Finding that perfect toy for the child in your life is never easy, but it can become even more difficult when shopping for holiday gifts for children with special needs. Jodie L. Moulton, M.S., CCC-SLP/L, clinical manager/speech-language pathologist in the Pediatrics Department of Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network offers the following tips when toy shopping for children with disabilities:

1. Choose toys that match the ability of the child. Ensure that the toys provide activities that reflect both the developmental and chronological age of the child.
2. Consider the child’s opportunity for successfully using the toy. Children with special needs can become frustrated if they feel the toy does not work for them.
3. Choose toys that allow for creativity or self-expression. Toys that promote dramatic play offer children a relaxed way of increasing their language and cognitive skills. Likewise, the potential for interaction with other children is helpful to improve social abilities.
4. Choose toys with multi-sensory appeal. Children with vision challenges enjoy toys that make sounds or vibrate. Those who have difficulty hearing prefer toys that use lights or print out messages. Toys that stimulate the sense of touch help children with special needs take in the world around them.
5. Look for toys that soothe. Many children with special needs have a difficult time soothing themselves and need a special item to help calm them. These include items with soft tactile qualities or items that the child can put in his or her mouth.
6. Find toys that are easily activated and require fewer steps to work. Toys that move or make sounds by activating a switch are a good choice.
7. Remember toy safety and durability. Toys should be easy to clean and should not contain small parts or choking hazards.
8. Look for items that increase the child’s safety. Many parents of children with special needs spend a large portion of their day keeping their children safe. Providing parents with safety items gives them more time to spend interacting with their child.
9. Look for items that help parents with everyday tasks. Again, anything to decrease time spent on activities of daily living will give parents more time to spend interacting or stimulating their child’s development.
10. Make sure the toy fits the child’s size and strength. Lightweight toys should be chosen for children with limited motor skills and strength.

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network’s online store, Rehability, is a national resource for unique child development toys that you can give as holiday gifts for children with disabilities. Products available include toys that aid in life skills, such as the Cutting Food Box, a crate of wooden food that children can cut, or the Basic Skills Board, a board to practice everyday tasks including buttoning and zippering.

Often small children look to toys with which they can identify. Special Needs Dolls available at Rehability, such as Special Needs Abby, who features crutches, allow children with disabilities to play with toys that look like them. These toys help children with disabilities feel included in society and those without disabilities understand why other children need mobility tools.

“The Special Needs Dolls help children understand everyone is unique and helps the child feel special because there is a doll that they can relate to,” says Tara Clauser, buyer/operations manager for Rehability.

Since the economy has you cutting back on extravagant gifts this holiday season, you are probably looking for a practical item that your loved one can really use. Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network’s online store, Rehability, is the perfect place to find a practical holiday gift for the aging adults on your list. Rehability allows people with various levels of physical disabilities to live fuller, more independent lives by providing access to specialty products and services and expert clinical support.

Some products available at RehabilityStores.com include a TV/computer screen enlarger, which doubles the size of the display screen for those with visual impairment, a talking clock, which helps when glasses are out of reach, and a handy crochet aid or extra large playing cards make great stocking stuffers and allow older adults to maintain active lifestyles.

“The need for older adults to remain active is important to their health and well being,” explains Jennifer Gramps, marketing specialist for Rehability. “Having products that help them continue to take part in everyday and recreational activities helps their self esteem.”

Rehability is offering 20 percent off and free shipping on all its items during the holiday season. Its convenient online store is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and all major credit cards are accepted.

Product categories available at RehabilityStores.com include recreation, wellness, communication, education, home and daily living, mobility, clothing and children’s merchandise. The site offers products for people and patients with various disabilities and can help improve their chances of living independently when they transition back to their homes from a hospital or nursing home stay. These practical gifts also make sense for those living in assisted living facilities with limited space.

Rehability is a part of Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network, a nationally recognized leader in rehabilitation located in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

“You have to balance your intake of calories and fat with what you burn off.” So says Betsy Azain, a registered dietitian at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network, who counsels patients and residents.

This simple equation is easily forgotten in a lifestyle consumed with fast paced and fast food, but there is an undeniable link between foods high in fat and cholesterol, which increases your risk for a blood clot, a heart attack, and a stroke. One of the best ways to reduce the risk of a blood clot, heart attack, or stroke is to simply follow MyPyramid, the guide to a balanced diet brought to you by the United States Department of Agriculture. The MyPyramid guide is packed with whole grains, fruits, and vegetables that provide vitamins and minerals to keep your body healthy and reduces the risk of heart disease and several forms of cancer.

Here are some surefire ways to help prevent or reduce the risks of heart disease, blood clots, strokes:

• Drink more water. Water fills you up, making you less likely to succumb to a snack attack, plus it’s a necessary ingredient for a healthy body. Make it more appealing by keeping a favorite glass close at hand and add a wedge or two of lemon for a summery burst of flavor!

• Be a savvy shopper and read those labels! Watch out in particular for processed foods high in fat (especially trans-fat which is linked to heart disease and high cholesterol), calories, and carbohydrates. Look for foods made of whole grain or whole wheat and that are high in fiber. Soluble fiber is the most desirable because it slows food digestion which some researchers believe helps regulate cholesterol and glucose (sugar) levels in the blood by affecting absorption rates.

