Barbara Sher: The Games Lady

Dear followers of Barbara Sher. This is her daughter Roxanne writing. After many years of helping children with disabilities, Barbara got a disability of her own. It is Primary Progressive Aphasia and it caused her to lose her ability to talk and write. She hopes that you all enjoy the many books on games she wrote over the years and always seek joy in your lives.

Barbara Sher: The Games Lady updated their business hours.

Footprint Game
Give each child a piece of paper and ask them to stand on it while you outline their feet.
Then lay the footprints in a long line.
If it had two footprints, they jump on it. If only one, they hop on it. If close together , jump. If far apart, jump farther!
Make hands too. Sometimes one hand, sometimes both . Put them in a line with the footprints so that children may hop on one paper and then balancing on one foot, put your two hands on the next one!

Children can take turns laying out the papers
Have fun!

Toothpick Art
Make an abstract design by laying toothpicks and each player adding to her design. The first puts one toothpick and a second one at just the angle that seems pleasing to her, etc until a interesting design is formed
Or make a specific design. A house with a picket fence and trees. Each of you work on the different parts of the scene
This activity also develops the pincer grasp, the muscles that control the index finger and thumb

Catch a falling Scarf
A scarf moves so much slower than a ball that it Gives wiggle room for learning
Show your child how to the scarf up in the air and catch it as it floats down.
Then try the scarf back and forth between you
Other game and sn**ch it out of the air!
Or jump up to get it while still overhead
Children learning about timing and improving their eye-hand coordination.

I did an interview for an upcoming summit titled, "What You Need to Know: ASD Experts Summit."
This summit includes 21 interviews of experts in the field of autism specifically about children between the ages of 4 and 12.
A few of the topics I focused on:
· The importance of using games to create social skills
· How playing with neurotypical children is helpful
· Learning to take turns
· How motor skills enhance social skills
· And much more

My interview will be released on February 7, 2019. The other 20 experts will have their interviews released
(one per day) beginning January 28, 2019 and will continue for the next 21 days until February 17, 2019.
These interviews are very short and to the point, averaging only 18 minutes each. And they are free.
You can register for the summit here: ASD Summit

Alert: Barbara Sher's home on Saipan was demolished by Typhoon Yutu. She lost everything. We are still working hard to get her and her husband to safety. Please share this fundraising campaign far and wide. She dedicated her career to helping others, we want to help her now. https://www.gofundme.com/barbara-and-don-need-help

Click here to support Barbara and Don Need Your Help organized by We Love Barbara and Don Barbara Sher, a long time Humboldt County and Saipan resident, and her husband Don Cohen need your help. Typhoon Yutu's strongest impact, that dark black band around the eye, was right over the southern half of Saipan, over Barbara and Don's house. Satellite images showed sustained winds of 240 m...

Barbara Sher. The Games Lady. Games to help children have fun learning. Games for all children, incl A wide selection of fun and novel games to do at home or in the classroom that can improve the social lives of children with ASD or other SPDs.

A lot of Kids on the spectrum love to be in the water. A case in point!

A mom of a kid with a disability explains a restroom problem you've maybe never heard of. Accessibility does not always equal accommodation.

Barbara Sher: The game lady Marianas Variety - Saipan News & Views - Micronesia's Leading Newspaper Since 1972. Saipan's 1st Interactive News Website.

Easy games to do when you have a spare moment and feeling playful or you want to change the mood to a playful one!!!

Playful Moments: A collection of spontaneous games to play with your young. 50 Spontaneous easy and fun games to play with your young, ages from birth to 12 years, that will enrich your relationship and enhance motor, social and cognitive development.

Here are some easy games to play when you have a spare moment and feeling playful

https://www.amazon.com/Playful-Moments-collection-spontaneous-young/dp/1514691922/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1484866432&sr=1-3&keywords=playful+moments

Playful Moments: A collection of spontaneous games to play with your young. 50 Spontaneous easy and fun games to play with your young, ages from birth to 12 years, that will enrich your relationship and enhance motor, social and cognitive development.

