Monday, August 27, 2012

Apple Crisp {Better Than Apple Pie}



Forget the apple pie, make the apple crisp...

Ingredients:
1 1/3 cups butter, melted
2 cups flour
2 cups brown sugar
pinch of salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/3 cups oats
5-6 apples; peeled, cored & sliced

Prepare apples as directed.  Place in bottom of pan (pictured above in Pampered Chef's deep dish baker).  Mix all ingredients together and pack on top of apples.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until slightly crispy.  Serve warm with ice cream.

Super simple.  Super delicious.

~Nicole~  

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Sensory Processing Disorder: Auditory







Each week I post about some type of therapy we use, who recommended it, and the reason we are using it.  Remember, I am not a licensed therapist and I am sharing our experiences.  We would love to have you share too.  Please leave us a comment.

For the month of August, I am highlighting the different senses that Sensory Processing Disorder affects, a checklist of symptoms and some activities we do to help.  We started with proprioception, which is the internal sense of knowing where your body parts are without looking a them.  Then we went on to the tactile system, which is how our brain receives information coming from the receptors on our skin about touch, pain and temperature.  Next was the vestibular systemwhich coordinates movement and balance through receptors in the inner ear and in relation to Earth's gravity.  Last week we looked at the visual sense and how it is much more complex than just viewing an image.  

Sensory Processing Disorder: Auditory Sense

Auditory is the sense of hearing.  It is more complex than just sounds though.  There is the loudness (decibels), pitch, how long the sound lasts, and where it is coming from.  Some children are more sensitive to sounds.  Our 7 year old son wakes up at the slightest noise.  Other children may be sensitive to loud sounds  and cover their ears with their hands.  Not only that, but if a child has auditory processing disorder the brain can misread the sound coming in.  This is usually not due to a hearing deficit though.  It is a processing (or decoding) problem.    

Here is the auditory portion of the complete sensory processing disorder checklist found on Sensory-Processing-Disorder.com.

Signs Of Auditory Dysfunction: (no diagnosed hearing problem)

1. Hypersensitivity To Sounds (Auditory Defensiveness):

__ distracted by sounds not normally noticed by others; i.e., humming of lights or refrigerators, fans, heaters, or clocks ticking
__ fearful of the sound of a flushing toilet (especially in public bathrooms), vacuum, hairdryer, squeaky shoes, or a dog barking
__ started with or distracted by loud or unexpected sounds
__ bothered/distracted by background environmental sounds; i.e., lawn mowing or outside construction
__ frequently asks people to be quiet; i.e., stop making noise, talking, or singing
__ runs away, cries, and/or covers ears with loud or unexpected sounds
__ may refuse to go to movie theaters, parades, skating rinks, musical concerts etc.
__ may decide whether they like certain people by the sound of their voice

2. Hyposensitivity To Sounds (Under-Registers):

__ often does not respond to verbal cues or to name being called
__ appears to "make noise for noise's sake"
__ loves excessively loud music or TV
__ seems to have difficulty understanding or remembering what was said
__ appears oblivious to certain sounds
__ appears confused about where a sound is coming from
__ talks self through a task, often out loud
__ had little or no vocalizing or babbling as an infant
__ needs directions repeated often, or will say, "What?" frequently


It is not uncommon for auditory problems to accompany learning difficulties, speech delays and
other developmental disabilities.  There is also a strong correlation between the auditory and vestibular senses since both of their receptors are located within in the inner ear.

One therapy that our Occupational Therapists recommended for our boys is a therapeutic listening program, which can be used in conjunction with traditional therapy.  Watch the YouTube video below which explains therapeutic listening.




Another Occupational Therapist recommended Mozart music for periods when concentration is necessary. The link below is a great one. It can be used without headphones, or with with headphones for best results. It contains binaural beats. For more information on what it is and how it can improve concentration and reduce anxiety, here is a link to an article: What are binaural beats and how do they work?






