Autism Friendly Products and Services

Aiko & Egor is an animated video series developed by See Beneath, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in San Diego County, CA. Aiko & Egor displays simplied animation and engaging underwater characters. The videos are intended to be watched together by children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their family members, but can be enjoyed by many different children and adults.

This parent-owned autism and special needs resource helps families, teachers and therapists get hard-to-find products for kids with ASD, PDD-NOS, Asperger’s, SPD, ADHD and other special needs at reasonable prices.

A large selection of toys that can help children who have sensory issues that need to be considered when selecting a toy. They have a large selection of products for a wide range of needs.

This site provides more than 1,000 products at discounted prices for every child on the spectrum from pre-school math and integration items to autism friendly toys.

Toys designed for children on the spectrum who might need help with multi-sensory experiences, maintaining focus, managing emotions, articulating speech and language, using social skills and/or motivating self-expression. These toys become tools as play builds bridges.

Fun and Function was founded by parents when they could not find kid-friendly sensory tools that would fit their family’s needs. Using expertise as an occupational therapist along with a growing team of experts, the site offers a large selection of autism friendly products.

– Autism Parenting Magazine
APM reached out to Amy Wagenfeld, PhD, OTR/L, SCEM, Research Coordinator at the Els Center of Excellence, to provide an article on what makes LEGO® bricks an applicable intervention for therapists as well as an activity for groups. In her piece, Wagenfeld explains the fundamentals, the process and the valuable social connections that can be made.

National Autism Resources Inc. is a global leader in providing cost-effective, research-based therapeutic tools that meet the needs of people on the autism spectrum The unique line of more than 1,400 products is pulled from over 100 different vendors to meet the specific therapeutic needs of the autism community and support evidence-based therapies.

Special needs toy company that focuses on products that specifically cater to a wide variety of challenges including ASD, deaf and hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired as well as cognitive, speech and physical challenges. Their award-winning toys have been bringing joy and the gift of play to thousands of children.

For 25 years, Special Needs Toys has provided a range of hand-picked special needs toys including many of their own design to customers through a full color catalog and online. They offer more than 1,500 special needs toys including swings, spins, rockers and bouncers, mirrors, switches, balls, puzzles, dolls, wonder walls, bubble columns, bright projectors, fiber optics and resonance.

Owned and operated by Peach State Pediatric Therapy, Sensory University inventory covers a full spectrum of educational items and pediatric fitness products, as well as a library of more than 100 titles dedicated to improving the lives of children with special needs.

Unique toys for autistic children including a wide variety of calming fidgets, sensory toys, chewy jewelry, autism chewies for oral sensory defensiveness, and other popular therapy tools and autism toys for autistic children.

The National Autistic Society provides some examples of toys, books and play equipment that many parents have found to be popular with young children with autism.

– Autism Parenting Magazine
For many children on the autism spectrum, reading facial expressions is a constant struggle. It can be a challenge to determine what other people are thinking and feeling, and because of this, a great number struggle to participate in typical social interactions. Read about the benefits of visual supports, such as a feelings and emotions chart, PECs, and social stories when working with your child with autism.

AMC has partnered with the Autism Society to bring unique movie showings that keep sensory issues in mind. They turn the lights up and the sound down so people can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing. Check local listings for autism friendly screenings near you.

These sensory-friendly screenings are presented in a lights up, sound down environment. Check local listings for autism friendly screenings near you.

Autism-friendly screenings at Cineworld differ from regular screenings: lighting is kept on during the screening, volume levels are reduced, there aren’t any advertisements or trailers, seating is not allocated and customers are allowed to bring in their own food. Check local listings for autism friendly screenings near you.

Regal Cinema offers sensory-friendly films where the sound is turned down and the lights are turned up. In My Way Matinee, audience members are told to feel free to cry, sing, shout or dance. Check local listings for autism friendly screenings near you.

Showcase hosts autism friendly cinema screenings that feature the following: lower lights, lower volume and trailers will not be shown at the beginning of the film. People can bring in their own food and drinks and you can move around freely, if needed. Check local listings for autism friendly screenings near you.

The Vue offers special screenings of autism friendly films where slight alterations to the traditional cinema environment have been made such as: the lights are left on low, the sound is turned down, trailers and adverts are not played and it’s OK for people to move around during the screening and make a bit of noise. Social stories for the cinema along with a synopsis for each film is available for download. Check local listings for autism friendly screenings near you.

The rustic guesthouse in the Carmiel for children with autism and their families provides treatment, supervision, and activities specially-designed and adjusted for each child’s special needs. Families are given the opportunity during weekends and holidays to relax knowing their children are in capable hands.

A special needs travel agent will help you with planning your trip to an autism friendly-resort or an autism friendly-cruise and will customize your vacation around sensory issues, special interests, special dietary needs and the dynamics of your family.

This national organization develops cruise vacation services to accommodate adults and families living with children with autism and other special needs. The staff assists people with typical cruise services as well as specialized respite and private activities/sessions that allow guests the use of the ship’s entertainment venues in an accommodated and assisted manner. Available on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Disney and Carnival Cruise Lines.

Excellent advice on autism friendly vacation spots and creative travel tips. You can subscribe to their e-mails to get a free Ebook of printables, lists, and travel tips when traveling.

Celebrity Cruises has received Silver Level Autism Friendly certification from the Autism on the Seas, a travel organization that caters to travelers with autism and other developmental disabilities. They offer a number of autism friendly services and amenities and conform to seven categories to include cruise staff training, youth programming, pre-vacation planning and services, dining, disability accommodations, guests satisfaction and support for Cruises with Autism on the Seas staff.