Fledglings News - Issue 8

It’s a welcome return of Fledglings’ News. We’ve had a lot of requests for more issues of our newsletter and, at last, after a gap of 2 years, it’s back!Over these past 2 years we have seen many changes here. After 8 years operating from Ruth’s family home, we now have a new office, 3 new part-time staff and several new volunteers to enable us to respond to the increasing demand for our service. As the school holidays end and a new school year begins, you will all be experiencing changes, too – perhaps a move to a new school, or teacher or classroom? These changes can be unsettling but we hope that, like us, you will find the changes exciting.

The Wrong Trousers ?

This is Gill’s story: “ I have recently completed a BA Honours in clothing, design and technology. For my dissertation I looked at the difficulties in dressing for a child with a physical disability and, in particular, the effect this can have on their academic learning time within the school. Our children, Ellen and George, both attend a mainstream school. Our son, George, has cerebral palsy, which causes many challenges, including dressing, undressing and toileting, which can cause frequent delays to the school-learning day for him and his carers. I focused on developing a pair of trousers to help reduce the time taken out of class. After testing a number of prototypes on George a suitable design has now been reached. Every day tasks have now become much easier, from toileting to quick removal of his splints. As George’s new trousers look just like those of his classmates, George is much happier, and as the time taken out of class is less, so are his carer and his teacher! If you would be interested in trying out the trousers for your child, or if you have any other dressing issues you would like me to look at, please contact Fledglings” . Gill Newsome Guide Price £20-£25

Gill has also produced a Velcro fastening shirt for easy dressing. Please let us know if you would like more information on either of these garments.

Derma Shield helps children with eczema have fun

A few years ago, a local nursery was in touch with us. They had a number of children who, as a result of severe eczema, were unable to take part in activities such as sand and water play. They asked if we could find some gloves that would help the children. Fledglings investigated a number of possibilities and then came up with the idea of using Derma Shield, which is a fragrance free skin cream which protects the skin even after repeated washes.

The feedback on this product was very positive. One family even used the cream on a child’s face so the child could enjoy having his face painted. Peter Friswell of Derma Shield informed me that this was not surprising as most London theatres use the product as a barrier under theatre make-up.

We thought more families might like to try this cream to help their children—it may also be helpful for sore chests for children who drool or for those with chapped thighs.

So we contacted Peter who has agreed a reduced price for Fledglings’ customers and a donation to Fledglings for every product ordered. Do let us know if you are interested in this product.

We should point out that Derma Shield may be available at your doctor’s discretion on prescription from the NHS.

Sometimes we hear from parents who want to find a way to keep children from accessing the TV controls, or who want an extra strong bed for a child who likes to bounce. We have recently found a company who may help with this sort of problem, and, if you place an order with them, Fledglings will receive a donation.

If you need to find solutions to this kind of problem please let us know.

Buy your Christmas Cards On-line for Fledglings

Once the Autumn term is under way, many of us start thinking about planning for Christmas. But busy parents often have little time to get out to the shops so we thought buying cards on-line might help you – and Fledglings, too.

John Statham, our new volunteer fundraising manager writes:

“As part of Fledglings’ fundraising we have teamed up with an organisation called Studio 51, which sells a wide range of attractive Christmas cards. Studio 51 pays a generous 51% of the purchase price to Fledglings – much more than most charity cards, which frankly pay very little to the charity.

Do take a look at it – go to www.studio51.com enter “fledglings” in the ‘Search charity by keyword’ box, and browse the lovely selection of cards. Studio 51 then automatically credits Fledglings with your donation on any cards you buy.

One novel feature is that Studio 51 send 11 envelopes with every pack of 10 cards – no more wasting cards because you messed up an envelope!”

Christmas Stockings

Last year we decided to offer ‘Sensory Stockings’. We were only able to publicise this to families who contacted us in the weeks leading up to Christmas for reasons of cost. However, those families who purchased a stocking seemed very appreciative of the service, so we plan to offer these again this Christmas. However, as we select items appropriate to the likes/dislikes, age and ability of each child we will need orders to be placed by November 23rd.

Price £36 inc p & p

Empty stockings may be purchased for filling at home. Price £7.50 inc p & p

Developmental Toys and Learning Resources

This bright little bee on wheels with ‘dragonfly’ single button control is an ideal first switch toy for a young child. The bee is bright yellow with black stripes and transparent wings making it good for use by a child with limited vision. The chunky control has a single red button, which, when pressed, rewards the child by illuminating a light and activating the bee The bee is one directional but will change direction each time the red button is pressed - its tail will also spin. When there is no activity the bee will spin on the spot. The on/off switch is on the bee itself so parental supervision is required.

