A Saturday Morning at the Legoland Discovery Center

Disclaimer: I was provided with complimentary tickets to the Legoland Discovery Center. No compensation was received, all opinions are my own. 

We're regular shoppers at the Ridgehill Mall in Westchester. And The Boy loves eating at Bonefish and Yardhouse. And of course, we frequent the Lego Store but we never had the chance to check out the Legoland Discovery Center until a few weeks ago. 

The Boy was super excited when we told him we were finally going! We heard that it gets really crowded by mid afternoon and from experience we know that these kind of activities are best for The Boy when we go early in the morning. So we arrived shortly after they opened. There was a little bit of a line but it was manageable.

What I especially loved was that it wasn't too big and it wasn't too small. It was a good size without being too overwhelming for The Boy. While I was in awe of MINILAND (New York’s skyline come to miniature life made from nearly 1.5 million LEGO bricks, with moving airships and trains), The Boy's favorite was the LEGO Fire Academy (a giant colorful jungle gym, with a climbing wall and slide). The LEGO Fire Academy is ideal for sensory seeking kids like mine! The Husband enjoyed the LEGO Racers: Build & Test - he had more fun building his race car than The Boy - it was cute. The Boy liked building his car too and it's perfect for fine motor skills.     

But we all loved the LEGO 4D Cinema! I was a little nervous about how The Boy would do. We've tried 4D movies in the past and it hasn't gone so well. But since The Boy's doing better watching 3D movies, we figured he could sit through a 12 minute 4D movie. The Boy really loved the movie - he laughed, kept trying to reach out to grab the images coming at us and he loved the bubbles.

We spent about 2 hours at the Legoland Discovery Center and by the time we were ready to leave, it was starting to get crowded. Going at 1o am on a Saturday morning was perfect for us and we'd definitely go back again. I think it's a  great family fun option especially during the cold winter months.       

LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Westchester 

• Take part in children’s activities with the Master Model Builder.
• See MINILAND, New York’s top attractions made from LEGO.
• Soft play area, rides, 4D cinema and more!

What You Need to Know Before You Go

Attraction Hours of Operation:

• Sunday - Thursday: 10am – 7pm (last ticket sold at 5pm)
• Friday - Saturday: 10am – 9pm (last ticket sold at 7pm)

Ticket Prices:
Adult (13+)   $22.00
Child (3-12)  $18.00
Child (0-2)    free

Tickets may be purchased on site and on line. Includes admission to LEGOLAND® Discovery Center and unlimited access to all of the attractions. Once inside, you may stay as long as you wish, subject to opening times.

GPS address: 

1 Ridge Hill Boulevard, Yonkers, NY 10710

Map & Overview of Legoland Discovery Center

Disclaimer: I was provided with complimentary tickets for myself and my family. No compensation was received, 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.

Major Milestone for The Boy! We Went To See #DisneyPlanes in 3D

Disclaimer: I was provided with free passes to the 3D advance screening of Disney Planes. All opinions are my own. 

Last night we went to see Disney Planes and before I tell you all about the movie and why we loved it, I need to tell you how MAJOR this was for us!

We haven't been to a movie theater in years. The last time we went to see a movie was the sensory screening for Cars 2 and The Boy was scared to go in and kept asking to leave. The movies - until last night - have always been a challenge for us. And I was skeptical about taking him to see Planes because I didn't know how he would react or if he would even stay. 

But The Boy likes to watch Wreck It Ralph in 3D at home and he keeps the glasses on so we decided to give Planes a go. And I'm so happy we did! 

The Boy waited on line. He sat in his seat the entire time. He kept his glasses on. And when it got too loud, he put on his noise reducing headphones. There were moments when he spoke too loudly. But in a theater full of kids, no one even cared. 

I was so proud of him last night. And I'm grateful that Disney makes such awesome movies that The Boy can enjoy in a theater and not just in the comfort of his own home. And I feel good knowing that we have one more family fun activity to add to our list.  

So...about Planes!    

From above the world of “Cars” comes “Disney’s Planes,” an action-packed 3D animated comedy adventure featuring Dusty (voice of Dane Cook), a plane with dreams of competing as a high-flying air racer. But Dusty’s not exactly built for racing—and he happens to be afraid of heights. So he turns to a seasoned naval aviator who helps Dusty qualify to take on the defending champ of the race circuit. Dusty’s courage is put to the ultimate test as he aims to reach heights he never dreamed possible, giving a spellbound world the inspiration to soar. “Disney’s Planes” takes off in theaters in 3D on Aug. 9, 2013, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.