This is beautiful piece because it is so authentically true...and well written. Please read it and share or pass the word to other worried parents.

What Should a 4 Year Old Know? It’s back to school time and children all over are starting preschool.  Many parents are frantically searching the internet to find out if their little ones are “on track” and kno…

October is Sensory Processing Awareness Month!

SPD Parent Sensory Awareness Online
Conference for Parents/Caregivers
$30.00

Each Day in October a Top Expert will Share Their Best Sensory Tip to Help you Help Your Sensory Loved One. What better way to spend the month raising awareness, than getting a daily video from all the top experts in field directly sent to your inbox?

Join me and 30 other experts online each day in the month of October.

Each day in October you’ll receive a video with a “Sensory Tip of the Day” from one of the top experts in the field.

We’re all so busy….so I wanted to make sure you’d have unlimited access to these Sensory Tip of the Day videos. If you miss a day or aren’t available when you receive the email, no worries. You’ll have unlimited access to these on-demand videos, so you can watch them at a time that is most convenient for you:)

Full Conference cost is $30 (less than $1/day)

TO REGISTER OR ASK QUESTIONS PLEASE EMAIL KELLY

[email protected].
Please make the subject, “conference”.

Conference Speakers
Speaker’s Short Bios:

Kelly Jurecko (Conference Host): President, SPD Parent Zone
Dr. Lucy Jane Miller: Foremost Authority of SPD, Founder of STAR Institute for SPD, author of Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder and No Longer A SECRET: Unique Common Sense Strategies for Children with Sensory or Motor Challenges,
Carol Kranowitz: Author of The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder, The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun, The Out-of-Sync Child Grows Up.
Lindsey Biel, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist, Author, Sensory Processing Challenges: Effective Clinical Work with Kids & Teens; Co-author, Raising a Sensory Smart Child, foreword by Temple Grandin
Dr. Roya Ostovar: Author of The Ultimate Guide to Sensory Processing Disorder. Director of the Center for Neurodevelopmental Services (CNS) at McLean Hospital, an innovative program that provides services to individuals with autism spectrum disorders, developmental and pschiatric disorders. Assistant Professor in the Department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Elysa Marco, Associate Professor of Neurology, Pediatrics & Psychiatry; Director of Research, Autism and Neurodevelopment Program; Director of Neurodevelopment & Cognition Program, Pediatric Brain Center
Dr. Kay Toomey: A Pediatric Psychologist who has worked for nearly 30 years, with children who don’t eat. She is the developer of the highly effective, family-centered SOS Approach to Feeding in successful use worldwide to assess and treat children with feeding problems.
Marianne Russo: Founder, President and Host of The Special Needs Talk Radio Network. “The Coffee Klatch”
Barbara Sher: Author of Every Day Games for Sensory Processing Disoder, Early Intervention Games
Coppertop Caitlin is a 10 yr old artist, author & vlogger with sensory integration challenges and dyspraxia.
Sharon Heller, PhD.: Author of Too Loud, Too Bright, Too Fast, Too Tight
Dr. Heidi and Rev. Mantu Joshi, author of The Resilient Parent: Everyday Wisdom for Life with Your Exceptional Child
Nancy Peske, co-author of Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues
Dayna Abraham: Author Sensory Processing 101, Founder of Lemon Lime Adventures and Project Sensory.
Jennifer Hughes, Founder of The Sensory Spectrum and The Jenny Evolution.
Claire Heffron and Lauren Drobnjak are Pediatric Occupational and Physical Therapists and the creators of The Inspired Treehouse, a blog founded on the belief that with a little help, kids can build strong, healthy bodies and minds through play. Co-authors of the book, Sensory Processing 101.
Rondalyn Varney Whitney, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, 20+ years as a clinical researcher, occupational therapist, and a content expert in social participation, autism, maternal health, and the therapeutic use of narrative.
Carrie Fannin: Executive Director, Children’s Institute for Learning Differences (CHILD)
Dr. Jennifer Jo Brout: Sensory Processing & Emotion Regulation at Duke University, SENetwork/International Misophonia Research Network Education, She has worked with the STAR Institute for SPD for over 18 years, is a member of their scientific work-group; Research Director of Misophonia International Magazine
Diana A. Henry, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA: president of Henry Occupational Therapy Services. Winner of many distinguished awards for her work.
Ellen Sternweiler: Owner, The Sensory Kids Store
Paula Aquilla: Director of Aquilla Occupational Therapy.
Rebecca Gonzalez: Founder of Let’s Talk SPD.
Rebecca Moyes: Author of “Building Sensory Friendly Classrooms to Support Challenging Behavior.”
**Part of the proceeds will be going to the STAR Institute of Sensory Processing Disorder to help fund research and scholarships.

