Fledglings News - Issue 5

Autumn Greetings

We hope you have had a fantastic summer and that you are now having a glorious autumn as we are here! The sounds of the crunching leaves, the feel of the shiny horse chestnuts, the smells of bonfires and the colours of the trees are nature’s very own sensory experiences. We hope you’ll enjoy them with your children!

We are sorry we didn’t produce a summer edition of Fledglings News this year - we were short of time and money. We hope you will enjoy this issue which concentrates on safety products, to reflect an increase in enquiries on this subject. We also have some ideas for Christmas gifts.

Did You Know?

• That this newsletter will be sent free of charge to more than 2000 families, schools, charities and public services from the Outer Hebrides to the Channel Islands?
• That to produce and distribute this issue of the newsletter costs us £1200?
• That every penny Fledglings earns from sales is used to provide the newsletters and the information service free of charge?
• That Fledglings acts as a distributor for NRS, Homecraft, Promedics, PHP and many other big companies and can supply goods from more than 200 suppliers?
• That if you have purchased or plan to purchase any item direct from a manufacturer as a result of receiving information via Fledglings, that company is likely to make a donation to Fledglings. Please see the form on the back page.

Can You Help?

• We have recently received enquiries regarding weighted blankets and/or jackets to help children to feel calm. If you have any experience of the use of these, or can direct us to where to obtain them, we would appreciate your help.
• We have had an enquiry about buggies from the parents of a 3 year old child who has athetoid cerebral palsy. The family would welcome information from families in a similar situation who have experiences to share, as they and the child’s therapists are unable to find a satisfactory solution to the little girl’s seating needs.

Safe and Sound

Everyone hopes at bedtime that their child will settle down peacefully, after a story, to a good night’s sleep. But we know it’s not always quite so easy!

Below we highlight products which have helped to solve bedtime difficulties for some families.

A Safespace

Safespaces and Cosyfit Sleepsystems

Safespaces are attractive environments designed to offer a high level of physical safety for children and adults with special needs. Each Safespace is custom made to fit inside an existing room but is 8″ smaller all round than the room in which it is fitted. The walls are made of PVC pulled taut on a steel frame, thus absorbing the force of any blows and reducing physical harm to the person inside. Doors and windows (made of clear PVC) zip out and follow the contours of the existing room. The floor is made from firm, impact absorbing foam. The Safespace comes in a choice of bright colours and can be wiped clean easily using washing-up liquid.

Cutaway view of a Safespace

The Cosyfit Sleepsystem from the same company is more suitable for young children and small rooms as it is only 1.5m high and has an open top. As it can be easily dismantled and removed to another location this could be useful for children who receive respite care.

Mrs Rachel Petch of Halifax first drew our attention to these products. Rachel wrote:

‘Our daughter, Hannah, has severe learning difficulties and is visually impaired. She is very mobile, but has no sense of danger, which has caused problems since she outgrew her cot. She climbs on and has broken several pieces of furniture. Another problem which has also contributed to a lack of sleep for the rest of the family is Hannah’s longstanding habit of rocking/banging against any hard surface repeatedly, at intervals through the night. We believe we have now found a solution to our sleepless nights and to Hannah’s safety in the form of a Safespace. We have just finished our fundraising for the Safespace and we are looking forward to having it fitted.’

I contacted Rachel recently to find out if the Safespace had met her expectations. This is what she said:

‘The Safespace is absoloutely fantastic – we can sleep now. Before we got it, I had been off work for a month with stress but since we had the Safespace I haven’t had a single day off. We have made the Safespace into a sensory room and Hannah really enjoys it – she even asks if she can go in it. It has made our lives much more normal.’

Fledglings has also received information from a headteacher about the use of a Safespace in her school for children who need ‘time out’.

Thanks to Rachel and to the headteacher for the information provided.

The Kindersafe Bed and Bumper

At the Assert conference in Loughborough last year a parent told us about the Kindersafe bed which had ‘revolutionised’ her life, as her child, who had formerly been unable to settle at bedtime, now enjoyed going to bed and was kept safe by the padded surround. Later in the year we saw the bed for ourselves at an exhibition. We were equally impressed, however, by the new cot/bed bumpers the company had designed with the help of a paediatric care team.

