TOYS for our CHARGE kids

[Guest guest]

I thought of a couple of toys-if they stuck with me this long, she must have

enjoyed them. lol.

One was similar to the " baby gymnastics 3-1 rocker gym " I see in ToysRUs.

You could unclip the hanging toys and switch out-or hook them anywhere else

(playpen, carseat)

>

It worked her arms, then we'd slide it down to her hips so she could kick up

a storm

>

The other was a really big doll that accepted story tapes.(as big as Di

was). She came with picture books for follow along. Her eyes and mouth moved,

head turned. She was cool. They had story bears too.

And the doll could play dress-up in 's clothes.

We were constantly equipment cleaning and food prepping-so the doll helped.

>

I gave the light up, sounds option, swimming aquarium for a gift-the baby

loved it.

>

and everything available for the bath-her fav activity. She had a 'secure

seat'. Even with the trach-

we were in there daily for a couple of years.

>

and I still have " My " my little ponies.

;-)

in Ma.

[Guest guest]

This being my first child had my wife and I stumped as to what toys

will get our son's attention. When is therapy started we got good

ideas from his lovely therapist. However with unknown level of vision,

and hearing still unknown (but for sure SEVERLY limited right now)

what toys would he play with. Alot of standard toys he received just

don't seem to be working. It also seems alot of those specialty toys

are $$ of dollars and what our therapist brings over are no longer

made in todays high tech world.

Our son also plays in a play box that cost $1200 or so and is made in

Europe. The therapist has loaned it to us but for your average family,

this all can become quite difficult.

However I wanted to share with everyone as I go along any toys I find

that are available that seem to work. Here is one I found. It is

called Lamaze Chime Garden. Surprisingly the flowers light up and are

quite bright and in subdued lighting my son will follow the flowers

movement with his head which he won't even do for any of his other

toys, except similar toys his therapist brings in.

http://www.baby-wise.com/product_info.php?products_id=965

I have almost completed building a play box. Another week or so and I

will post pics on my sons' website as well as put a note in here. If

anyone wants the instructions on how to build their own I will share it.

[Guest guest]

I am obsessed with finding the right toys for my son. How old is your son?

Perhaps I may have some ideas???

Thanks for sharing about the playbox...can't wait to see it. Do you have a

website for him that you can share with us all?

babymccants wrote: This being my first child

had my wife and I stumped as to what toys

will get our son's attention. When is therapy started we got good

ideas from his lovely therapist. However with unknown level of vision,

and hearing still unknown (but for sure SEVERLY limited right now)

what toys would he play with. Alot of standard toys he received just

don't seem to be working. It also seems alot of those specialty toys

are $$ of dollars and what our therapist brings over are no longer

made in todays high tech world.

Our son also plays in a play box that cost $1200 or so and is made in

Europe. The therapist has loaned it to us but for your average family,

this all can become quite difficult.

However I wanted to share with everyone as I go along any toys I find

that are available that seem to work. Here is one I found. It is

called Lamaze Chime Garden. Surprisingly the flowers light up and are

quite bright and in subdued lighting my son will follow the flowers

movement with his head which he won't even do for any of his other

toys, except similar toys his therapist brings in.

http://www.baby-wise.com/product_info.php?products_id=965

I have almost completed building a play box. Another week or so and I

will post pics on my sons' website as well as put a note in here. If

anyone wants the instructions on how to build their own I will share it.

Amy McKinley

Mom to MIGHTY MAX -- cHArGE, 15 months old (13 months corrected)

maxupdate.blogspot.com

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[Guest guest]

Go to this site to see if there is a Lekotek that serves your community:

http://www.lekotek.org/lekotek.asp?selState=Illinois

Lekotek loans specialty toys for use in the home. It was a great resource

for us when Aubrie was little. Also - our therapists provided toys at just

the right time in Aubrie's development. I also built things as you are

doing with the play box. I would often look through the specialty

catalogues and then find similar things in regular toy stores for much

cheaper. Sometimes the same item is in both places - with a much higher

price in the specialty catalogue.

