Sensory Activities for Autistic Children
We learn through our senses. Our basic survival also based on our senses. We would immediately remove our hand when it accidentally touch something hot. Unconsciously, we learn and survive through our senses. But children with autism commonly have problem with their senses. Their senses are not able to work together to process the information their body receives for them to respond appropriately. In fact, many behaviours commonly thought of as 'autistic' such as rocking, spinning, toe-walking and hand-flapping may perhaps due to these sensory issues. Through sensory activities for autistic children, they can learn to get better control of the information they receive, in order to make sense the environment.
Sensory Intervention for autism is based on the understanding that children with autism have some sensory processing abnormalities of any of their body's sensory system: sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste, balance and weight. The sensory problem can either be their senses to be too sensitive (hypersensitive) or not sensitive at all (hypo sensitive). Their sensory abnormalities causing some autistic children unable to handle certain noises, certain touches or textures. With sensory integration therapy, the autistic child would be guided through activities that will stimulate and challenge their senses. Through repetition and continuous exposure, the sensory activities would allow the child to feel comfortable with the sensations and learn to cope with their body response to these situations.
Sensory activities for autism can be relatively cheap and simple, but can be moderately expensive also. Usually the activities are done in the sensory integration room where the child interacts one-on-one with the occupational therapist. Some examples of sensory activities are massaging, brushing of skin and deep pressure and joint compression. Other exercises can be gross movement such are running, jumping, climbing, obstacles course or tug-of-war. Most importantly, the activities should be fun and playful. By making the activities pleasant and child-directed, it will motivate the child to participate in the activities.
The effectiveness of sensory integration therapy on autism is still controversial. Although the activities seem to calm the child, but usually it only provide temporary improvement in the problematic behaviour. Research on autism and sensory integration therapy, show that only fifty-percent reported effectiveness of the therapy. Another fifty-percent of the research reported no benefit at all. While sensory integration therapy is not harmful, certain activities of sensory therapy may be uncomfortable for the child. Therapist should monitor the child closely for any negative reaction and respond appropriately.
The most important step in promoting sensory activities for children with autism is to recognize that sensory issues exists and that it plays an important role in the development of the children. By learning more about sensory integration, parents, educators and caregivers can provide an enriched environment that will foster successful learning and healthy growth for children with autism.
Kitchen Granite Countertops for you
Kitchen granite countertops that are created by nature and fanatically shaped by man are a good-looking, durable and amazing cost effective choice for kitchens and baths. The term granite actually appears from the Latin root word called Granum, which further means grain.
Over and above 10 years kitchen granite countertops have become well accepted with homeowners, after primarily being popular with designers for decades. Granite in fact is available in enormous colors, from different shades of white to different shades of browns, reds, greens, blues and as well as black. The most well liked tones are brown and beige.
In addition of being solid kitchen granite countertops, it can take in hot items, like pots and pans, and it as well very stain resistant to hot grease and to the oil if it is sealed with a silicone-based impregnator. It could very easily be cleaned and cut for a basin. Granite carries a cool polished surface, which makes it an outstanding surface for rolling out pie dough. The polished finish of granite would surely not wear off.
Kitchen granite countertops are extremely unique as no two pieces of granite are precisely the same; therefore granite offers an attractive design part and adds some brilliant richness and feel to your kitchen not found in any other surfaces. Kitchen granite countertops could really create a luminosity and stylishness, which one cannot found in any other nature. Granite adds a qualities and character to kitchen countertops, which is extremely unsurpassed. Kitchen granite countertops have a natural beauty that is talented of balancing any tone of wood or way of cabinets.
Kitchen remodel and some home builders have experienced a want in the demand for kitchen granite countertops. Although it could be classier to put in granite countertops, they stay the odds on preferred choice for more fashionable homes, since they keep their value superior to most home improvements.
Planning out your kitchen granite countertop primarily comprises of selecting the correct and suitable granite color. You should focus on the most accepted colors. Even though granite tones are normally neutral, you might find that some color goes well for your kitchen countertop design.
If in case you are replacing the old countertop material in your kitchen with new granite, first cautiously diagram all the sizes for the granite installer. If installing fresh cabinets is part of your kitchen remodel ask the granite installer what they suggest for cabinetry. In addition to getting the correct type of sink installed, it is as well significant to choose just the correct faucet to go with the sink. A stainless steel faucet normally goes well with the looks of a well-off kitchen granite countertop.
The next significant area is improving your cabinet hardware. The handles and knobs needs as well to be of high excellence in order to give good accent to the in general look of your kitchen. Even if you are not changing the cabinetry having high excellence hardware with makes those cabinets and as well the whole kitchen stands out. So when planning your kitchen remodeling, just keep in mind that kitchen granite countertops would make a first-class addition and increase the re- sale value of your home.