We have received many enquiries about bumpers for children who sleep in a single bed, but these were the first we had seen which met the stated requirements of most of our enquirers - attractive, child friendly, strong but soft to touch, wipe clean and able to fit the whole bed.

Kindersafe Bumpers

If you would like further information about any of these products, please contact us and we will put you in touch with the relevant companies.

More Products Available Through Fledglings

With Christmas not too far away, we know that many of you will be looking around for presents for the children, so we include here a number of suggestions for gifts which we can supply directly. However, we cannot guarantee Christmas delivery on any orders placed after November 25th.

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

Mozart Magic Cube - £29.99 including delivery

We have had good reports of this toy from two local families who have children of different ages and special needs. It consists of a strong brightly coloured plastic cube with large easy push buttons, each containing a picture of a musical instrument - piano, harp, flute, violin, french horn or full orchestra. Different combinations of instruments can be used to play the pre-programmed Mozart tunes. The sound quality is good and lights flash to accompany the music. This toy encourages listening and sound differentiation. It is also a good Cause/Effect toy. The Cube takes 3 AA batteries (not included).

Mozart Magic Cube

Mozart Sing With Me Magic Cube - £29.99 inc.

Similar to the Mozart Magic Cube (above) but uses different instruments – guitar, piano, tuba, flute, drums and orchestra - to accompany 8 well-known children’s songs.

Bears Jigsaw Puzzle (with knobs) - £3.50

A 4 piece puzzle showing a family of bears in 4 sizes. Helps shape and size recognition.

Transport Jigsaw Puzzle (with knobs) - £5.00

A traditional wooden toy featuring 8 different vehicles – earthmover, dustcart, fire engine, ambulance, police car, landrover, car and motorbike.

Transport Jigsaw Puzzle

My First Number Pairs - £5.99

This is a number teaching game which consists of 10 cards on which are printed the numbers 1 to 10 and another 10 photographic cards illustrating objects, animals and people in groups of one to ten. The cards are colour coded so matching can take place by colour or by number. This game may be particularly helpful for children who have difficulty with images which are not photographs. Helps develop number and colour recognition and counting skills.

My First Number Pairs

Pop to the Shops – £7.99

This fun game for older children is designed to help them learn to use money to make purchases and to budget so that they do not overspend! It consists of a large board in the shape of a 4 piece jigsaw, some 10p, 20p and 50p coins to spend and goods to buy. The winner is the first person to purchase 6 items within budget.

Pop to the Shops

Colour Diffusing Paper - £9.75 for 4 large sheets (44″ x 88″)

We supplied some packs of this paper earlier in the year to an RNIB inclusive play project in Scotland. Frances Harding, the project manager, contacted us to tell us what an enormous success it has been. She says it has transformed art sessions for physically disabled children in the group. The paper can be used for a range of art projects (ideas come with the pack). When used for painting the paper blends the colours forming a rainbow effect. Food colouring and fruit juice concentrate may be used as paints. Painting tools can include water misters, sponges, pipettes and blow paints, so making art much more versatile. The group have made Frances a special book of their art using the paper.

The Wobbler – £34 including delivery

The Wobbler is a fun balance trainer. It has two games, of differing skill levels, in which players try their skills in negotiating balls through a maze / circuit whilst balancing on the Wobbler with both feet. Suitable for children and adults of about 7 and over, this game helps to develop balance co-ordination and concentration. Recent research at Exeter University has also shown it to be particularly helpful in overcoming the effects of dyslexia. Fledglings price includes a £5 discount.

The Wobbler

Books and Videos

My Brother Sammy – Paperback £4.99

Sammy has autism. This is a book for 5-8 year olds about life with a brother who has autism.

I Can’t Hear Like You - Paperback £4.99

This is a book about Tom who is severely deaf and attends a mainstream school. Age 6+.