2 “AAA” batteries are required for the control and 3 “AA” batteries for the bee. Not included. Price £13.50

Some years ago we featured a set of Magnetic Stackers in our newsletter. It was an extremely popular toy which helped children with limited dexterity to build a tower. When it was withdrawn by our suppliers we had to disappoint many people but after searching for something similar for some time we have now found magnetic bugs, 6 little creatures, just the right size for young hands to hold and which can be stacked to form a tower. The snail’s back is certainly the one which takes the strain best! Price £8.99

Sensory Development Aids

Magic Light Ball — This tactile translucent ball changes colour with a squeeze, a press of the button on top, or by throwing and catching. The colours change from blue to green, to red to purple to yellow and eventually to flashing mode. Then with another squeeze it switches off. Used in a darkened room it is very effective. Use to encourage hand movement, to teach colours, for visual stimulation or just for fun. Apparently they are great for juggling! Price £3.95

Rainbow Putty is a tactile substance which can be squeezed and shaped rather like play dough, and will help develop the strength of muscles in the hands. It is also great fun to use and very therapeutic. These 2oz pots are colour coded to indicate the resistances. Yellow is soft, red is medium soft, green is medium and blue is firm. Price £2.75 each

More Toys

Organiser Watch Here is another product designed by a parent to help her own child. Now other children can benefit, too. Barbara, who lives in Holland, explains:

“ All children want to have a watch before they are ready to tell the time. Now with this watch they can learn by setting the required coloured segment —blue for 5 minutes, green for 10, red for 15, white for half an hour and they can visualise the time passing. This helps them become more independent, which they really enjoy.”

This watch has no numbers so cannot be used to know the hour of the day, but is a tool, rather like a sophisticated sand timer for helping children to organise their time. A clock is also available.

The Eye Spy Bag is a feely bag with a difference. The square flat bag is made from a soft felt with a Perspex ‘window’.

Inside the bag are a number of items – everyday objects, coins, animal shapes, numbers or letters. Each bag contains a variety of these objects.

By manipulating the bag with his or her hands, a child can be taken on a journey of exploration and discovery searching for and finding items on request.

A small card is attached to each bag to give you ideas about how it can be used to encourage a child’s learning. Price £11.50

Tambourine Use this colourful instrument to encourage rhythm and movement. Price £6.95

Hairy Magneez are irresistible. These brightly coloured characters with a multitude of expressions and magnetic properties can be used to teach colours, emotions or just to keep fingers busy! Price £1.95 each

Wedgits This simple, ingenious construction toy for all ages, consists of a set of sturdy plastic shapes which can be fitted together in innumerable different combinations. Virtually anyone can be creative with Wedgits, and the more adventurous can try to copy the designs on the associated Design Cards. We tested out the Junior set and found families with children of all ages loved them. One family expressed concern about the size of the small white octahedron which looked small enough to be swallowed, so we decided to stock the sets with larger pieces for safety. We are sure these will give hours of enjoyment. Starter Set Price £19.95 Design Cards Price £6.95

Rain Stopped Play on this LikeaBike!

We often have requests from parents for stabilisers for their older children’s bikes. This little bike, known as a Likeabike for obvious reasons, may help prevent the need for stabilisers as it is designed to help children develop good balance from an early age.

Parents have asked us what is special about it. The fact that it isn’t obvious that it’s special is one of the reasons we like it —any child would love to ride it ! It’s not immediately obvious that it has no pedals and no-one can see the engineering that makes the steering self-righting. It is also a sturdy little machine which should endure .

All these qualities make it ideal as an inclusive item for early years settings and a lovely Christmas or birthday gift for a child who lacks confidence on a regular bike.

Available in red, blue, orange and green. Price £110 with free delivery (normally £10) for Fledglings’ customers who are purchasing for a child with special needs. Please ask for a VAT exemption form when ordering.

LikeaBike Helmets are also available. Colours: Pink or blue Size: Small 48-51cms or Medium 51-57cms Price £30 each

General Care and Safety

We have heard from several families that their children tend to tear bedding. One mother of teenage twins who have autistic spectrum disorder called us some years ago with this problem, and we suggested she might like to try some cellular blankets that we had been assessing.

We thought the silky texture of the fabric and the breathable nature of the cellular design would be acceptable to a number of tactile defensive children. We had also noted that the fabric appeared to be very strong.

The mother concerned ordered some of these blankets but we had not received feedback until a few months ago when she told us that several years on they were still washing and wearing well and had not been torn. They can be used without sheets, and although very light, they are also warm. We are now planning to stock these blankets.

They come in several sizes and colours – we shall keep white in stock – ask if other sizes or colours are required.

Tear Resistant Blanket in white for a single bed size (168cm x 214cm) Price £12.95 each

The Magic Cutter

This ingenious little device helps children to enjoy activities involving paper cutting in safety. It will cut paper on a flat surface effectively but it will not cut the child’s fingers and barely scratches the surface. Once the child has learned the knack of dragging the cutter along the surface of the paper, he or she will find it easier to cut around shapes or, with the use of a ruler to cut a straight line accurately.

This product could be advantageous for use in group situations where teachers/carers need to supervise the use of other potentially dangerous cutting implements.

