Fledglings News - Issue 3

Here Comes Summer!

In this, the third issue of Fledglings News, we focus on products which may help children with special needs and their families to get the most from the summer holidays. We have suggestions for some simple products to help you have fun in the sun and also ideas for making those rainy days indoors pleasurable.

For further information about, or to order, any of the products featured in this newsletter, please contact us.

Feedback

Mrs S Hammond, from Dartford, Kent, writes:

“I am writing to say what a great help the Child Hip Seat Carrier has been for us. My daughter is unable to stand or walk independently so we have to carry her around a lot. The carrier has helped as she feels comfortable sitting on it and we have two free hands to support her back as well as show her things. It was recently used on a trip to London Zoo, allowing my daughter to participate in a 'touching' of animals session which she could not have done from her pushchair. Many thanks for an ingenious little gadget.”

The Child Hip Seat Carrier is available from Fledglings for £29.95 — a reduction of £5 on the usual retail price.

Can You Help?

• Does anyone have experience of a well-designed school bag suitable for someone about to start secondary school who has limited use of one hand and arm? We would be especially pleased to hear from a young person who has personal experience of this situation.
• If anyone has a lockable fridge worthy of recommendation, we would like to hear from you. Any information on the subject of locks would be very welcome.
• If you have found a solution for keeping feet warm for children with poor circulation, please give us a call. We have had several enquiries.

The Transportable Safeguard Bed Surround

Paul and Deby Chick have a daughter, Katie, who used to climb out of her bed at night and get into all kinds of mischief. It was worrying for them, as it is for most parents in this situation, as Katie could have hurt herself without them being aware, and as a result it was difficult for them to sleep comfortably.

Paul and Deby found their own solution to the problem by designing the Safeguard bed surround, an attractive piece of furniture which is transportable and able to be used wherever Katie goes. They have decided to share their invention for the benefit of others in a similar position by starting a company to manufacture the bed surround. Paul and Deby tell their story on page 2.

“Our youngest daughter Katie has many complex problems that require manageable solutions to improve her quality of life. By the age of 4, Katie had outgrown her cot. The problem we were faced with was how to contain her at night. Our solution was to design and build our own transportable bed frame.

The system we designed is sectional and clamped together to form a frame around a standard single bed (though the frame can be produced to fit any size of bed). It is constructed from pine, and attention was paid to detail to give the effect of a large decorative cot rather than a cage. It is designed to be easily dismantled, transportable and storable.

The sides of the frame stand approximately 1 metre above the mattress; there are four sections in total, each being easily manoeuvrable by one person. When the gate is closed the hidden locking mechanism clamps the sections together and removes any twisting, pulling and moving over the whole frame. The 'Safe Guard Bed Surround' was designed to last Katie well into her teens, and has proven to be 100% Katie proof (quite a statement!).

Following a short article in our support group newsletter, we were surprised at the volume of enquiries we had from families and occupational therapists. Pressure from the families persuaded us to start our own small company supplying the 'Safe Guard Bed Surround' to contain children with special needs safely in their own bed.”

Paul and Deby Chick

“Our special little boy Soren is a happy, loving 4 year old, but as he grows older solutions to problems become more difficult to find.

Soren was quickly outgrowing his cot. This posed a major problem as we were concerned how we could contain him safely and securely in his own bed. Our OT searched for a bed that would contain Soren well in to his teens. Following some considerable time trying to source a company that could fulfil our needs we were put in contact with Paul and Deby.

We placed an order and waited eagerly for delivery. The Surround was personally delivered and set up, and we received full instructions on its use. The main question: would Soren take to, and sleep in, his new environment?

Our concerns proved to be unfounded — Soren loves his new bed. It's like he now has his own little world when he goes to bed. We are able to put him in a normal bed and contain him safely so that we can enjoy our rest knowing he will not escape and explore all those forbidden areas!”

Michelle, mum to Soren, Lowestoft

Safe Sides - An Inflatable Bed Surround

Heather Bailey, parent of Elizabeth, aged 6 years, discovered Safe Sides two years ago. After viewing it at an exhibition, she and her husband purchased the unit, which packs away into a large box, because it gave them the opportunity to continue to visit relatives and friends after Elizabeth outgrew her cot.

Safe Sides are made from white nylon re-enforced with polyurethane, are non-toxic and can be easily cleaned with soap and water. They consist of three inflatable tubes welded on to a base sheet which must be secured under the mattress — the sides are then inflated to a height of 400 mm with a pump which is provided.

