Extra Special Finds for Special Needs Children

Some parents take it for granted that they can go into a toy store and buy whatever their child wants. Parents of special needs children know it’s never that easy, and retailers who carry toys and clothing for their child’s specific needs can foster a valuable customer relationship to last a lifetime.

Be the store that recognizes and promotes awareness of sensory disorders like autism by stocking toys and clothing directly targeted to that market. A few examples of all-inclusive products include Pocket Frenz for children who need something small and tangible to get them through the day; Fun and Function toys, games and apparel; Soft Clothing’s seamless, tagless apparel for children who find regular clothes irritating; and WorryWoos for children who have trouble processing emotions.

Pocket Frenz™ Provide Built-In Comfort

Many children have trouble leaving their comfortable surroundings and heading into the school world. Jason and Marni Hefter struggled with what to do when their son kept losing his “friends” (wash cloths) during the course of a scary school day. They longed for a way to have those comfort objects close at hand without the risk of loss. Pocket Frenz™ is all about comfort and fun. Made in America with quality fabrics, Pocket Frenz apparel has the friend built right in to the clothing, so the fun is never lost and comfort is just a pocket away. Because it is incorporated into the clothing itself, the pocket pal won’t make the child stand out amongst his peers.

Take for example the Surf Shark Hoodie. Finn J. Dorsal (aka Surf Shark) is a fresh fish who sinks his teeth into every situation. He’s equally comfortable shredding waves and guitar solos, has a cool hipster goatee and sunglasses, and puts the “Great” in great white! He’s modern and fun and looks like a contemporary cartoon character. Girls will adore the Petal Twinz Hoodie. Daisy and Petunia Petal (aka Petal Twinz) are twin siblings with unique styles all their own.

Carry these friends and show off these special styles: www.pocketfrenz.com

Fun and Function Toys Satisfy Special Needs

At least one in 20 people in the general population is affected by autism and sensory processing disorders (SPDs). Fun and Function has differentiated itself by creating products that are cool, kid friendly and affordable. This award-winning line includes language and social skills games, dress-up apparel, foam scooters and inflatable products for active play, a rocket ship space tunnel, collectible chewies, clothing and accessories for sensory input, and more.

Aviva Weiss, a pediatric occupational therapist and the mother of five children, founded Fun and Function after her daughter was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder. When she found other products available to help her child, she was dismayed by the expense and clinical appearance of so many of them.

Her products are modern and practical, including: seamless, tagless clothing; oral stimulation with cool and safe chewies; empathy and self-expression with EQ games; and improvement of gross motor skills with foam scooters and inflatables.

Travel can be especially difficult for special needs children. For the holiday travel season, consider carrying some of their travel accessories like weighted vests and noise reduction earmuffs.

Recommended by parents, pediatric therapists, and educators, Fun and Function helps children achieve their best and have fun at the same time. Visit them at www.funandfunction.com

Soft^® is Made for Added Comfort

Many children are extra-sensitive to the texture and feel of clothing. Soft^® is a line of inclusive clothing designed with the needs of all children in mind, including those with autism, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, and tactile defensiveness/sensitivity. Soft uses flat seaming and seamless construction for extra comfort, 100% of the softest combed cotton and specially developed Soft Sensory Blends, wide collars, encased elastic waistbands, tagless labels, and custom fits.

Soft was created and founded by two women who have extensive experience with children with special needs. Jessica E. Ralli is a mother and was a special education teacher. Her partner and co-founder Suzy Kogen Friedman is an advocate for people with developmental disabilities and has a nephew who was diagnosed with autism. His developmental delays and daily dressing challenges were Suzy’z inspiration for Soft Clothing. Together, they designed their products to enhance social skills, sensory organization, and concentration by addressing unique sensory needs, but without sacrificing personal style.

Soft also offers sensory books and toys like Borris, the Prince of Whales. He is made of chew-safe, non-toxic materials, constructed with reinforced seaming, and a double layer of canvas and bonded plush.

Make your way softly to www.softclothing.net

WorryWoos Help Tame Emotions

Children with and without special needs often have trouble identifying and explaining feelings. The WorryWoo Monsters, a series by Andi Green, was first seen in a New York City art exhibition in 2001, and was originally called The Monsters in My Head. Green wanted to create characters with a story that each embodied an emotion. Using her design and illustration background she built five light boxes, each containing a monster with its story on the front of the box. From loneliness to confusion, she began tackling complicated feelings and transformed them into quirky, loveable characters.

Her message of “embrace your emotions” received such a positive response, she was asked by many if she ever considered turning her single art pieces into storybooks. The resulting collection has six loveable characters, each with a book and its own plush doll: Nola, the Monster of Loneliness; Rue, the Monster of Insecurity; Fuddle, the Monster of Confusion; Squeek, the Monster of Innocence; Twitch, the Monster of Frustration; and Wince, the Monster of Worry. Each book is hard cover and they range from about 60-90 pages. They are all hand illustrated with pen, ink and watercolor for maximum vibrancy.

Find the mass appeal at www.worrywoos.com