"As a mom with my own disabilities, I have had practice at adapting to life with added challenges to adjust to my mental and physical health needs. But when it came to parenting a child who also had special needs, specifically Autism and ADHD, I learned things went better when I prepared certain items to make life easier for both of us.Ā
To me, having a child with special needs is just like having a child without; both come with challenges, but both are also very rewarding. At first, I felt like a bad mom for relying a bit on technology and snacks that some would consider a ābribeā for good behavior. But after a refresher course in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy, I realized that it was OK to utilize items that were used for positive reinforcement and comfort was necessary.Ā
Here are our go-to items for going out:
Having his own place for his favorite toys, gadgets, etc. promotes autonomy and makes my mom bag a little lighter.
Loud noise, buzzing, etc. can be a trigger and cause major meltdowns. So, I make sure to keep these in my bag whenever we leave the house.
Multiple colors available!
Small enough to fit in a pocket or purse without weighing you down.
This occupational therapist-recommended necklace is a fun shape and great for redirecting nail biting and chewing on clothes.
My son is big on rules and routine, so luckily, he tolerates masks pretty well. This soft cotton mask doesn't have ear loops, which can be a problem for kids with sensory issues. I don't have this exact mask for my son, but it would be one I'm willing to try.
Multiple colors available!
This can help with overload and calm children with sensory processing disorder.