Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Pediatric Therapy in Texas

http://www.kidztherapeze.com/

If you live in Texas and have a child with special needs, you may want to check out this therapy service.

Personalized Wine Glass

http://www.plowhearth.com/Monogrammed-Holiday-Wine-Glass_p11993_S2005_D3006_C5119.html#ReviewHeader

If you want to let someone know they are unique and special, you may want to give them a monogrammed holiday wine glass. This way, every year they open their holiday decorations, they can think of you.  :o)

Solar Powered Water Bowl for Birds and Pets

http://www.plowhearth.com/Garden-Blue-Solar-Sipper-with-Bracket-_p5902_S2005_D3006_C4060.html

This is another good idea...in an earlier post I explained the benefits of bird watching and what better way to attract birds than with water near a bird feeder? You can create one stop shopping for your backyard birds by using the sun to keep their bowl of water from freezing. Further down the page of the link you will see a dog drinking out of a solar powered pet bowl. Funny thing is, when we lived in Wisconsin, our house got so cold that our indoor dog water bowl's water froze! Our dog's tongue actually stuck to the ice!! How do you deal with the cold?? Do you have any funny stories??

Rolling Snow Shovel - Plow & Hearth

Rolling Snow Shovel - Plow & Hearth

For those of you who do get snow, you may want to try this. I like the idea of having wheels to help propel the shovel and I wish I had this option when I shoveled snow in Wisconsin...when I was pregnant no less. Have you tried it? Let me know if you would recommend this product.

Condo Style Fish Tank: Another Stress Reducer

http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?itemID=17315&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C3%2C474%2C645&iProductID=17315

If you find yourself washing dishes or working at your desk for the gazzillionth time, you may want to try this fish display. I have a beta fish that I gaze at while washing dishes, but I also have another larger fish tank. So having a small tank like this condo would keep cleaning duties to a minimum.

Mirrored Bird Feeder: Watch Birds without Scaring them Away

http://www.plowhearth.com/Window-Mount-See-Through-Clear-Plastic-Bird-Feeder_p401850_S2008_D3060_C1102.html

Nature is a great stress reducer and during this busy time of year, you may want to try this bird feeder. My son and I love to watch the birds...their behaviors, colors, and interactions with each other make for a great way for my son and I to interact with each other. The birds are a nice conversation starter as well as role models for how to focus on the present time.

Mass Mutual Insurance has Plans for Families with Special Needs

ttp://www.massmutual.com/planningtools/additional-resources/special-needs/special-care/autism-coming-of-age

Livescribe Pen Records Audio While You Take Notes!

http://refer.livescribe.com/a/clk/2QNjP

Ok...I could have REALLY used this pen when I was going through school. When you write notes on their special paper, the pen records the voice of the speaker. Then, later on when you review your notes, you just touch the pen to the word you wrote during lecture and the audio plays back what the speaker said when you were writing the notes. How cool is that?!!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Go Pack, Go!

http://www.packers.com/

One other thing I am very thankful for is the NFL team Green Bay Packers. Congrats on your 11-0 record!! Who are your favorite teams??

Being Thankful for the Life Lessons

For a few years, right after our son with Autism was born, I was convinced his behaviors and needs were my punishment for whatever I had done earlier in my life. Luckily, when the stress broke my spirit, I knew I had no choice but to work with a professional psychologist. Turns out, I found an expert in PTSD,
counseling couples who have children with special needs, and rebuilding one's self-esteem and skill sets. She said one thing that rocked my world...We marry the one who, by his/her behaviors, will help heal our childhood wounds and help us become a better person. Take this idea one step further and I realize that our son, with his needs and behaviors, is a gift to me because he forces me to look deep within myself and discover skills I never knew I possessed. Thank you, Adam. Who in your life forces you to look deep within yourself??

Scentchips: Now Open In College Station, TX!!

http://scentchipscollegestation.com/

Hallelujah:o) Someone took on the challenge of opening their own Scentchips store here in College Station, TX!! I plan to shop there on Small Business Saturday (Nov. 26). If you can find one near you, please shop there. You will be amazed.