• Fat-free doesn’t mean calorie-free. Many people make the mistake of thinking that because something is fat-free” or low-fat they can eat more of it. Wrong, says Betsy. Those “little” calories quickly add up and if not burned off, can turn into fat too.

• Resist end-of-the-day stress eating. That hour or two between the end of work and dinner is when the temptation to snack often peaks. “That’s a good time to take a walk,” Betsy says. Or, keep a bag of nuts handy for a quick and delicious snack. The monounsaturated fat in almonds reduces LDL cholesterol and increases the HDL or “good” cholesterol levels. They are also a good source of Vitamin E. Other good choices: hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts and peanuts. Keep it to a handful, about 1-1/2 ounces or 1/3 cup.

• Reduce mealtime portions and think color. When eating at home, don’t overload your plate. This just increases your likelihood of eating more than you need. A serving of meat should be no bigger than a deck of cards. Think color and add some simply-prepared veggies, such as steamed spinach and garlic, a baked sweet potato with just a dab of butter and a sprinkle of brown sugar, or a serving of frozen corn (without the heavy sauces). And when eating out, don’t feel like you have to clean your plate. Take some leftovers home. You’ll be glad you did!

If you’re in one of the high-risk groups for heart attack or stroke, here are some other tips:

• Lose weight: This is especially important if you are overweight and if you tend to gain weight around your waist rather than in your hips and thighs. Losing just 10 pounds can lower your blood pressure.

• Become more physically active: Keep your heart strong. Exercise regularly. Thirty to 45 minutes of brisk walking three to five times a week will help lower your blood pressure (and will also help you lose weight). Record your activities and reward yourself at special milestones.  Nothing motivates like success!

• Moderate alcohol use: Limit your alcohol intake to two drinks or less per day.

• Cut down on salt intake: Don’t put the salt shaker on the table, and limit ready-mixed sauces and seasonings, frozen dinners, canned soups, and salad dressings, which are usually packed with sodium. Eat lots of fresh or frozen fruits or vegetables that have very little sodium, and look for products labeled “low sodium” (containing less than 140 milligrams of sodium per serving). Always measure the salt in recipes and use half of what is called for.

• Stop smoking: Smoking increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.

• Doctor’s orders. Always follow your doctor’s advice. Take your medicine if your doctor decides you need it to lower your blood pressure. Have your blood pressure checked often.

• Stick with it: Managing high blood pressure is a lifetime undertaking. You can’t stop your program just because you feel good. Remember, this is a silent disease - it damages the heart and blood vessels without ever causing pain.

• Have your blood pressure checked regularly - and keep your heart healthy.

For more information visit:

• The American Heart Association

• The American Stroke Association

• MyPyramid guide

As with any change in diet and exercise, be sure to consult your physician.

Stroke products for rehabilitation can be found at Good Shepherd’s Rehability Store.

Good Shepherd is holding a Health Fair at the Bethlehem Senior Center.  Come and enjoy the day with our Health Fair Offerings:

• Stroke Screening: blood pressure check, carotid bruit testing, review of risk factors

• Balance screening with tips for fall prevention

• Lee Silverman Big and Loud Screens for those with Parkinson’s Disease

Learn more about:

• Non-surgical options for spine and joint pain

• Advance Directives

• Aging in place for seniors, including home modification

• Care for dizziness and neurological diseases

• Inpatient and Outpatient rehabilitation

• Senior products to make your life easier from Rehability

FREE refreshments -Raffle Prizes and giveaways!
For more info call 610.778.9220
goodshepherdrehab.org

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network
Health Fair at Bethlehem Senior Center
November 19, 2008
9:30 am to 1:30 PM
Bethlehem Senior Center
720 Old York Road Bethlehem, PA

Physical or developmental disabilities should not keep you on the sidelines. Come to Good Shepherd’s Adaptive Sports Day to learn about the numerous sports opportunities available for men, women and children with disabilities.

Eastern Pennsylvania is a hotbed of Adaptive Sports. Learn about opportunities in:

• Skiing
• Basketball
• Golf
• Hockey
• Cycling
• Tennis
• Bowling
• Fishing

and many more!!

Thursday November 13th 2-7 pm

Good Shepherd Health and Technology Center

850 South 5th Street Allentown

The event is free and open to the public. For more info call 610.776.9291 or 610.776.3588.

Start your Christmas shopping early at your online store for rehability equipment, and save 10% off your entire order…for a limited time only!

A great holiday gift is our talking pendant with chain!

This Talking Gold Pendant with Chain is not only eye-catching, but offers a jewelry-quality design.  This lovely talking pendant watch hangs on its 27 inch gold-tone chain. It has all of the useful functions of a talking watch: a choice of three alarm sounds, an hourly announcement option, and voice prompts for setting the watch. The 1.38 inch gold-tone face has large black numbers and thick black hands for easy visibility. Wear it as a pocket watch or as a pendant - it will be beautiful either way.