It's for my child
For the small ones, and the grown-ups getting them out of the door on time.
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Guides for this shelf
- Books for parents of ADHD and autistic children: what to read, and what to knowThe best books for parents of ADHD and autistic children start with Eliza Fricker's Can't Not Won't, an illustrated account of a family living through school avoidance, and Ross Greene's The Explosive Child, which swaps rewards and punishments for solving problems with your child.
- Ear defenders for kids: school halls, fireworks and partiesThe best ear defenders for kids aged 5 to 16 are the Alpine Muffy Kids: about £19.99, around 100g, and rated by Alpine to cut sound by up to 25dB.
- Screen-free audio players for kids: Yoto Player vs Toniebox 2Choose the Toniebox 2 for a toddler: tonies say it is certified safe from age 1, and a story starts when a figure goes on top.
- Visual schedules for kids: magnetic routine charts, timers and appsThe best visual schedule for most children is a magnetic picture board they can move themselves, such as the LIKARTO visual timetable, a 42 by 32cm board with 126 picture magnets for under £25.
On the shelf: 34 finds
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Tiimo
By Tiimo, sold by App Store
A visual day planner with colours, icons and timers, made for neurodivergent brains. Shows today as blocks you can see.
from £6.49See it at App StoreAffiliate link -
Infinity Sensory Chew Pendant
By Chewigem
A chewable silicone pendant that passes for jewellery. Gives your jaw something to do instead of your sleeves or pens.
£17.95See it at ChewigemAffiliate link -
Wellbeing Kids Weighted Blanket 3kg
By Silentnight
A lighter 3kg weighted blanket sized for a child's bed, and the whole thing goes in the washing machine.
Affiliate link -
Bedtime Routines Visual Timer
By Fledglings, sold by Fledglings
A moon night light that counts down each bedtime step with light, not beeps. Stickers show what comes next.
£35.99See it at FledglingsAffiliate link -
SmartKnitKIDS Absolutely Seamless Socks (3-pack)
By SmartKnitKIDS, sold by Sensory Smart
No seams at all, so there's no toe line to rub or twist. For kids who fight socks every morning.
from £26.95See it at Sensory SmartAffiliate link -
2 Pack Unisex Easy Dressing School Polo Shirts (3-18 Yrs)
By M&S, sold by Marks & Spencer
Looks like any school polo, but hidden rip-tape replaces the buttons so kids can get dressed on their own.
from £4.50See it at Marks & SpencerAffiliate link -
SAM Sensory Organic Cotton Vest
By SAM Sensory, sold by Fledglings
Label-free organic cotton vest with no seams, made for sensitive kids and thin enough under school uniform.
£20.99See it at FledglingsAffiliate link -
Yoto Player (3rd Generation)
By Yoto, sold by Yoto
Kids slot in a card to play stories and music. No screen, no microphone, no camera, no ads.
£89.99See it at YotoAffiliate link -
Muffy Kids Ear Defenders
By Alpine, sold by Hearing Aid Accessories
Child-sized ear defenders that cut noise by up to 25dB, with a band that adjusts as they grow.
Affiliate link -
Can't Not Won't
By Eliza Fricker (Jessica Kingsley Publishers), sold by Jessica Kingsley Publishers
An illustrated, darkly funny story of a family living through school avoidance, with practical guidance for parents.
Affiliate link -
2 Pack Boys' Easy Dressing School Trousers (3-18 Yrs)
By M&S, sold by Marks & Spencer
An elasticated pull-on waist and mock fly make getting dressed quicker, and the hems let down 3cm as they grow.
from £11See it at Marks & SpencerAffiliate link -
3 Pack Adaptive Pure Cotton T-Shirts (2-16 Yrs)
By M&S, sold by Marks & Spencer
Soft pure cotton tees with riptape fastenings at the shoulder, so they go on and off over the head without a struggle.
from £12See it at Marks & SpencerAffiliate link -
Billy Adaptive High Top, Canvas (Kids)
By Billy Footwear, sold by Amazon
A zip runs round the side and toe, so the top folds right open and feet go straight in, then zips shut.
See priceat AmazonSee it at AmazonAffiliate link -
Original Leakproof Bento Lunch Box, 6 Compartments
By Yumbox, sold by Amazon
Six sealed sections so nothing touches and nothing leaks into anything else. Useful if food mixing on the plate is a dealbreaker.
See priceat AmazonSee it at AmazonAffiliate link -
Xtraordinary People
By Kate Griggs (DK Children), sold by Bookshop.org
A short book for ages 5 to 7 by Kate Griggs, founder of Made By Dyslexia, showing dyslexic thinking as a strength.
Affiliate link -
Toniebox 2 Starter Set
By tonies, sold by Amazon
Kids pop a figure on the soft cube and a story starts. No screen, and simple enough for small hands.