When we know we are going to be in a loud environment, such as a ride on a train or during fireworks, we provide our children with noise reducing ear muffs such as the ones below.  This makes for a much more enjoyable experience all around.





I am currently trying to find out who tests for Auditory Processing disorder (APD).  Our 10 year old son has suspected APD, but he has also recently been diagnosed with hearing loss in one ear and referred for a hearing aid.  I have been told to contact the school district, the school district has told me to contact an audiologist, the audiologist has advised me to check the local university, and the university no longer offers testing for APD, however they do offer therapy for it.  If you have any helpful suggestions I sure would appreciate them!

Update: We were able to get in with the local university for Auditory Processing Disorder testing, however, they could not test our son because of the hearing loss in his right ear. I have since learned from his Audiologist that is it thought that everyone who has hearing loss, also has APD. So there you go! 

~Nicole~

You can find me on youTube and Instagram @DivergingLives.  

Back to School Pictures



Introducing this year's students...


Amada (age 3)

Johnathan (age 7)

James (age 8)

Alex (age 10)




These great grade level printables are from Life as Mom.  Sorry about them being so hard to read in the above photos.  The kids colored them all by themselves and whatever colors they wanted.  Since we don't homeschool "by the grade" it's really not a big deal.  We feel it is better to teach by what the child is ready to learn next and not necessarily what the state standards dictate.  I guess that is also why unit studies fit our homeschooling method.

Do you homeschool by the grade?  If not, why did you choose not to?  How do you respond to the question, "What grade are you in?"

This post is a link-up with iHomeschoolNetwork.   


~Nicole~




Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Our Home School Classroom





I like the idea of having one room that is a dedicated space as a school room, but let's face it when you homeschool everything you do is a learning experience.  Last year was our first year homeschooling our younger children (ages 10, 8, 7, and 3).  Due to the nature of our children's special needs, we really have to be creative in how we teach them.  We use a lot of hands-on material.  You can read here how I have adapted some of our curriculum for our children.

After school began last year, we ended up listing our house for short sale as well as moving into a rental house.  We never really organized the school area when we moved, so we were basically in survival mode just trying to complete the school year.

Well...we are organized (for now anyways).  And here is a peek.      


All table work is done at our kitchen table.  That's just where it is convenient.  I prepare the week's worth of lessons/activities and store them in the cart next to the table.  Since we take more of a group approach to learning, this works well for us.  The kids sit on the benches (in their assigned seats).  My husband sits at one end of the table and I at the other so we can assist as needed.  



This should be our dining room, but it is where our computer sits.  This is where I research and prepare our lessons.  See the boxes under the table?



We use our family room for the daily group time (including calendar and All About Reading lesson).  When we read aloud to the kids, everyone is able to spread out in this room.  We also have a group quiet time in the afternoon so I can have a few minutes off my feet.

The following pictures are also in the family room (continuing clockwise).



This is our media and storage area.  We love to watch educational movies, documentaries, nature shows, and other novel-based movies.  These cabinets house most of our games, as well as a charging station for our iPads.  Last year we invested in 3 iPads to be used for homeschooling and it was the best purchase we made!  See how one of our sons uses his iPad as a communication device



These are the posters from our All About Reading program from last year (Level Pre-1), as well as the magnetic white board with our letter tiles that we are currently using with Level 1.  I sit on the couch to instruct during circle time and the kids sit in their own chairs in a semi-circle in front of me.



I found these monster manners posters at the Dollar Tree.  (I always love a great bargain!)  After we complete our daily reading lesson the kids get to pick a sticker for their Progress Chart.  



These book cubes hold lots of educational activities, games, books, and equipment.  Since I've made time to organize it, the kids are finally using the items more.



We also use our kitchen often, whether we are cooking or performing a science experiment.  In this picture we were making observations of a coconut since we were doing a unit study on Treasure Island.  Daddy was in the process of cutting it open so we could taste it.    




