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Autism Mom Survival Guide: Products Lincoln & I Actually Use & Love
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items I’m Megan, a single mom raising an amazing autistic son named Lincoln. This list includes products we actually use, love, and recommend—from sensory tools and visual supports to travel essentials, fidgets, routines, and everyday items that help make ...
Sections
7
Sensory & Regulation Favorites
School & Everyday Life
Lincoln’s Favorite Toys & Activities
Health & Wellness
Technology We Actually Use
Routines, Learning & Visual Supports
Sensory & Regulation Favorites
Products that help support sensory needs, movement, calming, and self regulation.
This saved us this winter! When he couldn’t go outside to burn energy, we played games with him bouncing on this. Also great occupational therapy.
Hopper Ball 22 Inch Inflatable Bouncy Toy
This has been a game changer for nights. Lincoln is not the best sleeper and he does not stay still and refuses to keep a blanket on. This one he will actually reach for and keep on.
Brookstone Cooling Comfort Dual-Sided Throw
The sewing comes in clutch when we’re having a complete meltdown episode. He goes in here with his iPad and within minutes, he starts to regulate.
Swing Stand Frame with Sensory Pod Swings, 330LBS Blue
This one could be controversial, but Lincoln does well when he wears his weighted vest while going on a walk or bouncing on his ball or even in his sensory swing. I’m able to adjust how tight it is because he doesn’t like it tight but he does like th...
Weighted Vest For Kids - Adjustable, 6 Weights
This is another tool that I frequently use when it comes to regulating Lincoln. I keep it too short 1 to 2 minute sessions for him. Works wonders for him. It’s also fun for me on those extra stressful days.
AXV Vibration Plate Full Body Shaker Workout
School & Everyday Life
Practical products that help make school days and everyday routine routines easier
This is what I used to pack Lincoln‘s lunch every day. His salami fits perfectly in the big section and then he gets two sections of grapes and one small section with pretzels. These fit perfectly in his lunchbox and is easy enough for him to get ope...
Bento Box Adult Lunch Box 4-Pack, 4-Compartment, Microwaveable, No BPA
These are our go to! It’s easy enough for him to open and keeps his drink cold all day. They are also easy to wash for me (gotta keep it simple) and fit in all bags bottle pocket.
Kids' Bottles - Simple Modern
Lincoln’s safe food is salami (specifically the Columbus brand from Costco) and green grapes. It goes everywhere with us. These easy packit lunch and snack bags are so easy to throw together.
Freezable Lunch Bag - PackIt
This is the way we store Lincoln‘s toys. It doesn’t look like a toy box so it fits in well with the other furniture, and I can easily tuck everything away. Another thing we did as he got older. Was we switched from cloth cubes that stored his toys to...
Better Homes & Gardens 8 Cube Storage Organizer, Solid Black - Walmart.com
Lincoln’s Favorite Toys & Activities
Toys and activities that have been played with again and again in our house
These go everywhere! I have different cars in each bag I carry, in the car and in the side pocket of the stroller just in case.
Cars Toys, Merchandise & Clothing | Disney Store
These fit perfect and every bag we take.
MAGNA-TILES microMAGS 26-Piece Travel Set
Health & Wellness
Everyday products that help support comfort, sleep, and wellness
I think all mamas can agree that kids are hard on shoes. I found these seem to work the best because the tongue does not slide down when he puts his foot in and the reinforced rubber around the toe has held up very well against his rough play.
New Balance Kid's Playgruv V1 Bungee Sneaker
These are my go to after several hours of trying to get Lincoln to sleep at night. They seem to just relax him enough to finally allow him to sleep.
Natrol Kids Melatonin 1mg, 90 Raspberry Gummies
Lincoln hates getting sunblock put on. And he also has issues with aerosol sprays being too sticky. I found that this works perfect to put on him and he’s had no reactions on his skin. It’s a bit pricey, but he has not gotten burnt.
SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Powder, Pink, Fair
Technology We Actually Use
Devices and accessories that we use regularly at home and while traveling
Yes Lincoln has an actual iPad. I found myself buying other tablets and then they would break or die or just weren’t fast enough. The iPad is worth the investment.
iPad - Apple
Hands down! Best case ever! He can fold it all different ways and it can even sit between his legs in his car seat. Only downside is the handle makes putting it in some backpacks a little difficult, but the pros outweigh the con
Kids Case for iPad 11th/10th Gen 10.9''
One more layer of protection for the iPad!
ProCase 2 Pcs Tempered Glass for iPad 11/10.9"
Another item worth the investment!! This interactive game has no controllers for him to figure out. It is super small and extremely easy to plug into whatever tv you have. Burns energy, is family fun friendly and super portable. I’ve even taken this...
Buy Nex Playground | The Active Play System for Kids and Families
Routines, Learning & Visual Supports
Tools that help build structure, independence, and predictable routine routines
Lincoln will ask me the same questions over and over again about what the plan is for today and what it is for tomorrow. I found that this really helps him visualize what his days look like as well as it’s a fun activity for him and I to plan the day...
LIKARTO® Weekly Planner for Kids - Montessori Magnetic Board with 194 Magnets & Cord
This I got as a joke because Lincoln never sits still and i wanted to see hiw many steps he does in a day. But it turned out that it was a fun thing for him and I to do because he’ll look at his numbers and I’ll look at my numbers and we compare. Plu...
Simple 3D Walking Pedometer for All
This was suggested by his occupational therapist. It embraces his love to play school and I’m able to work in him working on his letters and numbers and even his reading. It also is a great place for him and I to have some fun games of tic-tac-toe.
SWANCROWN 24x18 Magnetic Double Sided Board
Travel & On-the-go Essentials
Our favorite products for road trips, travel days, appointments, and adventures
Lincoln‘s officially grown out of this, but this was a game changer for longer car rides. Lincoln does not do well in the car and this helped him be a little more comfortable because his legs no longer dangled off the edge of his car seat. It also bu...
Kneeguard Kids Car Foot Rest for Toddlers
We got these so that if he decided on the airplane, he wanted to watch the TV screen. I could plug him in while he gets to use his same headphones. Meltdown avoided!
Shop Kids Headphones | Wired & Wireless Headphones for Children
Lincoln has major light sensitivity. I have these cheap yet comfy and flexible glasses everywhere. I have them in all the bags and cars.
FANNYGO 3 Pack Kids Polarized Sunglasses
This is my go to bag when we’re doing road trips or airplane trips. I can fill this with all different activities and toys as well as wipes and a few snacks so once either we’re on the road or the plane is taking off, I simply hook it to the seat in ...
Narwey Checkered Hanging Toiletry Bag - Medium
These were great when I bring along either snacks that I don’t want to get smooshed or toys or little trinkets that he can see without me having to dig everything out. This saves me a lot of frustrations.
Clear Hard Shell Zipper Case, 3 Pcs, Pink