Heather's husband, Richard, usually sets up the unit as it requires some lifting and they prefer to put Elizabeth's mattress on the floor so she does not reach up and fall over the top from the height of the single bed. “The whole operation from start to finish takes Richard only 15-20 minutes,” says Heather. “We have no regrets about purchasing the Safe Sides — it gave us the freedom to travel.”

N.B. We think that Safe Sides could help families who have satisfactory sleeping arrangements at home and only need a solution when travelling. Children with brittle bones may also be helped by this product.

More Products Available Through Fledglings

Products to help you have some summer fun are featured in the centre pages of Issue 3. Most of these products have been tried and tested by many of our customers already, but we also have one or two innovative new products.

Should you wish to order any of these items, please return the enclosed order form. All prices quoted are correct at the time of going to press. Postage, at cost, will be charged as extra, unless otherwise indicated.

Developmental Toys and Learning Resources

Parachutes are great fun for all children, and are especially helpful for play with mixed groups of able-bodied and disabled children. We have found one which can be used by small groups and which we consider suitable for family use. It has 6 sets of handles. Price: £29.99.

Fish 'n' Net Game

The Fish 'n' Net Game, a tiny fishing net with a chunky handle and three bright, numbered fish, would be great fun to play in the paddling pool, in the bath, or just with a bowl of water. Suitable for children who need a good handle for gripping and useful for learning to count to three while having lots of fun. Price: £6.99.

Magnetic Playboards are great toys for taking on holiday as they take up little space, can be used on the journey in the car, and the pieces are less likely to get lost as they stick to the magnetic board. Consisting of an A4 metal whiteboard and ready-cut magnetic pieces, they can be used creatively by the child. Choose from 'Make A Face', 'Fun with Shapes' or 'Dress a Doll'. Price: £11.99 including p&p.

Trampolines are enjoyed by many children with disabilities and are a great way of helping some children to gain confidence, whilst allowing others to use up surplus energy. We have now found a supplier of trampolines suitable for children and adults. If interested, please contact us for further details.

Lotto is an excellent game for a family to play together, while helping with many developmental needs.

Number Lotto helps children count up to 10. For up to 4 players. Price: £9.95.

Rhyme Lotto for children aged 5+. Find a word which rhymes with the word and picture on the board, e.g. Cat - Bat. Price: £7.50.

Phonics Lotto for children aged 5+. Find the missing sounds to complete the words, e.g. SH - ELL to make shell. Price: £7.50.

Signs and Symbols Lotto is a more complicated game for children aged 8+ which teaches them road signs, weather signs, public toilet signs, etc. Price: £7.99.

Lotto

Non-Spill Paintpots are available at 60p per pot. A Paint Brush with chunky plastic handle, also 60p each, may make painting more enjoyable for those with poor fine motor skills.

Ballpools are a great source of fun for young children, but if you want to turn your paddling pool into a ballpool it is not always easy to find suitable balls. We can arrange for a set of 300 assorted lightweight yet tough balls in primary colours, together with a net bag for storing and ease of washing, to be delivered to your door, if required. Price: £60 including delivery.

Sensory Development Aids

As we have all been aware in these recent weeks of World Cup fever, balls are universal playthings. They are also fun and can be used to develop social skills — with one other person, in a group or in teams. They come in a variety of sizes and colours so can be used to encourage learning, e.g. 'bring me the large blue ball… or the small yellow ball'. Some balls are soft, some hard, some textured, some musical, providing sensory experiences. Some you roll or throw, some you can bounce, some can be sat upon or used to develop co-ordination skills. All in all we consider that balls are amongst the most useful of developmental toys and we present here a range of balls with different and intriguing features.

The Sensation Ball, a 17" circumference transparent inflatable ball, contains two small brightly coloured balls which are hard in texture. The small balls can be clearly seen moving inside the larger ball; the effect of their movement creates an unusual sound, and vibrations which can be easily felt when the ball is placed against a child's skin. The ball can be inflated as required, so it may be soft and palpable or firm to the touch. Use for tactile stimulation, and the development of visual tracking and listening skills. We have seen the face of a small child with visual impairment light up in delight when this ball was placed in her hands. N.B. a pump is required to inflate this ball. Price: £6.99.

The Extra Light Inflatable Ball is 26 cm in diameter and can be inflated with a straw and a few puffs of breath. It is made from a soft polyurethane which is soft to the touch and easy to catch and hold. Most suitable for indoor play. Price: £2.99.