Our backyard...I think these pictures explain it all and one major reason we fell in love with this house.

This has been a link up with iHomeschoolNetwork.


~Nicole~



Sunday, August 19, 2012

Moments to Remember


Moments to Remember was developed as a simple way to look back on our week as homeschoolers and find photos that encompass the memories we want to remember. 
The week may have been tough, there may have been more bumps than smiles, but in the end these are the moments that keep us going, the ones we need to remember.

New Puppy

Our family recently added a new puppy, Smiley, to the mix.  She is a black labrador retriever we adopted from a local lab rescue group.  We have been working diligently with her over the last month and a half.  She is very rarely having accidents in the house now (which mom really likes).  She loves to run in the backyard with the kids.  She can play fetch with a ball or frisbee.  She loves squeaky toys and playing tug of war.  She likes to play hide and go seek with the kids (except sometimes she gives them away).  She can sit, shake, lay down, and stay (for quite a while but she must be able to see you).  Here are some pictures of her having a great time with Alex, who incidentally has an autism spectrum disorder.  Alex absolutely adores her and begs to feed her everyday, which has now become his chore.  

Smiley running away with the bat.  Alex laughing as he chases her.

Smiley looking at Alex and waiting for him to throw the ball.


A little bonding time after playing.

This has been a link up with Homeschool Creations.
~Nicole~

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Sensory Processing Disorder: Visual






Each week I post about some type of therapy we use, who recommended it, and the reason we are using it.  Remember, I am not a licensed therapist and I am sharing our experiences.  We would to hear your stories too. Please leave a comment below!


For the month of August, I am highlighting the different senses that Sensory Processing Disorder affects, a checklist of symptoms and some activities we do to help.  We started with proprioception, which is the internal sense of knowing where your body parts are without looking a them.  Then we went on to the tactile system, which is how our brain receives information coming from the receptors on our skin about touch, pain and temperature.  Last week was the vestibular system, which coordinates movement and balance through receptors in the inner ear and in relation to Earth's gravity. 


Sensory Processing Disorder: Visual Sense


The basics of vision: our eyes pick up an image and it is sent to the brain via the optic nerve.  Our brain then sorts that information.  But there is more to it.  Our eyes also have muscles that allow them to move together.  Imagine if your eyes were not tracking together and you had two different images going into the brain at the same time.  How would you know where to step?  Could you follow words across a page?  I imagine the world would be a confusing place.  

Do you know that feeling when you've been in a dark movie theater, then you walk outside and it is a bright sunny day?  You may have a hard time keeping your eyes open.  Some children are sensitive to light that way all the time.



Signs Of Visual Input Dysfunction (No Diagnosed Visual Deficit):

1. Hypersensitivity To Visual Input (Over-Responsiveness)

__ sensitive to bright lights; will squint, cover eyes, cry and/or get headaches from the light

__ has difficulty keeping eyes focused on task/activity he/she is working on for an appropriate amount of time

__ easily distracted by other visual stimuli in the room; i.e., movement, decorations, toys, windows, doorways etc.

__ has difficulty in bright colorful rooms or a dimly lit room

__ rubs his/her eyes, has watery eyes or gets headaches after reading or watching TV

__ avoids eye contact

__ enjoys playing in the dark

2. Hyposensitivity To Visual Input (Under-Responsive Or Difficulty With Tracking, Discrimination, Or Perception):

__ has difficulty telling the difference between similar printed letters or figures; i.e., p & q, b & d, + and x, or square and rectangle

__ has a hard time seeing the "big picture"; i.e., focuses on the details or patterns within the picture

__ has difficulty locating items among other items; i.e., papers on a desk, clothes in a drawer, items on a grocery shelf, or toys in a bin/toy box