If your kids love Cars they will ADORE Planes! I don't want to give anything away but Planes is everything you'd expect from a Disney classic - simply fun for the kid in all of us. I was laughing out loud and cheering along with every other kid in the place.

My favorite character is El Chupacabra or "El Chu" - you will absolutely love the scene when he serenades the plane he passionate about. (See no spoilers...)

And Dusty...as a mom of a kid with autism, I really love the message he sends to our kids.   

Speaking of El Chu and Dusty...looky who joined The Boy for breakfast this morning! 

Planes opens in theaters on Friday August 9th!

On August 31, 2013 (usually at 10am est) there will be a Sensory Friendly Film Screening of Planes click the link for participating AMC theatres in your area - http://www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films


For Disney Planes Coloring Pages click HERE.  

Disclaimer: I was provided with free passes to the 3D advance screening of Disney Planes. All opinions are my own. 

AW Sunday Review: Pay Attention, Emily Brown

Pay Attention, Emily Brown!

Written by Linda Burton

Illustrated by Carl Burton 

 

ISBN: 978-1606130278

Woodbine House (October 7, 2011)

Hardcover 32 pages

Full-color illustrations
Ages 4-8  

$16.95

Just think, Emmy Brown, for a moment or two…
Suppose that I told you my toes had turned blue?
Suppose that I started to fly overhead?
Or spread candy and presents all over your bed?
If I hung upside down by an arm and a knee
do you think, Emmy Brown, you would listen to me?

If you are the parent of a child with autism or any other attention issues you will relate to little Emily Brown.  Emily Brown is a little girl who has difficulty focusing and her mother is trying desperately to get her attention.

It's beautifully illustrated pictures will be appeal to young children.  The illustrations are also perfect to engage conversation.


Some great questions to ask while reading is: 


What color is Emily's shirt?    
What is Emily doing?  


If your child is non-verbal, ask them to point to colors, shapes or objects.  And if your child is not able to point - use hand over hand to lead to help them.  

With its lighthearted and humorous language, Pay Attention Emily Brown!  will be enjoyed by both parent and child.  And the message of unconditional love and acceptance is reaffirming for special needs children. 

AW Sunday Review: The Girls Guide to Growing Up

The Girls Guide to Growing Up: 
Choices & Changes in the Tween Years 
by Terri Couwenhoven, M.S.


ISBN: 978-1-60613-026-1
Woodbine House, December 2011
Ages 8 - 14
62 pages
$16.95




"Puberty is a challenging time for all young adults.  Now girls with intellectual disabilities can grow up with confidence, benefiting from this very clear, practical and honest guide."
~ Dr. Brian Skotko (Physician, Down Syndrome Program, Children's Hospital Boston)

*

Last week I shared an article on my FB Page that made me giggle and cringe.  I won't say anymore.  You read it.  But I will say, I am really happy I have a few more years before I The Husband sits The Boy down for The Talk.  


But we can't put it off forever.  And neither can you.  Eventually our children will hit puberty and we will need to prepare them for it.   


And if I had a special needs daughter, The Girls' Guide to Growing Up written by Terri Couwenhoven, M.S., is the book I'd buy to prepare us both.  


Written in clear and simple language (3rd grade reading level) and paired with age-appropriate facts, realistic illustrations and photos, The Girls' Guide to Growing Up, explains in detail the many changes of a girls body.  The illustrations and photos are even presented in such a way that they may be created into a picture schedule.  The Girls' Guide to Growing Up also discusses feelings and discretion while emphasizing personal safety and privacy.  And it concludes with a Q&A to prompt conversation.


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.  


Sound like something that would be useful for you?


Interested in winning a free copy?    


Leave a comment for a mandatory entry. 

For additional entries: 

1. Follow this blog; and/or

2. Follow me on twitter - @LaliQuin; and tweet me using #AutismWonderland hashtag and/ or

3. “Like” the AutismWonderland Facebook page.

With each additional entry you MUST post a comment. Comments will be numbered in the order they are listed and a random number generator (random.org) will be used to select the winner.  Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.   

If you are already follow me or "Like" the page, no problem. Just post a comment and you have an additional entry.

This giveaway will end Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 11:59pm EST. Winner will be announced on Facebook & Twitter on  Sunday (by noon EST) January 22, 2012.  The winner will have 24 hours to reply. 

Feel free to contact me at autismwonderland@gmail.com with any questions.

Note: Woodbine House provided me with a complimentary copy of  The Girls' Guide to Growing Up  for review purposes only.  (I am offering The Girls' Guide to Growing Up as a giveaway) The opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way. 

Dream Catcher (Weighted Blankets) Giveaway!

If you've been following us for a while, you know that we don't get much sleep.  The Boy tosses and turns, wakes up often, staying up for hours and almost always finding his way into our bed.

