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.

Sensory Friendly Films

Play

Sensory Friendly Films

This program provides a special opportunity for families to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment.

VOC logo

Special Needs

The Vision of Children Foundation

The Vision of Children is a California organization dedicated to curing hereditary childhood blindness and other vision disorders and to improve the lives of visually impaired children and their families.

Handmade sponge ball

Sensory Activities

Make Your Own Sponge Ball!

Just take a sponge, cut it up and tie the pieces together to make a sponge ball... and now you have a fun toy to play with in the bath...

Stir It Up!

Giveaways

Cookbook Giveaway!

Enter to win a copy of the new cookbook from National Braille Press, Stir It Up! Recipes and Techniques for Young Blind Cooks. Giveaway ends July 30th.

baked cotton balls

Sensory Activities

Baked Cotton Balls Sensory Activity

Looking for a project that's sticky, messy, crunchy, soft and scented all in one? Making baked cotton balls is such an easy activity plus it's great fun for a rainy...

sticky collage

Tactile Arts and Crafts

Sticky Collage Art Project

Sticky play is so much fun (and a great sensory activity for children with visual impairments), but can sometimes be really messy! This sticky collage art project is actually relatively...

Rainbow Sound Blocks

Toys

Rainbow Sound Blocks

Each transparent block in this set contains different types of beads so each one makes a different sound which is great for kids learning to play with auditory cues. For...

Ivan in the garden

Sensory Activities, Visual Impairment

Gardening with a Blind Child

Gardening is a very hands-on endeavor and children with visual impairments need the opportunity to get their hands into as many different real-world activities as possible, so how about starting...

Ivan found a balloon!

Sensory Activities

Make Your Own Textured Balloon Activity

Here's an easy activity that is fun and great for fine motor development and tactile discrimination: fill balloons with different textures from the kitchen (like rice or flour) and squeeze...

yarn pot

Tactile Arts and Crafts

Make Your Own Textured Pot

Create a pretty and tactile pot for your garden and plants with just a few easy techniques and simple craft materials. And since your hands will get sticky making this...

kids in horticultural therapy class

Sensory Activities

Horticultural Therapy

What is horticultural therapy and what are the benefits for blind or visually impaired children? We'll explain what the therapy is and give you a few fun ideas so you...

Ivan getting an EEG

Health & Nutrition

What is an EEG Really Like?

If your child's neurologist has ordered an EEG you may be wondering what the test will be like and whether or not it will be painful or traumatic for your...

planting seeds

Giveaways

Gardening Giveaway!

Enter to win two fun gardening prizes! We're giving away a copy of Maria Sangiolo's "Planting Seeds" children's CD and an Amazing Moving Plant Greenhouse Kit.

iPad2

Giveaways

iPad Giveaway!

Enter to win the perfect iPad package for a child with special needs! We're giving away a NEW iPad (iPad 3), a sturdy case, switches and three apps.

NYISE front of school

Schools for the Blind

The New York Institute for Special Education

The New York Institute for Special Education serves 300 children with visual, learning and developmental disabilities.