__ often loses place when copying from a book or the chalkboard

__ difficulty controlling eye movement to track and follow moving objects

__ has difficulty telling the difference between different colors, shapes, and sizes

__ often loses his/her place while reading or doing math problems

__ makes reversals in words or letters when copying, or reads words backwards; i.e., "was" for "saw" and "no" for "on" after first grade

__ complains about "seeing double"

__ difficulty finding differences in pictures, words, symbols, or objects

__ difficulty with consistent spacing and size of letters during writing and/or lining up numbers in math problems

__ difficulty with jigsaw puzzles, copying shapes, and/or cutting/tracing along a line

__ tends to write at a slant (up or down hill) on a page

__ confuses left and right

__ fatigues easily with schoolwork

__ difficulty judging spatial relationships in the environment; i.e., bumps into objects/people or missteps on curbs and stairs



If your child has been newly diagnosed, an online support that I have thoroughly enjoyed is the SPD Blogger Network.  It is a community blog, written by parents of children with SPD.  I laugh and cry as I read the stories of other parents who are also in the trenches.

Here is a video on Visual Processing Disorder:




A couple of our boys have vision problems/sensitivities.  James is supposed to be having surgery soon to correct his eye muscle so that both of his eyes will "see" together and he won't have to tilt his head.  He is also light sensitive and requests his sunglasses when going outside.

For schoolwork I have found that it is much easier if he has a box to write or stamp each letter in.  This also applies to math.  Our older daughter did much better in solving math problems with using graph paper so each number had it's own box.

Worksheet by Confessionsofahomeschooler.com



~Nicole~


Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Our Curriculum Adaptations




We began homeschooling our younger children last year.  Our boys (ages 10, 8, and 7) have varying special needs which make learning and accessing curriculum difficult.  And we have a toddler (3 year old girl).  Not only are we focusing on academics, but our children are also in various types of therapy (speech, occupational, physical, and behavior).  We continue to work on life skills as part of our daily routine.    

One approach we found which really seems to work for our family is unit studies.  We choose a topic and all of our learning is based on that one topic, generally for 2 weeks.  We try to make our learning as hands-on as possible, including various field trips.  Our older children (ages 18 & 20) sometimes join us for fun activities or to share their knowledge.  

Reading:  I feel strongly that children of any ability can learn to read.  It has been my desire to teach all of our boys how to read and to actually enjoy it.  I love the multi-sensory approach of the All About Reading program.  In January we started with Level Pre-1 giving the kids a good foundation of naming and writing the letters (capital and lowercase), as well as the letter sounds.  We are beginning this school year with Level 1.  The program is so easy to follow with clearly written lesson plans and our kids enjoy the games!

Amada singing the alphabet song
Playing "get out of the wagon"
We supplement with many other reading/learning games to reinforce the concepts they are learning.

        
Amada using Hot Dots to find the beginning sound
James working on his letter writing
Using velcro to order the alphabet pieces and find the missing letters

Math:  We are using the TouchMath program, another great multi-sensory approach.  This is the math program our children were using in the special education classroom, so we continued using it.  It is a costly program, but they do offer free sample worksheets on the websites.  One way I was able to cut down on costs is by just purchasing the worksheets instead of the entire program.  We also play math games, as well as computer and iPad games.  

Our touch-dot math reference page
I have found a couple of homeschooling mom bloggers that I love and who offer printables which I have found to be very helpful.  One of these is Confessions of a Homeschooler.  Here is a link to her math page.  She has a game called add it/subtract it that I printed and laminated.  We use little manipulatives with it and the kids have a great time!



Science/History/Art:  These subjects are covered during our unit studies time.  We do not teach every subject every day, but rather pick a topic of focus and do an in-depth study of it.  Here is a link to our unit we completed recently on the solar system.

PE:  While we do not use a formal curriculum for PE, we do have a lot of structured outside time playing baseball, freeze tag, riding bikes, going to the park, swimming, or an occasional obstacle course.

