Look Into My Parenting Supply Pack

I've got some good stuff in here

Much like prepping a backpack with supplies and text books for the school day ahead, I've found that I keep a certain collection of items, or tools, curated for the task of arming this autism parent with the daily necessities to successfully complete the day's journey.

My particular lifestyle can be compared to a specialized career or position that requires its own unique basic supplies, foreign to most outsiders and laypeople. That isn't the case for every item in my day bag, to be sure. But if I rummage through the collection of diapers and first aid supplies placed inside of this bag, some particular tools do stick out.

I'd like to catalog some of the more blatant ones, in case anyone is curious, and provide a case for their uses. How alike or similar are the two of us?

1. Battery-powered nasal aspirator

Instead of the rubber bulb variety that you'll find ready inside of curated kits of baby supplies, I've had to hunt down an alternative item for the purpose of clearing the inside of my child's nose. You would think that a nasal aspirator would be dedicated for use with the younger of my two children, but that isn't the case. My first-born, the eldest, attends school Mondays through Thursdays. As such, he tends to bring home cooties and germs regularly. He is commonly snotty-nosed and coughing. His type of autism has prevented him from learning the skill of blowing his nose independently, so I've had to employ the use of a battery-operated nasal aspirator to literally "suck out" the inside of his nose just so that he can breathe easily overnight and throughout the day. I literally cannot tolerate hearing him wheezing. I originally thought to buy a device called the "Snot Sucker", also intended for infants, but the tool that I found instead does the job better (and less gross) than I could have imagined. If you know of an alternative, please let me know.

2. Two locking wrist-leashes

I introduced the purchase of this two-pack of kid leashes in an earlier post detailing my Easter holiday prep:

They are beyond useful and give me such a needed sense of relief and confidence that I can't achieve without them. After having my son escape the yard and run down the street, I have now taken preventative measures so that I most likely won't have to go running through the neighborhood to snatch either of them back up into my care ever again. These particular leashes are double ended, and they can even attach to one another so that I can "hold" both children from one hand. There is also a very handy locking mechanism complete with a key on the parent's end of the leash that add up to three layers of security around each child's wrist. The cuffs are adjustable to fit the tiniest of wrists, like my daughter's.

3. Fidget/Sensory toys

Everyone loves them! For long waits at the clinic or extended time traveling in our vehicle, I make sure to keep a few sensory toys or fidget toys in supply to placate my two children. Sensory-seeking for tactile input is common among children on the autism spectrum, and both of my children certainly do live up to that generality. The brightly-colored little toys that I keep on hand either make an interesting sound, have a smell, or an attention-grabbing texture that serve to actually soothe my children into a state of calmness during idle times when they would otherwise become very agitated and noisy. I have some of these toys stashed away in every diaper bag, day bag, and purse that I wear.

4. Headphones

These aren't the type of headphones that you and I would use for work. They are actually a big set of collapsible headphones that do not attach to any external device. The purpose of these headphones is strictly to shut out any overwhelming outside noise. In this life, there are environments that are not very friendly to all autistic children. If one of my kiddos is reacting negatively to excess loud noise anywhere, I can just plop these headphones over their ears and resume my activities. It took a little work initially to get my older child to tolerate wearing anything over his head (including regular hats), but once he became familiar with the feel of the headphones over his ears, he appreciated how they dulled out the harsh sounds and noises from all around him. It keeps him calm and stops any negative reactions to being in a busy, noisy environment.

As I reflect on the items in my daily toolkit as an autism parent, I'm reminded of the resilience and adaptability required to navigate the challenges of raising children on the spectrum.

5. Prescription medicines

A different type of life has its own different type of health concerns. I used to feel very defeated when confronted with one of my children's severe food aversion and (lack of) sleep schedule. They would only snack and graze on particular foods throughout the day and were essentially a case of failing to thrive. They were relatively very underweight. Also, they were cranky all of the time, not just from being unable to communicate, but from not sleeping well the night before--consistently. This made for such a miserable time for both my child and myself. But with the introduction of a couple of medicines, me and my husband have witnessed their sleep being regulated and their appetite increasing. In fact, they've visibly gained weight! It shows in their cheeks. We are all still working with their pediatrician to "perfect" their medication routine, but I now have all faith in the possibilities that are available to us now with the introduction of medicines.

As I reflect on the items in my daily toolkit as an autism parent, I'm reminded of the resilience and adaptability required to navigate the challenges of raising children on the spectrum. Each tool serves a purpose, offering practical solutions to common hurdles and empowering me to provide the best care for my children.

From the battery-powered nasal aspirator to the prescription medicines that have transformed their health, these tools symbolize the dedication and love that I pour into parenting every day. While the journey may have its ups and downs, I'm grateful for the resources and support that enable me to meet my children's needs with compassion and strength.

As I continue to learn and grow alongside my children, I take comfort in knowing that I am equipped with the tools and knowledge to face whatever challenges may come our way. And with each passing day, I am reminded that love, patience, and understanding are the most powerful tools of all.