FoggyRock General Forum

These are items that we found/find very helpful for our young child on the spectrum:

Hammock/swing chairs. We have gotten a couple of different kinds, the best being called an XChair with its own frame and rope hammock swing seat. We purchased the X Chair on Amazon when the price fell to $99 with free shipping . . . but we also found Sky Chairs and rope swing chairs for about $20 with shipping on eBay for those with ceiling beams or another way to hang them.

Exercise balls – round, peanut shaped, and a Rody Horse which is like an exercise ball, but has feet. The horse is a good start for very young children, then the peanut which is very versatile, then the round ones. We have a variety of sizes. We also have core discs – three of them – that we use as part of an obstacle course. These items can be found at retailers that sell exercise equipment as well as discount retailers.

A child-size indoor trampoline. (we got ours at <a href="http://www.backtobasicstoys.com/item/productid/6056">Back to Basics Toys</a>.)

A folding slide that fits indoors – these can be found at large retailers and vary from about $35 to $70.

Kumon has great books for drawing, writing and coloring. I found some in the children’s book section at Target, but they are also online at <a href="http://www.amazon.com">Amazon</a> by searching <a href=" http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/10 … lt;/a>. They are often eligible for free shipping and part of Amazon’s 4-for-3 program.

I found, thanks to our OT, really short highlighters that promote a tripod grip at Staples.

We have a FurReal Pony and a stuffed glider pony that are both calming – and the FurReal one is interactive, which can be a plus for some children. My son is four, so this glider pony is on that goes to an older age than your traditional rocking horse. The FurReal Pony is from Hasbro and available at large chain stores such as Toys R Us. It’s nice because my son talks to his horse, brushes her, and feeds her. It doesn’t move, though, so the other horse is good for that kind of input. I got that at <a href="http://www.backtobasicstoys.com/item/productid/7580">Back to Basics Toys</a>) but there are spring horses for children up to age 6-7 made by Radio Flyer as well.

<a href="http://www.do2learn.com/">Do2Learn </a> has a PECS-like system, only cheaper and with pictures my son likes better. But I usually substitute with photos whenever possible as it is easier for him. Some of the printables are free.
I also have a laminator. Crayons and markers can be used on laminated sheets when wanting to repeat activities, such as some of the mazes in the Kumon books. I found an inexpensive one and boxes of sheets at Sam’s Club.

Weighted blanket – Shannon posted how to make one, but I am lazy and bought through < href=" http://stores.ebay.com/Natural-Remedies … gt;Natural Remedies for Autism ADHD</a> on eBay – the woman is in Maine and has made a wonderful toddler blanket and now a twin for my son, fully washable! She has a child on the spectrum as well.

Last edited by Bec (2008-03-24 15:55:11)