I utilize our public library for resources, as well as the internet.  I guess I am eclectic for most of our curriculum and that suits us for right now.  I am a proud mama when I look back and see how much progress our children have made over the past year, and more than just in academics.

~Nicole~




Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Moments to Remember


Moments to Remember was developed as a simple way to look back on our week as homeschoolers and find photos that encompass the memories we want to remember. 
The week may have been tough, there may have been more bumps than smiles, but in the end these are the moments that keep us going, the ones we need to remember.

Bowling

We have driven past the bowling alley frequently since moving into the rental house in December and every time we do the kids all shout "we want to go there".  Last Sunday afternoon we decided to take the family bowling just to get out and do something.  Not sure who was going stir crazy more, the kids or the parents.  

Note to self: Check prices/deals online before you tell the kids.

Yeah, bowling is quite a bit more expensive than I recall.  However, the bowling alley we visited had a family deal, which cost the same as if we all bowled one game.  But, this family deal included unlimited bowling for two hours, a pitcher of soda and a large popcorn.  

We warned prepared the kids, in advance, that no one would be playing video games.  We were only going there to bowl.  Imagine that!  

First game went fairly well.  We had the bumpers up for the kids.  They also had ramps which helped the younger ones, otherwise their balls were having difficulty making it all the way down the lane.  (Somehow I did not end up getting pictures of all of the kids).  


This picture is so true-to-life.  James is talking to Daddy, probably pointing out what a great score he has.  Alex is staring off due to sensory overload (LOUDNESS!).

Amada

We finished the first game and still had almost an hour left of bowling time.  We figured we would try to get in a second game since it was already paid for.  Until one of our children began having a meltdown (he was even wearing his pressure vest) ... he wanted a pizza, he wanted to play video games, he wanted to do anything but bowl.  Then the ripple effect took hold.  Needless to say, we ended up leaving before our two hours were up.

You may be wondering why I would want this as a *moment to remember*.  Here are a few reasons:
  • We were able to bowl an entire game.
  • No one had any potty accidents.
  • Our children were cheering each other on! 
  • It was something we were able to do all together.
  • The kids were able to experience bowling once again.  Our children learn best by doing, as well as build a tolerance for environments that assault their senses (sensory processing disorder).
  • It was an activity the kids had been asking to do for a while and we were happy to surprise them.
We are learning to measure success by a different standard, as well as adjust our expectations.

This has been a link up with 1plus1plus1equals1.

~Nicole~

If you are on Instagram, feel free to follow us: diverginglives.  We are also on Facebook.




Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Therapy Thursday: SPD Vestibular System




Each week I post about some type of therapy we use, who recommended it, and the reason we are using it.  Remember, I am not a licensed therapist and I am sharing our experiences.  We would love to hear your stories too! Please leave a comment below!  


Sensory Processing Disorder: Vestibular System

For the month of August, I am highlighting the different senses that Sensory Processing Disorder affects, a checklist of symptoms and some activities we do to help.  We started with proprioception, which is the internal sense of knowing where your body parts are without looking a them.  Then we went on to the tactile system, which is how our brain receives information coming from the receptors on our skin about touch, pain and temperature.  

This week we are introducing the vestibular system, which coordinates movement and balance through receptors in the inner ear and in relation to Earth's gravity.  Have you ever experienced dizziness when you've had a cold and your ears feel plugged?  This is due to an imbalance in your vestibular system.  Children who experience this may be fearful (or crave) their feet being off the ground and movement, or get dizzy very easily or not at all.