This Old Schoolhouse: Homeschool Resource

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/document-preview.aspx?doc_id=79432649

Even though I am an Occupational Therapist, I have never been courageous enough to try my skills as a home school parent. Please check out this excellent resource (This Old Schoolhouse) if you are or are considering becoming a homeschool parent.

Autism Community Magazine

http://www.autismcommunitymagazine.com/magazine/

I invite you to check out the many articles, products and services featured in the Autism Community Magazine. The winter edition is coming out soon, but I thought you might want to start browsing the Fall issue. So if you are a caregiver of a child with Autism, you will find tons of info. If you are a company, you will find a great venue for marketing your products/services. Check it out and let me know what you think. Happy Holidays!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Inspirational Author: Must Read Books

http://www.richardcarlson.com/press/obituary.html

Recently I read Richard Carlson's book "Don't Worry, Make Money." This summer, when Texas heat and drought brought on fires in every direction, I knew that if I had to evacuate my house and could only take a few things, this book was coming with me. The book was filled with lessons that improve one's quality of life. Funny thing is, the book also explained how you first need to be happy without money because money itself does not bring happiness. So tonight, when I searched the web for Richard Carlson (to feature in a blog post), I was shocked to read that he had passed away back in 2006...at the tender age of 45 (which I will be this January). Have you read his books, ie. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff"?? 

Visit NAPW

http://www.napw.com/profile/10742710/Denise-MeissnerOTR/

For professional women, please visit this site (National Association of Professional Women). They have quite a bit of resources that you may find beneficial.

Joel Osteen Ministry

Inspiration bits...download wallpaper, etc plus blog posts to help you enjoy the holiday season.

Caregiver Resource

http://www.merckengage.com/05_care/index.aspx?WT.mc_id=MECGGCN&WT.srch=1&MTD=2

For those of you who are already overwhelmed or who want to plan ahead, here is a resource you may want to check out. I like the section which explains your loved ones condition. What are your thoughts?

http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/10/apples-assistivetouch-helps-the-disabled-use-a-smartphone/

So glad to see the front story on my iMac newsletter is about apps for special needs. For those reading this post, what apps do you use??

http://www.southernliving.com/

I have been drooling over the pages of this month's Southern Living issue. With its photos and recipes I can almost smell Thanksgiving coming off the pages. Plus, my mother-in-law is in my kitchen cooking up a storm...and she is a Southern Living expert. What are your secret recipes???

Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake...Yum!

http://adrianna-prosser.com/mambots/content/jw_allvideos/templates/Default/nfprjw.htm


For those of you who are like me...you like both pecan and pumpkin pie but can't afford eating 2 slices of pie...here is a recipe that looks delicious. It's a combo of the 2 pies so you really can have both pies in one slice! One of my favorite things to do is to combine 2 items or ideas to create a 3rd/unique item or idea. (That is how I came up with the QCharm System...I combined the fashion of the yellow wristband with the function of the visual cues to create the QCharm Portable and Visual Cue System.) http://www.qcharm.com

Sunday, November 20, 2011

http://www.therapals.com/

Congratulations to Mollie...creator of Therapals, for being recognized as an "emerging leader." She is extremely innovative and motivated and I strongly recommend her site therapals.com. She has also featured QCharm and I hope that together we can greatly improve our outreach efforts to help those who live with special needs. If you want more information on Therapals or QCharm, please visit our websites or contact me via this blog. I look forward to hearing from you. Plus, if you have a website that serves members of the special needs community, please let me hear your story. 

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Taming temper tantrums: Are you doing it wrong?

Taming temper tantrums: Are you doing it wrong?

When I saw this segment on the Today show, I thought: It's about time we saw the Positive Support technique on TV. As an Occupational Therapist, I have been blessed to receive education on this technique and have been thankful for my son's Autism that mandates we use the most effective techniques. Check out this segment and let me know your thoughts.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

http://www.therapals.com/

For Professionals and children of special needs, I highly recommend this website Therapals.com. I just attended the workshop (at the Texas Occupational Therapy Assoc. conference) and was completely inspired by the creator (Mollie). This site is an innovative resource the includes a friendship section and a therapy activity section...both of which are so cool! Try it!!