Bubbles Made Easy
Few activities are more enchanting to any of us than blowing bubbles. That fascination is often magnified for individuals with autism because of the ever-changing, iridescent visual patterns and mesmerizing motion of the bubbles, whether large or small. Here are some fool-proof tips for blowing bubbles successfully.
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SECRET BUBBLE BREW. I’ve been blowing bubbles for many years with kids – old and young – and with people of all ages with autism. The key to a fun experience is having a fool-proof formula for your bubble mixture. Here’s my Secret Bubble Brew. Mix ½ cup Dawn dish detergent with 1/4 cup glycerine from the drug store. Add 2 cups of distilled water. Stir the mixture slowly so you don’t start the bubbles until you are ready to blow them. This brew creates sturdy, long-lasting bubbles with very unusual colors and shapes. Put the Secret Bubble Brew in a container that fits your choice of bubble blowing gadgets. Note: a friend told me that she has successfully substituted white Karo syrup when she is unable to find glycerine at the drug store.
BUBBLE BLOWING GADGETS. You can use funnels, straws, tubes, or the plastic rings that hold six-packs of soda together to blow bubbles. Some people like using just two long pieces of string or thin cotton rope. Some of my friends with autism insist on using the more traditional bubble wands. In this case, I purchase some commercial bubble bottles from the store, then replace the wimpy bubble solution with some of my Secret Bubble Brew.
TECHNIQUE. Just dip your bubble blowing gadget into the bubble solution, then wave the gadget around. If you are using a gadget like a straw or funnel, you can dip the end in the bubble solution, then blow lightly. Important note: . Some individuals with autism will automatically suck through a straw. Since the Secret Bubble Brew tastes nasty, I don’t even offer “blowing” gadgets as an option to some of my friends. They get to make bubbles by waving objects in the air. Large slow motions make great big bubbles, and faster motions or breaths make a larger number of smaller bubbles Light breezes are fun for bubble blowing, but your bubbles will just disappear on really windy days.
STEP-BY-STEP. The process for making the Secret Bubble Brew is not complicated, so I often encourage my friends with autism who are working on self-reliance to create the brew. This involves making a list of ingredients, purchasing them at the store, and mixing the brew.
TIP FOR THE DAY: Take some time to stir up some of my Secret Bubble Brew and round up several different bubble blowing gadgets. Then enjoy!
NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com
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