Eating and Drinking Equipment

Steady Cup – Pink or Blue £2.99

We are grateful to Charlotte Jenkins, who called to tell us about this cup, which has helped her son, who is deaf and also tends to be ‘clumsy’. She thought that with its broad base it might help other children with dyspraxia or hyperactivity. We think so, too.

A Steady Cup

Sensory Development Aids

Contrast Skwish - £10.95

The Contrast Skwish is a squeezable tactile toy. It consists of black and white wooden rods, and red wooden beads which slide along the rods, the whole held together with a strong elasticated cord. This allows the Skwish to return to its original shape whenever it is squeezed. The strong contrasting colours make it very clear to see, and is particularly suitable for children with poor or developing vision. It is light, is easy to hold and if thrown (gently) as a ball it is easy to catch. It also makes a soft rattle when shaken. This toy can help develop fine motor skills.

Contrast Skwish

Classic Skwish - £11.95

As above but in primary colours.

Mini Rainmaker - £6.99

This small transparent sealed plastic tube containing an assortment of brightly coloured plastic beads is easy for little hands to hold. When shaken or turned upside down like an egg timer it generates a sound like falling rain. A visually appealing musical instrument which also encourages listening and dexterity. When rolled can also encourage crawling and tracking.

Mini Rainmaker

Clothing

Koala Fleece (without sleeves) - £50.80 + £3 delivery

The Koala Fleece addresses the need for a warm garment for those bright, cold wintry days for children who use wheelchairs. Made from a warm red fleece, it has a stylish collar and zips from feet to neck. One size only – Suitable for children age 6-10 years (approx). A version with sleeves and zips at the back of the legs is also available at £53.20 + £3 delivery.

Koala Fleece

Bodyworn Sleeping Bags

Bodyworn sleeping bags have been used in mainland Europe for many years and are increasingly being used in the UK for infants. They are easy to put on and take off and, as they unzip from the bottom, it is difficult for the child to open the bag. Children who toss and turn a great deal, throwing off their covers as they do so may benefit from using one, and so may children who have difficulty maintaining body temperature, often as a result of immobility.

We have been able to supply these sleeping bags for young children for some time, but have now found a company who will make them to order for children of any age, so if you think these may help your child please let us know.

Bodyworn Sleeping Bag

Christmas Bibs & Neckerchiefs

We are again able to offer these in a range of styles and fabrics. If you purchase bibs or neckerchiefs from us and you would like your usual style in red or green or a patterned Christmassy print, please contact us in good time for the big day, preferably by mid-November.

Safety Products

The Airclip – £5.99

This little gadget is proving very successful in a number of ways. Annette Faamausili, a community nursery nurse, writes:

‘I have been running a successful sleep clinic for the past 5 years. Recently Fledglings introduced me to a brilliant gadget that clips across the top of the door and keeps the door open ajar, and believe it or not this simple gadget does the trick for those little scally wags that wander about at night or won’t stay in their bedrooms at bedtime. The child can see out through the door but it’s not quite wide enough for the child to escape through. This way you can communicate to your child through the gap and they feel much happier than if the door was shut or locked, (something I don’t recommend). It may take a few nights of persevering but once they stop coming out of the room you can undo the clip. As it’s easy to assemble, if the child goes back to coming out of the room you can just pop the clip back on again.’

Airclip

The Airclip can also be used to keep children away from danger areas such as the kitchen, or out of mischief in parents’ or siblings’ bedrooms during the day. As there is no key and the clip has a quick release procedure easily used by adults it is simpler and safer than locking doors.

If you would like to speak to Annette about the sleep clinic you can contact her on 07798 500 868.

Kids Talk – £22.90 inclusive of delivery

This new find is likely to be welcomed by families whose child has communication difficulties, particularly if he/she is inclined to wander. Kids Talk is worn like a wristwatch, fastened with a velcro strap which holds a small recording device into which you may record your telephone number, a child’s dietary requirements, or other appropriate information, which may be needed in an emergency or when the parent is not present. Additionally, you may also register for the national locating service. Fledglings have negotiated a £10 discount on the price of this item for readers of Fledglings News. N.B. If a child finds it hard to tolerate a wristband, the device may be attached to an item of the child’s clothing, such as the back of a coat.