The Hedgehog Ball is hard and covered with spiky rubber spines. Use as a sensory development aid in conjunction with one of our soft balls to contrast concepts of hard and soft, rough and smooth. Size: 8.5 cm diameter. Price: £2.50.

The Small Textured Ball has 'bumps' over its surface and is designed to develop tactile awareness, grasping and catching skills. Use for any ball game. Price: £2.99.

The Plusball, featured in the national press for its ability to help children with hand/eye co-ordination, was recommended to us by one of our customers. Made from plasticised paper, it con be easily inflated like a balloon, with which it can be compared, as it is so light and delicate. However, unlike a balloon it moves predictably as well as slowly so children anticipate its descent, and are soon able to bounce the ball on a flat palm or bat with a regular rhythm. Plusballs must be handled with care, but can be fixed with sellotape if torn. We think this would be a good alternative to balloons for children who have involuntary movements, for whom a bursting balloon can be a very distressing experience. N.B. The larger the ball the slower its descent. Price: Small 50p, Medium 75p, Large £1.

The Soft Velour Ball is a soft washable ball made from velour fabric in two contrasting primary colours. Use with young children, those who need gentle handling and to demonstrate the soft and velvety texture. May also be hung. Price: £1.25.

The Happy Sounds Ball, a soft, wipe-clean, simulated leather ball in bright primary colours, has 17 different sounds which occur when the ball is moved. Used at floor level it can be rolled back and forth to attract the child's attention, and may encourage crawling or other movements. When thrown from child to child in a group the ball may encourage concentration and listening as each child listens for the sound that his catch and/or throw creates - and there are a few surprises. There is an On/Off switch allowing the ball to be used quietly, so preventing parental headaches! Price: £10.99.

Swimwear and Swimming Aids

Ear Band-its were designed by a doctor to help those who have grommets or suffer from ear infections to still enjoy swimming. The adjustable neoprene headband and earplugs together combine to keep the ears dry and comfortable when swimming - but not when diving. Available in three sizes: small (1-3 years), medium (4-10 years) or large (10-adult). Price: £13.95.

Swimcoach is an attractive lycra swimsuit which comes in bold fluorescent colours and has built-in flotation material to help give children confidence in the water and encourage them to develop swimming skills naturally. Available in two sizes: Size 1 (for children 15-20 kg in weight) and Size 2 (for children 18 - 27 kg). Price: £24.00.

Books and Videos

Makaton Pocket Book of Signs Packs 1 and 2. Useful training and reference packs for parents and carers trying to keep up with their children's communication skills! Price: £5.75 each.

Tumbletots Video of 22 of the most popular action songs includes Wiggly Woo, Stand Up, Sit Down, The Grand Old Duke of York and The Wheels on the Bus. Enjoy this together with your children to keep them fit and active while also helping their language to develop. Price: £7.99.

Eating and Drinking Equipment

A Three Stage Training Cup has been on our search list for some time since Tommee Tippee discontinued theirs, as it had proved so helpful for autistic children who found difficulty making the change from a bottle to a cup. We have now found this one which is a two-handled cup with three attachments — a teat, a flip-up spout top and a smooth rim. All have screw fixings onto the cup. Price: £4.99.

Three Stage Training Cup

The Easy Hold 'Glass' is translucent and comes in bright fluorescent colours which would look attractive on any table, and would be great for picnics! The sides of the beaker are shaped to make it easy to grip and the white spout top is sufficiently long to deal with the needs of most children, including those who have tongue thrust. This cup has proved very popular with previous customers. Comes in a variety of bright colours. Price: £4.99.

Easy Hold 'Glass'

Safety Products

The K.id Band is an identity wristband, made from a soft, tough, waterproof material which is bright and child friendly, comfortable to wear and almost impossible to remove without cutting it free. On the underside parents can write their mobile telephone number or any other information which they would wish a stranger to know in order to reunite them with their child. Although no substitute for vigilant care, they may be particularly useful for parents whose children have limited communication skills or overdeveloped skills in escapology - or both! Price: £1.99 for a pack of 10.

Video Locks prevent children putting their fingers into the video receptacle and damaging themselves or the video recorder. Were £2.95, now at the special price of £2 each while stocks last.

A Two Way Listening Monitor for children who need to be reassured when at a distance from their carers has at last come onto the market. We believe it is the only one currently available and we are pleased to be able to supply it. It is digital, giving high quality, interference-free communication between child and carer over a 300 metre range. Unfortunately, at £125 the system doesn't come cheaply.

