Promote efficient use of time. Master the concept of time. Children on the autism spectrum usually suffer from some sensory dysfunction.

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1 Sensory resources

2 Children on the autism spectrum usually suffer from some sensory dysfunction. Sensory processing disorder is a neurological disorder involving body, pain, smell, hearing, position, taste, visual, temperature and the body s position and movement The brain receives all this information but is unable to process it and make sense of it enough to react normally. This leaflet has been designed to provide information of what resources are available and the benefits that the child will receive. It is not totally comprehensive, nor have prices been included as they vary from supplier to supplier. Visual Timers Visual Timers show time passing. You set the bright red disc for up to 60 minutes, and watch the red quietly disappear as time elapses. No loud alarms, abstract clocks or stressful countdowns. Just a comfortable way to visualise time. Visual timers for autistic children can: Promote efficient use of time. Master the concept of time. Encourage autonomy and independence. Achieve better time management. See elapsed time in a sound-sensitive environment. Time repetitive patterns or actions. Time exercises, teaching sessions, meetings, homework, tests and any other timed activity.

3 Therapy Cushions. Children who have problems focusing in the classroom may under register movement and without that ability they can t focus Sit Discs are ideal for providing children with movement and tactile stimulation while sitting in their seats. Children with autism/sensory processing disorders enjoy and often need or crave the input that a vibrating pillow can provide. For the under sensitive child, the pillows can provide the necessary input to help calm and regulate their system. You could even place the pillow next to your child to help them drift into a peaceful sleep. For the oversensitive child, it can be a tool to help increase their tolerance to tactile input. Either way it's uses within the scope of a sensory processing disorder are invaluable. Weighted Products. Weighted Therapy is the use of weighted products to apply weight and deep touch pressure (surface pressure) to the body. Thus stimulating the proprioceptive sense enabling those who are sensory seeking to relax, focus and have a greater awareness of their body. Weighted items provide proprioceptive input, which is pressure on the muscles and joints. Proprioceptive input sends signals to the brain that cause serotonin to be released, which is the neurotransmitter in the brain that makes people feel happy. Deep pressure is calming for the child. Weighted therapy can benefit those who: Have difficulty unwinding, relaxing and sleeping. Have a short attention span and are easily distracted. Show tactile sensitivity - ie a need to touch everything or are resistant to touch. Have a poor awareness of their body or body position display self stimulatory behaviour such as rocking, twirling and chewing.

4 Weighted Lap Pads are portable so they can be taken anywhere with the child. These are very helpful for children who find it difficult to stay in their seat. It will provide deep pressure for a secure, grounded feeling that has a calming effect that enables the user to stay seated for a longer period of time. It helps attention span and reduces excessive fidgeting. They can be used in chairs in class, and during road trips. Shoulder Wraps are designed to have the same effect, except that the weight is applied on the shoulders. Weighted Blankets are helpful if your child likes many coverings at night. Serotonin converts to Melatonin which is the hormone the body releases at night. Melatonin aids in giving the body a good nights sleep. Weighted Vests provide constant deep pressure to your child when his body is craving the calming and organising proprioceptive input. Brushing and Massage. Many individuals with Autism need deep pressure against their body. It tends to relax them when they feel overwhelmed. The Wilbarger Brushing technique works very well with deep pressure and Autism. This is a non scratching brush made of moulded plastic. Press the button and the Animal Massager will begin to vibrate until turned off providing soothing vibration to touch. These balls have hundreds of sensory nodules easy to grip for smaller hands. Soft to touch they can be rolled over the body, under the feet, between the palms, or tossed between two people. When rolled along the body they provide a kneading effect resulting in deep muscle pressure.

5 Foot massager which can easily be used in class to provide proprioceptive input. If the child needs to feel movement this can provide that feeling while the child remains seated and concentrating. Chewy Tubes. The Chew Tube is an oral motor tool that is designed to provide positive oral stimulation when practicing biting and chewing skills and is useful for children who need the sensory experience of chewing. Designed to bring awareness to the mouth, this device can help develop jaw strength. It features a closed loop handle which is easy to grasp and offers a smooth stem for chewing. They are available in different textures and some are even flavoured. Chewelry is non-toxic, plastic sensory chewable jewellery that stretches. A great way to keep your child from chewing clothes,. Donut Ring and Squidgy Toys. Many children and adults need motion to learn and the donut ring gives them something to do with their hands. It allows them to focus which enables them to absorb information more productively. Many children need motion to learn. Stretching the Mice and Cheese gives your child something to do (motion sensor) whilst they are thinking, listening and learning. This action allows them to focus more effectively which enables them to absorb the information more productively. It also promotes relaxed mindsets, improve focus, relieve stress and anxiety, engage the whole brain for complete integration.