Another thing to consider is to visit the website of the manufacturer of a

toy that you really want. When Neurosmith first introduced their music

blocks, they were about $100 or more. I wrote to them and they sent one to

Aubrie for free! It's always worth asking!

Finding appropriate toys is challenging. You are doing all the right

things. Keep it up.

Michele W

Aubrie's mom

[Guest guest]

This is quite funny you bring this up since last night I found an

old article from the Tribune called " Finding the right toys for

disabled childern " I was just about to post about it when I saw

yours. Eva also has that flower toy and she LOVES it, my mom got it

for her for her 1st christmas.

It is really had to walk into a toy store and try to find something

that will help our little ones. Each of my kids got a $40 gift card

for Toys R Us from thier uncle and we took the kids there to pick

something out. got video games and some other little toy,

got his Train and then looking for Eva I was lost!! I

dont want to get it just because its cute I want something that is

going to work with her therapy. So I still have her $40 to spend.

Its not easy and my most hated question is " what do we get her as a

gift? " I don't know what to get her myself much less tell you what

to get her. Most of the time I tell them something that lights up

and makes sounds.

The article was talking about a website called ableplay.org. I guess

it can help and give info on the toys you are looking at. I have not

looked at the site yet but will be soon.

Crystal mom to (11), (3), and Eva (21 month old CHARGEr)

wife to Dan in Illinois

>

> This being my first child had my wife and I stumped as to what toys

> will get our son's attention. When is therapy started we got good

> ideas from his lovely therapist. However with unknown level of

vision,

> and hearing still unknown (but for sure SEVERLY limited right now)

> what toys would he play with. Alot of standard toys he received

just

> don't seem to be working. It also seems alot of those specialty

toys

> are $$ of dollars and what our therapist brings over are no longer

> made in todays high tech world.

>

> Our son also plays in a play box that cost $1200 or so and is made

in

> Europe. The therapist has loaned it to us but for your average

family,

> this all can become quite difficult.

>

> However I wanted to share with everyone as I go along any toys I

find

> that are available that seem to work. Here is one I found. It is

> called Lamaze Chime Garden. Surprisingly the flowers light up and

are

> quite bright and in subdued lighting my son will follow the flowers

> movement with his head which he won't even do for any of his other

> toys, except similar toys his therapist brings in.

>

> http://www.baby-wise.com/product_info.php?products_id=965

>

> I have almost completed building a play box. Another week or so

and I

> will post pics on my sons' website as well as put a note in here.

If

> anyone wants the instructions on how to build their own I will

share it.

>

[Guest guest]

Crystal--

Just think about how you'll feel after 7 years of the same question and

the same answers. Eddie doesn't play with any age-appropriate toy,

rarely plays with anything at all unless he can chew on it. I feel like

he gets short-changed compared to what my daughter gets. A few

relatives give him something small and then promise a check which never

comes. He has no idea, can't be bothered with presents & I don't dwell

on it, but when it happens year after year ...

joanne

> my most hated question is " what do we get her as a gift? " I don't

> know what to get her myself much less tell you what to get her. Most

> of the time I tell them something that lights up and makes sounds.

[Guest guest]

Joanne

Oh I am sure it gets harder as they get older. I think thats when

clothes will be the best gift ever. I already feel she is short

changed or left out. I have a friend whos son is 2 weeks younger

then Eva and he is playing with so much and doing so much and I look

at what hes playing with and Eva could never play with whatever he

is playing with. He likes brooms and mops and Eva can't even sit up

to play with most of her toys.

This has to be one of the hardest parts about having a child with

Special Needs.

Crystal mom to (10), (3), and Eva (21 month old CHARGEr)

wife to Dan in Illinois

>

> > my most hated question is " what do we get her as a gift? " I

don't

> > know what to get her myself much less tell you what to get her.

Most

> > of the time I tell them something that lights up and makes

sounds.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Happy Birthday !