: North Texas Kids : Your family guide to raising happy, healthy kids

Sense-Able Gym, an open play concept

Sense-Able Gym: Open, Sensory Driven Play Space

Sense-Able Gym is designed much like a children’s therapy center, but with an open play concept. We offer a fun, sensory driven play space designed for children with special needs, but open to all children.

Our mission is to build confidence, motivation, problem-solving skills, and socialization through a variety of activities personalized to fit your child’s needs. Each child is seen as the spectacular individual they already are, and natural strengths are identified and built upon.

Home Modifications for Families with Disabled Child

Adaptive home modifications for homes with disabled child

Whether a child is born with a disability or it develops later in life, there are many family decisions to make when it comes to modifications and adaptive designs that can be essential in allowing disabled children to live in their own homes with as much independence as possible. Keeping your disabled child at home and safe is important to you, and modifying your home to make that happen is the perfect compromise.

Home modifications span across a wide range, from allowing for a child in a wheelchair to navigate the home easily or making room for someone who has hearing or vision impairments. Instances can be temporary (recovery from a broken bone) or longer term in nature. Regardless, homes should provide children – and parents – with a strong sense of security. Without proper safety measures, homes can become hazardous to those with disabilities or physical impairments.

Caterpillar Stickers: The Story Behind the Book – Part Two

We recently introduced Sierra Rene Flad, a Fifth-Grader with Dyslexia who co-authored an inspirational children’s book, Caterpillar Stickers, with her mom, Ruth Flad.

Caterpillar Stickers launched November 11 and inspires kids by sharing the message anything is possible! Below is Part One of the journey that led to discovering that Sierra has Dyslexia. Ruth Flad shares her family’s experience to help other parents facing the same situation.

Read an excerpt from Caterpillar Stickers

Enter for a chance to win an autographed copy of Caterpillar Stickers

Purchase Caterpillar Stickers: Be Yourself and Be Butterfly Beautiful

Sierra’s Journey: Part Two

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Caterpillar Stickers: The Story Behind the Book – Part One

We recently introduced Sierra Rene Flad, a Fifth-Grader with Dyslexia who co-authored an inspirational children’s book, Caterpillar Stickers, with her mom, Ruth Flad.

Read an excerpt from Caterpillar Stickers

Enter for a chance to win an autographed copy of Caterpillar Stickers

Purchase Caterpillar Stickers: Be Yourself and Be Butterfly Beautiful

Sierra’s Journey: Part One

When Sierra was only 9 months old she said her first coherent word. She has never stopped talking since. She has an enormous vocabulary. I knew she had a genius hiding inside her tiny body. Always bold, unafraid and still never gives up on anything, a true perfectionist. I should have paid more attention to the question she answered with her first word but I was too shocked that she answered me. We had just completed viewing and reading story books. Sierra appeared disinterested. I asked, “Don’t you want to read anymore?” Sierra answered emphatically “NO”.

Special Needs Fall Carnival Saturday, Oct 27th

A FREE Event for Individuals with Special Needs and Their Families

By Mina Frannea

Especially Needed is an organization based on a vision that a community can exist where individuals with special needs are valued, respected and included. A community made up of caring people who serve as a support system as well as mentors to this wonderful group of children and adults. Especiallyneeded.org provides special needs families with information regarding local services and resources. This non-profit organization also hosts seasonal events where families with special needs children can have an opportunity to have fun and relax, and simply focus on spending quality time with each other.

This Saturday, October 27th from 5-8pm is their 3rd Annual Special Needs Fall Carnival at The Ballfields at Craig Ranch in McKinney (6151 Alma Rd., McKinney, TX 75070). This is a FREE event!

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Celiac Disease in Children

Birthday party guests usually bring gifts, not cake. So imagine my surprise when at my daughter’s eighth birthday party I answered the door to a mother holding a beautifully decorated cake complete with candles. Sonya and her son Jake stepped in and opened my eyes.

4th of July Crafts for Kids with Special Needs

by Stephanie Arbetter

With those summer days inching along, it is easy to run out of ways to keep kids busy. If your children are tired of sidewalk chalk, then perhaps some arts and 4th of July crafts are just what they need!

The following two crafts are courtesy of the staff at Block Institute in Brooklyn, NY. Block Institute is an educational facility in New York City dedicated to providing services to children and adults with special needs ranging from global development delays to cerebral palsy and many other conditions.

The two crafts below were specifically thought of for children with special needs, but most any child will find these fun 4th of July crafts enjoyable!