Health, safety & personal care
These are just a few suggestions of things that might help with daily challenges!
Bigger buggies
Maclaren Major Elite is specifically designed for older children. It looks and performs like a regular buggy, just larger, with swivel front wheels, brakes on each rear wheel and a five point safety harness. The three-position detachable, rigid foot rest ensures the Major Elite can grow with your child into adulthood if required. The seat cover is fully washable. It weighs 7.5kg with the footplate and folds easily to 117cm x 25cm x 21cm. The seats on the Major buggies do not recline, so not suitable for younger children. These cost £199 from www.mothercare.com (but are usually out of stock!) or £250 from http://shop.babyworld.co.uk and accessories available include a raincover £25, shopping basket £20 and sunshade £30. In order to use the frameless raincover, you need to have the sunshade fitted or alternatively you can purchase a framed raincover from a seller on www.ebay.co.uk for £40.
A double, side-by-side version is also available if you have two children with special needs. http://www.lotsofbabies.com/twinmajor.html
** The branch has a single Major buggy and a double one which we
are happy for families to use to find out if it's suitable for their needs. **
Mountain Buggy XL, Axiom and Baby Jogger
These are 3 and 4 wheeler special needs pushchairs. They are quite expensive, but made for taking children across all terrains – the muddy tracks in parks, across sandy beaches, cobbled paths and anywhere else you want to go. These do recline to various angles, so are great if your child stills falls asleep when out and about.
www.Kidsense.co.uk 0116 2751895
www.specialneedspushchairs.co.uk 01363 881110
The double Mountain Buggies are adaptable to take an older child one side and a tiny baby or toddler the other.
Car seat gadgets
Seat Belt Safeclip:
This handy plastic clip simply fits over any ordinary seat belt buckle to help prevent the accidental (or otherwise) undoing of seat belts, but it will NOT hinder the quick release of the buckle in the event of an emergency. Can be fitted or removed in seconds by adults.
£5 from www.gltc.co.uk 0844 848 6000
Chest clips:
These slide over the child car seat straps and provide an extra clip at chest level on the straps, which make it harder for a child to remove their arms from the straps.
£17 from www.incarsafetycentre.co.uk 01908 220909
Continence issues
ERIC (Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence) is a national children’s health charity dealing with bedwetting, daytime wetting, constipation and soiling in children and young people. ERIC provides information, support and resources to families and health professionals on bladder and bowel problems. www.eric.org.uk 0845 370 8008
Kylie & Kanga sell a range of products, such as absorbent underwear, mattress protectors (including ones that cover the whole mattress and zip shut) and absorbent bedsheets.
08700 114420 www.kyliekanga.co.uk
Crelling harnesses and reins
Crelling sell “Houdini” harnesses which are made to contain children and adults whose challenging behaviour requires a certain degree of restraint. They also sell walking reins for older children and adults.
01253 852298 www.crelling.com
Dentists
If your child has special needs and cannot be seen by an ordinary dentist, ring the Dental Enquiries number on 0845 0508345 and ask for details of your nearest Community Dental Team that deals with special needs children. Your child will need a referral from their health visitor, GP or current dentist.
Early Support Family Pack is for families with a child under three who are being supported on a regular basis because their child needs additional help. It’s most useful to families where a range of agencies (like health, education and social services) are involved and support needs to be well coordinated.
0845 602 2260 www.earlysupport.org.uk dfes@prolog.uk.com
Fledglings
Fledglings is a national charity which aims to assist parents and carers of disabled children, or those with additional needs of any kind, by identifying, sourcing and supplying practical, affordable products to address every day issues.
0845 458 1124 www.fledglings.org.uk
Foam door slammers
To prevent doors being slammed and fingers getting caught. These can be bought for £4.99 for 2 from www.mothercare.com 08453 30 40 70
Alternatively use pipe insulation foam and place on the top of the door – works just as well and cheaper too.
ID wristbands
These are available for single use or a reusable velcro strap, they easily attach around your child’s wrist (or belt loop, anywhere that someone would find if your child was lost!) The single use bands are 15 for £4.15 and the reusable straps are £14. They also sell ID tags that can be attached to shoe laces, great if your child doesn’t want to wear a wristband.
