bTizzy!

This week, I wanted to share a great new resource with everybody: bTizzy!

What is it?  Here's how they describe what they're about:

We are embracing a more open dialog, fostering community, speaking to issues, passions and yes, frustrations, too: all the things that make up the diverse lifeblood of our population. And most critically, we aim to increase the economic power of people with disabilities (PWD).

Think of it sort of like Etsy where all of the creators/sellers are people with disabilities working to support themselves by doing what they love:

SHOP. Products and Services by PWD have a new marketplace: bTizzy.com. Commercial success is critical to our success. And yours. Our goal is to level the economic playing field. To help people with disabilities become financially independent. To thrive. 

You can either browse and shop for individual items, or you can sign up for a monthly subscription box: 

With your subscription, we’re empowering Artisans with Disabilities. With each delivery, we send you a new bPosh box with a selection of superb products by independent makers with disabilities. Products express our very highest in standards for ingenuity and quality. Boxes may include handcrafted items, artists images on fabulous, curated pieces or both. 

bTizzy was founded by Nikki Zimmerman, the mother of a child with disabilities and a fantastic advocate. 

They also have a blog, and they have plans to expand and provide other services and resources in the future.  Check them out!

--Sarah

Sensory Friendly Activities for Families and Children with Special Needs

It’s that time of year where we are all starting to go a bit stir crazy from being inside during the winter.  Below is a list of a few fabulous local places which provide accommodations for children with special needs so you and your family can get out of the house and play!  

1.     Seattle Children's Playgarden:  Seattle Children's PlayGarden is a public park, and is open to the public from sun up to sun down year round, with the exception of during our summer camp hours, which are Monday-Thursday, 9:30-1:30, June 22 - Aug 27.    

http://www.childrensplaygarden.org

2.     Seattle Children’s Museum: One of the many local museums which provides     

Sensory hours, and opens its doors early for sensory hours the first Saturday of each month. From 8:30–10 a.m., the museum dims the lights and minimizes sounds, creating a setting friendlier to kids who benefit from a quieter, less-crowded environment.

http://thechildrensmuseum.org

3.     Pacific Science Center: Offers Exploration for All: Autism Early Open at Pacific

Science Center. On the second Saturday of each month, through December 2016, all families affected by autism spectrum disorder are invited to explore Pacific Science Center during a special free morning visit from 8-10 a.m. – before they open to the public. Website provides specific dates for this event.

      https://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/exploration-for-all

4.     Seattle Public Library story times:  Sensory story times are hosted at the Ballard and Columbia City branches of the Seattle Public Library, hosted each Saturday from 10:15-10:45 a.m. Registration is not required but are limited to 12 families on a first-come, first-serve basis. These special librarian-led story times are for kids ages 10 and under who have a hard time in large groups, are on the autism spectrum, or are sensitive to sensory overload.

http://www.spl.org/audiences/children/chi-for-parents-and-caregivers/sensory-  story-times

5.     Seattle Sensory Garden: Is an inclusive garden designed for all ages and abilities to   

experience nature through the five senses.

       http://seattlesensorygarden.com

6.     AMC Sensory Friendly Films:  AMC Theatres has partnered with Autism Society to bring sensory friendly showtimes to locations across the country, including four in the greater Seattle Area. At these showings, auditoriums will have their lights up, the sound turned down and audience members are invited to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing. 

https://www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films

7.     Miner's Corner:  Is Snohomish County's first universally accessible park, which  

opened in November 2013. The park emphasizes a full sensory experience in natural surroundings.  It meets requirements for full storm water dispersion, which means at least 65% of the site is natural vegetation. The park makes use of this natural beauty by placing the playground right in the middle of the woods, and has numerous play spaces set along park pathways and the created intermittent stream and wetland to encourage interaction with nature.

http://snohomishcountywa.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Miners-Corner-57

8.     Meadow Crest Playground in Renton: Is a playground in Renton was designed to be accessible and fun for all ages and abilities. It sits next to Meadow Crest Early Learning Center, home to an inclusive preschool, and North Highlands Neighborhood Center. Features include oversized musical instruments, an interactive water table, a nature play area with logs and sand, and a wavy walk for wheelchairs or tricycles complete with a play gas station and stop signs. 

https://rentonwa.gov/living/default.aspx?id=32303

 

9.   Hands On Children’s Museum (HOCM): Is the largest children's museum in the Pacific Northwest. They have a sensory friendly guide available and host Special Nights of Play for families with kids on the autism spectrum or with other special needs. 

http://www.hocm.org/sensory-friendly

http://www.hocm.org/special-night-play

  

 I hope these recommendations are helpful!

-Paige

Don't Forget...

We will be OPEN next week!  

Many local school districts have cancelled classes next week for Presidents' Week/Mid-Winter Break.

Let us know if you plan to take next week off or would like to reschedule your appointment. 

Call us at (425) 358-7160 or email your therapist.

Enjoy the Super Bowl

Super Bowl Sunday is fast approaching.  

Here are some fun ways to include your kids in the Super Bowl 50 fun!

Carolina Panthers vs. Denver Broncos in San Francisco

1. Prep game snacks and food together.  Search the internet to turn your favorite ingredients into a delightful treat.
2. Point out shapes on the field: The field is a rectangle, the ball is oval, the uprights are almost a square, the coins used for the toss are circles.  See how many different shapes you can find.
3. *Football scoring is odd.  Make it a math game. 
4. Bingo.  Laura at makelifelovely.com made free printable cards.  You can find them here:  bingo cards     
5. Talk with your kids about the colors, teams, players, rules, and sportsmanship. 
6. Learn about the teams’ home cities (Denver and  Charlotte) online before the game or at half-time.  Have you been there?  Would you want to visit? Why?
7. Have a dance party during half-time.  Coldplay and Beyonce will be playing.
8. Get moving.  Decide ahead of time what signals on the field will mean for your group.  Give different categories of commercials a body movement, too.  Here’s what I will be doing:

• false start: 5 jumping jacks
• field goal: 3 push ups
• touchdown: run in place for 30 seconds   
• candy commercial: jump 10 times
• car commercial: pretend to drive

I hope the whole family enjoys the game,

Elizabeth

*Most common scores:

• touchdown = 6
• kicked point after touchdown = 1
• 2-point conversion after touchdown = 2
• field goal = 3