Friday, October 28, 2011

Want your kid to test a toy for a holiday guide?


I'm planning on putting together another toy guide for kids with special needs, and I'm looking for kids to test out toys, crafts, scooters. (Sorry, this isn't for cats; I just couldn't resist that photo).

If you're interested in having your child try out a toy, leave your email below and I'll send you a form to fill in. (If you aren't comfortable leaving your email here, then just get in touch with me at lovethatmax@gmail.com.) This is going to be a first come, first serve basis and will also be based on matching up available toys to kids' needs; it is for U.S. residents only.

Once I've got a group of testers, I'll have the company send each of you the item to test. You will be responsible for having your child try it within a week or so of receiving it, emailing me about your experiences (I'll send you questions to answer) and (if possible) sending a photo of your child playing with the toy. The toy is yours to keep.

Also! If you have recommendations for toys your kids love that have helped them developmentally, in some way, please email lovethatmax@gmail.com and let me know why the toy rocks. And why your kid rocks, too, because that I always love to hear.

UPDATE: The call for testers is now closed; thank you all for signing up! If you are chosen to be a tester, you will receive an email from me within the next two weeks. Unfortunately, I will not be able to include everyone as there are more testers than there are toys. But there will be gift card giveaways along with the gift guide.


Photo/PeoplePets

at

69 comments:

  1. UnknownOctober 28, 2011 at 6:47 AM

    You can definitely count The Trouble Brothers in!

    My email is sunday@extremeparenthood.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousOctober 28, 2011 at 6:51 AM

    Yes, I am interested in testing a toy. My son Ethan is 5 years old with ataxic cp (resulting in poor coordination and balance). FYI, he enjoys toys that have buttons to push despite his poor hand coordination.

    Thanks,

    Sarah Fox-Grafman
    Sarahfoxgrafman@Verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  3. JamieOctober 28, 2011 at 6:57 AM

    Count us in! Jnodine at gmail dot com. :) yay!

    ReplyDelete
  4. CourtneyOctober 28, 2011 at 6:59 AM

    We'd be happy to test anything. I mean, who doesn't love a new toy?! :)

    My 2 y/o is visually impaired (has some vision, though) & is developmentally delayed (moderate).

    My 3 y/o is severely disabled (SBS, CP, TBI, Seizure disorder, visual impairment), but by all reports at school, she's really trying with switch use. :)

    My 4 y/o has mild-to-moderate developmental delays (especially in fine and gross motor, but speech is another area where she's really working hard).

    My email is:
    courtney@lovewilllead.com

    Thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. DanaOctober 28, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    We're in, if you could use us :)

    My girl is 3.5 years old.

    Email: uncommonfeedback@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousOctober 28, 2011 at 7:35 AM

    We would love to test a toy.

    My email is howen@new.rr.com.

    ReplyDelete
  7. ReneeKOctober 28, 2011 at 7:45 AM

    How fun testing out toys for special needs.

    My 9 daughter has low muscle tone, vision impairments, reading is difficult, sensory issues just to name a few
    jeffknoblauch (at) sbcglobal (dot) net

    ReplyDelete
  8. ElizabethOctober 28, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    Do we have a say in what toy we would be testing? If so then I would be interested. My son, Joshua, is almost 3 and is developmentally delayed. So we are looking at toys in the 1-2yo age range for his b-day. I have a list (2 actually) that we're thinking of. Betsy0040 at aol dot com.

    ReplyDelete
  9. SaraOctober 28, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    I would love to test out a toy. What a great idea! My daughter is seven years old and has Phelan-McDermid Syndrome. She is non verbal and developmentally delayed. She loves most toys, but is currently obsessed with any kind of baby!
    Thanks~Sara
    szdragonfly@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. JillOctober 28, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    I am interested. My daughter is 2 with spastic triplagia CP. I look forward to reading what the other parents have to say. Ksujill at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. MelanieOctober 28, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    I am interested also, Daniel is a 6 year old with spastic quad CP.

    Melanie
    mspranger(at)wowway dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. EricaOctober 28, 2011 at 9:12 AM

    You can count my boogie man in! He's 8, Cp, Autism, severe hearing loss, and every stinking thing else you can think of... but i'm not bitter lol... egarrett06@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Stop the train - I want to get on!!October 28, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    Yes please!! Jilliebean1973@gmail.com
    my guy is 20 months with Prader Willi Syndrome and global delays.

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousOctober 28, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    count us in! my daughter has cri du chat syndrome and my email is

    Naatasha

    Jad1bri@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. S HOctober 28, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    Hey Ellen! I've got two that could do it! Both boys have poor fine motor and motor planning issues, especially Jonathan. He is 9 and Jacob is 6. Jacob is also sensory. And if we have any lovely speech helpers that are girly...Victoria (age 3) is all over that. She has a full eval in a few weeks, but her articulation and air exchange is a struggle. She has good oral motor though! shillman818@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. UnknownOctober 28, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    I'm not sure if it worked last time. cjohnson43789@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Stephanie BaylessOctober 28, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    Count us in! stephanie.bayless@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousOctober 28, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    Don't know how many people you need, but my son has Down syndrome & will be 3 in December. you can email me at joshual08@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. ErinOctober 28, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    We would love too!!! My daughter is 16 months and has cerebral palsy! Erinbrianhagen@yahoo.com
    can't wait to see what you cone up with!!!! Btw I think your amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  20. PattyOctober 28, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    Yes, please - the Tiny Heine is interested too!! pattysprettythings@sbcglobal.net

    Also, I'm going to shoot you an email for some things that have really helped Stephen!!