It's exhausting.  I'm exhausted.   

Anyway a few weeks ago after a FB status update proclaiming another sleepless night...the amazing woman behind Dream Catcher Weighted Blankets reached out to me.  And she was sweet enough to offer The Boy a complimentary weighted blanket.  (I had been thinking about buying a weighted blanket but not sure whether or not it would be helpful.)

The weighted blanket sent to us is well made, durable, comfortable and a beautiful bright blue (they come in an assortment of colors, sizes and fabrics).  I was really impressed with it.    

Now that we've been using the weighted blanket for about a month, I'm happy to say that it's really made a difference.  We use it throughout the day.  If The Boy's sitting in his beanbag reading a book.  At night, when I'm reading The Boy a bedtime story.  Sometimes I roll it up like log and place it over his lap or wrap it around his shoulders while he's sitting on the sofa watching TV.  And there are times when The Boy isn't using it, that I like to snuggle up with it, it really is relaxing.   

The Boy still wakes up in the middle in the night.  But on the nights he does, he's not as frantic, running around wildly.  He'll walk into our room, climb into bed and go back to sleep.   (That's fine with me, so long as I still get my sleep.)  And sometimes, The Boy will bring his weighted blanket with him.

For more information on the Dream Catcher Blankets click on the following links:
Who do they help?
How do they work? 
How to use? 

Would YOU like to WIN a 

Dream Catcher Weighted Blanket?

Yeah.  I thought you would.

How to Enter and WIN: 

Mandatory entry:  Leave a comment below. Feel free to share why you would benefit from the weighted blanket.

Additional entries:

1.  Follow this blog

2.  Follow me on twitter - @LaliQuin (and don't be shy - say hello) 

3.  “Like” the AutismWonderland Facebook page

4.  “Like” the DreamCatcher-Weighted-Blankets Facebook page

Every time you enter, you MUST post a comment. It is very important that you post a comment* for each entry.  If you are already signed up for any of these, no problem. Just post a comment and you’re in the giveaway!

This giveaway will end Sunday, October 2nd at 11:59pm EST. Winner will be announced on Facebook & Twitter on Monday, October 3rd.  I will contact the winner via email and you will have 24 hours to reply. 

Feel free to contact me at autismwonderland@gmail.com with any questions.

*Comments will be numbered in the order they are listed and a random number generator (random.org) will be used to select the winner. If you combine entries into one post, you will only have one chance to win rather than up to three. Give-a-way is open to U.S. residents only. 

**Dream Catcher Weighted Blankets provided me with a complimentary blanket.   The opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way. 

Zippies - Pals That Hang Around

One of the things I find exciting about  a new school year is all the cool back to school items.  It's the only thing keeping me really calm.  Something about new clothes, notebooks and book bags to get me in the back to school mood. 

And what I'm most excited about is Zippies.  Creative Child Magazine hailed Zippies as 2010 Product of the Year; they will be great for The Boy's backpack, lunchbox - even to hang on his belt hoops for personal identification.  (Use the rubber loop - or detach it to clip the pal on a key ring.)  They'd be great for play-dates too, to identify water/juice bottles. 

The Boy isn't the kind of kid that will tell you his name or phone number voluntarily - so the Zippies are a great way to  ensure The Boy can be identified in case of an emergency. 

The best part is - The Boy is really excited about them too!  He chose Ranger for his back pack.  And the description makes me smile - sounds a bit like The Boy. 

There are 10 to choose from.  But why choose, you can have them all and mix and match as you please. Zippies have a suggested retail price of $3.99 each, $15.95 for a five pack or $29.95 for the entire limited-edition first series. They can be ordered online at www.zippiesfun.com and found at select retailers nationwide.   

 

*I received a complementary set for review.  I was not compensated for this post.  All opinions are my own.   

Words With: Laura Shumaker

AW: What was your first reaction to your child's diagnosis?

LS: I was sure that the psychologist got it wrong. While I knew something was not quite right, I was determined to fix it.

AW: What was your defining moment of acceptance?

LS: Matthew was ten years old, I was wiped out from trying to manage his disruptive behavior, and it hit me that his condition was life long. It was a dark time, but once I grasped the concept, I knew I had to accept it and move forward.

AW: What inspired you to start your blog?  Your book?

LS: I was inspired to write my book because of family and friends misconception that Matthew was a burden to me. How can a child that you love so much be a burden? I wanted to explain,  and hoped that my story would help others learn to love and accept Matthew, quirks and all, and teach them to be more tolerant in the differences of others. I was inspired to write my blog to continue the conversation!

