to do homework, not work my core muscles.” But after I told him
about all the research I found about how therapeutic and relaxing
exercise balls can be, he gave it a try. Now he is hooked!
Why Jacob says it helps: “I can bounce and roll around on it, which
is enjoyable. But what I really like to do is read while sitting on it.
It really is relaxing. And besides, who doesn’t like a giant bouncing ball?”
Where you can find it: I found our body ball at Walmart for only $8.
Headset or Noise reducing Headphones
A lot of Jacob’s classes are now online, which
means homework is online too, and headphones really help with his focus. They also
help with outside stimuli.
feels. It’s cool and calming to
me.”
birthday presents that he uses all the time!
Where you can find it: We find
a lot of affordable small desk
toys that we use as fidgets at
Office Playground.com. They
have a huge line of magnetic
items that Jacob says are a must
have!
Magnetic Poetry Kits
Personalized Mouse Pad
Why Jacob says it helps: “They are headphones, Mom. It’s self-explanatory.”
Where you can get it: We have had these in
the picture forever, and they are fine, but
I am thinking about getting these wireless
ones with their own stand instead. They can
be found at Office Depot and cost less than $20.
Fidgets
Fidgets can be very effective and helpful selfregulation tools. Almost
anything can be used as
a fidget to help relieve
stress or increase focus
and attention. My boy
tends to prefer metal
items and magnets. If
he is sitting at a desk,
he is bound to have
something in his hand!
Why Jacob says it helps:
“I like how the metal
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ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses
Years ago we started using magnetic poetry
on our refrigerator to help get Jacob’s creative writing juices flowing. You see, while
he is very imaginative, he used to have
problems getting started. So every day I
would put up a random sentence on the
fridge, and he would need to add onto it.
It was a fun game we played and a great way to
help him warm up to writing. While he doesn’t
really need any help in that department now,
we still use these magnetic poetry kits to communicate with each other. Be it words of encouragement on test day or something to make him
smile, it is a wonderful addition to our workstation.
Why Jacob says it helps: “It doesn’t really help
me anymore, but I do enjoy reading what Mom
comes
up with. Although I
wish she would get some different kits that
would allow me to reply in a more interesting
manner.”
Where you can find it: Shh … don’t tell Jacob, but I
just ordered this really cool new kit with famous
movie one-liners! Frankly, my dear, I think he
will give a damn! LOL!
So this one is not really a
NEED item, but it is a FUN one
that makes Jacob happy just
seeing it and truly customizes
his workspace. Who can blame
him? A personalized mousepad
with your picture on it is just
plain cool!
Why Jacob says it helps: “It’s my
face on the body of my favorite
Mystery Science Theatre 3000
character with BOTS… need I
say more?”
Where you can find it: You can
have a mouse pad made at
most online photo shops, but
we made ours through VISTA
Print. It cost less than $10 and
was one of Jacob’s favorite
ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses
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