Blog — special needs

It’s only natural to fill some of those long days of summer with active pursuits. But children with a variety of needs aren’t always encouraged to jump right into the sports arena. This is changing, though, and for good reason. Summer sports offer all kinds of benefits and we have some ideas to help you get started.

Every community includes people who have disabilities, and you may find yourself wanting to get involved. But how can you make a difference? And encourage your community to be more inclusive? We have four ideas for supporting people with disabilities, and we think you’ll build some new relationships in the process.

How Time Timer Evolved as a Solution for All Abilities 

The Time Timer is used by all ages and abilities, it was originally designed as an inclusive tool to help all people manage time. Today it is used all over the world in schools, workplaces, and homes for a variety of needs and reasons. Jan Rogers, founder and inventor of the Time Timer, talks about how the Time Timer became an Intuitive Assistive Tech device.  

All it takes is a quick twist to set the new Time Timer TWIST ®!  Portable, magnetic and sporting a digital display, this new update on the classic Time Timer is great for kids and adults. Just turn the outer ring to set your desired time, and then push the play button—it’s that simple. The easy-to-read digital display shows at a glance how much time remains, as the digital tick marks disappear.

The 90-minute duration is perfect for school, home, or office, and the magnetic back makes the Time Timer TWIST easy to display—it sticks on everything from refrigerators to file cabinets to white boards. Like all Time Timer devices, it’s silent and unobtrusive, with an alert sound when time is up. And at just over 3 inches in diameter, it’s extremely portable and easy to take anywhere you go!

Use it in the classroom to time tests, group activities, and turn-taking exercises, or help keep students with special needs on task. Use it in the office to keep track of presentations and team-building exercises. At home, keep morning and bedtime routines on track, or time homework and instrument practice. The Time Timer TWIST even makes a great kitchen timer!

You’ve trusted the original Time Timer to help keep you on track and on time. Now the Time Timer TWIST provides a new way to enjoy the same reliable visual time management resource. And the low price means you can keep more than one on hand, for any time you need to make everyday tasks easier and more productive.

ADHD expert Doug Diller writes a wonderful ADHD blog about his life living with ADHD, raising three daughters and helping clients with ADHD create success plans. He uses the Time Timer daily and offered his suggestions for Time Timer fans.

1. Where did you first hear about the Time Timer?

My wife is a special ed teacher in Portland and she is the one who told me about it.

2. How did you introduce your daughter to the Time Timer?

She was 8 years old and getting very distracted when cleaning her room. After the Time Timer arrived I talked with her about how our brains sometimes lose track of time. I explained that it is common to get distracted especially when doing something you really don't enjoy. I told her that we were going to use the Timer to set short blocks of time where she could clean and then do something else. We started with 15 min and it really worked well.

3. Why do you think people with ADHD can often struggle so much with time?

ADHD people typically live in the "now" or "not now" world. Making that transition between the two is difficult. We are often fully engaged in the activity at hand and is therefore difficult to think about the next step.

4. What advice do you have for other ADHD Coaches who may begin using a Time Timer?

I would tell them to start with short 10-15 min chunks of time. Get people used to using the Time Timer. Additionally I would recommend that it be used when working on one specific task.

For example; it is more effective to set the Time Timer for 15 min and have student work on their math homework. Then reset it for 15 min and have them work on science. Rather then set it for 1 30 min and have them work on homework in general.

5. Do you pair the Time Timer with any other visual supports?

Not directly but in a way similar to the example I gave in question 4. I might set the Time Timer for 15 min and then tell my daughter to pick-up all the clothes on the floor. Then reset it and say now pick-up anything that is red.

Thanks Doug! Visit Doug's blog for ADHD tips.

There are two types of people: those who can't do more than one task at a time, and those who think they can! Multi-tasking costs us. This is a fact. 

Why is multi-tasking a waste of time?

1. Our Senses Can't Handle It:

Have you ever answered your mobile while watching TV and eating popcorn? And how many times have you said: 'Yes... Uh huh... Yes..." without actually paying attention?

Both the television and the mobile demand our attention, and both demand that we use our sense of hearing. We just can't do it!

2. Stress:

Multi-tasking is also a stress response when we have to do many things – all important or urgent – at the same time.