Toy/play suggestions for 16 month old with CP

[badkitty]

Wonder if anyone has any advice - Ds is 16 months, has CP so not mobile like other toddlers and his fine motor skills are very immature and lacking in coordination. I want to find him some age-appropriate things to play with and/or encourage age-appropriate play, but my experience of other 16 month olds is limited and from what I remember they spend most of their time toddling round the house opening cupboards and throwing things down the toilet , which obviously DS can't do (I do take him to look inside cupboards and stuff but can't break my back doing that all day!). He has lots of the baby type toys where you press buttons and they play music etc, he is fine with these (don't require much coordination) but getting bored of them now. He quite likes putting things in/emptying out boxes so we do shape sorting and stuff (with a bit of assistance from me), or the stacking rings type toys. But you can only do that for so long and apart from that I don't really have any ideas and he obviously can't go off and just play on his own terms. I try finger painting occasionally, he likes picking the colours and sticking his hand in the paint but hasn't really got the idea of transferring it to paper yet! So we spend a lot of the time looking at books, which he loves esp In the night garden/Waybuloo and the ones where you have flaps to lift up etc. I think he should be doing more than look at books at his age and I have read a lot on here about imaginative play but not really sure what type of things to do with him or how to initiate it. Any suggestions of age-appropriate toys we could get/activities to try? I want him to be able to try the same activities as other 16 month olds as much as I can, he is a very bright and curious little boy and getting extremely frustrated at the moment as he can't do what he wants.

Thanks!

can he sit up? or does he have any standing aids?
if yes, how about an easel or blackboard(on a door-so low enough) and you could try and teach him to chalk/paint-more of a mark making exercise first but at least it will help him with hand /eye coordination.
even get a roll of cheap wall paper(use the reverse side) and some chunky crayons and sit and make marks.

how about one of the playmats(some like keyboards/stepping stones)that you walk/crawl/hit with hands to make a noise to encourage mobility(if this is appropriate)

water mat - when our dc was little we had a mat that you put water inside and she lay on it and could tap it/squidge it and it was a different sensory experience

my dc loved the fun song factory videos and we would sit together with our selection of instruments(sometimes) and join in or just sit together and sing- most probably not pc but encourages language development

swimming-find your local pool it may have a mums and tots session, if not just go yourself and have a relax with your ds in the water.It would be a good idea to talk to a superior member of staff as they may be able to offer good suggestions to you (and may have equipment that you can borrow to help support your ds)take your ds along the first time and just walk around the changing area/have a sit at the poolside and then the next time get in the water, build it up gradually try 5-10 mins the first time(and if that is ok) a little longer the next time but do build it up gradually as your child will tire just with the getting dressed and undressed too and you really don't want tears!

the park? indoor play areas-with friends?(some people hate them but all that nice soft equipment /balls is nice sensory)
Imaginative play can come later but if you want to start why not get a tea set and have a pretend picnic(but might frustrate ds if no drink in pretend cups) and talk ,name items as you pass them????(sorry it's a long time since my dc was 16 months)

have you seen a physiotherapist? been referred for portage or early intervention schemes? to get support as this will help you and give you confidence

my dc had problems with fine motor (and gross) and to encourage development try and get your ds to pass and reach for things across his mid line(iykwim)eg use right arm and put toy to the left(have someting in the other hand already or use for support)

oh and btw my child who doesn't have cp(have one that does too)didn't sit up/walk til late either so don't feel pressurised into doing things as'per the book', your ds is still a little baby and can still enjoy doing baby things for a wee while yet

sorry that is a bit long but i wish i had known about mumsnet when my dc were small as it is such a good resource of knowledge...

good luck!!

Fab post from Chatee!

Not sure I could add much else but had a dd in the same situation at 16 months - well just starting to crawl but mostly just sitting. She played with books endlessly at this age and it did wonders for her fine motor skills trying to turn over pages. We also worked really hard on her pincer grip - putting buttons through a slot in a box, raisins etc. She had difficulties (still does) with bilateral co-ordination and crossing midline so we made up little games with soft balls which involved lots of arm movement.

My dd has never really played much with toys but loves playdoh and arty stuff so we do lots of this. She also likes music and I got her lots of little instruments to play with which are also good for co-ordination.

I'd add lots of sensory play.

Gloop, playdough, cooked spaghetti,sand, gravel. Don't worry about the paint going onto paper - a big part of the experience is seeing and feeling it on his hands and the movements he makes in response.

Mark making can be in shaving foam or flour sprinkled on a surface. Anything which feels nice or interesting to spread around. A squirt of ketchup or a lump of jelly on a high chair tray can be a good start.

I would provide him with boxes and objects that he can manipulate unsupported. A shoe box with a few wooden bricks to put in and out can be help him learn as much as a shape sorter you help with. You could hinge the lid with some sellotape so he can hide and find them too.

If he can't go and find the world himself bring it to him is as many varied forms as you can.

Tubes to drop things into and see them come out the other end. Anything hanging up which he can hit. A paddling pool full of balls to throw round could be good.