Computer Software

Roger Wilson-Hinds and his wife Margaret are visually impaired, and are working to help others with the same impairment to have access to the wonders of computer technology at an affordable price. Roger writes:

“If you want software to make your computer speak, or a screen magnified for those with weak sight, and you only want to spend £80, then you need to speak to Roger or Margaret.”

Roger or Margaret may be contacted by phone on 01733 234441 or by email at [info at screenreader dot co dot uk]. Please tell them you heard about them via Fledglings when you call.

Wheelchair Sunshade/Umbrella

Joyce Manning sent us this lovely photograph of her son, James, under his bright yellow umbrella. Joyce sourced the clamp to secure the umbrella from a Danish company. She purchased the umbrella from a local garden centre for £11.99. Small clamps plus sunshades for little children are available from one of our suppliers for only £7.95; a wheelchair clamp plus an umbrella is available in the UK for £34.95. Joyce's solution may be cheaper!

We have contacted the Danish company who will supply us with clamps if necessary, but first we need to know how many people may be interested. Do get in touch with us if you are.

Clothing

Paint Aprons with sleeves in lightweight waterproof for children up to 32″ chest. Price: £7.50.

Coverall with sleeves in strong machine-washable poly-cotton material with waterproof inner and back velcro fastening. Price: £14.99 (75 cm - approx. age 12 years), £15.50 (90 cm), £16.00 (100 cm).

We now have some new and very attractive bibs and neckerchiefs in stock.

Continence Products

Swim Nappies are available in all sizes from babies to adults, and are essentially swim shorts with integral nappies. Several companies make them for young children but we know of only one who make them in adult sizes. Prices range from about £7 - £30, according to size.

About Fledglings

Fledglings is an independent not-for-profit organisation, established in 1998, to meet the needs for product information of parents/carers of children with special needs. It is staffed entirely by volunteers.

Over the past year the demand for our service has grown dramatically, and we have been unable to respond to all our enquiries as we would have liked. In order to develop strategies for dealing with these new challenges Ruth started a one year, part-time course in April. In the short term, this reduces the available time for dealing with your requests for information, so we hope you will bear with us if our response times are not as good as before.

Fledglings' Volunteers

We are grateful to Amy Hamilton-Wason, a student at Linton Village College, who has undertaken to work on a typing project for Fledglings as her service module for her Duke of Edinburgh Award. Amy is a very proficient touch typist and has been transferring Ruth's script on to disk, from which we will be able to develop Book Lists which I know some of you are waiting for. Thank you, Amy, for helping in this way.

Donations

Thanks to all the generous families who add small donations to their invoices — you are too numerous to mention individually. Donations of £5 and above have been recently made by: A Bowd, Judith Batchelor, Anna Denham, Wendy Easton, Sue Horton, Jenny Hudson, Dorothy Leary, Sarah le May, Lesley Mills, Stevie Redington, S Walker, Dr C Hinds, Fiona Kimberley, A West and Diana Condler. We thank you all for your kindness. £5 pays for 25 × 2nd class stamps!

Stop Press!

Just last week we were contacted by Anne and Richard King, a local family, who wanted to tell us about an exciting new find. This is an adult/child tandem in which the child's seat is at the front, and which, like the Tomcat trike we featured in the last issue of Fledglings News, is steered and braked by the parent from behind. In the case of the tandem, however, the parent also rides. Today, we visited the family to see their son Daniel, who has Down's Syndrome, in action with his father on the tandem.

Daniel was so proud to show us how he could ride and Anne says it has increased his self-esteem enormously. This tandem is very suitable for an able-bodied child with limited road sense, and would be especially suitable for families whose cycling expeditions have been severely limited by their child's learning disabilities. The cycle is also able to be ridden by the parent alone although it is not possible to disconnect the child's seat.

Anne writes: “Daniel was too heavy for the child seat on my bike, but a long way from managing a bike of his own. The Tandemtransporter has not only enabled us to cycle to and from school every day, but has also given Daniel a feeling of freedom and independence which he could not otherwise have experienced. The expression of accomplishment on his face, and the way he proudly rings his bell and waves to passers-by, say it all!”

The Tandemtransporter

The Newsletter

This is the last Newsletter for which we have received funding. Circulation has risen from 1200 to 2000 over the three issues. We are now seeking further funding/sponsorship to enable us to continue to produce the Newsletter free of charge. If anyone can help us with this, we would love to hear from you.