I’m Bored
When my kids were little, I saw a suggestion to create an ‘I’m bored’ jar filled with pieces of paper with an activity written on each one. The idea is that the kids reach into the jar when they’re bored and they pick an activity.
Later, when Mikey started using proloquo2go to help him communicate, I realized that his “Leisure Activities” page was a lot like an ‘I’m bored’ jar. It gave him icons and words to represent his favorite activities (programmed for him by his speech therapist).
Given the importance of play focused on our children’s interests, this aspect of the communication app seems particularly valuable. It is helping your child generate ideas of what they might like to do. Then, they can use the app to ask you if they can have the play doh. This bridge to help them engage in play is a true gift.
And remember, play isn’t a break from learning! It’s a vital part of childhood! So, my timely tip, as the summer stretches out before us, is to play more, my friends!
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About the Author
Erica Mauro is a mom to two teenage boys, Will who is neurotypical and Michael with Autism and cognitive delays. She holds a BA in Psychology from Colgate University and a Masters of Psychology in Education from Columbia Teacher’s College. Before staying home with her children, she worked as an elementary school teacher. For five years, she served on the Board of Directors of the Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation, a charity dedicated to enriching the lives of children with special needs. In partnership with her husband Dave, she aspires to parent by using daily life as an opportunity for therapeutic intervention, seizing on real experiences as opportunities to build skills and strategies for Michael in a joyful, loving home environment. On the tougher early days, she just tried to get everyone safely to bedtime and start fresh in the morning. *wink* 
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