Kids Talk

The Toddler Runner - £10.95

This adjustable backpack with parent handle and removable reins may be particularly suitable for children who cannot tolerate holding hands, as Shirley Sealy writes:

‘Our son, Max, is nearly 5. He has Fragile X syndrome. I have been unable to take him and his 2 year old brother, Harry, out on my own, because Max runs off, has no sense of danger, is very quick and also has a habit of sitting down in the street or shop because he doesn't like holding hands for long.

The toddler runner is brilliant! It looks snazzy and Max is happy to wear it. After initially trying to take it off, which he couldn’t, he just accepted it.

It has certainly worked for me and I would recommend it to any parent whose child is a handful.’

Toddler Runner

Safety Duck Tub - £20

This blow-up duck is actually a child’s bath, for children up to about 2 years of age. It fits inside a normal family bath. It is warm and soft to the touch. It has a safety disc in the tub which turns white when the water is too hot for a child.

Safety Duck Tub

As it is an inflatable product, it can easily be stored deflated in places where space is limited, and is good when travelling. We believe it could be especially helpful for mothers of young children who have outgrown the usual baby bath supports and who would find difficulty bathing the child in the full size tub. It may also be used as an individual ballpool, paddling pool or just for general water play. Never leave a small child alone in or near a bath tub or pool.

New Fledglings’ Administrator – Welcome to Jane

In the summer, we received a major boost to our efforts to develop Fledglings for the long term. We were awarded £13k from the Adventure Capital Fund to enable us to employ a part-time administrator for a year and to pay for other essentials. We appointed Jane Bryant, who joined us at the beginning of August as Fledglings’ Administrator. Jane’s efficiency and organisational skills are now putting the service on a firmer foundation. We already wonder how we managed without her and need to ensure that funds will be available for this post to continue. Many of you will have spoken to Jane by now as she usually answers the telephone.

Thank You

Thank you to Saffron Walden Round Table, and to Karen Shears who wrote to them asking if they would donate money raised during Carnival Week to help our work. They kindly donated £100, which we used to purchase a very much needed new filing cabinet – the doors had dropped off our old wooden one!

Thanks, too, to Tina Ellerbrook and friends and to Peggy Frost, who have all nominated us for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award. Keep your fingers crossed for us – the winners will be announced next summer.

Donations of £5 and above have also been received from the following: D Askew, J Chapman, R Craigie, C Clark, H Davies, T Ellerbrook, F Ellis, J Fraser, P Gavin, A Gualeldi, A & L Gorry, R Julian, P Kavanagh, H Kemp, A Knowles, M McGee, A McDougall, Mrs Pennington, R Sandemann-Allen, W Smith, B Smith, A Shipley, L Tambling, L & M Vismara & D Yager. In addition, we received support from the following organisations: Cambridgeshire County Council Parent Partnership Service, Grantown Playgroup, Saffron Walden Round Table and The Willoughby School, Bourne.

It boosts our morale and gives us great encouragement to have these expressions of support for our work. Thanks to you all.

Feedback – Crawlers

We have decided not to go ahead with further supplies of this product, featured in Issue 4. However, we are grateful to Deirdre Yager and Karen Arnold who have given us these suggestions to help children who crawl.

Deirdre buys footballer’s goalkeeper trousers from her local sports shop and says that they provide excellent knee protection for her son. If anyone wants them and cannot find them locally we are able to help.

Karen has designed and made padded trousers (“Bouncers”) for her young son to protect him when falling. These could be equally useful in protecting knees when crawling. If anyone would like to talk to Karen about these or would like to order some Bouncers, please give us a call.

Bouncers

Advisory Group

Following our request in the last newsletter for readers willing to join our Advisory group, we now have a group of 7 parents, one foster carer, two occupational therapists and a whole group of parents from Grantown-on-Spey playgroup who have offered their services. We shall be talking to this group about the future direction of Fledglings and how best to address the needs of those who contact us. If you would like to join this group, please call Ruth.