We’re really excited about this –

We went toy shopping today at Fleet Farm:  Bright, loud, in-your-face toys and gadgets that literally scream at kids, winding them up instead of engaging their curiosity and creativity.  Still, it was mostly fun and kind of went hand in hand with all the sugar we bought. And it helped us to remember why we love what we do.

Last year we developed a product (SmartMoves) that is being distributed by FableVision to classrooms around the world.  For just over a year we’ve watched and learned as teachers in a variety of settings (special ed, early childhood, Title I, IB) have used SmartMoves with kids of all ages and abilities.  Their feedback helped us to develop MeMoves.

Ten years ago you had to look pretty hard to find a child diagnosed with Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, or Sensory Integration Disorder.  Childhood neurological disorders have increased so dramatically that in 2007 the Centers for Disease Control called it “a major health threat.”

We’re living in a whole new world.  And if you have a child with special needs, it’s a world filled with struggle and confusion.

Children with ASD are typically involved in intensive daily therapy to help increase speech and language functioning.  It’s challenging for parents to find an intervention protocol that they can engage in with their child after a long day of intensive therapy:  Lots of long words that essentially mean – this is the kind of calming activity that you can do together with your child.

We really believe in neural plasticity and the possibility of change.  No one knows what’s causing such a mind-boggling increase in the number of diagnosed neurological disorders.  Walking down the toy aisle today we were reminded that it’s a lot more difficult for parents to know what kinds of things to buy for their children – because we’ve been there.  And it’s a terribly confusing place.

We think MeMoves is a good place to start – and we’re really excited about it.