Friday, March 28, 2014

11 items to help your kid with social anxiety disorder






My twins were born 32 week preemies and they both have some social anxieties, however one of my twins has severe social anxiety disorder.  

It grew worse as he got older, no matter how much he was "socialized" with other kids around his age.  We attended tons and tons of playdates between 1 year and 4 years old.

I even was the organizer of a local playgroup. However from ages 1-4 there was a low amount of friend interaction despite any efforts made. They ended up choosing certain kids that they felt were acceptable to play with but the list started to get smaller and smaller. Then the list was down to two kids.  Little things would both them like a kid would have a meltdown or crying fit, or hit, or be bossy, or be too rough. 

Then about 6 months ago, the list became zero. A series of two of my friends 4 year olds having very loud crying fit meltdowns caused them to want to back off from kids for a while.  One of my twins decided he was ok with playing with a select couple of kids he chose, but the other twin wants absolutely nothing to do with any child to this day.  I used to be able to take them to local family social events, library story times, parks, playgrounds, Gymboree classes, kid friendly places, etc.  Now the twin with social anxiety disorder refuses to o to any of those places and on most days, neither of them want to go to any of those places when it comes down to it.  

It is really stressful, I can't invite my friends with young kids over anymore. They won't go on playdates or have a kid over to play. They won't play at the park if any other kids are on the playground or anywhere near the playground. They want nothing to do with Library story time, they won't go to most places anymore. They are weird about kids at the zoo and childrens musems.  It is really frustrating. So I have spent some time talking to some experts and compiling a list of ideas to help.

Sometimes taking the "super hero approach" like I like to call it, helps. Wearing a mask, or cape, or helmet with mask can make them feel less insecure. Massagers and rain maker toys can help to relax them. Natural remedies are very helpful too. 

We use kids rescue remedy and kids confidence remedy. They are great herbal products that you can get online or at your local health food store. 


Here are some items that help with social anxiety. 

Find them all and other great options like them HERE










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Tuesday, March 25, 2014

200 items for Sensory Bins and Sensory Tables






Here is a big awesome mega list of items that can be combined together to make hundreds of amazing and fun sensory bins, sensory boxes, or sensory tables. So next time you are making one, check this list for inspiration!! These item ideas can be used for: Sensory Bin, box, table, water table, sand table etc.

Be sure to check this Pinterest board for 500+ sensory bin/sensory bottle/sand table/water table ideas!

Follow Kristen (Caution! Twins at Play)'s board Sensory and I-Spy Bottles, bags, and bins on Pinterest.



The List!!


