This month, Ali & John list many of the items we've bought or received that have helped our autistic child.
This month, Ali & John list many of the items we've bought or received that have helped our autistic child. From tiny chewable pencil toppers to giant trampolines and everything in-between!
(NOTE: Hopefully goes without saying, but none of this is stuff we're getting paid to pimp. We are our own masters! We do not bow to the almighty advertising dollar!
... that's another way of saying we don't make a dime on this, like a couple of suckers.)
For some good, dark jokes: @ComicJimBruce (big thanks to Jim for our button last week!)
Who Shot Ya podcast: https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/who-shot-ya/
Buy Nothing: https://buynothingproject.org/find-a-group/
Tons of Occupational Therapy Tips and Toys: www.mamaot.com
Laminator (Our model is old now but here is how simple and cheap it can be): https://www.target.com/p/scotch-thermal-laminator-with-2-starter-pouches-8-5-34-x-11-34/-/A-14617833#lnk=sametab
Mask for chewer/lickers: GATA with filter you put in
https://www.gatapack.com/collections/masks
(You can find most of these items at a variety of places online. I’m just trying to do the reduce the amount I spend at Amazon thing.)
Silicone Chewable Pencil Toppers
Yoga Ball (No preference on type, just linking one for ease): https://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=yoga+ball
Peanut Ball
Trampoline – This is the one we have but there are so many options.
For indoor or smaller spaces, something like this one’s great, too. Just a reminder that kiddos grow fast, so you may want to invest in something that has a higher weight limit.
Liquid Melatonin – https://www.amazon.com/Svasthya-Melatonin-Natural-Anxiety-ALCOHOL/dp/B00M8PNL56/ref=sr_1_15?dchild=1&keywords=liquid+melatonin&qid=1612053462&sr=8-15
Tired Teddies Melatonin, What we used to call “Bedtime Candy” - https://www.amazon.com/Tired-Teddies-Natural-Sleep-Kids/dp/B00CMG4YNY/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=tired+teddies&qid=1612053428&sr=8-1
Boo Boo Buddy ice pack - https://www.amazon.com/Boo-Buddy-Reusable-Cold-Pack/dp/B00VVYLG84/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=boo+boo+buddy&qid=1612053663&sr=8-7
Do-a-dot markers, helpful for building interest in art when your kiddo is learning how to grip a smaller marker/pencil: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Markers-Rainbow-Washable-Original/dp/B00004W3Y4/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=dot+markers&qid=1612053698&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExRlhaNENSRTFNUFhWJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTI0MTAwMk1PVlc2T0k3N0xPSCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNzk4NDEzMks5UTQzU0U3Njg0ViZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
Noise reduction earmuffs – Dr.meter
Nighttime Projectors:
https://www.target.com/p/smithsonian-planetarium-projector/-/A-52213640#lnk=sametab
Rainbow Projector:
Cat Nightlight:
Reading: The Elephant and Piggie Books by Mo Willems – you can easily take turns reading
Our favorite of the series: https://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Easy-Elephant-Piggie-Book/dp/142319957X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=elephant+and+piggy+series+waiting+is+not+easy&qid=1612053819&sr=8-1
Calm Down Time – Elizabeth Verdick: https://www.shopthelastbookstore.com/book/9781575423166
Best Behavior Series
https://www.shopthelastbookstore.com/book/9781575422008
Baby Signing Time: https://www.signingtime.com/category/baby-signing-time/
Kinetic Sand
https://www.target.com/p/kinetic-sand-folding-sandbox/-/A-52140559#lnk=sametab
Therapy Putty
Duck Tape (So many different patterns and colors): https://www.amazon.com/Duck-Brand-241791-Printed-Mermaid/dp/B07BL45C2W/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=duct+tape+colors+and+patterns&pd_rd_r=a008df59-7f86-4a31-8e47-2e3814ca36c2&pd_rd_w=B8hhO&pd_rd_wg=WCO3A&pf_rd_p=9dad86ae-1554-484b-9cc0-f9673b44705e&pf_rd_r=HZ8KCYDWY2T4XD47ZYPX&qid=1612070431&sr=8-9
Reading highlighter Strips
Expo Click Dry Erase Markers & Individual Whiteboard – the clickable ones are just a bit more fun, don’t have to track down tops
Pretty Pretty Princess
https://www.target.com/p/classic-pretty-pretty-princess-game/-/A-81784125#lnk=sametab
Zombie Kidz game:
A friendly reminder to try your neighborhood store for a curbside pickup. Here’s one we love in SoCal:
http://www.thegameogre.com/whatwesell.htm
And here it is on Amazon so you can see what we’re talking about:
Tell Tale Fairy Tales – Storytelling, Imagination, Taking Turns
Key Education Photo Conversation Cards for Children with Autism
Cosmic Kids Yoga (also on YouTube): https://cosmickids.com
GoNoodle (also on YouTube): https://www.gonoodle.com
Vinyl Spot Makers to help with OT and PT goals, make obstacle courses in your house or backyard
Spinny chair, backless. She loves pink so we got her pink. Flash Furniture Tractor Seat and Chrome Seat
Weighted blanket – Check the recommendation based on weight and age
https://www.target.com/p/twin-full-frozen-2-weighted-blanket-disney-store/-/A-76550227#lnk=sametab
Fidgipod
Pop Toob
Horse Hopper
Bean Bag Chair
Melissa and Doug Wooden Puzzles
Bumpy Seat Cushion
They Might Be Giants album “No!” - https://www.theymightbegiants.com/new-page
“Bed Bed Bed” book - https://www.amazon.com/Bed-They-Might-Be-Giants/dp/0743250249/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=bed+bed+bed+they+might+be+giants+book&qid=1612069393&sr=8-1
Camp Kinneret - https://www.campkinneret.com
California Regional Centers: https://www.dds.ca.gov/RC/
(Ask about In Home Supportive Services)
Advocates and Attorneys – Some advocates are available through regional centers and other public groups but mostly, they are private pay.
Insurance – Go through an insurance broker. Free for you and they can help guide you to the best plan for your family.
UCLA KidsConnect (Early Childhood Partial Hospitalization Program): https://www.semel.ucla.edu/ecphp
Pediatric Minds: https://pediatricminds.com/?gclid=CjwKCAiApNSABhAlEiwANuR9YC3LvwmQZB_CNXO8U3qS0ArSOwhBjJDVjmtn0KF7HARdI_NnZWEIgxoCLXoQAvD_BwE
Special Olympics: https://www.specialolympics.org
Therapists: Please contact your insurance and they can let you know who is in network in your area. Most therapists are doing telehealth these days, so it’s more accessible to special needs parents than ever before.
Educational Therapists: https://aetonline.org
Facebook groups – Search “Autism Parents” with your area or town or ask other special needs parents. There are plenty of non-location specific ones, too.
SOCIAL MEDIAS:
Instagram: @sensoryoverloadpod
https://www.instagram.com/sensoryoverloadpod/?hl=en
Twitter: @overloadpod
https://twitter.com/overloadpod?lang=ar