Back To School: Inclusive Shopping Guide
Back to school can feel overwhelming for all parents, especially those with disabled children. But, there are tools that can help make their time in school a lot smoother. Tools built specifically for them and their needs!
Here are some adaptive tools and communication tips to make this school year successful!
Adaptive Pencil Box Tools
- Adaptive Cuffs: To aid with utensils, pencils, brushes, and more.
- Pencil Grips: Helps with motor function for writing.
- Adaptive Scissors: Easy Squeeze Scissors help with the strength and force required for cutting.
Sensory Tools
- Fidgets: Help with focus, reduce anxiety, and can be a source of comfort.
- Sound Reducing Sensory Break Hoodie: Built to reduce overstimulation in a convenient and discreet way.
- Chewies: For oral motor sensory seekers.
- Compression Shirts and Vests: Provide needed proprioceptive input to help center and calm and the body. They provide sensory regulation for sensory seekers.
- Weighted Lap Pads and other sensory tools they can use at their desk to stay regulated and learning.
Communication Tools
- Visual Schedules so they always know what is coming next. It helps reduce anxiety and create smooth transitions.
- Communication Boards allow them to be able to communicate their thoughts, wants, and needs.
- Communication/ Visuals Key Chain: Can be put on their backpack, pencil case, etc. This way they always have easy access to key words and phrases.
Team Collaboration Tools
- One Pager on Your Child: to give to teachers, therapists, and any other adults working with your child to get to know them better
- Communication Daily Notes/ Reports: so everyone stays on the same page. Educators remember that, especially for non-verbal children, parents can't know how their day went without teachers communication!
- Encourage Open Communication: make sure the line is open between you as the parent and teacher. There should be openness and respect both ways so you can work as a team for your child!