I recently had the opportunity to try out the Caterpillar Stretchy Sensory Toy, and I must say, it is an excellent product that offers great value. The vibrant colours immediately caught my attention, adding a fun element appealing to kids and adults.

One of the main selling points of this caterpillar toy is its stretchiness. It’s perfect for those who like to fidget or need something to squeeze during stressful moments. It offers a satisfying tactile experience that can help improve focus and concentration.

The size is just right – not too big, not too small. It’s easy to carry around, fitting snugly into a pocket or a bag, making it a great companion for extended trips or simply for use around the house or office.

The toy also seems durable. Despite its stretchiness, it has stood up to regular use without tearing or losing its shape. I believe it’s made from high-quality materials that are safe and non-toxic, which is an essential consideration for parents and those with sensitive skin.

My only criticism is that it could be slightly more textured for enhanced sensory feedback. But overall, it’s a great sensory toy that can benefit stress relief and those with sensory processing needs. It’s a colourful, fun, and practical tool that I would highly recommend to anyone.

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Hello, my name is Saar, and I’m so happy to share a bit about myself with you. I’m 17 years old and live with my loving family, including my mom, big sister, and furry best friend, Maple. As someone with autism, I sometimes feel different from other kids my age, but my family is always there to support me, and we have an excellent relationship. My sister is incredible and teaches me so much every day. Although I attend a particular school for children like myself, I sometimes struggle with expressing myself fully in long sentences. But despite this challenge, I remain grateful for the love and understanding of those around me.

As a typical boy my age, I enjoy participating in football games and cycling adventures. In addition to these physical activities, I enjoy playing the piano, exploring art through painting, and spending quality time with my friends. My music preferences lean toward classical compositions, operas, and Hebrew songs. Although I find the TV show “The Big Brother” uninteresting due to its constant chatter, I never miss the latest episodes of “American Idol” and “Dancing with the Stars,” and I have collected all of their CDs.

My class has only eight students, and we all learn at our own pace in the subjects we enjoy. Sometimes, I notice people making strange facial expressions, but I struggle to comprehend their meaning. It’s difficult for me to distinguish emotions like happiness, sadness, fear, or excitement, and I often struggle with appropriate behavior. I have to learn everything from the beginning; even then, I may forget what I’ve learned. If I hear a sound that is too loud, it can be painful, and I have to cover my ears. It’s hard to understand people I don’t know because their voices may sound different. When someone looks at me directly, I lose focus and stop listening to them. I prefer things to be neat, and I get upset if plans change suddenly without prior notice. Recently, I realized I had a crush on a girl in my school. We spend time together daily, playing computer games and traveling on the bus. I enjoy holding her hand and being her protector. However, I’m not allowed to travel or go places alone because I might get lost, so my mother accompanies me to all social events.

I understand that everyone is unique in their way, just like me. My passion is playing the piano and showcasing my talent in front of a large audience. It brings me joy to receive applause for my performance. Additionally, I aspire to use my creativity to paint a more beautiful world when I am older.

When my son was one year and ten months, I went to a baby clinic for a routine checkup to consult the doctor about the problems with feeding him; I was sure the problem lay with me. The doctor examined him for a minute and told me, completely insensitively: “Madam, it seems to me that your son is autistic.” I looked at her like she had lost her mind. I booked an appointment at the Institute for Child Development while trying to convince myself that they would calm my fears and tell me that the doctor was wrong and everything would work out for the best. At the Child Development Institute, my son was diagnosed with p.d.d n.o.s. I was in shock after hearing the diagnosis. I felt my whole world crumbling around me. I began feeling more and more guilty – maybe my son was born this way because I didn’t eat right during my pregnancy, or maybe I shook him too much in my stomach and caused him damage, or maybe something was wrong with my genes, and because of me, he was born like that. At the same time, I blamed the whole world: I was angry at God and angry at fate, I was angry with the doctors and the paramedical team.

As time went by, I started to resign from the situation. As my son started to show some progress with the help of the treatments he received, my sense of powerlessness was diminishing. However small, the need to fight for every achievement has increased my motivation. Throughout the years, I fought to put him into the best kindergarten and get him the best treatment available, and in the end, I fought for his admittance to the best school. Fortunately, I have always won these little wars against all odds. My wonderful son – already 17 years old today – precipitated my efforts through his progress and great love for me. His love gives me the strength to continue fighting to improve his life even more. Today I no longer ask “why it happened to me” but live with the feeling that the fact that it did strengthens me and makes me a better and stronger person. Coping with difficulties changed my point of view and helped me develop patience and tolerance. Parents of autistic children (especially mothers) are selected carefully. I was chosen because of my ability to love and give, which existed in me but was dormant. Pain and anxiety did not disappear, but I’m learning to live with them, and it strengthened me and force me to improve my coping with life.

Potty Training Incentives: A Unique Approach

Introduction

Welcome back to parenting, where we explore innovative strategies for raising children. Today, we’re delving into potty training, an often-challenging milestone for children and parents. Over the years, we have experimented with various incentives to encourage successful potty training.

Variety of Potty Training Incentives

We have tried different incentives such as snacks like Cheetos, outings to Chuck E. Cheese and even toys. Unfortunately, these incentives did not yield the desired results. Therefore, we have decided to change our strategy and explore new potty training incentives.

The Last Resort: Toys R Us

In our quest to find the perfect incentive, we considered what would motivate a child – ordinary or extraordinary. We contemplated, “If a child wanted something, where would they go to find it?” The answer was Toys R Us. We set our new incentive system in motion and observed the results.

Changing the Incentive and Observing Results

We observed favorable outcomes shortly after adjusting the incentive. Despite the late evening trip to the toy store, it proved to be a valuable endeavor. We kept a meticulous record of the child’s development, yielding interesting observations. Our blog will feature this information, along with a more comprehensive analysis.

The Incentive System: Cards and Coupons

We created a card system to keep the child engaged. These cards, stored in a small pocket, serve as coupons with a dollar value. Each successful potty use earned the child a coupon. Although the value didn’t directly translate to buying a toy, it provided a sense of accomplishment.

Progression and Praise

At first, the child had to gather seven coupons to receive a prize. However, we gradually raised the goal to 14 to provide a more challenging experience for the child. As the child grew more accustomed to the system, the frequency of earning coupons decreased naturally. Nevertheless, the child still felt motivated by a sense of accomplishment.

We also incorporated praise into the incentive system. We had three sentences written on the cards – “You did it!”, “You’re amazing!” and “You are the best!” These affirmations reinforced a positive self-perception and amplified the child’s pride in their achievements.

Adjustments and Wrap-Up

As the process continued, we had to maintain flexibility and respond to the child’s needs. For instance, when the child became agitated, we knew it was time to wrap up the session. We’ll continue our exploration of potty training incentives and strategies, so stay tuned for more updates.

It’s essential to remember that every child is unique, and what works for one might not work for another. Therefore, it’s important to keep experimenting and discovering what works best for your child.