Uma is a Copywriter of http://www.cangelosi.com. She written many articles in various topics such as Marble tabletops,Marble countertop cost.For more information visit: www.cangelosi.com. contact her at cangelosi2@gmail.com
Mother Love
"The love of awakened motherhood is a love and compassion felt not only towards one's own children, but toward all people, animals and plants, rocks and rivers-a love extended to all beings."
Amachi
Mother love needs to be cultivated for the good of mankind and for the wellbeing of our sacred planet. The potential for this all-embracing maternal consciousness lies within all of us, male and female. Very often, it is when we hold our first child in our arms that the flame of mother love is ignited. Once burning, it cannot be extinguished. Throughout history, women have acted to bring the love and compassion felt for their own children into their community, their country and their world. Passionately expressing a mother's love, they have worked to create a better world for future generations. Their work has left a legacy for us to follow.
To the women who contributed to the inception of Mothers Day, the connection between mother love and the fight for social and economic justice and peace seemed self evident. To Anna Reeves Jarvis, Julia Warde Howe and Anna Reeves, (the daughter of Anna Reeves Jarvis), Mothers Day was much more than a recognition of individual mothers. It was an opportunity to use mother love as a powerful force for peacemaking, reconciliation, and community cohesion.
The History of Mothers Day:
Anna Reeves Jarvis
In the 1850's Anna Reeves Jarvis organized Mother Work Day Clubs that focused on providing medicine for the poor and on improving sanitary conditions. Then, during the Civil War, Mothers Day Clubs cared for all soldiers-irregardless of which side of the battle they had chosen. After the war ended, Anna Reeves Jarvis continued her peacemaking by working to bring people together to heal the deep wounds of those who had been divided by the war.
Julia Ward Howe
In the 1870s, Julia Ward Howe began organizing "Mothers Peace Day." After the blood bath of the civil war, she focused on voting rights for women and world peace. When war broke out between France and Prussia, she wrote an impassioned plea to mothers saying, "Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience. We, the women of one country, will be too tender of those of another country to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs." At the end she implores, "In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask that a general congress of women without limit of nationality may be appointed and held to promote the great and general interest of peace." Following unsuccessful efforts to pull together an international peace conference, and while the Franco Prussian war was still in progress, she began a global appeal to women. She implored women to speak out for peace asking, "Why do not the mothers of mankind interfere in these matters to prevent the waste of that human life of which they alone bear and know the cost?" For the next thirty years, Americans celebrated Mothers Day for Peace on June 2nd. During this time, mothers played a leading role in the abolitionist movement to end slavery and launched campaigns to protect children and to improve the working conditions of women.
Anna Jarvis
Anna Reeves Jarvis' daughter, Anna Jarvis is generally credited with the establishment of Mother's Day in America. She tirelessly organized a letter writing campaign so that the work that her mother waged for peacemaking would not be forgotten. In 1914, her efforts paid off when Congress passed the Mothers Day resolution, appointing it as a national holiday to be celebrated annually on the second Sunday in May.
Mothers Day Today
Today Mother's Day is a time for honoring and thanking our own mothers for giving us life, raising us and being a source of emotional support and love. It is that rare day to enjoy breakfast in bed, cards, and flowers from our own children and husbands. Mothers Day is an opportunity to celebrate mother love, the life-affirming value that is inherent to us all. And most importantly, Mothers Day provides us an opportunity to put this love into action in the defense of the sacredness of life.
Today, our greatest threat is from an indifference and irreverence for human welfare and the health of our planet. But mother's hearts are not indifferent. Heartbroken by the suffering and death of their own sons or daughters or those of another mother's child as a result of war, women around the world are gathering to fuel the flame of mother love, urging women to speak up, to say no to war and to work for peace. Together, our mother love is powerful.
Organize your own circle of women to fuel the flame of mother love in order to protect our children and the planet.
Help your children to discover and maintain inner peace, compassion and acceptance. Peace starts with each individual. Each child whose heart is filled with inner peace, compassion and acceptance will grow up to become a beacon for peace on Earth.
When we feel what others feel, our understanding will be real
Differences will disappear, loving kindness will be here
Every day, every night, show you care
Every day, every night, say a little prayer
Every day is a holy day
Every night is a holy night
(excerpt from The Christmas Dream, by Patti Teel)
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Dubbed "The Dream Maker" by People magazine, Patti Teel is a former teacher and the creator of an award winning relaxation audio series for children. Her book, The Floppy Sleep Game, gives parents techniques to help their children relax, deal with stress and fall asleep. She is a popular speaker and presents innovative workshops for parents, children, and health professionals. Get R&R tips and sign up for her newsletter at www.pattiteel.com.
