Library Cards Benefits!

Did you know that each county library offers free tickets to museums/attractions in their local area?! You can "check out" admission passes at the library just like you can check out a book! Click the links below to learn more about specific Libraries/cards!

King County Library Card Holders:

• Washington State History Museum - Admission for up to 2 adults and 4 children
• Bellevue Arts Museum - Admission for up to 2
• KidsQuest Children's Museum - Admission for up to 2 

Pierce County Library Card Holders:

• Museum of Glass - Admission for up to 2 adults and unlimited children
• Tacoma Art Museum - Admission of up to 4 (children under 5 are always free) 
• Washington State History Museum - Admission of up to 2 adults and unlimited children

Seattle Public Library Card Holders:

• Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum - Admission for 2
• Burke Museum - Admission for 2
• Center for Wooden Boats - One hour row boat rental for one adult at 3 others on Lake Union
• Museum of Pop Culture (Formally EMP) - Admission for 2 adults and 2 children
• Henry Art Gallery - Admission for 2 adults and all children are free
• Living Computer: Museum and Labs - Admission for 2 (children under 5 are free.) 
• LogHouse Museum - Admission for 4
• Museum of Flight - Admission for 2 adults and 2 children (children under 4 are free)
• Museum of History & Industry - Admission for 2 (Children 14 & under are free) 
• Northwest African American Museum - Admission for 4
• Nordic Heritage Museum - Admission for 2
• Seattle Art Museum - Admission for 2
• Seattle Aquarium - Admission for 2 (Children under 3 are free)
• Wing Luke Museum - Admission for 2

Benefits of Summer Camp - AAC

For children and adults with communication or developmental disorders, summer camp is opportunity to interact with others in a fun, nurturing, and safe environment. 

Camp Jabber Jaw is a Summer Camp hosted at Mississippi State University. It is specifically for children using Augmentative and Alternative Communication. (AAC.) 

In an article regarding the camp, a speech pathologist mentioned that parents often tell her that their children hesitate to use their device at school because it makes them "different" from their classmates.  

This summer camp gave these children the opportunity to connect with peers who also use devices to communicate, helping them overcome those hesitations. 

Check out the article! 

Reference the Article Here

9 Tips for Communicating Better With People With Autism

Asha.org recently just put out a new infographic regarding tips to help improve communication for those with Autism. 

It's a must read for everyone! 

F.A.S.T

American Stroke Month

American Stroke Month started at the beginning of May. If you or someone you know is having a stroke, it is critical to get medical attention immediately! Immediate treatment may minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.

Recognizing the symptoms when someone is having a stroke is vital in order to get the most immediate medical attention. Here are the most common symptoms of someone experiencing a stroke:

    1. Face Drooping —> Ask the person to smile. Is one side of the lower than the other?

    2. Arm Weakness —> Ask the person to lift both arms. Is one arm drifting downward?

    3. Speech Difficulty —> Is their speech slurred? Ask them to repeat a simple sentence

    4. Time to call 9-1-1 —> Time is important! Tell them “I think this is a stroke”

Follow this link to learn more in support of the American Stroke Month!

Better Hearing & Speech Month 2017

May is Better Hearing and Speech Month!

Communication: The Key to Connection. 

Approximately 46 million Americans experience some form of communication disorder. Communication disorders can compromise physical and emotional health.

Better Hearing and Speech Month is working to raise awareness about communication disorders and resources available. 

Click here to find out how you can get involved!

Summer Sensory Activities

There are many benefits of sensory activities. 

Sensory play is extremely beneficial to children with developmental delays and is often used in Sensory Integration Therapy. It has been proven that sensory integration therapy improves daily function in children with autism. 

It's not just children who have difficulty with sensory integration who benefit from sensory play; it's all children!

These activities help to stimulate your child's senses: touch, smell, taste, movement, balance, sight and hearing. Sensory play also supports language development, cognitive growth, fine & gross motor skills, problem solving skills, and social interaction. 

Frozen Fractals Ice Art is an activity I recommend you try this summer. This activity allows your child to have creative freedom and is less structured than others. It is a messy activity, so make sure you take it outside on a sunny day! 

Erupting Ice Chalk is another outdoor activity I highly recommend! Just make sure when it is time for the vinegar portion of this activity that your child does not touch their eyes. 

Click here for more sensory activities to try this summer!

Summer Camps for Children with Special Needs

Are you looking for camps for your child to attend this summer? 

Seattle Children's Center for Special Needs has created an entire directory of special needs summer camps! 

Click here to navigate the online directory

Click here to see the entire directory in PDF