***A Certificate of Participation is available for teachers.

If you have any questions, please email Kelly at [email protected]. Please make the subject, “conference”. Thanks:)

15 EASY TRICKS TO MAKE ANY DAY MORE PLAYFUL
( adapted from AUTISM PARENTING MAGAZINE September 2016 issue)

Here are a few tricks to encourage playfulness:

Make it a challenge
“Can you jump over both cans?” or “I bet you can’t hit
that target!”

Give them positive names
“OK, ‘Mr. Sharp Eyes,’ can you find Waldo?” or “Hey,
‘Jumping Bug,’ can you jump from here all the way to
there?” or “Oh, ‘Ms. Music Expert,’ what’s the name of
this tune I’m humming?
”
Make inanimate things animate
“Mr. Toaster is making a special piece of toast just for
you,” or “Can you jump over Ms. Cushion?”

Have “Disney” days
Have conversations with animals, bugs, plants, pets.
Thank trees for shade, bowls for holding cereal, and
so on.

Add thinking skills
“I gave you four crackers, and you ate one—how
many do you have left?”

Act exasperated or tell them what not to do
“What, you ate one? I’m going to give you one more,
but don’t eat it!” or “Whatever you do, do not jump
on my shadow!”

Add the element of time with a stopwatch
or second hand
“Can you run around the tree and be back here in 12
seconds? Wow! Now, can you do it in 8 seconds?”

Have “opposite day” any day
“We’re eating our decorated cookies before dinner
’cause it’s opposite day!” or “You have to go through
the obstacle course backward because it’s opposite
day!”

Do a “voice-over”
Pretend to be an announcer and describe what they
are doing while they are doing it. If they are jumping
on a trampoline, announcing their “feats” will inspire
them to make some up.

Use movement and song
Whenever possible, add movement and song to
your activity. Sing a song while tidying up, or do a
silly dance washing dishes.

Take turns
It’s fun if your child knows that his/her turn is next
and you have to do what they say. Let them be the
leader!

Bring in nature
Taking movement activities outdoors naturally adds
more sensations. The smells, the feel of the air, and
the sense of space all add to the joy.

Add water
Being held by water in a pool or ocean is already a
wonderful feeling, and it’s perfect for the tactile and
movement-resistant child. It’s easier to move and
touch in a fluid environment.

Include others
If you can, bring in another child to demonstrate.
Seeing an adult do things can be “so what” moment,
but seeing another child do it . . . Now that’s cool.

Do things a new way
You have to walk to the car or to your home from the
store? Walk as if you were giants taking huge steps or
like a baby with teeny step or a kangaroo who jumps
all the way home.

When you make any activity more playful, you respect
their need to be a kid while making wonderful
memories that perhaps, one day, they will pass
down to their own children.

Adapted from Everyday Games for Sensory Processing
Disorder: 100 Playful Activities
Barbara Sher is the author of 11 books and one CD on
children’s games. For details or to hear her podcasts,
go to www.gameslady.com.

