Therapy Tools section has items used by therapists, suggested by therapists to use in home or inexpensive tools modified to be similar to expensive tools used in therapy.
Now that Corey has been in therapy for so many years, I look at toys and other things as therapy tools and always am thinking, "How will that strengthen him or help him with his speech, OT or PT?" Here is a partial list of toys, games or other tools we have picked up along the way or suggested by therapists that have helped him while he was having fun.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: To purchase or to view more information on items,
click on the buy button or the picture.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
We bought this Krazy Kar when he was about 4 and he still uses it at 8. It can be used up to 80lbs. Corey loves to play bumber cars and chase his sister in it. He can also get a good spin going when he's in the mood.
We bought two of these for both kids. It took Corey sometime to figure it out but as he got older he would again chase his sister around the house with both of them on one. His sister has also been a wonderful therapy tool for him:)
Hop ball 22" red
Any tent can help lessen the distractions and increase focusing. Here, Kristin Hall of Kidspeech, is working with Corey in our home.
Kristin Hall, Kidspeech, was showing Corey how to blow bubbles. Bubbles are a must to have not just for therapy but a fun way for kids to play and interact with others. I have bottles from the dollar store on the shelf at all times. Kristin showed Corey how to blow his nose using bubbles. She placed the wand under her nose and blew. Out came a bubble. Then Corey tried. It took a few practices but he did it!
This is one of my all time personal favorites. It's a lavender weighted blanket with a removable inside that can be heated in the microwave or put in the freezer. The fabric is incredibly soft and can be washed. It fits my adult legs from toes to hips. It was originally intended to help my kids fall asleep faster or calm down but its a fight to see who gets it first - me or them. Maybe I should buy another one. They are available at the Discovery store along with a line of lavender and rose products, including slippers, neck wrap, teddy bears, pillows and more. The blanket is called "Spa Lavender Dot Blanket" and can be accessed by clicking on the below picture.
This has been a great toy to practice kicking the ball inside the house or outside without the worries of the house or kids getting hurt. Click on the two products below to access more information and purchase if you are interested.
My mom made this vest for our home use when Corey was using one at school for focusing during school work. It helped for awhile but then he became resistent at home but still used one at school. This year he doesn't need one.
For other weighted products contact http://www.sensorycritters.com/cgi-bin/comcart/redeem.pl?aff=scsc146
Toss Around Tic-Tac-Toe
Operation
Charades for Kids
Connect Four
Trouble
I spy
Perfection
Magnetic links
Air Hockey Table
Jump Houses
exercise balls
Tunnel
Carol Stock Kranowitz, Author of Out-of-Sync Child, suggested a simple set of miscellaneous brushes from all over the house to be available to the child at all times for their own use when needed. We keep a bucket of brushes and sponges in the bedroom. Both my kids enjoy using it several times a week.
Here's Corey when he was 2 with grandma. This rocker lasted for years and loved by all the kids. They even pushed the top down and made it into a boat. This would be great for an infant and we would still have it if it hadn't popped. This can be found at Toys R Us.
The Horse rocker lasted until Corey's 6th birthday shown here. He took awhile to learn how to use it and balance but it was great fun and he really used his full body.
My husband made this after looking at the website for a new one. This was a great Christmas gift and all the kids had fun. Corey practiced walking up and down in a safe area and then on the other side played boat while he rocked it. Four kids fit at one time and made a good group activity.
http://sensoryedge.com/strobo.html
Corey is at Tender Ones Therapy and we had two of these in our home. It was a great hit for many kids and had alot of use. Good for sensory therapy and movement.
The climber lasted for years and was used in so many ways. Once 9 kids played on it with a puppet show and playhouse. We were later able to sell it for the air hockey game and still had money left over.
Marion Viar at Tender Ones Therapy always finds fun, new ways to get Corey to exercise and stretch. This is one that can be done at home too with the incredible hulk or other hands.
Make funny faces and pictures while getting sensory input.
Corey needed to hold onto something to walk. In this picture he's 2 years old. This was a fun way to get around as long as there were several heavy books in the cart.
Another Walmart special. These trampolines can be found there for about $20. This is my son, Corey, when he was around 6. Doesn't the trampoline make a great coffee table:)Stamina InStride Mini Trampoline
Here's Noreen Scott from Tender Ones Therapy when Corey was younger and before her new office. Corey really had to work hard on this treadmill and now he goes in and plays with it. I'll look for the retail location if any of you are interested in this manual treadmill. She also has a really neat kids yellow exercise bike in the background. Just image your child working out with you in your own exercise room.
