Community Tools
Joon App
Nehemiah's mother has personally used the Joon App. Although it did not work for Nehemiah, she wanted to share its benefits for others on the spectrum!
Joon is a video game that makes daily routines and tasks fun for kids (ages 6-12). The app helps motivate your child and stay on top of their daily tasks.
You can set daily chores (quests) for your children to complete and allow them to earn coins that reward them for completed tasks!
Rewards can customized for your family: screentime, a sweet treat at the store or a new toy of your choice. Children can see their coins add up and allow them to spend their coins on multiple reward options!
App available on iOS, Android, Amaon Fire Tablets and Chromebooks. The standard use if free (in-app purchasing available)
To learn more click the link below:
Chore Chart
When LeQui grew weary of remembering which one of her children had the daily chore of trash on a Monday or dishes on a Friday, she decided to create a "permanent" solution. Using a dry erase board, she split her children's chores up by day and task....but she wrote in permanent marker. (apparently, certain chores/names were erased off the board, which caused arguments between her children).
She has been using this method for a year and it has worked wonderfully! Her children come home after school, look at the chore chart and know exactly what is expected of them. As a reward, they received allowance for all chores completed weekly without being instructed!
The Quiet Game
Driving distracted can be very dangerous. It can also cause a lot of anxiety when you have screaming children in the car. This was a constant challenge for LeQui when her children were between the ages of 1 and 6.
Focusing on the road, looking for her exit, and reviewing the navigation system all while trying to answer her childrens' questions or telling someone to stop throwing their food on the floor, she knew she had to do something.
One day she told her kids, "Hey! Let's play a fun game!" The game was called The Quiet Game". I told my children I wanted to see who could be the quietest......who could be as quiet as a mouse and not make a peep until we reached our destination. Each child received 3 strikes (like in baseball). If they were caught talking, they would receive a strike. I'm not sure what would happen if I actually got to the third strike, because my children never made it that far.
Usually after one strike, they stayed quiet because they wanted to win the game! Once we arrived to our destination, the children that won the game received something special fro me (piece of candy, screen time, etc).
5+ years later my children are calm in the car and they even ask to play the game when it gets too noisy!
Try it out. Hope it helps!
Routine, Routine, Routine!
Individuals on the spectrum thrive best with structure and routine (well all kids do). It is especially imperative for Autisitic individuals because it lets them know what is going to happen and give them the opportunity to not feel rushed. Nehemiah told his mother that getting him to sleep at the same time every night has helped him during the day at school.
LeQui used Nehemiah's phone as a task reminder. She added nightly alarms (brush your teeth, change your braces rubber bands, and go to bed) that helped keep Nehemiah on task. She also added reminders to take medication, put on deodorant, take a shower, and get dressed.
It is challenging as a caregiver to remember everything that needs to be done, so giving your child this responsibilty, will take some stress off of the caregiver and provide independence for the Autistic indiviudal as well.
Box Breathing (For meltdowns)
Box Breathing (For meltdowns)
One of the core sysmptoms of Autism is the inability to regulate emotions. When emotions show up they can be intense, boistrious and uncontrollable. Box breathing is a deep breathing technique that can help you slow down your breathing. It works by distracting your mind as you count to four, calming your nervous system, and decreasing stress in your body.
Box breathing is a simple but powerful relaxation technique that can help return your breathing pattern to a relaxed rhythm. It can clear and calm your mind, improving your focus.
Nehemiah's Place™ has created a sticker that can be placed on your child's folder, book or binder at school, to remind them to box breath in the event of a meltdown.
Pressure Therapies
Box Breathing (For meltdowns)
Since Nehemiah was 8 years old, he has found comfort in some rare but apparently useful objects around the house.
One day I noticed that he has a bandage wrapped around his leg. My immediate thought was that he was injured. When I inquired about his possible injury, he told me that he didn't hurt it, he just like it wrapped around his leg because it felt good.
Upon doing some research, I found things this object, and like many others, provide pressure that helps to regulate the nervous systems, reduce anxiety, and improve body awareness. The pressure can also act as a form of stimming or self-soothing, calming an overwhelmed child and creating a sense of comfort and security. Although Nehemiah was always monitored when using the bandage due to it potential dangers, I DO NOT RECCOMEND using a bandage. Below are some safe, alternative options:
Weighted blankets: Simulate a gentle hug, providing deep pressure that can relax the nervous system and reduce anxiety, helping individuals focus and calm down.
Weighted lap pads: Offer targeted deep pressure to the lap and legs, providing a grounding sensation.
Compression Vest: Worn under clothing, these provide constant, gentle pressure to the body, offering a similar calming effect without constant touch.