AW: What has been your most rewarding aspect of being special needs writer/advocate?

LS: I feel like I have helped a lot of people. I think that when parents read about my challenges raising Matthew they realize that they are not alone. I try to show how I solve problems so that they feel empowered to tackle their own challenges.

AW: What advice would you offer parents of recently diagnosed children?

LS: 
1) Download the 100 day kit from Autism Speaks. What a great tool.

2) Allow yourself time to grieve and do not blame your spouse!

3) Build a community of other parents like yourself.

4) Remember that your child has a place in the world

5) Learn as much as you can-knowledge is power

6) Keep your sense of humor!

7) Pray for patience

AW: Feelings on diagnosis in 6 words or less.

LS: Hard, but character building!!
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Laura Shumaker has also contributed to the Through the Looking Glass (TTLG) series: 
Autism and Parenting-5 Tips to Reduce Stress
 

Laura Shumaker is the author of A Regular Guy: Growing Up With Autism and is a City Bright for the San Francisco Chronicle. She has contributed to several anthologies, including Voices of Autism, A Cup of Comfort for Parents of Children with Special Needs,Writin’ on Empty, and the forthcoming Gravity Pulls You In. She is a regular contributor to NPR Perspectives and a columnist for 5 Minutes for Special Needs. Laura’s essays have appeared in The New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Contra Costa Times, Literary Mama, the East Bay Monthly, The Autism Advocate and on CNN.COM.

Laura speaks regularly to schools, book and disability groups.

She lives in Lafayette, California with her husband Peter and her three sons.

Visit her Facebook Fan Page!

The Other Kid by Lorraine Donlon (book review, giveaway - CLOSED)

The Other Kid written by Lorraine Donlon is a draw it out guidebook/journal for children dealing with a special needs sibling.    

Written in clear and simple language, The Other Kid is an excellent learning tool for parents, grandparents, educators, special education service providers and social workers. Targeted for children between five and twelve years old, The Other Kid, validates the complex feelings of being the sibling to a brother or sister with special needs.  It encourages siblings to express their feelings through art and writing.  The Other Kid also allows siblings to appreciate their brother/sister, to respect and accept their strengths as well as their weaknesses. It also highlights the similarities between siblings.  More importantly, The Other Kid is the beginning of an honest conversation.

While The Boy is an only child, I would highly recommend this book to parents with multiple children.  I also believe that this book should be added to every school library and/or used with sibling support groups.  It's important that children understand their feelings.  The Other Kid supports awareness and acceptance.  

 The sibling of sisters with special needs, Donlon wrote this book from her own experience. Born in 1959, Donlon was considered "lucky" to be "normal."  However, she admits that she "didn't feel lucky" and often felt "guilty" for being a typically developing child while her sisters were  "very low functioning" and "mostly non-verbal."  Donlon shared that she "created The Other Kid as a coloring book because I wanted very small children to know that all the feelings they were experiencing were nothing to be ashamed of - and actually a very normal response to a very stressful situation.  Letting kids have a place to draw and talk about what they are feeling also gives caring parents insights into what "the other kid" is feeling so concerns can be addressed in a loving and supportive way."

Donlon's advice to parents: Find a way to have "alone" time with the typically developing child.  Kids with special needs demand a lot of time, energy, and resources. It's  important to remember that the typically developing kids need attention too - special 1:1 time where they can just be kids and feel important.


Donlon's advice to "The Other Kids": It's OK to need your parents too.  It's OK to have really strong feelings - both positive and negative - and that there are caring adults who will listen. It's also important for kids to know they are not alone - and can feel very reassured when they realize other siblings have felt the same way.

The Other Kid is available on Amazon for $10.95 in English and Spanish (El Otro Nino).         


GIVE-A-WAY: To win your complimentary copy of "The Other Kid" -

1. Leave a comment for this blog post - also specify if you want English or Spanish edition. 
2. Send me an email at autismwonderland@gmail.com. (Even if you think I have it) If you DO NOT send me an email, I will NOT be able to contact you if you win.  In your email, let me know you've left a comment and specify whether you want the English or Spanish edition.  

In order to qualify for contest you MUST complete steps 1 and 2.    

You may leave as many comments as you like.  The more you comment, the better chance you have of winning.  Contest ends on Sunday, April 17th at midnight. Winners* will be announced Monday April 18th, 2011 on my facebook fan page AutismWonderland.blogspot.com and on my twitter page @Laliquin.  I will contact the winners via email to arrange shipping.**
 
 * Winners will be selected via random.org
**Will only ship within the United States. Shipping is free of charge.  

Note:  A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me by the author. The opinions expressed in this post are my own.