Amber Bobnar

Originally from Hawaii, Amber and her family moved to Massachusetts to be closer to Boston Children’s Hospital where her son, Ivan, now receives medical care.

 

She has a Master’s degree in English from Tufts University and spends most of her “free time” writing about being a parent of a disabled child on WonderBaby.org. But really most of her time is spent caring for and playing with her son.

A plate guard makes for a more successful meal!

Feeding and Eating, Special Needs

Reusable Food Guards Prevent Spills!

Using a plastic food guard can help your child feed themselves independently while avoiding spills and messes!

BlindShell Classic 2 Cell Phone

Assistive Technology, Visual Impairment

BlindShell Accessible Cell Phone

The BlindShell Accessible Cell Phone, with a tactile keypad, large screen, and enhanced voice control, is the perfect phone for those blind users.

Strawberry smoothie in a blender.

Assistive Technology, Cooking and Kitchen Play, Special Needs

Switch-Accessible Smoothie Activity For Special Needs Kids

Switch play can include interacting with online switch activities, activating musical toys, or even controlling kitchen appliances like blenders.

SAMi-3 seizure monitor kit.

Product Reviews, Special Needs

SAMi-3 Seizure Monitor Review

The fully customizable SAMi-3 seizure monitor can alert you when your child has a seizure while also minimizing the number of false alarms you receive.

Weaning Table

Feeding and Eating

What’s a Montessori Weaning Table (and Do You Need One?)

Wondering if your baby should use a weaning table or high chair? Learn about the benefits of using a Montessori weaning table when introducing solid foods.

Baby reaching for sensory toys.

Visual Impairment

Developing Multisensory Skills in Blind Babies

Multisensory play, combining sounds and touch, and encouraging reaching and exploration can help your blind baby develop better spacial awareness.

Lollipop Baby Monitor: What Comes in the Box?

Product Reviews

Lollipop Baby Monitor Review

The Lollipop baby monitor is a smart WiFi baby monitor that connects to an app on your phone and offers many notification options.

sensory hula hoop

Sensory Activities

13 Budget-Friendly Small Sensory Space Ideas

Small sensory spaces can be just as effective as large expensive sensory rooms, but they can fit into both your home and your budget!

Ivan and mom in the snow.

Special Needs

7 Winter Must-Haves for Kids in Wheelchairs

Winter can be challenging for parents of kids in wheelchairs. Luckily, there are things you can do to keep your child warm and safe in the winter.

A little boy playing with pom poms and bottles in a fine motor game.

Development, Fine and Gross Motor

13 Easy DIY Fine Motor Activities for Preschoolers

Toddlers are constantly exploring the world through their hands and many simple activities can encourage fine motor development in preschoolers.

A visually impaired baby boy in PT reaches for a toy.

Development, Visual Impairment

Development Charts for Blind and Visually Impaired Babies and Children

Blind children may have delayed development in several key areas. These development charts outline milestones for visually impaired babies.

blind baby crawling

Crawling, Visual Impairment

When does a blind baby start crawling?

When does a blind baby usually start to crawl? When should I start to be worried that there is another issue besides blindness?

Autistic boy having a meltdown and throwing a toy.

Autism, Behavior, Visual Impairment

Managing Difficult Behaviors in Children Who Are Blind and Autistic

Parents of children who are blind and autistic often face unique challenges when it comes to managing behavioral issues. Many traditional behavioral management techniques rely on visual supports, which can...

Little girl with special needs making her own breakfast.

Feeding and Eating, Special Needs

Developing Self-Care Skills in Children with Disabilities

Mastering self-care skills can be especially empowering for children with disabilities, helping them to gain independence and confidence.

Little girl with special needs drinking from a straw.

Product Reviews, Special Needs

11 Best Tools for Teaching Self Care to Disabled Kids

For children with disabilities, adaptive tools are essential for learning how to master self-care skills like grooming, hygiene, and self-feeding.