    Thanks - this is really great!

    ReplyDelete
  21. PsychMammaOctober 28, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    We'd love to test one! J is 5 with CP, SPD and multiple other diagnoses.

    psychmamma1 @gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. kadieraOctober 28, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    We'd be interested in testing.

    We have a 3-year-old boy with very mild hemiparesis CP and a history of severe BPD/chronic lung disease. He had a trach and a g-tube until this summer. He's non-verbal and has some sensory issues and fine motor deficits. He's all over the motor planning stuff, if it involves climbing (I may end up with all my hair grey if we get through this winter without major injury).

    We also have a 5 month actual/2 month adjusted girl with substantial BPD (she's on oxygen) and a g-tube. We're hopefully leaving the NICU in the next 2 weeks. She has poor oral motor skills - not sure yet if this is a practice issue or related to her grade 1 bleed. She has torticolis and a really flat head (pediatrician has said a helmet will be in place before Christmas).

    ReplyDelete
  23. JanetOctober 28, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    We'd love to participate! Thanks for the opportunity. Our son is 3 SQCP

    jrepitt at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. MarfMomOctober 28, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    We'd love to! marfmom @ gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Kristine DworkinOctober 28, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    Hi there,

    I have a 7-year-old boy on the autism spectrum who would LOVE to test a toy!!

    You can contact me at:
    kristinedworkin@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. emilyOctober 28, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    Love to help! My little guy (spastic quad), almost 4. Non mobile and non verbal. Loves music. Limited hand function but great vision.

    teamalexander at Mac dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. UnknownOctober 28, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    Excellent! I'll have to look up your other toy review! G is high functioning autism; with OCD; ODD; TS; poor motor planning; fair but improving verbal and motor processing; poor fine motor skills; etc. The plus would be that he's verbal and enjoys sharing his fun. G would love to test a garbage/recyling truck (his obsession), anything with wheels, building toy (legos/k'nex) or any craft item. Best of luck!
    perkyquirks@gmail.com
    www.allinadaysquirks.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Cathy NOctober 28, 2011 at 10:22 AM

    We would love to test a toy!
    superus@mycoldwater.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Our Scattered butterfliesOctober 28, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    My son Paolo would love to test a toy! He is 4 with Down syndrome, Autism, and global apraxia (poor motor planning of speech and body function). With all that going on he still loves toys and tries really hard! My email is heidifidanque@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sam and Emily GrindstaffOctober 28, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    I have a nine year old boy with Autism and a 3 year old girl with speech delay and developmental delay emandsam@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. AnonymousOctober 28, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    sounds fun!
    momsheffield@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Elizabeth LopezOctober 28, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    Sure. I know my daughter would love it. She is 2 with verbal apraxia of speech.

    Elopez3080@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. KALOctober 28, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    We would definitely be interested! I have 7-year-old twins with autism and you'd have enthusiastic testers :)
    kal.twins (at) gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. SuamiOctober 28, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    I'll be happy to participate with my littleone ..

    Ladyimaus911@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. AnonymousOctober 28, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    We would love to test toys! I have plenty of kiddos...
    Boy 12yrs(mild ASD)
    Girl 10yrs(typical)
    Girl 6 yrs(typical)
    Girl 4yrs(mod to severe global delay, non verbal)

    kristinasorenson at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. HeatherOctober 28, 2011 at 11:20 AM

    Hi, my email is noca0603@gmail.com.
    Cady (8) Severe ASD
    Noah (5) Severe ASD
    Claire (2) Minor Speech Delayed

    I doubt there will be any shortage of volunteers here lol :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. MissyOctober 28, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    What a wonderful opportunity!

    ourdealstoyourmeals@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. MichelleOctober 28, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    We would love to test a toy. I have a 19 month old boy with hemiplegia and very low function of his right arm/ hand. Thanks for the chance and we are very interested in the results of the gift guide!

    ReplyDelete
  39. ittysmommyOctober 28, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    Love it!

    My son D has spastic diplegia and great hair like Max!

    alang@triad.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. AnonymousOctober 28, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    Christopher would love to test a toy! Thanks for the opportunity. :).
    Our email is stephani.wyatt@att.net


    Steph and Christopher

    ReplyDelete
  41. AnonymousOctober 28, 2011 at 12:30 PM

    I would love to have Jake help test out toys.

    nicoledenise@optonline.net

    ReplyDelete
  42. AlanaOctober 28, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    We would love to be a toy tester. My son is 2 1/2 and has mild CP. He is hypertonic and has poor fine motor skill and is just learning walk without his walker. He LOVES musical toys and anything with books/flash cards.

