Make your own therapy tools :)

I've been working with 2 kids with special needs these days. Autism and speech delay. I looked for tools that could help me for my therapy with them. I found this article that is very helpfull. It's from this website, by Terri Mauro. Improvise with some homemade items may give you a preview of how your child will respond, well children have different needs. I'll copy paste some for you...

For calming the mind of an autistic kid, (or any special need kid) maybe you can try this one:

Fidget Toys

When "sit still and pay attention" isn't enough to get them paying attention, that's when fidgets work best combined with things that allow a little movement such as move and sit seat wedgesYou can get sets of nifty fidget toys, of all kinds and sizes and shapes. Try, for starters:

• A balloon filled with sand and knotted securely
• A smooth stone
• A palm-size sea shell
• An old set of keys
• A combination lock

For the speech delay, maybe you can try this one:

Oral Motor Items

Strengthening the muscles in your child's mouth can increase speech production and decrease drooling. Anything that gives the mouth a strong sensory jolt can also improve sensory integration and make your child less likely to finger-suck or mouth objects. Try these around-the-house items to do a little impromptu oral-motor therapy.

• Straw: Have your child suck something thick -- pudding or yogurt are good choices -- through a regular or twisty straw.
• Whistle: Speech and occupational therapy catalogs sell a variety of fancy whistles, but your child can get some benefit from a plain whistle, a plastic flute, a kazoo, or one of those mini-trombone-type whistles where you pull the end of it and the sound goes up and down.
• Bubbles: Blowing bubbles is good exercise for your child's mouth. Make sure he or she actually blows rather than just waving the wand around.
• Cotton balls: Hold races to see who can blow a cotton ball across a table the fastest. Have your child do it with just his mouth, and then with a straw.
• Plastic necklace: Inexpensive aquarium tubing from a pet store makes a nice chewable necklace for kids who need to gnaw. Try knotting some beads in the tube for extra oomph, or putting it in the fridge for a cool bite.

You can also try this:

Weighted Items

• Weighted blanket: Take a heavy afghan and and fold it into quarters to concentrate the weight. Put it on your child at night and see if it stops rocking, rolling, and sleeplessness.
• Weighted vest: Take an old vest or shirt and fill up the pockets and hems with curtain weights. Have your child wear it during stressful times, but not constantly -- it will lose its effect with overuse. Consult with an occupational therapist trained in sensory-integration techniques to determine the appropriate amount of weight for your child.
• Pencil weight: Got a big box of loose nuts and bolts in the garage? Rummage through to find some nuts that will fit on the end of a pencil, then glue two or three of them around the barrel.
• Weighted stuffed animal: Take an old favorite stuffed animal -- but one not so favorite that your child will mind you slashing it open -- and cut open paws and tummy to insert more curtain weights, nuts and bolts, or other heavy items. Sew the critter back up securely and let him sit on your child's lap during homework.
• Body weights: Catalogs sell weights for wrists, arms, even shoes. Improvise by putting some books in a backpack or weights in a fanny pack and having your child wear them when jumpy.

Tactile Experiences, for children who have tactile defensiveness...sensitive to touch sensations:

• Rice: Fill a bin with rice and let your child plunge hands deep into it. Hide some toys and measuring cups for added fun. Dried beans are another good choice.
• Bubbles: Blowing bubbles is good, and trying to catch bubbles is good, too. Kids who don't like to touch stickly slimy substances may be less threatened when the stuff is bubbling through the air.
• Shaving Cream: Spray some on a shower or bathtub wall and let your child fingerpaint with it.
• Sand: A sandbox can be a full-body experience for a child with tactile cravings. Let your child get down and dirty with it.
• Ball pits: You can buy a big inflatable pit and the balls to fill it for big bucks, but many kids' restaurants will let your child play in theirs for as long as you want for the price of a slice or a soda. Bring a book and enjoy it while your child hits the pit and has a great therapeutic experience.

 Maybe you want to try it at home :)