to procrastinate by watching The Story of Luke.

Luke, 25, is autistic and lives a sheltered life with his grandparents. But his world is suddenly turned upside down when his grandmother dies and he is forced to live with his dysfunctional relatives who have no patience for him or his senile grandfather, who they quickly force into a nursing home. Luke is left with his grandfather’s final semi-coherent words: “Get a job. Find a girl. Live your own life. Be a man!” For the first time in his life, Luke has a mission. He is about to embark on a quest.

I really enjoyed watching The Story of Luke. I laughed and I cried. And while there were parts that made me sad and a little angry - it gave me hope. 

Hope that The Boy could find a place in the world. Hope that someone in this world will want to understand him and give him a chance. There was so much of Luke that reminded me of The Boy (whose middle name happens to be Luke, after the Jedi, not the apostle).

What I loved about Luke is his confidence, he knows who he is and refuses to let others diminish or devalue his abilities. Luke, played by Lou Taylor Pucci, not only has a innocent charm about him, but this sense of determination and will to succeed. 

The cast was amazing! Cary Elwes was fantastic, (I've had a crush on him since The Princess Bride - who hasn't?) as Uncle Paul - he was honest and warm. And Kristin Bauer (True Blood) as Aunt Cindy was perfect. One of my favorite lines of the movie is when she says to Luke, "I don't need to understand you, but it's good to have dreams."

The Story of Luke is an honest portrayal of family relations - family is complex. It's difficult to be the parent/caretaker of someone with a disability. It's hard to watch your parents grow old and care for themselves. It's hard to grow old and have to depend on your children. It's hard on a marriage and/or family when it has to take on the role of caregiver to a relative - The Story of Luke doesn't shy away from any of that. Family isn't always tolerant, accepting or understanding of family members who are elderly or have a disability. The responsibility of them is often thought of as inconvenience.

I loved watching the whole family dynamic transform with Luke in their lives. While it's obvious they know nothing about autism and have had limited contact with him, by the end of the movie, the family has not only accepted Luke as a member of the family - they love him. More importantly, they need him. Luke's relatives become compassionate, and it is the compassion that comes with day to day experience.   

The Story of Luke goes beyond being a movie about autism, it's about understanding, acceptance and compassionate for others. One of the key takeaways from The Story of Luke is that "Everybody is good at something." Everyone - regardless of the their disability - can do something. Everyone has something to contribute. And everyone's contribution is important.

   

Disclaimer: I ordered (paid for) The Story of Luke on demand. I have not been influenced in any way, all opinions are my own.