Gadgets and Gear for the New School Year
We are one week closer to school starting, and that means getting your child ready with all the latest gadgets and gizmos to make them successful in school and at home! If you missed last week's post on easing the transition back to school, be sure to check it out here.
As an autism specialist, I have seen a lot of techniques and cool tools used in therapy, in the classroom, and at home to give children that extra edge toward success. I thought this might be the perfect time to share some of my favorite gear with all of you. I am not affiliated with any of these companies, they are either products that I have seen used and LOVED or amazing concepts that might benefit your family and little one!
Car Safety:
This particular gadget has been shared with me multiple times, and I think it is ingenious! In the terrible event that you are in some sort of accident or emergency, it is extremely beneficial for first responders to know if your child has a disability so they can give them the best care.
If your child unbuckles their seat belt and causes an unsafe situation on car rides, the Angel Guard might be your solution. This little gizmo slips over the buckle portion of the seat belt, preventing your child from unbuckling their seat belt and keeping them safe in the car.
Sensory Tools:
I could probably write an entire post on my favorite sensory tools, and I just might someday, but chewies that are inconspicuous and effective are my favorite! Check out Fun and Function, using the link above, to see their diverse range of chewies and other sensory tools!
If your child constantly kicks or taps their feet, a foot band fidget may be the answer. These can be wrapped around your child’s chair at school or at home while doing homework. They provide the sensory feedback your child is seeking without creating distracting noise.
This is by far my FAVORITE putty on the market. I like it so much that I keep a tin on my desk in my office. Crazy Aaron’s has a diverse range of colors, including glow-in-the-dark, and this putty is sturdy! Let your child pull and play away without fear of it being destroyed.
Lunch Gear:
As a holistic practitioner, I am a huge fan of eliminating as many toxins as possible that enter my system and advocate for parents to do this for their children. One easy way to begin this process is to limit the amount of plastics we are using in our lives. This is not only great for your system, but also for the planet. These kits are both adorable and incredibly functional. It is a bit of an investment, but they last forever and will replace any and all Tupperware you may currently be using for your child’s lunches.
Along with eliminating plastic storage systems, let’s eliminate plastic forks and knives that are clogging up our landfills and adding trace amounts of toxins to our systems every day. These bamboo, reusable cutlery sets are perfect for children as they are soft and smooth. I also find them to be a little thicker than traditional metal silverware, making them more adaptable for children who haven’t mastered grasping yet. If your child needs additional adaptations for eating, check out some of these products.
Clothing and Accessories:
You may have read those words and thought about how cheesy that sounds, but these belts are beautiful and functional! For older kids who struggle to dress themselves, these belts provide an opportunity for independence, function, and style!
You may have seen these floating around Facebook or on the news. These nifty laces end the shoe-tying struggle forever. With a simple clip style individual lace, your child will be able to keep their shoes tied all day and maybe even independently put on and remove their own shoes. These are perfect for older children who can no longer fit into those convenient velcro shoes!
If your child hates tags or struggles with zippers and buttons then this is the clothing line for you. They have a variety of classic styles for all ages and promote independence by making their clothing as easy as possible to put on and take off.
Hygiene:
I JUST saw this on Facebook yesterday and quickly had to add it to this post. While I don’t know how much success individuals have experienced using this tool, I thought the concept was incredible. If your child struggles with tooth brushing time, this might just be the solution.
Much like I advocate for non-toxic lunch gear, I am very pro non-toxic body products. What we put on our skin is directly absorbed into our blood stream, that includes the ever essential deodorant we need to wear each day. While I have not tried this product, the reviews are excellent. For natural deodorants that are not children specific, check out Dragonfly Traditions or Stinkbug Naturals.
I hope you learned about some new products and ideas for your little one. These may not be perfect for every family, but maybe they will help just one child out there!
Join me next week for a delicious allergy-friendly recipe roundup to make school lunches delicious and dinner time quick and easy!
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