Sensory Help Now

Every month we put together an assortment of books and sensory product ideas covering all ages. This month’s selection is focused on books and products to help our children and teens navigate the sensory challenges of starting a new academic year.

We hope you enjoy this month's selection and let us know if there are any books or products you'd like us to feature in future issues!

Books

Autism & Adolescence – The Way I See It: What Teens and Parents Need to Know

Available in paperback from 30th September, Temple Grandin draws on her own experience to deliver an essential guidebook* for guiding and nurturing autistic youth.

Including topics such as strategies for non-verbal teens; autism and driving; and preparing for college; Dr Grandin offers do's and don'ts, practical strategies and try-it-now tips, all based on her insider perspective and extensive research.

My Senses Are Like Cups

Written by Clare Ward, a Speech and Language Therapist, and James Galpin, a chartered Developmental Psychologist, this new book (available to order from 21 August 2024) is ideal to help children aged 7+ better understand sensory differences.

By thinking about our senses as being like cups where everything we see, hear, feel, smell, touch, and taste as we move about is like water going into our cups, it encourages children to explore and develop ways to manage sensory overload and feeling under-stimulated with quirky cartoons that visually illustrate the approach.

Some of our cups might be big and some might be small. Whether big or small, we like it best when our cup is filled enough so that it's just right for us! We are all different and we need just the right amount of information to feel good!

Emotions for Autism: emotions workbook for older kids and teens 

Written by a special education teacher, this workbook* is perfect for older kids and teens on the autism spectrum, in special education or with special needs.

The workbook defines different emotions, explores them through activities including role play, and helps students make a connection to real life. The activities can be used in a small group setting, as social skills curriculum in the classroom, or one-on-one with a child.

Parenting Kids with ADHD: A Beginner’s Guide to Help Your Child Self-regulate, Focus and Understand their SuperPower

Raising a child with ADHD can be an overwhelming task. Written by Renato Flauzino who was diagnosed with ADHD as a child and considers himself proof of how we can positively overcome the symptoms of ADHD and use it as an advantage, this book* emphasizes the importance of personalized approaches, recognizing that every child with ADHD is different and requires an individualized parenting style.

Covering topics such as useful tricks and tips to improve your child’s relationships and progress at school and home, finding the best nutrition and foods to avoid and steps you can take as a parent to foster a peaceful environment, this book helps to unlock a better understanding of your child's needs and the support they require.

Products

Paochocky Rainbow Fidget Cube

The Paochocky Rainbow Fidget Cube* is one of the best fidget toys for occupying the hands, focusing the mind and promoting well-being and relaxation.

This funky little cube is the perfect choice for children who can’t keep their fingers still. Measuring ‎6.2 x 6.2 x 4.5cm, this small cube fits nicely into school bags and is made from durable silicone, meaning it’s built to last. Each side has a different ‘fidget’ to try, including a joystick, friction, button, scroll, rotary dial and switch, so there’s always something to match their mood.

Fidget Toys Pack

Just as good for adults as for children, there are 44 fidget toys in this fidget toys pack* including Pop It, Fidget Spinner, Infinity Cube, Tangle Toy, Simple Dimple, Stress Ball and many more. The toys allow for improved hand-eye coordination as well as helping with the development of both concentration and creativity. 

Sensory Fidget Stretchy Strings

If spinners and poppers aren’t your child’s thing, stretch toys may be the best fidget toys for them. Stretchy strings* come in many colours and textures and these dinosaur ones are particularly good for ‘sensory seekers’ - children who love to investigate and are calmed by certain textures.

They have a soft, spiky texture that feels lovely to the touch and a dinosaur head and tail at each end. Made from a super-strong super-stretchy material, the strings can be stretched, pulled, twisted and squeezed to help eliminate stress and also develop sensory and motor skills in children. There are six different colours in each pack so you can always have one to hand in your bag for any fidgety moments.

ARK Brick Stick® Chewable Pencil Toppers

These chewable pencil toppers are a safe solution for children who need to chew. Chewing can be a very effective way to help calm, self-regulate, and focus, so these chewy tools are a perfect pairing for school, homework and more. As an added bonus, they also add extra weight to the pencil for increased hand awareness and to help the pencil comfortably rest in the web space between the thumb and pointer finger.

Each topper is solid on one end for chewing, hollow on the opposite end to conveniently fit over standard #2 pencils, and textured all around for extra tactile input. The front side features large bumps, with small bumps on the back side for varied sensory input. 

Sensory Friendly Beach Towels

These beach towels by Dock & Bay are fast-drying and sand resistant which make them ideal for individuals who are over-responsive to tactile sensory input. Made from 100% recycled materials, they are available in medium and large sizes and a number of different designs.

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