The Most Common Infant Disablities and How to Recognize Them

Here is an article I wrote a while back. It provides a list, statistics, and description of the most common disabilities seen in babies/ children.

The Most Common Infant Disablities and How to Recognize Them

It also provides links to books on some of those particular disabilities.

Dogs And 2-Year-Olds Limited In Ability To Understand Unfamiliar Pointing

My "baby" boy will be two years old this weekend...sob, sob, sob! I remember his birth so clearly, yet when I really think about it, it does seem like two years have went by. So, in honor of his birthday, I went searching for interesting articles on 2 year olds. I beleive that the following link qualifies as interesting. The topic is how dogs and two year olds respond to gestural communication from adults in a similar way:


Dogs And 2-Year-Olds Limited In Ability To Understand Unfamiliar Pointing

Before my children were born, my dog was my "baby". I definately think that my adorable cocker-spaniel acted similar to a toddler!

Do colicky babies have sensory processing problems? | Family Anatomy

"Colic" is just a description of a babies behavior...lots of crying for a certain amount of time. This term is not a clinical diagnosis. So often I see that babies with reflux or other digestive problems get labeled as colicky until they get treatment (e.g. formula change, medication, positioning, etc). But sometimes, especially with the babies born extrememly prematurely, there is still a fussiness about the baby including a poor ability to calm down once upset. Typically, we expect a baby to become organized when an adult attempts to calm them such as picking them up and/or rocking them, feeding them, repositioning, etc. The following link suggests that many babies with colic later become diagnosed with sensory processing problems. I tend to agree. I see this pattern often since I work with children under the ages of 3 years old.


Do colicky babies have sensory processing problems? | Family Anatomy

My personal experience with my son's fussiness was resolved with multiple reflux medications as well as eliminating from my diet the foods he was found to be allergic to that he was consuming through my breastmilk. So, by no means do I think every child with fussy behavior will one day have sensory processing problems. Yet, I do think fussiness that can't be explained by other things may lead to a later diagnosis of SPD. For more information on sensory processing in infants, visit:

http://www.sense-ablebaby.com

This link provides strategies on calming a baby. It also gives descriptions of why a baby could be crying which better helps a parent to read the infant's signals allowing the parent to have more accurate attempts in calming the baby. Sometimes for a baby who over-responds to sensory input it might be taking away toys, whereas sometimes our instinct is to shake a rattle to give the baby a distraction. But this can make it worse, which in turn causes the baby to become more upset.

Melatonin and Sleep | National Sleep Foundation - Information on Sleep Health and Safety

I get asked very often for suggestions on children's sleep problems. We go down the basic suggestions such as keeping a consistent bedtime routine, not too much gross-motor activity 30-60 minutes before bedtime, keeping the noise down in the home, eliminating caffeine from the diet, putting away electronic devices 30 minutes before bedtime, and staying away from anxiety-inducing activities (e.g. if the child hates his hairwashed then do it earlier in the day not prior to bedtime). And then we start to analyze that particular child's possible problems related to sleep. For example, a child with cerebral palsy may need to be stretched and massaged so that his muscles can relax, whereas a child with an autism spectrum disorder may need lots of pillows confining the child in the bed along with a heavy quilt and "white noise" playing in the background for that additional calming sensory input. Sometimes those ideas work, and other times they don't. Although I have not ever personally used melatonin as a supplement for sleep, many of the families I work with have used it. Most of them have success and the child sleeps better. Some do not have success. Check out this article at the link below to to see if it might be of assistance to you or your child.

Melatonin and Sleep | National Sleep Foundation - Information on Sleep Health and Safety

As I type this half of my family is still asleep and it is 9 a.m. But I'm letting them sleep in since it is a holiday- Memorial Day! Thank you to all of the veterans who have fought for freedom for all of us in the USA!

Assistive Technology for Children Who Have Cerebral Palsy: Augmentation Communication Devices

Lately I have helped quite a few families with purchasing different types of assistive technology (AT) devices. AT is technology that aids people with disabilities in performing functional activities that are difficult or impossible unless adapted. This might include adapted eating supplies, special computer keyboards, adapted toys, or equipment for blind or deaf persons. The following link discusses augementative communication (AAC) devices, which is a computerized output system that helps the person talk. I have seen children as young as 2 years old use an AAC device. Depending upon the child's level of cognition and motion in hands, the pre-AAC devices (e.g. Big Mac or Jelly Bean switch) that control battery-operated toys can be used beginning at around 12-18 months of age.

Assistive Technology for Children Who Have Cerebral Palsy: Augmentation Communication Devices

Responding to Toddlers Who Bite

About 9 months ago, my 23-month old son began biting his sister when he became frustrated. Then, once he became more verbal the unwelcomed behavior faded away. Also, when I was able to figure out why he was mad, I would label what he was thinking, and that reduced the biting. So, if his older sister was playing with a toy he wanted, and I saw "that look" on his face, then I said "my turn" as I helped him point to himself and then had her share with him. So, in my son's situation the biting was due to him lacking the language skills to express what he wanted to say. Many of the kids I work with for therapy bite for the same reason, but others bite for other reasons. Here is a link to Zero to Three's website providing information on toddler biting and how to redirect it:



Zero To Three: Chew on This: Responding to Toddlers Who Bite

Out of the blue the behavior popped back into our lives again. Just yesterday, my son tried to bite my arm. This time it wasn't due to lacking language skills, it was because he was mad at me. He was playing at his train table, and I said "Let's go bye-bye". He didn't want to go, so I picked him up whereas usually he walks over to the door, and then that was when he attempted to bite me. But I caught him in time, and turned his face away from my arm. I then labeled his feelings and said "You are sad that we are leaving. Bye-bye trains and cars." He waved goodbye to his toys and then was happy again. My son is usually a happy-go-lucky toddler, but those "terrible two's" take over from time to time. But the nice thing he is usually redirectable or distracted easily. Us Moms and Dads have to be one step ahead of our little toddlers to help diminish those unwanted behaviors!

The Zero to Three link I provided above is not geared at children with developmentally delays or special needs, but I think the information still applies. Yet I also think there are other reasons for biting and undesirable behaviors with special needs kids including side effects to medication, seizures, and pain (from gastrointestinal discomfort, headaches, or other medical problems). Additionally, many of these children have multiple developmental delays which means a simple task such as completing a formboard puzzle or playing at the park takes more effort than it does for a typically developing child. By the end of the day, these young children are exhausted and it doesn't take much for a tantrum or "meltdown" to occur.
If your child receives occupational, physical, or speech therapy, be sure to discuss the undesirable behaviors and see if they have any suggestions.

Kid's Recipes | 10 Edible Play Dough Crafts for Busy Little Kids

Having fun with food is so important for a young child's development! Many picky eaters could expand their food choices just by having a different mindset. How better than to make edible play dough! Lots of fun is to be had with edible play dough, and then to top it off, everyone gets to eat it when they are through playing!


Kid's Recipes | 10 Edible Play Dough Crafts for Busy Little Kids

Be careful with some of the ingredients such as peanut butter since some young children have food allergies. Some kids don't have to actually eat it for an allergic reaction to occur, some only have to smell or touch it!