    ReplyDelete
  43. AlanaOctober 28, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    Oops-here is my email address

    alanadwyer@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. LeighAnnOctober 28, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    We would love this opportunity. We have a 13-year-old with developmental delays. Finding toys for him is a real challenge - he doesn't want "baby" toys, but really can't use toys made for kids his age.

    fscott2929@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  45. Becky CannonOctober 28, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    I would love for one of my kids to participate. email is sixcannonballs@yahoo.com
    Thanks for the opportunity!

    ReplyDelete
  46. COctober 28, 2011 at 1:03 PM

    Marley would love to test some toys!
    Crystal.Bedford at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. AnonymousOctober 28, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    Absolutely interested! 3 Year old girl with spastic diplegia CP. Gross Motor delay, walks with a walker and wears AFO's.

    irawlins@firstbexleybank.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Shan HolcombOctober 28, 2011 at 1:18 PM

    Very interested!! Cllmnshan@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. UnknownOctober 28, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    My 4 year old with some fine/gross delays would love to! send me a message at J then B then Seibel at G Mail dot Com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Jilian DOctober 28, 2011 at 1:52 PM

    Very interested!
    3-year-old boy that is very delayed in: gross motor, fine motor, speech, cognitive areas.

    greenpaws10@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. Shelly Q. AlvarezOctober 28, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    Hi Ellen,
    I would love to participate, but I also just want to say thank you for writing about Max and your family experiences! I love your honesty and reading your blog makes me feel less alone on this special journey with my son and family! ;->

    My email is: shellyqalvarez@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. AmyOctober 28, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    I'd love for my daughter to test a toy. She's 4 and has right-sided hemiplegia.

    amyj.carroll@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. AutismWonderlandOctober 28, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    As the 55th comment, this may be a long shot but just in case...

    YES! We'd love to. I have a 5 year old son with autism/sensory processing disorder.

    autismwonderland@gmail.com

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  54. JennyOctober 28, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Oh man! We would love to participate but unfortunately as you know we live in Canada :-( I will definitely send you some toys that have been awesome for the boys though. Expect an email in the next couple of days :-). Can not wait to read the list!

    ReplyDelete
  55. AnonymousOctober 28, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    I'd like to! My daughter is 2 1/2. And she has a 2 1/2 year old sister, too, so I can give you double the review for the same age!

    amy.maio at alaska.com

    ReplyDelete
  56. jqualkinOctober 28, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    I am a teacher in an Autism unit,2 are nonverbal, three are verbal, all classic autism. I have 2 Kinders, 1 first, 2 third graders. Willing to try during our free time. Jqualkin@Kent.edu

    ReplyDelete
  57. mamacarlson09October 28, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    We'd love to try out a toy. My son is 2 years old and has SPD as well as delays in gross and fine motor, and expressive communication. My e-mail is mamacarlson09@yahoo.com Thank you so much for this opportunity.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Searching for Grace October 28, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    brandifought@att.net

    We would love to :)

    ReplyDelete
  59. Finding NormalOctober 28, 2011 at 6:21 PM

    debbiesmith2 at yahoo.com
    Woot woot!

    ReplyDelete
  60. LauraOctober 28, 2011 at 6:23 PM

    We'd love to play! laura@hatcherdesignoffice.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Clay & TaraOctober 28, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    We are interested in testing a toy. My nearly 3 year old son has spastic diplegia. He walks (oh so slowly) with a walker/dafos, great verbal skills, slightly delayed fine motor skills. LOVES any boy toys (trucks, building things, tools). Rosearabians@hotmail.com

    Thank you, Tara McCarty

    ReplyDelete
  62. Witkowski FamilyOctober 28, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    We're totally interested!
    chrissiwit@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  63. EKDooOctober 28, 2011 at 7:55 PM

    Absolutely! EKDoolittle18@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  64. AnonymousOctober 28, 2011 at 11:32 PM

    stephbraun33@yahoo.com

    my son is three with CP & CVI. He'd love to test some toys :)

    -Stephanie :

    ReplyDelete
  65. HollyOctober 29, 2011 at 7:10 AM

    If you are still looking for families, we would be interested.

    holly_mckean@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  66. Andi @ BringingtheSunshine.comOctober 29, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    Of course!

    Sarah Kate is 8 with mild/moderate spastic diplegia.
    Nathan is 19 months with Down syndrome.

    andi (at) bringingthesunshine (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  67. ShastaOctober 29, 2011 at 1:31 PM

    If you have any baby/toddler stuff left, you know my email address! skearns812@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  68. Jennifer K.October 29, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    Interested for sure. Nolan is 8 with multiple diagnoses and so hard to find toys that will interest him. I would love to discover something new and exciting for him and also help others in the process! Thank you,
    Jennifer K.
    moonandstars4@wi.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  69. JessicaOctober 30, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    Ah! I want in!! How fun! My sweet guy will be 4 next week, but he is more like a 2 year old. Please consider us in Utah!!!

    Jesscaandrews@aol.com

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for sharing!