The traditional pan and wooden spoon combination can be rewarding if he can make a big noise with them.

Basically look at what he can be successful with and finds interesting. Every movement which is rewarded by a noise or sensation which he enjoys will be repeated so watch to see what he enjoys and offer more.

Don't forget that toddlers this age are constantly exploring things they shouldn't touch so bring all those things to him to explore with you supervision.

Sorry, this is a but rushed but I hope it gives you a few ideas.

Hi Badkitty

My DS is 2.5 with CP and can't sit up yet and has difficulty with gross and fine m skills but is relatively alert.

Finding things for him to do and play with has been my biggest nightmare to date. There is nothing that will occupy him (on his own) except TV.

After many, many discussions with OT etc, they told me that there just isn't much out there that's accessible and age appropriate.
We have tried blu-tacking various things to the table of his seat and stander because everything else gets swiped off.

Here are some thigns that he has liked:

• bowl filled with split peas and lentils (this is therapy recommended by OT as excellent for developing grasping hand movements), you can hide objects in it too.
• 'baby' or 'first' laptops - v-tech do good one
• hard plastic books - these usually have about 4 plastic pages and make noises when pages are turned which DS has learned to do himself. Most of these are made by v-tech too.
• big shape sorter puzzles - aim is to put the shapes in but DS can only managed to take them out and finds that much more fun
• space/emergency foil blankets (currently in poundland for £1 for 2) are great for floor play, building dens etc. (this is because the professionals keep banging on to us about how they miss out on perspective and spacial awareness that other toddlers are doing such as going under or through tunnels
• sitting in cardboard box (i know, but until the novelty wore off he thought it was great fun)
• xylophone/toy drums
• gym ball for bouncing up and down/side to side while on tummy

So far I haven't found a magic answer I'm afraid.

Thanks everyone, think I will have to print this thread out for ideas! DS can't sit up on his own, (well he can balance for a bit but not well enough to do anything), he does have a corner floor seat but can't do much in that, we are waiting for his breezi chair to arrive which will put him in a better position for playing at a table although we also have the problem of things getting swept onto the floor pretty quickly if he is left to himself.

He is v slowly learning to crawl with support, he has the idea but topples over if not supported. Used to be perfectly happy rolling/commando crawling around on the floor but gets fed up with that now as wants to be higher up - we have just got some leg splints so he can practice standing at a little table - again obviously needs someone to help him but he seems to enjoy it anyway. He enjoyed playing with some little toy cars on the table today - well, smacking them around mainly, but we were rolling them down a little slope and a couple of times he managed to pick one up and put it on the slope (not necessarily right way up, but he seemed to have the idea, which was nice!)

Am v of people who can just plonk their DCs on the floor to play by themselves though...

If he can sit in his chair, what about a small kitchen you can put on a table (do you have one to go with corner sitter? Get on to OT if not) and toy foods? It can be the beginning of imaginative play with him - my ds always loved playing with kitchens so in the end I got him one for his second birthday. Also,I wouldn't worry about reading him lots of books. That's what I did with ds and he has fantastic vocabulary etc and adores stories. It is hard work for you I know and I know exactly what you mean about envying able-bodied kids and their parents but hopefully it will improve for you as his mobility increases. Btw, my ds didn't crawl until he was two so your son sounds like he's doing really well. The other thing I was going to say was I don't really think any 16-month olds do real
imaginative play so don't worry too much about it. You sound like you're doing loads with him, that's the main thing. Good luck.

just to let you know- my dc with cp never mastered crawling in the conventional manner until she wanted to be outside at around 2.5-3 years of age(we got knee protectors and went through so many pairs of trainers as the feet still dragged slightly) but oh she was a fantastic commando

have you been told about standing frames for when your ds is wearing his splints? it means you can be hands free and concentrate on ding activities with him rather than having to try and hold him up and manage to try and do things
(my dd liked eating standing up-good fine motor with chips(shhh)and painting with hands at the easel
the standing frames can look really like a cruel piece of equipment and not to everyone's tastes especially when strapping them in but i am so glad that i persevered with that battle-we now have other battles but choose which ones to fight.

do not stay in the house and hide(i know that feeling too)and try and meet some other mums with children with disabilities- it avoids the "oh my baby is walking /talking-doing his gcse's at 12 months brigade"

and keep posting mumsnet is fab

Loving all the ideas - especially the kitchen, for when he is a bit older perhaps but he does love his food! I have phoned up today re getting a table for his floor sitter - we don't have one and it is pretty useless without one. Physio wants him to do some "active" standing rather than be in a frame apparently so not getting one at the moment. Getting equipment seems to be a real struggle around here.

Glad it is ok for us to do a lot of reading and don't need to worry too much about the imaginative play at the moment.

I am living for the day when he crawls!

