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These tips have been contributed by other parents, carers and professionals. We hope they will give you some ideas to try, but if you need further help why not post a question on our forums or talk to our site experts.
Happy stuff
I carry teddy bears around with me if I worry going out with people, or I'm feeling sad worried or angry and it helps me stay happy. Photo books, toys, teddy bears for me. Cartoons, CD DVDs films movies. Happy stuff
Exercise mat
Specialist changing mats are pricey and often too thin for my 8 year old son who has severe cerebral palsy and is a wheelchair user. I bought a Reebok exercise mat (£15). It is thickly padded, waterproof and is easy to wipe clean. It folds in 3 sections, is lightweight and has a handy strap that fits neatly over the wheelchair handles.
Hot food & drinks
Food is a vital source of energy and helps keep you body warm. Make sure the person you are caring for has regular hot meals and drinks throughout the day. I always take a flask of hot chocolate or tea with us when we’re out and about on cold days.
Phone / iPod holder
Amazon sell phone/iPod holders that are designed for windscreens, but are also great for sticking on wheelchair trays: www.amazon.co.uk
Teddy Bear carrier
Build a bear sell teddy carriers, which look a bit like rucksacks the teddies sit in. Kids who use wheelchairs can put one on the wrong way, so the bear is held against their chest and can be cuddled without being dropped. Build a bear
Hand-sized MP3 Player
Our son loves music and stories. We have found a cheap Mp3 player like the August MB100P MP3 Player allows us to have a few on hand charged up. They do get lost/broken but are worth it for the overall benefits.
Awareness Wristbands
Amazon sell great Autism awareness wristbands. A subtle way of reminding the public of "our life!". I wear one all the time when I am out with "Mr Noisy ". He will not wear one himself but working on it.
Early bird shopping
If shopping for clothes/shoes is a nightmare, try asking the manager if they'll open the store 15 minutes earlier to allow you to try things on without an audience. Our local Clarks suggested it when our son was freaking out due to the noise of all the people in the shop. It made it stress free for all of us.
Portable blender
Breville make a cordless blender, ideal for charging at home and then using while out and about. It comes with a lid to keep blades and your bag clean.
Transporting meds
If we are going to be out of the house when my son's evening meds are due, instead of taking the bottles with us, we measure the meds out in a syringe and pop them in one of his old glasses cases to transport them (it holds 2 syringes perfectly!)
Large changing mats
These can be very expensive to buy. Try a water proof picnic blanket instead, much cheaper and easy to keep clean.
Straw case
My son can only drink from a straw. Out and about I use a toothbrush case to keep them clean and uncrushed.
Queue's
My son can't cope with standing in line in queues. I always go to the front of the queue and asked nicely if we could come to the front. Nobody ever minds when I do and it isn't fair to him to make him queue.
Healthy snacks for out & about
When we are out and about (at the hairdressers or shopping) a good way to keep Amy occupied is to keep a supply of shreddies (or similar) breakfast cereal (diet permitting of course) and hand them out one by one. Not quite as bad as sweets or crisps.
Powder carriers
Joanna needs a powder diet supplement added to her bottles, which I put in a baby formula container with separate compartments, so if we are out for the day I don’t have to take the whole drum with me.
Clean change
Changing pads on older kids can be challenging. They are too big for change units & the floors are too dirty to lay them on. I take a plastic tablecloth out to lay on a dirty floor & just wipe clean afterwards - its small & portable.
Radar key
Get a radar key. These cost just a few pounds and are usually available from town halls and tourist information centres. They save us from queuing at public toilets, and are often cleaner and of course more spacious.
Cue cards
If you use visual cues to communicate - have small versions of the pictures laminated and attached to a belt ring so that "toilet" "stop" " drink " signs or whatever is most important to the child is readily and quickly available. You can then take them out when shopping etc.
Snap it!
I always find it really helpful when I am going to a place for the first time with Jason to take a photo first so he knows where he is going. You can use the camera in your mobile phone!
Fidget toys
Keep a handbag full of fidget toys for those times when you’re going somewhere new or waiting in a queue. www.sensorytoywarehouse.com is a good source for this.
Bendy straws are handy
Sue finds it comforting to twirl objects in a new situation, so I keep some bendy drinking straws in her handbag for trips.
Mobile distraction
My son has lots of behavioural issues, especially waiting, getting back into the car when a favouite activity has ended, hospital appointments etc. I have recorded myself on my mobile reading his favourite stories. I have also put some nursery rhymes and theme tunes on there. I always have my mobile with me (remembering the earphones of course), and it's got us through some very sticky situations. It's a great distraction, and allows me to get where I need to go.
Portable DVD player
Eating out is really difficult for my son, who is sound sensitive and has food issues. We take a portable dvd player. Thought other people would think us terrible parents, but pleasantly suprised people complimented us on our boys' behaviour and remarked what a great idea a portable dvd player was. Would highly recommend. Quite cheap from Argos!
Handy blue tack
Carry a small piece of Blue tack or similar for some one who is fidgety and needs to touch and play with something. They can make little men and characters or just roll it in their fingers.
Changing places rooms
Changing Places rooms are fantastic when you're out and about. They include Closomat Toilets, full hoist, electronic beds, moveable sink etc. We have managed to get three here in Southampton. See their map for Changing Places rooms. www.changing-places.org
Keep warm
If you are caring for someone in a wheel chair or push chair who won't keep a blanket on in the cold weather, put long johns or even girls tights on under their trousers.
Call ahead
When you are going to places like the hairdressers, dentists, doctors, theatres, restaurants etc, let them know ahead of any issues and work together. Be prepared & let them be prepared too. Makes a more enjoyable time for everyone involved.
Photo your visual timetable
If you use a visual timetable but can't take it out with you. Use your phone and take a photo of it.
Visual shopping list
If you use a visual timetable and want to make one for when you go shopping, go to the Tesco on-line site (probably works for other supermarkets too) and right-click, then save image. It gives a small easy to use image that is exactly what you will be shopping for.
Give me a role too
We try and give Laurie a focus when we go out - shopping is better when we give her a task - i.e. she has her own shopping list or we make a game of it and get her to find certain items.
Keep to a timetable
When shopping, we explain to Zeb in advance exactly what the itinerary is and when the visit to the particular shop he wants will occur. Be firm and stick to this and the constant nagging should stop. As long as they know when it is happening an aspergic child can relax.
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