Christmas is coming: Gift Ideas for children with severe multiple disability

Wow!   Christmas is almost here.  I am sure you are looking for things to buy or make for your special needs child.   Here are some ideas.   


1.  A Fleece Wheelchair cape    Directions  http://www.ehow.com/videos-on_5220_sew-fleece-ponchos.html   You can adapt this by making sure you have enought material for the back and front of the chair, making sure not to allow it to get caught up in the wheels.   This is a no-sew project and if you are clever you can add a hood with leftover material.   Many students in our school have one and they are snug and cozy inside and out.


2.  Make a mobile that your child can activate while sitting in a wheelchair, feeding chair or laying on the floor.   The best one I've made so far involves taking a small child's mobile frame (like the fischer-price one for children up to 3-4 months), removing the toys and then hanging chimes from the frame.   You can buy the frames at a thrift shop or garage sale for as little as $1.00.  The amount you pay for the chimes is up to you:  make sure there are no sharp edges, that the chimes are attached securely (try fishing line) and there are no small parts to swallow.   Do not positiion the chimes so that will scrape a child's face, get in his/her eyes or can choke them.  Off to the side to encourage swiping is great.   Putting the frame above the head of a supine child encourages reaching overhead.  Make sure you play a game with your child before leaving them alone with the chimes.  Don't move their hands or arms.   Move the chimes so that get the sound and talk about what you are doing.   Play.  Let the child try.   Don't comment on success or not success, just play and see the movements that happen as your child makes his or her own discoveries.
      

You are trying for independence.  While you are buying be selective, play and think.  Fischer-Price, Baby Einstein,  Playskool, Little Tykes, etc. all have good and interesting products to look at.  Not all are appropriate for your child despite the developmental levels stated on the package.   Remember, sometimes the first activations of the toys will be accidental....that is the beginning of cause and effect play.  Use of VELCRO on a wheelchair tray or feeding tray and then on the toy will make sure the toy doesn't move so your child can find it again. 
Many of these toys can be bought second hand at garage sales or thrift stores.