  1. ice
  2. water
  3. sand
  4. kinetic sand
  5. moon sand
  6. colored craft sand
  7. floam
  8. modeling clay
  9. clay
  10. play dough
  11. snow
  12. fake snow
  13. acorns
  14. sticks
  15. branches
  16. wood chips
  17. cut pieces of tree branches
  18. pine cones
  19. sawdust
  20. fresh cut grass or fake grass
  21. sod
  22. cedar chips
  23. mulch
  24. pebbles or rocks
  25. wood scraps
  26. aquarium pebbles
  27. corn starch
  28. corn meal
  29. baking soda
  30. flour
  31. jello
  32. uncooked pasta (colored or plain)
  33. cooked pasta (colored or plain)
  34. jelly
  35. popcorn
  36. corn kernels
  37. dried beans
  38. cooked beans
  39. lentils
  40. coffee beans
  41. ice (cubes, chipped, shaved, - dyed or plain)
  42. uncooked rice (colored or plain)
  43. cooked rice (colored or plain)
  44. shredded coconut
  45. oranges (some sliced and some whole)
  46. lemons (some sliced and some whole)
  47. grapefruit (some sliced and some whole)
  48. potatoes (some sliced and some whole)
  49. carrots
  50. green beans
  51. sweet peppers
  52. dry oatmeal or steel cut oats
  53. dry cereal (cheerios, fruit loops, other dry cereals)
  54. cool whip or whipped cream 
  55. loose tea
  56. potato flakes
  57. pumpkin guts
  58. nuts in their shells (for those not allergic)
  59. gum balls
  60. hay
  61. dirt
  62. coffee grounds
  63. used coffee grounds
  64. flowers (real or fake)
  65. fish aquarium gravel
  66. leaves (real or fake)
  67. water beads
  68. water polymers
  69. water
  70. shaving cream
  71. sponges (various sizes and shapes)
  72. bird seed
  73. slime (store bought or home made)
  74. gak
  75. silly putty (store bought or home made)
  76. Easter grass
  77. ball pit balls
  78. sensory balls
  79. packing peanuts
  80. sea glass
  81. marbles
  82. glass plant gems
  83. plastic gems
  84. confetti
  85. oobleck
  86. tinsel
  87. crepe paper
  88. tissue paper
  89. wrapping paper
  90. plastic fishing worms (no hooks of course)
  91. plastic animals
  92. plastic people
  93. floating toys
  94. bath toys
  95. foam bits or foam toys
  96. buttons
  97. tri-beads, pony beads, seed beads
  98. fabric scraps
  99. play silks
  100. corks
  101. pom poms
  102. ribbon
  103. yarn
  104. string
  105. craft feathers
  106. feather boas (cut into sections or whole)
  107. mardi gras beads
  108. hawaiian lei's (cut and whole)
  109. bubble wrap
  110. cotton balls
  111. bubble wrap
  112. finger paint or tempera/activity paint
  113. bells
  114. watermelon (half and slices)
  115. poker chips
  116. fake fruit and vegetables
  117. plastic Easter eggs
  118. balloons (fill with air, water, water beads, sand, spices, rice, etc)
  119. hair gel
  120. Old cd's
  121. bingo chips
  122. yarn
  123. shredded paper
  124. cellophane paper
  125. construction paper
  126. small paper squares or tissue paper squares
  127. coins (plastic or fake)
  128. tapioca pearls
  129. Indian corn
  130. Christmas lights
  131. led tea lights
  132. led finger lights
  133. bubble solution and wands
  134. batting
  135. poly-fil
  136. magazines (whole, pages.  or pieces cut) 
  137. hard boiled eggs
  138. dish soap
  139. body wash
  140. hand soap
  141. bath beads
  142. soap bars
  143. frozen veggies
  144. olive oil
  145. puzzle pieces
  146. fidgets
  147. plastic or wooden cooking utensils
  148. funnels
  149. canning funnels
  150. sifters
  151. strainers
  152. measuring cups and spoons
  153. foam letters and numbers
  154. plastic letters and numbers
  155. old costume/cheap jewelry
  156. moss
  157. garden tools
  158. turkey baster
  159. pipettes
  160. spools of thread (empty or with thread still on them)
  161. ice cube trays
  162. muffin tins
  163. tongs
  164. squeegee
  165. aluminum pie pans
  166. squeeze bottles
  167. cupcake liners (paper, aluminum, or silicone)
  168. Popsicle sticks
  169. chop sticks
  170. small containers with lids
  171. recycled food or juice containers
  172. magnifying glass
  173. spray bottles
  174. safety scissors
  175. cookie cutters
  176. plastic bowls and cups
  177. nets / netting
  178. potato masher
  179. whisk
  180. bucket and pail
  181. clothespins
  182. small plastic containers with lids
  183. dolls and doll clothing
  184. scraps cut from old clothes
  185. small stuffed animals
  186. small unbreakable mirrors
  187. empty spice jars/containers
  188. gel window clings
  189. potatoes (cut in half, slices, and whole)
  190. marshmallows 
  191. dried herbs
  192. play dishes
  193. play money
  194. baby cereal (dry or with water)
  195. tea bags and a child's tea set or plastic cups
  196. paperclips
  197. glow sticks
  198. flower or vegetable seeds
  199. small potted herbs, flowers, or veggies and some plain soil
  200. blocks (lego, wood blocks, plastic blocks, mega blocks, foam blocks, magnetic building toys, etc..)

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Black light water beads




water beads in the black light




Here is a recent black light play time!  I used discount school supply florescent activity paint and FloraCraft clear water beads to make black light water beads. To grow the black light water beads start by putting a few spoonfuls of dry water beads into some bowls or containers that they can grow in overnight. Then add warm or hot water and some of the fluorescent activity paint then let them grow overnight! Warm or hot water helps them to grow faster and better! Be sure and give them a little stir so the paint mixes up well in the water!  If you feel they need to be brighter, add some more paint.

Usually one or both of my twins help out to grow them. They enjoy growing water beads!!

This is an activity we have done many times over the past few years and love it each and every time!! 

The bowls that I made the water beads in looked really cool in the black light with the leftover paint still inside! They decided to incorporate their Scooby Doo figurines into the fun! The magnifying glass was really fun with this set up!! 

I just put all of the water beads into a big Sterlite clear container and turned on the black lights!!  They also used interlox, plastic bracelets, crystal climbers, cocktail stirrers, and shooter tubes. A smurf or two made an appearance as well.  haha


fluorescent tempera paint

water beads and black light
























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29 items to get the fidgets out!






I have a 15 year old with ASD/ADHD/SLD, who goes to an Autism school and is doing very well and catching up on school after a long drawn out battle with trying to make it in public school. I also have a 14 year old and a kindergartner with Aspergers, and a kindergartener with ADHD and other learning issues due to brain bleeds at birth and a grand mal seizure.  I have three teens and twin kindergarteners! I homeschool my kindergarteners and it has been going really well so far!

With much research, trying many things, talking to teachers and therapists at Autism schools and therapy facilities, I have found the best products to help your fidgety child concentrate!! 

I recommend starting with the headphones and yoga ball if you are on a budget!!

 I added all of the items, which are not all pictured here, to my amazon store.

Check out each product HERE!!

a must have!!

excellent product I just found!

a big must for getting the wiggles out!


best adjustable height table ever!!!

love these chairs


 vibrating weighted turtle!

 A MUST MUST MUST have!

these are amazing!!

totally worth the money!


great option for Autism, adjusts!

well loved item!!

MEGA MUST HAVE! (strengthens hands and fingers)

for under table or out in open space

great item!

great for on a chair!



 See these items and all of the rest of the products on the list  HERE



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