YES!  A MAC VERSION PLEASE!!!!          

I just have a Mac Air and my resident computer expert told me that it would not be worth trying to get boot camp on my computer to get LR on it as it is likely to crash on me all the time and I have no one to help me with that (and I am a tad computer dense, so I need help!).  So I have really been fumbling to buy the programs much as I loved the demos as I just don't want to have to get a PC or try to borrow my husband's antiquated PC that I can't even figure out how to work.  I DESPERATELY want a mac version!!!

And as most special needs as well as regular families use ipads for the kids, the rest of the family usually moves over to a mac too.  So there are more and more mac users every day who all rave about the great mac apps.  So to get into that market I think you have to have mac compatibility.  When I was raving about Brillkids my mac snob friend told me that if they did not do a mac version then it is a dated program and to check the app store.  Sigh.  Brillkids is awesome and I know many people who woud be interested in it so long as they did not have to get a PC or do complicated things with their processing system.  Yes please do a mac version, and soon!

Thank you! Very helpful response!

How customisable is LR? We just discovered all of this exciting early learning stuff, and have also just started on a neurodevelopmental program.  My son's  therapist does not want him to do reading just yet (!) and jsut wants him to do lots of picture flash cards of lots of topics.  Can I use LR for that?  I live in NZ and am having trouble getting any sort of physical flash card here, and I can't seem to find a decent flash card app for my mac.  Printing and laminating just seems so time consuming and expensive, so I like the computer idea.  Can I use LR initially just for pictures and make up a program with it?  (I will get to reading soon, my son has special needs, not sure why she does not want him reading just yet). 

My only problem is that my local mac expert told me that boot camp would not go well on my computer so I would have to borrow a PC to do LR.  Bummer!  And hint hint if there are any Brillkids staff reading - when is the Mac version coming out? :-)

I'm in the same boat as you - just starting out and not sure what I am doing!  Have you tried the Little Reader trial?  I just tried that and my little ones were  very interested.  If you are reading your own flash cards, just keep up lots of enthusiasm!

Sounds like you are doing a great job! 

A few things I would add would be to make sure that you are pre-soaking your grains and legumes before serving.  Grains have phytates in them, chemical compounds designed to keep the insects away I think, but they can chelate minerals out of your body.  Presoaking neutralises these phytates and makes the food more digestible and nutritious.  Soak for 12-48 hours in warm water with a little whey or lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.  Or if you are lazy like me, just soak in some cold water at least overnight.  Berkley water filters are the best and most cost effective I have found to purify water.

Vinegar and baking soda are great cleaners.  Baby Led Weaning is a good book to read, it tells you to let baby feed herself, to experiment with food.  I do a bit of this and a bit of spoon feeding.  Making meat and bone broths are a very nourishing base to cook your grains or soups in.  Nourishing Traditions is a GREAT book about tradtional and healthy ways of preparing food and has lots of info on feeding babies.  This book likes raw milk which I have found does not work for us so well so I soak nuts and seeds (sunflower are teh best) and throw them in the blender with fruit, carrot and spinach to make creamy smoothies.

One of my son's has special needs and the supps I give him to boost his immune and other systems that are suitable for 1 year olds are : Green Pastures cod liver butter blend(suitable for under 1s) , Nordic naturals fish oils, magnesium threonate (crosses the blood brain barrier apparently) and a wonderful product called NutriiVeda.  NV is an adult product being used unofficially in some apraxic and special needs communities as it helps kids to speak.  This can be started in tiny doses at a year of age, it is super nutritious and has made such a difference in strengthening my special needs child that I will use a little for my well child when he gets to 1 as well.  BTW, I am not a doctor, just a mom, but those are my ideas!  You are doing great, just kick back and delight in your little one, that is the best thing a parent can do!

I think you can start any time, the earlier the better I think! It is really helping my little one's speech as well.  Nothing else has really budged it (he has a condition in which kids sometimes never speak) but LR gets him vocalising and saying more words more often! 

Now is good!  My son has a chromosome disorder too and I wish I had known all of this when he was 1!  He is 2.5 and I am counting my blessings over that.  Read, research, and do as much as you calmly and happily can in these early days and your child will ace her challenges!

just started on the trial but he loves it and is vocalising more...  his confidence is improving with making choices during the games.   so give me some time to really test it out and i will write you one!

Hi Everyone!  SO delighted to have found this!  I was looking for something like this when I was pregnant with my first and unfortunately all I found were books telling me that you can't do anything to increase your child's intelligence except just love them.  Ok, I am good with the love part, but what nonsense!  My first child was born with a partial chromosomal duplication related to mental retardation so I REALLY wish I had found Brillkids then!  He is 2.5 now and doing really well considering his label, and we are revving up to ace this duplication! 

We started the free trial for Reader today and he was so interested, and immediately started waving and responding to the pictures and saying words! (He can say a few words, but finds it hard to respond in action or word at all).  All afternoon he was much more animated and saying more words than usual.  I can't wait to do more with him tomorrow!

Qs - Can I do the activities more than twice a day if he is interested?
- Can I do the activities for both my children at the same time (DS2 is 10 months old)
- How far away should I sit the computer?  I have an 11"MacAir and no TV.  I might be able to get an old TV to connect with if that is better. 
- Is 2.5 years too old?!?!?! 

Thank you!!!!

So glad to hear it!  I am a special needs mom starting out too, so hearing of your success is encouraging!

Yes sounds fascinating!  I don't have any answers but would love to hear what you discover!  Good luck!

Wow, great post, thank you.

HI!  I am mama to two darling little boys, one with a rare micro duplication on the 17th chromosome.  The duplication is in an important area that controls the brain, making it extremely difficult for these children to talk and comes with a significant memory and learning disability.  Apparently.  I feel quite confident that we can overcome his difficultes with neurodevelopmental therapies and nutrition and supplementation.  So onwards and upwards! To wonderful things :-)....