One common characteristic amongst children on the spectrum is their inability to play "appropriately" with toys and their lack of imaginative play. This is one reason I think that Chase thrives and really enjoys school because it is so structured and he likes the routine and predicability from one activity to the next. I was having major anxiety the last week he was in school before Christmas break, about the 2 weeks he would be out of school, and that all "activities & entertaining" would be on my plate. I was worried about how I would keep him occupied and stimulated at home and I have been AMAZED at his newfound ability to play with toys and read book in an appropriate manner! We have really been trying to limit his use of the iPad (to make it more desirable as a reward for potty training - more on that later) so it has been extra hard to find ways to keep him occupied for longer than a few minutes without that.
We bought several "Christmas presents" that we actually gave to to the boys early (when we arrived in Jackson at my parents) to keep them both occupied while we were there. One thing Chase enjoys and actually scribbles and stamps on is the Fisher Price Doodle Pad Pro. It has 2 little magnetic stamps and the pen with magnet tip and he scribbles all over it then actually moves the eraser across the screen like it's meant to be done! (THIS IS A HUGE STEP FORWARD!) Another MAJOR development I have noticed lately is that when we are reading books and ask him "Where is ____?" he will actually POINT to the picture we are asking him to. He scans the page for whatever we say and points to it! This is HUGE! And not just a page with 2 or 3 pictures...he will do it in books with 20-30 pictures on the page. This is something we have worked on with him for over a year now and it just happened all of a sudden!
Trampolines are always a favorite way for Chase to "regulate" his sensory needs.
This is EASILY both the boys favorite toy! It occupies them longer than any other toy we own! And I have to admit it is kind of addicting to sit there and watch the marbles go through the maze! :)
We went for a play date over at a friend's house and she had this AMAZING play sand from Brookestone that is not messy and doesn't stick to your hands and somehow sticks together so you can mold it. Google it. Watch the video demo. I'm buying some myself.
Great for sensory and tactile too!
They also got a karaoke light machine that you can hook your phone or ipod up to and Chase was fascinated with the light show! :) It was really fun!
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