Not the Good Goods?

What to make of something like this beagle scarf, a "surround sound hood" billed as a "therapeutic treatment" for autism? The idea of fleece-soft head-and-ear protection makes sense given Charlie's greater sensitivity to sound in the past few months. But frankly I think a hooded sweatshirt (ok, "hoodie") could do the same, and you can still tuck headphones under the hood.

I am thisclose to getting Charlie an iPod Touch and to spend some time this summer working on teaching him to use it to communicate and also for fun.

(Yes, one is allowed to have fun around here, however much I talk about the need for structure and schedules).

Part of me keeps thinking back to all the special stuff we've tried (i.e., bought) over the years to help Charlie---prism lenses, squishy sensory balls, a parachute (still have it, neatly folded up in its bag), a slanted board for his desk. Some things have been kind of or briefly helpful; others have brought some smiles, many have collected a bit of dust. Sometimes I have wondered if the whole act of finding and purchasing and assembling various materials, getting various things, for Charlie---I still remember the days of velcro and the laminator when Charlie was using PECS more and needed cards for schedules and home program goals---hasn't become an activity in itself, mostly meant to preoccupy me. Charlie has used and liked a number of these items over the years, but many of his favorites have been things he found around the house and appropriated (like the king-size fleece blankets that once graced Jim's and my bed).

As ever, I have to remind myself: Charlie has a quite good sense of what he wants and, in his various ways, he's quite good at telling us.