Resources
Effortless Art Crayons
Effortless Art Crayons are the ideal early learning crayon no matter where your child is in their development. The crayons are custom and handmade. Their unique design facilitates and supports a child’s grip as it strengthens and matures.
Interactive Planner for Caregivers
All parents know how difficult it is to keep track of everything going on with their kids. From meals, to medications, to the daily schedule, children’s lives seem every bit as complicated as adults’ – maybe more. When a child has special needs, the complexity is raised to another level.
The interactive planner is a virtual assistant to help keep you and your kids organized. And the interactive planner is free for you to use.
MedicAlert
50% of individuals with autism will wander or elope. MedicAlert works with families and local law enforcement during a wandering emergency to ensure missing loved ones are quickly located and safely returned home. FREE AUTISM MEDICAL IDs & WANDERING SUPPORT SERVICES (for a limited time). Enrollees in MedicAlert Found will receive: 1. Free Medical ID Bracelet or Necklace; 2. Free Medical ID Shoe Tag; 3. Free 24/7 Wandering Support Services.
Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation
Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) mission is to provide education and financing opportunities for people with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians, helping them to acquire assistive technology devices and services that improve the quality of their lives.
PATF helps Pennsylvanians of: All Ages ~ All Income Levels ~ All Disabilities
Squidget
Squidget was created to provide everyone who fidgets with a safe, affordable, durable, discrete and almost noiseless alternative to their disruptive or potentially harmful fidgeting behaviors.
StimTastic
Autistic owned and operated Affordable StimTastic offers: stim toys, chewable jewelry and fidgets. 10% of sales go back to the autistic community ~ Stimming positive and proud of it!
All of the jewelry and other items at Stimtastic.co described as chewable or chewy are made of a tasteless, odorless, FDA-compliant food grade silicone.
Take 5 Respite Care Program
Take 5 Respite Care Program is designed to provide temporary relief for family caregivers, from the ongoing responsibility of caring for a child affected by disability or a chronic health need. Services are being provided for 3 hour blocks of time twice a month at the Glenwood United Methodist Church in Erie, PA. Funding provided by grants from Temple University and the Elizabeth A. Bradley Mission Fund through the WPA United Methodist Women.
Variety Children’s Charity
The children’s Charity provides children with disabilities unique programs, experiences, and equipment, so they may live life to the fullest and not be left out, left behind, or excluded.
Three Programs are available:
My Bike – Provides eligible children with disabilities with a Rifton adaptive bicycle (with Rifton accessories) that is individually customized, so they may have the freedom of a bike and the joy of riding alongside friends and family.
My Stroller – provides a Kid Kart Mighty Lite adaptive stroller to eligible kids with disabilities.
My Voice – provides a communication device (currently an iPad with a prescribed communication app) to eligible children with a communication disorder to give them a voice at all times.
Weighted Blankets
Weighted blankets have a great deal of benefits, not only for people on the autism spectrum, but for anyone with restless muscles, insomnia, ADHD, or a number of other sensory disorders. Weighted blankets can be made from a variety of materials to suit the individual, depending on the tactile sensitivity of the user or how it is being used.
Make Your Own
Make your own custom Weighted Blanket with this easy to follow pattern
Lenna & Co.
Our focus is high quality, handmade weighted blankets available in predetermined sizes and fabrics or completely customized.
Disclaimer: Autism Society Northwestern Pennsylvania provides information, but it does not constitute medical or legal information. Referrals provided are suggestions to organizations that might help, but do not constitute a recommendation. Autism Society Northwestern Pennsylvania cannot be held responsible for consequences that arise from individual dealings with a professional or organization. Autism Society Northwestern Pennsylvania provides an I&R service, but individuals must assume personal responsibility for what they do with the information provided. Inclusion of any organization does not imply endorsement, and omission does not imply disapproval.