The BiG Story Learning To Play, And Playing To Learn Lekotek helps families with special-needs children develop skills the fun way — with toys. drome, ADD, ADHD and develop- I ents to care for their own children, at mental delays. home. What does it mean to get help The first Lekotek was created by iven a choice between a from Lekotek? Iwo parents from Stockholm, who trendy, color-coordinated In a well-stocked, colorful play had children with special needs. outfit and a bright, noisy room, families learn how to play with Convinced that experiences during I toy, most any child would choose the I the first years of childhood play a sig- 1 their special-needs children. Sessions toy. nificant role in shaping a life, the par- I are private and include a Lekotek leader and one family, though neigh- I Yet children with disabilities usually ; ents looked for a way to help inte- borhood children, friends and rela- I receive gifts of clothing because the r grate children with disabilities into 1 fives also are welcome. The leader giver is unsure which toys would be society. Their'goal was working I works to promote interaction between I appropriate or even manageable. toward eliminating feelings of isola- all family members, as well as to I With this need in mind, and in tion and loneliness such children often model new or creative uses for play response to a demand for more indi- experience. the toys, vidualized information about and play materials. In the past 35 years, Lekoteks have Parents are taught how to Lekotek Toy Resource Help Line was become part of communities adapt popular toys to I formed. This toll-free service (800- I worldwide, with more their child's capa- ; 366-PLAY) offers assistance in select- than 45 centers bilities, such as ' ing appropriate toys and play materi- housing family- applying spe- als for children with disabilities. • play facilities. cial switches is a Swedish word which I Lekotek The Toy and motors to I roughly translates into "play library." Resource Help accommodate In 1960, political leaders in Sweden Line is one arm those with phys- I made a decision to de-institutionalize of the American- ical disabilities. I large residential settings for those with ' based Lekotek, Lekotek is developmental disabilities. Public poll- which also trains well known for I cy required that services be provided leaders in the At Lekotek, Joseph enjoys creating its toy-lending for children with developmental Lekotek methods - Play-Doh shapes. program, which idelays within their local communities, and philosophies. is open to all registered families. with a larger goal of enabling par- The Oakland County Child Care With more than 1,000 toys between Council offers Lekotek services to any- the two local sites, in Waterford and one with special needs, regardless of Diane Baldwin is a freelance Ferndale, there is something to amuse age or geographics, and works with -1 writer who lives in Clarkston with every child. Boys and girls may take I her 19-month-old son, Nicholas and a variety of disabilities including three to five toys each visit. CI autism, cerebral palsy, Down syn- her husband, Matthew. Diane Baldwin AppleTree Staff Writer 1 • • • I • • • 9/25 1998 Ring Around the Bells, a popular toy that makes music and can be operated by a switch. Resources: Toys 'R Us Toy Guide, 800 732 3298 or www.tru.com A free mag- azine describing various toys to help develop specific skills. - - The Kenny Foundation in,_Southfield (248) 557- 5070 The Equipment Connec- tion features a list of adaptive equipment to sell or donate. The Oakland County Child Care Council (Lekotek program), (248) 681- 9104, (248) - 858-5140 -- Also ask about Early On, an intervention program (newborn and up) offered by Oakland schools and available to all Oakland County residents. The Arc Lekotek: Toy Lending Library in Red- ford (representing Wayne County) (313) 532-8524. The National Lekotek Center, 2100 Ridge Ave., Evanston, IL 60201, 1-800- 366 KAY.