Games Lady

https://autyzmwszkole.com/2016/08/16/skoki-do-wody/ -30381

Skoki do wody Woda działa niemal na wszystkie zmysły do tego relaksuje. To najprostsza naturalna forma rehabilitacji małych dzieci z zaburzeniami ze spektrum autyzmu i przetwarzania sensorycznego Wie o tym Barba…

Today I got these translations of some of my books. Other foreign publishers who brought rights recently are Polish and Turkish.
Can you guess the languages of these?

If you have or know a child on the spectrum, this is an excellent informative magazine. Enjoy my article, The Broomstick Game, is you want a fun homegrown jumping/hopping/twirling game that can be done anytime for anyone to take advantage of excess kid energy and teach great motor skills.

Issue 47 - Motherhood - An Unconditional Love - Autism Parenting Magazine   Buy Single Issue Subscribe today and save 50% Features: Using Mindfulness to Conquer Parental Stress Now Expert advice on stress reduction strategies for parents of children with autism. Dr. Neill Broderick and Colin Rhodes, M.Sc. How an Amazing Cat Changed My Child with Autism’s World Mother to I...

Art with Kris Angel, a lovely child with Downs, and the rest of his class. Materials? paper doilies, bingo markers, pipe cleaners, glue ,etc etc. Product? Engaged fun.

THE BROOMSTICK GAME
a simple way to stimulate your child’s
proprioceptive system
By Barbara SHER, MA, OTR


The Broomstick Game
“Want to play the Broomstick Game?”
This is a good way to begin this game with kids because no one has any idea what the broomstick game is. Even reluctant players will be curious. But you know that you are about to introduce a game that will delight kids, especially those on the spec- trum that like jumping and others proprioceptive and vestibular skills.
You start the game by laying the broomstick on the ground and saying:
I’m challenging you. Can you jump over that? They will probably do it very easily and laugh at your
challenge but after awhile, you up the ante:
Can you jump over it backwards?
Can you jump over it on one foot?
Can you jump over standing on the other foot?
What about jumping over it sideways? Can you jump sideways, facing the other
way?
Backward on one foot? Jump over it and twirl?
Once your player has accomplished all those move- ments — or tried for some approximation of some of these movements (and trying counts for a lot), you can challenge them even more.
Raise the broomstick up a smidgen and ask them to jump over this new height. You want it high enough to jump over and low enough so they don’t trip.
Add any of the variations or let your child or children make-up new ones. Then, you have to do what that player says and they hold the broom! (kids love that)
I f you are playing with more than one child, make a rule that everyone has to start from the left or right side of the broom, not both. They’ll soon learn why. Two bodies going in the opposite directions will collide!
Change the game, when it’s time, and hold the broomstick up high. Challenge your child to go under it WITHOUT any body part touching any part of the broom. I pretend the broom- stick is hot and sizzles when I touch it — zzzzzz.
Heh Heh. Because as the game goes on, the broom- stick keeps getting lower and lower and lower until it’s belly-slide with-the-tushie-tucked time!
If you joined in the jumping game above, uh...you might want to beg o doing this one. But, I bet the next time you say, “Anyone want to play the Broom- stick Game?” you’ll get some immediate takers!
Want more game ideas with ordinary things?


Go to www.gameslady.com.
or
Autism Magazine for more articles http://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/issue-47-motherhood-an-unconditional-love/

Games Lady

This book, Making Sense, posted below is written by an adult with sensory issues. It's about how she come to the realization that she had SPD and what she did about it. A personal and very readable book.
My book Everyday Games for SPD is about games for sensory issues with kids (and playful adults!) and will be officially out soon.
SPD=sensory processing disorder (or differences)

I am incredibly proud to announce the official release of my first book, : A Guide to Issues, published by Sensory World! This guide breaks down the basics of and answers big questions about living life with sensory processing differences. Foreword by the amazing Dr. Sharon Heller, author of Too Loud, Too Bright, Too Fast, Too Tight, and illustrations by the hilarious Kelly Dillon of Eating Off Plastic.

