Try a Dinner Winner or a Spinner Plate! You can find these on Amazon.

Try to only draw 5 petals to make a flower. Try to have all 5 petals the same width. Do not rotate the paper when drawing the flower.

If your child is demonstrating limited interest in handwriting and/or are around kindergarten age, try finding printable coloring pages of their interests online and have them color them. You could also try using more exciting tracing tools - see the photo below for more information. Other ideas include drawing, copying, tracing, etc. We have other blog posts on handwriting and pre-handwriting with more information if you are interested! Adult supervision required.

ALL ACTIVITIES WITH APPROPRIATE ADULT SUPERVISION FOR SAFETY!

Send us a message if you have any questions or need clarification. Some or all of these suggestions may not work for your family. Supervision is required for all suggested tasks and meals for safety.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1672102103/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1 I have been reading this to some of our kiddos and recommending it to families. It can be hard for some children to understand and you can always change certain parts of the book, but it is a great read.

Learn Play Thrive offers a set of online resources and courses designed specifically for parents of autistic children. These trainings focus on strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming approaches to help you better understand your child’s unique needs and support them through daily routines, sensory challenges, and moments of distress like meltdowns or shutdowns. It is a supportive resource to empower you in nurturing your child’s well-being with compassion and confidence. L

If you're a parent preparing for a trip, consider using virtual reality to help your child get ready for the airport experience. The Interactive Media Institute has created a VR video that walks children through the steps of air travel, from check-in to boarding. This can be a helpful tool in reducing anxiety and making the airport process feel more familiar and manageable for kids, especially those with sensory sensitivities or anxiety. Link: https://thearc.org/resource/airp

I work with many families who have found this chair to be really useful. It almost feels like a swing for kiddos! Click the link for one option. You can find them at most larger stores in town! Adult supervision is required for safety. https://www.sportsmans.com/camping-gear-supplies/camp-furniture/chairs-seats-loungers/kings-river-youth-swing-lounger-mykonos-blue/p/1898031?channel=shopping&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20973257504&gbraid=0AAAAADvVAnUs2J7em64qLgyX67CFQG9s6&gc

Try these suggestions. SUPERVISION IS REQUIRED FOR SAFETY.

Potty training can be really challenging for kiddos and their families. Here are some tips to help. Make going to the bathroom fun and less intimidating Spray a spray they like to smell Blow bubbles while on the potty Provide rewards or incentives for going to the bathroom Sing songs while on the potty Color the potty with washable markers or bath time markers Put stickers on the potty Listen to music while on the potty Consistency is also very important when it comes to pott

This website offers a lot of great resources and ideas to help families with difficulty with feeding, including picky eating, problem-feeding, limited food intake, limited variety, et cetera. Check it out! https://sosapproachtofeeding.com/start-here-parents/

Weighted blankets and stuffies are becoming more popular, but how do you use them? Typically, weighted items should be about 10% of a person's body weight. So, if a child weighs 60 pounds, the weighted blanket should weigh about 6 pounds. However, this is subjective and can vary from person to person. Some people may prefer lighter ones or ones that are a little heavier. However, it is important to keep the amount of weight of a weighted blanket in mind for children due to th

Below is a list of ideas for families with children of various ages and abilities around the greater Anchorage area. I have met families at almost all of these locations for community sessions over the years. This was last updated on 4/16/2025. Inside: Fresh Cup Playhouse https://freshcupak.com/ Play Palace in Midtown Mall https://www.alaskaplaypalace.com/ Indoor Park in Fairview https://www.muni.org/Departments/parks/Pages/IndoorPlayground.aspx The Doom Toddler Time...

I have worked with at least 15 families on bike riding. The most effective strategy I have found is using the balance bike method. You can turn any bike into a balance bike by removing training wheels and dropping the seat so that when a child sits on the bike, their feet touch the ground. You do not need to remove the pedals, but that can be helpful to at least get them out of the way. Have a child ride around using their feet to balance and encourage them to try the pedals

See the link below for a list of care coordinators that can help families apply for TEFRA. TEFRA is a Medicaid program. The link below is from the Comagine Health website. https://comagine.org/sites/default/files/resources/TEFRA_Care_Coordinators_09142021_508.pdf

Check out our community resources page to learn more about resources in Anchorage and Alaska. Link here: https://www.forgetmenotpeds.com/resources

Check out these helpful websites to help navigate videogames and healthy screen habits. https://www.healthygamer.gg/?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=22decembernewsletter_12750184 https://www.mightier.com/resources/5-tips-for-parents-about-video-game-hygiene/?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=22decembernewsletter_12750184

I use this website a lot as a practitioner. It has great ideas for oral motor skills related to feeding. This website also sells a lot of different items I use in my practice. Check it out using the link below! https://www.arktherapeutic.com/blog/easy-oral-motor-exercises-to-try-today/?srsltid=AfmBOoqsIt-q24qGkhzWswb-IdkMNfBCz3TOhawuzwyS72LnP6wSY5Rw