Tag Archives: Autism

Great Products for Special Needs Kids

Posted by on September 8, 2014 under BladderMatters, Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

Looking for items to help your special needs child?

In most ways, special needs kids are just like other kids. They need food, shelter, entertainment and a few creature comforts (and of course love!). The products listed below are some ways to make their lives a little easier, more independent and accommodate those special needs.

Adaptive Utensils
These utensils can range from silverware with larger gripping areas to having special handles attached. The business end of the spoon or fork may be tilted one way or the other (depending on whether the user is right or left handed, or if they are being fed by someone else).

Weighted Blankets
This Forbes article talks about the benefits of weighted blankets for more than just special needs kids. Basically, anyone who has sleep issues may find them helpful. These blankets have been around for years but are becoming more popular now.

Sleep Overs Pull-Ups
Your child may still be wetting the bed at night, but they don’t need everyone to know. These pull-ups come in sizes up to 140 pounds and are very discreet. Now asking your kids to change into PJs while guests are over won’t be a “thing.”

A Tablet
Tablets are quite expensive, but if you can justify them as a therapeutic tool, you may be able to deduct the item on your taxes. There are many apps available for special needs, including a variety of speech apps. See this site for help with Tax Strategies for Parents of Special Needs Children for more information about deductions.

What products have you found most helpful for your special needs child? We’d love to hear from you!

Caregiver Resources: Locator Apps for Wandering Loved Ones

Posted by on July 16, 2013 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

Safety and Security for Wandering Seniors and Youth 

Hands_phoneHave you ever felt guilty that your loved one with dementia is losing their quality of life? Do you feel uncomfortable leaving them alone, or allowing them any freedom of their own? These days technological advances are allowing rapid communication for people of all ages, and interactive maps and location services can help anyone find their destination. These tools utilize GPS navigation with location-based mapping, which basically is able to detect a device’s current location.

With these advancements, there have been numerous applications, or “apps”, developed for wireless devices that will help locate another device. Some of these apps are designed specifically for dementia patients and other wandering diagnoses such as autism.

Comfort Zone is an app created by the Alzheimer’s Association that can detect where the user is at all times.  Comfort Zone will notify family members or caregivers of their location and if they go out of a designated area.

WanderID was constructed to create a database for lost children. Those who enroll can take photos of their loved ones to put them into the system.  If the child is found by someone, those first responders can take a photo, upload it to WanderID and the facial recognition software will match the photos and help return them home.

RELATED: List of Discounts for Seniors: Senior Savings for 50+