To learn more about me and the book, and to order your own copy of Making Sense, please visit www.rachel-schneider.com.

REVIEW: EVERYDAY GAMES FOR SPD
By Becky Horace
SEEK Magazine

I love everything about this book. My child does not have SPD but as a parent reviewing this book it was great to see some areas that I could assist my son with his “quirkiness” with touching messy things or when he freaks out over a loud noise. I would encourage any parent or teacher who works with young children to buy this book simply because I doubt you have the time to come up with 100 different games to play with your child. The best part in all of this besides the fact that Barbara has done all of the planning for you, all of these games will boost development in all children- even if they are totally “normal” with their development. This would be a great asset to have in your parenting book arsenal and a great gift to give any new parent. Barbara has made a difficult topic easy to understand with the way she writes and I know you will walk away from this book empowered to help your children with their development.

Here's my friend, Jenny Slack and her baby Nolan playing my workout games.

Parenting Special Needs Magazine January/February 2016 Page 42 for both you and your baby BY BARBARA SHER a workout routine You need to workout and get your body back. Your baby needs to be with you. What do you do? Work out together! These exercises both work your muscles and give baby the lessons they are working on. It’s a win-win! ABDOMINAL STRENGTHENERS: S…

A new book on children’s games!

Everyday Games For Sensory Processing Disorder: 100 Playful Activities To Empower Children with Sensory Differences

The games help children know each sense better and when their child needs a little more attention, it helps parents to playfully connect

It’s an easy read with colorful illustrations and great reviews!

“Like all Barbara Sher’s books, Everyday Games is timeless and wondrous in its simplicity….
Ellen Notbohm, Author, Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew

Whimsy and wisdom pour forth from this wonderful book… ideas are easily adaptable to suit.. all kids and all their grown-ups.
Carol Stock Kranowitz
Author, The Out-of-Sync Child

“…This is a terrific collection parents, teachers and therapists will treasure.”
Lindsey Biel, Occupational Therapist and co-author of Raising a Sensory Smart Child

“…I couldn’t be more supportive of this interesting and fun book!”
Lucy Jane Miller, Ph.D, OTR, , Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation
To order:

http://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Games-Sensory-Processing-Disorder/dp/1623157005/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1452532774&sr=8-2&keywords=sensory+processing+disorder+barbara

Check it out!

Got children? Got games? Got this book?
Need a inspiring xmas present?

http://www.amazon.com/Whole-Spectrum-Social-Motor-Sensory-ebook/dp/B00CYSN23S/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449110392&sr=1-1&keywords=the+whole+spectrum+of+social

Got children? Got games? Got this book?
Need a inspiring xmas present?

http://www.amazon.com/Whole-Spectrum-Social-Motor-Sensory-ebook/dp/B00CYSN23S/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449110392&sr=1-1&keywords=the+whole+spectrum+of+social

Who needs constant computer screen, when you got clouds in the sky.

Toddler Activity: The Cloud Game | SEEK Magazine If you have a cloudy day take a blanket and go outside to try our newest toddler activity from The Games Lady.

Need a quickie idea that fun for a group? Blow bubbles in the same bowl. It's awesome.

Parenting Special Needs Magazine November/December 2015 Page 44 fun & functional power of play by Barbara Sher t’s the holidays and the kids are milling around nd looking n d for something to do. You got the solution and it’s everyone’s favorite—bubbles. Except, instead of one small bottle and a wand, your group plays together to produces masses of bubbles! All…

Honestly, kids love stacking cans.Whether its one-on-one or taking turns with a group at school, kids are excited to see how high the tower can get. When they fall, cans make a lively clatter and then the game changes to using good aim to throw them in the basket and start again(and again and again)!