 Signs Of Vestibular Dysfunction:

1. Hypersensitivity To Movement (Over-Responsive):


__ avoids/dislikes playground equipment; i.e., swings, ladders, slides, or merry-go-rounds

__ prefers sedentary tasks, moves slowly and cautiously, avoids taking risks, and may appear "wimpy"

__ avoids/dislikes elevators and escalators; may prefer sitting while they are on them or, actually get motion sickness from them

__ may physically cling to an adult they trust

__ may appear terrified of falling even when there is no real risk of it

__ afraid of heights, even the height of a curb or step

__ fearful of feet leaving the ground

__ fearful of going up or down stairs or walking on uneven surfaces

__ afraid of being tipped upside down, sideways or backwards; will strongly resist getting hair washed over the sink

__ startles if someone else moves them; i.e., pushing his/her chair closer to the table

__ as an infant, may never have liked baby swings or jumpers

__ may be fearful of, and have difficulty riding a bike, jumping, hopping, or balancing on one foot (especially if eyes are closed)

__ may have disliked being placed on stomach as an infant

__ loses balance easily and may appear clumsy

__ fearful of activities which require good balance

__ avoids rapid or rotating movements

2. Hyposensitivity To Movement (Under-Responsive):

__ in constant motion, can't seem to sit still

__ craves fast, spinning, and/or intense movement experiences

__ loves being tossed in the air

__ could spin for hours and never appear to be dizzy

__ loves the fast, intense, and/or scary rides at amusement parks

__ always jumping on furniture, trampolines, spinning in a swivel chair, or getting into upside down positions

__ loves to swing as high as possible and for long periods of time

__ is a "thrill-seeker"; dangerous at times

__ always running, jumping, hopping etc. instead of walking

__ rocks body, shakes leg, or head while sitting

__ likes sudden or quick movements, such as, going over a big bump in the car or on a bike

3. Poor Muscle Tone And/Or Coordination:

__ has a limp, "floppy" body

__ frequently slumps, lies down, and/or leans head on hand or arm while working at his/her desk

__ difficulty simultaneously lifting head, arms, and legs off the floor while lying on stomach ("superman" position)

__ often sits in a "W sit" position on the floor to stabilize body
__ fatigues easily!

__ compensates for "looseness" by grasping objects tightly

__ difficulty turning doorknobs, handles, opening and closing items

__ difficulty catching him/her self if falling

__ difficulty getting dressed and doing fasteners, zippers, and buttons

__ may have never crawled as an baby

__ has poor body awareness; bumps into things, knocks things over, trips, and/or appears clumsy

__ poor gross motor skills; jumping, catching a ball, jumping jacks, climbing a ladder etc.

__ poor fine motor skills; difficulty using "tools", such as pencils, silverware, combs, scissors etc.

__ may appear ambidextrous, frequently switching hands for coloring, cutting, writing etc.; does not have an established hand preference/dominance by 4 or 5 years old

__ has difficulty licking an ice cream cone

__ seems to be unsure about how to move body during movement, for example, stepping over something

__ difficulty learning exercise or dance steps

If your child has been newly diagnosed, an online support that I have thoroughly enjoyed is the SPD Blogger Network.  It is a community blog, written by parents of children with SPD.  I laugh and cry as I read the stories of other parents who are also in the trenches.

This week I'd like to "show" you a few activities we have fun with but that also offer therapeutic advantages.


My husband built this platform swing (Yes, I know how blessed I am!) after searching OT catalogs and realizing he could customize one for us and at a lesser cost.  We had it hanging in our front room until we had to move.  Our entire family had tons of fun with it as evidenced by all the smiles and giggles.    




One of our children, James, has sensory processing disorder but he also suffers with (mild) cerebral palsy and seizures.  He really has a hard time with balance, coordination, movement, and has a difficult time with his feet leaving the ground.  We had him in hippotherapy, which is PT/OT/speech done on the back of a horse.  We were surprised by everything his therapists were able to get him to do and with a smile on his face.  James is a sensory seeker and is constantly seeking more input from his environment.  I have not found any therapy that equals hippotherapy in the amount of sensory input it provides.


~Nicole~



Just in Time for Christmas

Family and Friends, Since we started our foster/adoptive parenting journey 20 years ago, we have discovered a lot about raising children wit...