Bendigo Autistic Advocacy and Support Service
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Equipment Resource
General sources of equipment, sensory resources.
Please note that the following are not associated with or formally endorsed by BAASS. The resources listed are available to access supportive resources/equipment and may not reflect our neurodiversity focus or symbology and terminology preferences.
Please note that the following are not associated with or formally endorsed by BAASS. The resources listed are available to access supportive resources/equipment and may not reflect our neurodiversity focus or symbology and terminology preferences.
Uniquely Awesome Kids Resources
A local Bendigo business- source many great products from here, from sensory swings to chewellery (oral input) to books, and other supportive resources.
The Uniquely Awesome Kids website can be found here.
Visit the facebook page here.
Fidget Kids
A local Bendigo business with great range of fidgets, sensory touch, squeeze and stress relief equipment, chewy/oral tools as well as a great range of general toys just for fun.
Visit the website here.
Visit the facebook page here.
Stimtastic
From the site:
"Stimtastic is affordable stim toys, chewable jewelry and fidgets for autistic adults and teens as well as individuals with SPD, ADHD/ADD, dyspraxia . . . everyone who stims! Run by an autistic person, Stimtastic celebrates stimming as a natural part of our lives.
Every purchase you make at Stimtastic.co supports autistic individuals: 10% of proceeds from sales at Stimtastic.co go back to the autism community in the form of charitable donations and direct giving."
The Stimtastic website can be found here.
Sensory Tools Australia
Workshops/courses and equipment.
Find the website here.
Chewigem Australia
Products for oral/chewing/sucking sensory needs.
Visit the website here.
Sensory Oasis for Kids
Sensory products, toys, games, activities and therapy aides. Visit the website here.
Weighted Blankets and products
Weighted blankets, lap/shoulder snakes and toys can be of comfort and support for anxiety, focus and providing sensory input.
It is suggested that weighted products can, through gentle pressure, trigger release of brain chemicals including:
Oxytocin which can be calming
Serotonin which can reduce stress and improve mood
Melatonin which is a hormone that promotes sleep and helps regulate sleep cycles.
The gentle pressure and potential effects described above, can contribute to calming, self regulating and sleeping.
Some more information on weighted products and pressure can be found in the article 'Deep Touch Pressure : Helping kids concentrate and being calm'. by Debbie Hopper of Life Skills 4 Kids. Read it here.
An excellent source of well researched and experience-based information, is Jamarah Creations who make weighted blankets and products. Jamarah Creations is currently inactive, but we hope to add this invaluable resource here soon.
It is important to research your source of weighted products carefully to be sure the most appropriate and safest products, weights and methods are used in making your products.
Safety
There are numerous safety precautions to consider when purchasing weighted products, and particularly blankets and anything worn.
For example, one of the safest products to use in weighted blankets is poly pellets, and any blanket must be smaller than the mattress- with no overhang. Weighted blankets are to be made at a specific weight ratio according to the user's weight and sensory needs.
Sources
Uniquely Awesome Kids
Some weighted products can be purchased here.
Compression Clothing
Compression clothing is commonly known for its use by athletes but also can be helpful for anxiety, sensory needs and can have positive impact on focus. Wearing compression clothing can provide gentle pressure and proprioceptive sensory input, sense of security and comfort which can be calming and support self regulation. It is recommended by some Occupational Therapists that any weighted or compression resources/equipment should be used intermittently- ie. not used every day, in order to maintain efficacy. Some find it helpful to use consistently.
Compression clothing does not suit everyone- some love compression and find it calming and beneficial, others cannot tolerate it.
Sources
Jettproof is a great source of compression clothing and includes a lot of information about sizing, use and safety considerations. You can find the Jettproof website here.
Weighted blankets, lap/shoulder snakes and toys can be of comfort and support for anxiety, focus and providing sensory input.
It is suggested that weighted products can, through gentle pressure, trigger release of brain chemicals including:
Oxytocin which can be calming
Serotonin which can reduce stress and improve mood
Melatonin which is a hormone that promotes sleep and helps regulate sleep cycles.
The gentle pressure and potential effects described above, can contribute to calming, self regulating and sleeping.
Some more information on weighted products and pressure can be found in the article 'Deep Touch Pressure : Helping kids concentrate and being calm'. by Debbie Hopper of Life Skills 4 Kids. Read it here.
An excellent source of well researched and experience-based information, is Jamarah Creations who make weighted blankets and products. Jamarah Creations is currently inactive, but we hope to add this invaluable resource here soon.
It is important to research your source of weighted products carefully to be sure the most appropriate and safest products, weights and methods are used in making your products.
Safety
There are numerous safety precautions to consider when purchasing weighted products, and particularly blankets and anything worn.
For example, one of the safest products to use in weighted blankets is poly pellets, and any blanket must be smaller than the mattress- with no overhang. Weighted blankets are to be made at a specific weight ratio according to the user's weight and sensory needs.
Sources
Uniquely Awesome Kids
Some weighted products can be purchased here.
Compression Clothing
Compression clothing is commonly known for its use by athletes but also can be helpful for anxiety, sensory needs and can have positive impact on focus. Wearing compression clothing can provide gentle pressure and proprioceptive sensory input, sense of security and comfort which can be calming and support self regulation. It is recommended by some Occupational Therapists that any weighted or compression resources/equipment should be used intermittently- ie. not used every day, in order to maintain efficacy. Some find it helpful to use consistently.
Compression clothing does not suit everyone- some love compression and find it calming and beneficial, others cannot tolerate it.
Sources
Jettproof is a great source of compression clothing and includes a lot of information about sizing, use and safety considerations. You can find the Jettproof website here.