See priceat AmazonSee it at AmazonAffiliate link -
Magnetic Responsibility Chart
By Melissa & Doug, sold by Amazon
89 magnets for chores and routines, moved on the dry-wipe board as each is done. A reward chart kids can run themselves.
See priceat AmazonSee it at AmazonAffiliate link -
Snug Kids Ear Defenders
By Snug, sold by Amazon
Padded, adjustable ear defenders for school halls, fireworks and parties, cheap enough that losing a pair isn't a disaster.
See priceat AmazonSee it at AmazonAffiliate link -
Kinetic Sand 0.9kg
By Kinetic Sand (Spin Master), sold by Amazon
Sand that sticks to itself, so it squishes and moulds without going everywhere. Good for busy hands at the table.
See priceat AmazonSee it at AmazonAffiliate link -
The Explosive Child (Sixth Edition)
By Ross W. Greene (HarperPaperbacks), sold by Bookshop.org
Ross Greene's approach for kids who melt down fast: work out which skill is lagging and solve problems together instead of punishing.
£12.99See it at Bookshop.orgAffiliate link -
Dyslexia is My Superpower (Most of the Time)
By Margaret Rooke (Jessica Kingsley Publishers), sold by Bookshop.org
More than 100 dyslexic children and young adults share the tips and tactics that got them through school and beyond.
£15.99See it at Bookshop.orgAffiliate link -
Mission Dyslexia: Find Your Superpower and Be Your Brilliant Self
By Julie McNeill, illustrated by Rossie Stone (Jessica Kingsley Publishers), sold by Bookshop.org
Three characters, Creatia, Persisto and Willforce, help children spot the strengths dyslexia brings, with illustrations by Rossie Stone.
£16.99See it at Bookshop.orgAffiliate link -
All Dogs Have ADHD
By Kathy Hoopmann (Jessica Kingsley Publishers), sold by Bookshop.org
Photos of dogs acting out ADHD traits, from bouncing around to losing focus, in a warm picture book to read with kids.
£12.99See it at Bookshop.orgAffiliate link -
All Cats Are on the Autism Spectrum
By Kathy Hoopmann (Jessica Kingsley Publishers), sold by Bookshop.org
Photos of cats acting out autistic traits, from sensory likes and dislikes to their strengths, in an 80-page hardback to share.
£12.99See it at Bookshop.orgAffiliate link -
The Family Experience of PDA
By Eliza Fricker (Jessica Kingsley Publishers), sold by Bookshop.org
Eliza Fricker's illustrated, often funny guide to family life with a child who has a PDA profile. 144 pages.
£14.99See it at Bookshop.orgAffiliate link -
The Essential EHCP Guide for Parents and Carers
By Dr Abigail Fisher and Eliza Fricker (Jessica Kingsley Publishers), sold by Bookshop.org
Walks parents through an Education, Health and Care Plan from application onwards, with templates and other parents' experiences.
£18.99See it at Bookshop.orgAffiliate link -
A Different Way to Learn
By Naomi Fisher (Jessica Kingsley Publishers), sold by Bookshop.org
Clinical psychologist Naomi Fisher on self-directed education for neurodivergent children, with interviews with families.
£16.99See it at Bookshop.orgAffiliate link -
Choiceworks
By Bee Visual, sold by App Store
Build picture schedules and waiting boards with your own photos and recorded voice. One purchase, no subscription, no ads.
£39.99See it at App StoreAffiliate link -
Yoto Mini (2024 Edition)
By Yoto, sold by Yoto
A smaller Yoto that plays the same cards, with an ok-to-wake clock and up to 14 hours per charge. No night light.
£64.99See it at YotoAffiliate link -
Pluggies Kids Earplugs
By Alpine, sold by Alpine Hearing Protection
Small soft earplugs for ages 3 to 12, rated by Alpine at 26dB, for parties, swimming and flights. Reusable.
Affiliate link -
LIKARTO Visual Timetable Daily Routine Chart (147 magnets)
By LIKARTO, sold by Amazon
A 42 x 32cm magnetic board with 126 picture magnets and 18 blanks, so the day can be laid out and rearranged.
See priceat AmazonSee it at AmazonAffiliate link -
Manta KIDS Sleep Mask
By Manta Sleep, sold by Manta Sleep
A child-sized version of Manta's cup mask for ages 6 and up. Adjustable, fully dark, and nothing presses on the eyelids.
Affiliate link -
3 Pack of Ultimate Comfort Socks (Kids)
By M&S, sold by Marks & Spencer
Soft modal and cotton ankle socks with a seamless toe and cushioned sole, three pairs from about £5. Ages 2 to 16.
from £5See it at Marks & SpencerAffiliate link -
Skechers Slip-ins: Bounder Pro (Boys')
By Skechers, sold by Skechers
Children's trainers with a firm heel that stays upright, so feet slide straight in. Stretch laces never need tying. Machine washable.
Affiliate link
