It’s that time again! As the summer draw to a close, parents of kids everywhere are gearing up for Back to School. One of the most important things about Back to School is the shopping! Regardless of age, your kiddos are going to need new clothes, backpacks, lunch boxes, and school supplies. If your kids are anything like mine, you are also thinking about sensory supplies for them as well.
My oldest daughter is on the autism spectrum and my youngest daughter has ADHD and dyslexia. Both of them also have some pretty major sensory needs. Each school year I evaluate what will help them focus and regulate in the classroom at school and also at home when they are doing homework.
Since my oldest is now a teenager, I have been at this for quite a while. I have tried a lot of different things, some that have helped my kids a lot and others not so much. I have put together a list of my top ten suggestions from Amazon for you in the hopes that this can make your Back to School shopping a little bit easier!
Calm Strips
These things are amazing and my entire family uses them! You can put them on your laptop keyboard, phone case, or even a keychain. Calm Strips come in several different textures and designs, so there are tons of options to choose from. Having something textured to touch when needed helps with sensory regulation and encourages focusing and increased concentration.
Chewelry
Some kids just need to chew! I have learned from my kids with autism and ADHD, that having something safe to chew can really help with sensory regulation. Both of my kids have benefited greatly from the chewelry (chewable jewelry) selection at Ark Therapeutics. They offer 50+ shapes and 3 density levels. Chewing helps with regulation, calming, and focus. Ark Therapeutics is a US based business and their focus is product safety! I trust these products and have been buying from this company for many years.
Side note: My cat struggles with anxiety and is also a chewer, so we buy chews from Ark Therapeutics as well! She loves them and uses them frequently.
Ear Protection
Autism presents many challenges for kids. Ear sensitivity is a big one! Regular noises can be amplified and even the smallest noise can sometimes be painful. My oldest daughter has had problems with noises affecting her ears since she was very young. Unfortunately, her ear sensitivity has gotten much worse in the last year or two. High school is a crowded, noisy place with a lot of uncontrollable noise. Before school started this year, I had her try a couple of different 
options to see which worked best. She thought these Vanderfields ear defenders offer the most ear protection and noise reduction, but feels a little self-conscious about wearing them (because high school!). The Loop Quiet Ear Plugs were a close second because they still offer a good deal of protection while being discreet and nearly invisible. She carries both with her each day to school so that she can choose which works best for her.
Vanderfields Ear Defenders: https://amzn.to/4g2MoiW
Loop Quiet Ear Plugs: https://amzn.to/3WUL0pE
Stress Ball
While there are dozens of options available for stress balls, these Isoflex stress balls are the ones preferred by my kids and I have ordered several. These last a really long time and have a different feel than the rest. They are good for throwing up and down or even just to hold during a test. They come in cool colors and fun designs. I highly recommend giving them a try!
Compression Vest
For kids who deal with major anxiety issues, a compression vest can be a great calming tool! I purchased this for my teenager during her first year of high school, when advanced classes were stressing her out to the max, and this helped reduce her anxiety quite a bit.
Weighted Blanket
A cozy weighted blanket is a must for anyone who struggles with anxiety. It can be helpful for kids, teens, and adults. I bought this ALANSMA Reversible Weighted Blanket for my oldest daughter last year and now she won’t sleep without it. It comes in different sizes, weights, and colors, so you should be able to find one that will suit your child.
Kinetic Sand
This is so much fun for younger kids! Kinetic Sand comes in different colors and is squishy and moldable. I like to order several bags at a time so that there is a lot to play with. I store it all in a large shallow storage bin with a lid, to keep it contained and protected. My youngest daughter will play with this for hours.
Fidgets
Fidgets deserve a category of their own because there are just so many out there! Fidgets are a go to for my kids, because they help greatly with stress, anxiety, focus, and regulation. They are also great for keeping hands busy. I have tried so many different types of fidgets over the years. Some have been a huge success while others were barely touched by my kids and never thought of again. Here are some of my personal favorites!
Fidget Recommendation #1: Shashibo Cube
It seriously takes a lot to impress my teenage daughter, but this Shashibo Cube has been a favorite for years! It’s a little pricey, but totally worth it for older kids and even adults with sensory issues. Shashibo offers several cool designs to choose from.
Fidget Recommendation #2: Therapy Putty
I purchased FlintRehab Therapy Putty to give my youngest daughter something to do with her hands during TV time at night. She loved it and used it nightly! Her favorite was the extra soft (yellow) putty, but she enjoyed trying out all of the different densities. I recommend washing hands before using the therapy putty and always putting it back in the container with lid on to make it last as long as possible.
Fidget Recommendation #3: MAGMEN
This was a random, last-minute purchase for my youngest daughter, before we took a long road trip. Surprisingly, she loved these MAGMEN toys and played with them for hours. Her older sister thought they were fun too, and kept borrowing them to play with herself.
Fidget Recommendation #4: BUNMO Infinity Cube
This BUNMO Infinity Cube is a recent order for my 9 year old, it’s been a big hit so far! Purchased to help her focus in school, she’s carried them with her everywhere since she got them. They are appropriate for kids and adults and very easy to use. Great for keeping hands busy!
Disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate and these are paid links.