0845 125 9539 www.iceideas.co.uk
Magnetic door locks
An ingenious childproof lock for cabinet doors that won’t attract the attention of curious children: a ‘secret’ catch fitted to the inside of the cabinet door locks and unlocks with a magnetic key. An extra key is also available. £15 for a pack of 4 from www.gltc.co.uk 0844 848 6000
Nappies/Incontinence Pads
If your child is 4 years old and has special needs, he/she is entitled to free nappies (not the best ones in the world, but they do the job!) This can be extended to cover protective pants, liners, disposable draw-sheets etc. To find out more contact your health visitor or community nurse.
Out of hours medical help:
Make sure that when you call an out of hours GP number that they understand your child is autistic and that they pass it on to the doctor visiting.
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
If your child has problems communicating, this system may help them.
01273 609555 www.pecs.org.uk
For free downloadable symbols go to www.do2learn.com
Radar Keys for disabled toilets
The National Key Scheme offers independent access by disabled people to around 7,000 locked public toilets around the UK. Perfect if your older child is still in nappies or doesn’t get much notice that they need the toilet and cannot wait. £3.50 including postage, for those applying on behalf of a disabled person.
020 7250 3222 www.radar.org.uk
** Check with your local council as they will usually give you a free
Radar key if you complete a brief form. Via the environmental health team. **
Shoe fittings / foot measuring
If this is an issue for your child, then this might help. Shuzu in North Camp (01252 548585) are highly recommended. If you call ahead to check if they are quiet and let them know that you are bringing an ASD child along and tell them if there is anything you need them to do or NOT do! Clarks in Farnborough are also recommended by parents, the staff are understanding, but only downside is that the front of the store is open without a door to prevent runaways.
Sleep issues
If sleep, or the lack of it, is an issue for your child then try looking at the sites below, which gives lots of ideas on the cause of the sleep issues and different things to try and improve the situation. Failing those there are a few medicines available to try to help (although be warned, some can have the opposite effect on children with an ASD!) Most need to be prescribed by a paediatrician rather than your GP. The most common is Melatonin, which works wonders for some and doesn’t help others!
www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=528&a=3376
www.cerebra.org.uk/parent_support/support/sleep_service
Social Stories
Social stories were devised by Carol Gray as a tool for teaching social and communication skills.
A Social Story is a short description of a particular situation, event or activity, which includes specific information about what to expect in that situation and why. They can provide an individual with some idea of how others might respond in a particular situation and therefore provide a framework for appropriate behaviour.
www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1574
SOS talismans
These are pendants or bracelets with a water resistant capsule that contains paper which you can write on emergency contact details.
020 8554 5579 www.sostalisman.co.uk
Special needs car seats
Britax Traveller Plus car seat is ideal for older children with special needs and suitable for children from 4 – 11 years(15 - 36 kgs). This seat is strap into the car and then the child is strapped in with the 5 point harness. £419 from www.mothercare.com 08453 30 40 70
Recaro Start car seat is suitable for children aged approximately 9 months to 12 years (9 - 36kg – if using from 9 mths, additional accessories will be required.) It is fully adjustable in height, width and leg length. Also has reclined position. It has a 5 point harness, but the adult lap and diagonal seat belt must then be fastened in front of child. £470 from www.incarsafetycentre.co.uk 01908 220909
Temporary tattoos
As so many children with Autism dislike wearing a wristband these maybe a suitable alternative form of identification. Temporary tattoos are easily applied and then you use a marker to write in the designated area the phone number to call in case of an emergency. The tattoo last for 7 days, or less if washed frequently. They also sell nut allergy tattoos too!
0845 125 9539 www.iceideas.co.uk
Toothbrushes
If teeth cleaning has become a battle, try different flavoured toothpastes, a variety of different toothbrushes (ones that light up, sparkle with glitter, electric ones that vibrate, musical ones or even the ones you place on your fingertip!) Perhaps a timer would help to show them how long they need to keep going for.