6 Writing Aids. Many children who have autism often have difficulty with handwriting. Apart from the difficulties with organisation and planning it may be down to low muscle tone or poor fine motor skills. There are techniques your child can use to help improve handwriting. There are many fine motor exercise's readily available here are some resources that may be useful. A Slant board may help your child maintain the proper position for writing. It places paper in a better line of vision, can help keep attention focused on handwriting for a longer time. A handiwriter is a simple device made up of a large loop made of soft elastic (like a hair scrunchy) that goes over the wrist, a small loop that goes around the pen or pencil and a cord with a charm on the end that is held in the palm of the hand. These work together to encourage a perfect grip and writing style without even trying. There are also a range of different styles of pencil grips Vestibular Stimulation. Rock around, Children can sit in it and rock it from side to side or spin around. Trampolines should be supervised by an adult but are a fun way of providing vestibular stimulation. Scooter board for vestibular and proprioceptive stimulation. Ideal for upper extremity strengthening, movement, motor planning and vestibular activities. Balance board,- rocking from side to side, spinning around and balancing. Children can stand or sit on the board. With this toy children develop their motor skills and balancing abilities.

7 Body Socks and Lycra. Body socks help improve: gross motor skills, vestibular input and sensory integration. Body socks increase spacial awareness through balance and resistance allowing children with sensory challenges to more effectively use their body. This leads to less falls, better coordination and overall increased confidence in daily activities also providing deep pressure input. Incorporating this therapy into their daily sensory diet can help to minimise self-stimulating behaviour (such as rocking or mouthing). It also increases a child's ability to concentrate and organise therefore allowing the child to respond more efficiently both academically and socially. Lycra hammock is designed for children up to the weight of 40 lbs. The cocoon-like design provides a total body pressure that not only feels good but builds muscular strength, coordination and balance. Being suspended creates a heightened relationship to gravity which stimulates the vestibular system responsible for balance and co-ordination. After moving or resting in an lycra hammock a child will feel more alert and relaxed. Ear defenders are perfect for a child who is noise sensitive and covers their ears when it gets too noisy or in a noisy environment such as, a supermarket or school lunch hall or a party. Ribbon sticks Strengthen arms and shoulders and encourage children to feel and take notice of movement as they wave the ribbon sticks and watch the motion of the bright ribbons. These are great for learning letter formation too Bubbles. Blowing bubbles makes your child breathe a little deeper automatically. This results in more muscle activity in the trunk which in turn results in more awareness of posture and movement of the trunk. This postural and movement awareness, (proprioceptive information) helps a child focus, fine motor skills, oral motor skills, hand/eye co-ordination and FUN.

8 Fidget Toys. A range of different fidget toys are available. Bendy Smiley Men are an ideal fiddle and fidget toy to busy and occupy the fingers in the classroom. This leaves the mind free to focus. Excellent size for a pocket and to carry when out and about. Tangle toys are an excellent fidget toy, it can help restless children to focus and stimulate attention and concentration by keeping the mind and hands occupied. The Atom ball and the Noodle ball are fantastic fidget toys, soft and flexible with lots of twists to hold and play with. The Noodle Ball can be squeezed to provide proprioceptive input through the hands, which can assist children with calming and attention. The colourful strands of rubber that are twisted together make this ball a wonderfully tactile toy. Children can try and follow the twisting bands or poke their fingers through the gaps in the ball. Therapy balls. Therapy balls are great for children with Autism and other special needs. They help with Balance, Coordination and Sensory Integration. Peanut balls help with motor function and can be used for deep pressure. The therapy ball is large and easy for children to manipulate. From exercising muscles, improving balance, building coordination and learning new skills, and fulfils many of their sensory needs. Bilbo Stimulates the senses, engages the imagination and encourages creativity from rocking, spinning and sitting. To hiding under, carrying with and peeking through.