Hi

Think people have covered most of my suggestions my dd is 25months and just strong enough to sit and play. I would add balls, balls and more balls. Big beach balls, smaller mad held balls, lots of sizes and textures. you can throw roll etc. Good for opening the hands and strenghtening them. Have you tried a GALT play nest? I got one second hand of ebay when she was about 16 mnths and I can still squeeze her into it now. She is tall with long legs. They can practise sitting and wobbling, you can then encourage them to attempt to escape which is all excellent muscle work outs. She also used hers for tv watching, eating breakfast, driving cars around. I used to throw the ball to her in the nest, she could find it and throw back (eventually). I think the swimming pool has saved my sanity. DD can now swim independently with armbands so it is the only place she can exhibit "normal" toddler behavure. Swims to one place investigates for 2 secs then off again (can chase balls in swimmining pool ) We swim about 3 times a week!
Other things I couldt live without are flashcards, she loves her looking at the picures broom broom for car etc or just moving them from one place to another. I printed and laminated pictures of her stuff and people and she thinks they are great. Its also good for speach stuff. Feathers and more this time fluffy balls for blowing around, thowing around etc. Bubbles, normal bubbles, bubble pipes, straws - don´t know if speach is a problem but all those excellent.
Standing table. Instead of getting an expensive activity table, I got a cheap plastic table that has a well inside for the toys. I fill this will soil/sand/water. She gets some weight bearing time and I can actually sit behind her supporting her hips while reading a book! I also second music and dancing dvds. She sits in her playnest while i make dinner for example and has learnt all the actions for songs so its still a physically stimulating exercise. Plus they say repitition is key for speech. Oh one more thing I know he is a boy but we have a little wooden dolls bed from Ikea which is fab as a low table/support. A low table in front of her and becuase it has higher sides she can use it for support. It is sturdy but light enough for her to move to one side if she wants something else but still uses it to hang onto to. We use if for tea parties, to read books on, bowling! She has the ball and i set the skittles up on the table. hope that helps

Oh and you have to get out and about. My dd goes mental if we stay in past 11ish, so out we go... me holding her hands and helping her walk. Its knackering, luckily all my neighbours are used to it now but if I do that for 30mins or so she is so much calmer for the rest of the day. Soft play also fun for them but I am shattered after an hr!

Just an update and brief proud mummy moment - we went to see a private SALT yesterday (after unhelpful 2 sessions in 6 months with patronising NHS one) - it was a revelation - she had a little washing machine which was button operated, got DS to put in dolls clothes, close the door, pushing the button to make it go, open the door, get the clothes out to check if clean etc. He loved it. Then had a picnic with a doll, she demonstrated feeding the doll, then brushing its hair, washing its face etc, DS copied everything I couldn't believe it! She said his play skills and understanding were entirely age appropriate, although obviously limited by his motor probs but. So pleased and now feel inspired to find more 'grown up' things for him to do

Badkitty, do you mind if I ask you how much private sessions with a SALT cost? and did you tell the NHS?

We have lovely SALT but it seems to be totally random when they actually get appointments and since communication is major problem for DS (can't talk though seems fairly bright) this is really getting us down - he really needs something more regular, but I don't know if this is somethign we could afford or not.

Our SALT is £65 an hour - we are in London though so probably cheaper elsewhere. Also I know Cerebra fund private SALT if you haven't had NHS SALT for 6 months or something - we didn't quite qualify but maybe they could help you? We haven't told NHS at this point (but then the NHS salt we have seen has now left so there is no-one to tell till they replace her!) but the private SALT said she usually works with the NHS ones. Maybe it could just help to have a couple of sessions with a private one even if not really regular, to give you some ideas. I just didn't realise how much DS actually understood till I went to her and now I realise he understands loads of things - last night he washed his Upsy-Daisy's face and brushed her teeth when I told him, it is amazing to realise he understands things like that!!!

Thanks badkitty, that's helpful. It is quite expensive but I like the idea of getting different perspective. So far we have found some of the nhs therapists are a bit funny about working with others - seems like they look for any excuse tbh.

badkitty - some great ideas here . My dd has cp and was at a similar stage at that age. Once she could sit with a corner chair I remember we spent a lot of time posting things etc. One thing that worked really well was a big cardboard tube- like the type you get from the post office to mail posters in - and a stack of cheapy toy cars. She spend hours posting the cars down the tube. I do also get the envy at being able to plonk small people down to just play. My next dd is 8 months old and it's unbelievable that I can just put her on the floor and she sits perfectly for about half an hour just playing. She's already over-taking dd2 in fine motor skills which is pretty hard to watch sometimes. I never take it for granted now and 'normal' development feels like a miracle to me .

The toy washing machine idea is cool, I often find dd's entire sock drawer in the toy washing machine! The other good thing is a toy microwave and some play food so they can do cooking. ELC do an expensive but quite good little play kitchen which is floor based so can be played with from a sitting position. You sound like you're doing great anyway, and so many good ideas here

Thanks HBB - I like the car tube idea he will love that! Ds seems to have just discovered the concept of pushing his toy cars back and forth rather than just banging or eating them, I feel this is quite a breakthrough! Think I will have to look for some toy household appliances even though his birthday is not till December!