The Magic Cutter can be easily stored on the fridge or filing cabinet as it is magnetic. Price £2.50

The Snoozy has helped so many children to become dry that when we were told that it was being discontinued we were determined to try to change the mind of our supplier. As a result of our co-operation with the company we now have a new Snoozy which we think has an even better design than the previous one with all the same features. It will absorb up to 1.5 litres of liquid and will keep the top sheet dry so there is no need for bed changing in the middle of the night. The pad is slip resistant, machine washable and able to be tumble dried (low) if necessary. When it’s no longer needed on the bed, use it as a picnic mat, a car seat protector, or a bathmat. This quality product will be loved by children of all ages and, judging by the many grateful letters we receive, by their parents, too! One mother wrote saying the Snoozy should be compulsory for the sanity of all parents. And it’s still only £16.95!

At the request of speech therapy colleagues we have decided to introduce the Safe Feeder. This consists of a small mesh bag into which small items of food may be placed. The bag may then be screwed firmly onto the attached frame. Your child can then hold the feeder and chew on the food in the bag. This reduces the risk of choking. The Safe Feeder helps parents to introduce new tastes and flavours, and encourages reluctant feeders, particularly those who have previously only been fed by tube, to develop the muscles around the mouth in order to establish normal feeding. The mesh bags may be washed in warm soapy water and are dishwasher safe. Price £10.95 Pack of 4 extra mesh bags: Price £9.95

Fledglings’ Bib for Maddie Tolman-May’s Big Day

Julia Tolman-May wrote:“It really was an honour to be asked to attend the event at Exeter Chief’s Sandy Park rugby Stadium, Princess Ann was attending in her role as patron of the Wooden Spoon rugby charity and opening wheelchair terracing at the stadium.. Maddie and her two friends were chosen to go from Vranch House School and we (parents) were lucky enough to go with them. What an honour! Maddie was concentrating so hard on holding the flowers up, she couldn’t let go properly and needed help! I know you can’t see the bib in the picture but she looked fab. Thank you all “

Pictured right is the Broderie Anglais style of bib worn by Maddie. If you have an occasion for which you’d like a special bib produced, just give us a call on: 0845 458 1124

We have worked with Rackety’s, who produce the T-shirts in our brochures, for a number of years. We select products from Rackety’s range to illustrate in our publications which we believe will best address the needs of the majority of our customers. However, if you wish to order any other item from the Rackety’s catalogue we are happy to order it for you.

P.3 CB0101 Fleece Lightweight Drooler Bib

Only available in packs of 2 for £6.50, fewer colours

P.4 CB0102 Sleeved Bib for Pre-Schoolers

Price change – now £5.50

P.4 CB0103 Sleeved Bib for Pre-schoolers

No longer available

P.7 CT0101 to 0112 Designer T-shirts Designs have changed slightly but message the same.

New Design for children with ASD

P.7 CR0100 to 0110 Elasticated waist Trousers

New designs — reduced prices

P.10 Girls’ Swimwear New fabrics. Please call for details

P.10 Buoyancy Jackets New design - ALL sizes from baby to adult—new prices

P.11 CS0103 to 0107 Foot Warmers New Colours—now also available in pink and navy and Red for Christmas

P.12 CW0003 to 0008 Wheelchair Rainwear

New colour available—PURPLE!

P.12 CW0106 to 009 Shower Proof Raincape

New design with short back and fits into its own pocket.

P.13 CC0003 The Snoozy New design – ‘Animal Friends’ and new fabric

P.15 CC0107 Mat in a Bag Currently unavailable

P.16 ED0102 The Spill Proof Cup No longer available

P.16 ED0002 The Doidy Cup Available in white only

P.16 ED0005 & 6 Light 2 Handled Cups Blue discontinued, Cream still available.

New colours: Yellow, Pink or Lilac available @ £5

P.17 Junior Caring Cutlery Adult Caring Cutlery is now also available £6.25 each

P.18 ED0040 Divided Feeding Plate Discontinued

P.19 Non Slip Dinnerware Now only available as a Unit i.e. ED0110, ED0111 and

ED0112 are still available

P.21 GC0018 Chair Harness Discontinued. Two New

alternatives available.

Call for details

P.26 SD0107 Sound Key Ring Discontinued

Page 22 order code GC0107 Kid’s Backpack with Harness This has been so popular that we are now supplying two extra backpacks in this range, a grey/green backpack with a lizard motif for children up to age 8 years and a cute ladybird backpack with a rain hood for younger children. The backpacks have a rein attachment and a handle on top. These new designs also have an integral pocket with address/telephone number label. The backpacks are amongst our most popular products for children with limited communication skills, those who like to go exploring in inappropriate places and children who can’t tolerate holding hands. £14.95 for Ladybird Backpack and £14.95 Grey/Green Lizard Backpack

Books

Signing Books—These delightful signing books now have 3 new titles, Getting Ready, Going Out and Play Time. Each page gives clear illustrations of signs for everyday items and activities, and the 3 books together introduce 96 new words to your child’s vocabulary and 96 related signs which may be new to you too. A wonderful communication aid for pre-verbal children and the hearing impaired.

Our Plans for the Future

Feedback Forms- PLEASE CONTINUE TO RETURN THEM. Many of you kindly make suggestions/comments on your feedback forms. We are grateful for these. It helps us to understand the kind of service you need. We are currently planning a number of developments in response to your requests and continue to investigate others.

Fledglings’ 10th Anniversary

Thank You