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You are here: Home / Handwriting Help / Money Saving Therapy Swaps

Money Saving Therapy Swaps

September 13, 2016 by Amy Smith

There are several sensory tools or “tricks of the trade” that therapists often use to help kids succeed in the classroom and at home, including things like increasing attention span and improving handwriting. These sensory tools can work wonders for your child, but unfortunately, there are also pretty expensive. If you shop at Target, you could use sites like Raise to find suitable discount codes that can be applied to certain purchases. This will make buying sensory toys more affordable. Save money when purchasing pediatric therapy equipment with these tips from an occupational therapist!

Throughout my years of experience as an occupational therapist, I have had plenty of practice in making thrifty exchanges for expensive therapy equipment. So, I have complied a list of some of my favorite equipment swaps that can still help your child on a very tight budget!

Swap#1- Duvet Cover filled with Pillows and Blankets instead of a Crash Pad for sensory regulation (Save $155)

When kids run and jump into crash mats, they get great proprioceptive input which aids in calming and sensory regulation. But manufactured crashmats filled with foam blocks are super expensive. So, make your own by filling a duvet cover full of blankets, pillows, and couch cushions to use as padding for crashing into. (Note- keep the crash mat away from walls, windows, and furniture. Children must always be supervised when running and jumping into it).

Duvet filled with pillows and blankets= $20
Duvet filled with pillows and blankets= $20
Crash Pad = $175
Crash Pad = $175

Swap #2- 3-Ring Binder instead of a Slantboard for better handwriting (Save $ 32)

Slantboards are great for getting your child’s wrist and fingers in a better position for writing, not to mention it helps bring the paper closer to their eyes which helps decrease visual distractions. A slantboard is just an elevated writing surface on an angle, so just turn a large binder on it’s side and tape the paper down for the same effect. (Note, the 3 inch binders work better than the smaller ones.) See Easy Slantboards for pictures on how to make them. Because we are all on a budget, it doesn’t hurt to check out a variety of sellers to keep the costs down. If you’re feeling particularly thrifty, you might be able to find some ring binders being sold second hand at LeoList to use as slantboards.

slantboard-fi
Binder Slantboard= $3
Manufactured Slantboard= $35
Manufactured Slantboard= $35

Swap #3- Partially Deflated Beach Ball instead of a Wiggle Seat to improve attention span (Save $ 28)

A wiggle seat is a cushion that your child sits on which allows them to “wiggle” or fidget in their seat in a controlled manner. Wiggle seats give children who are fidgety or hyperactive, a discrete outlet to move while seated in order to increase their attention, concentration, and alertness. A wiggle seat is just a rubber cushion filled with air, so a semi-deflated beach ball can work just as well (adjust air amount to your child’s likeness). This is perfect for sensory seekers or fidgety kids.

beach-ball
Beach Ball= $2
Wiggle Seat= $30
Wiggle Seat= $30

Swap #4- Broken or Short Pencils instead of Pencil Grips for better handwriting grasp (Save $8/each)

Short pencils promote the use of a tripod grasp, (3 fingers holding the pencil), which is the ideal position to hold a pencil. Shorter pencils work better than pencil grips because there is only room for 3 fingers to fit on a short pencil, thus forcing the hand to assume the tripod position. Read this post on broken crayons for more detailed reasons why. So dig out those old pencils or sharpen them down, because the smaller is definitely better in this situation.

Short Pencils= 10 cents
Short Pencils= pennies
Pencil Grips = $2
Pencil Grips = $8

Swap #5- Deflated Bike Tire Inner-Tube instead of Thera-band to improve attention span (Save $ 10)

A bike tire inner-tube in the inflatable part of the tire just underneath the traction. When deflated it is stretchy yet durable just like Thera-band. If you tie the inner-tube around the legs of a chair or desk, then your child can kick or push their feet against the tube, allowing them to move while still remaining focused in their seat. This is perfect for fidgety kids or sensory seekers. Many local bike repair shop owners throw those inner-tubes away, so go and ask for one and chance are, you will get one for FREE!

bike-innertube
BIke inner-tube= FREE from most bike repair shops

Thera-band = $10/pack
Thera-band = $10/pack

Don’t let a budget slow down your child’s academic and sensory success… Try out these money saving therapy swaps today!


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Filed Under: Handwriting Help, Sensory Regulation, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: academic activities, Saving money, sensory regulation activities

Disclaimer

Kids Play Smarter is a blog about general ideas, theories, and concepts related to the field of occupational therapy and the growth and development of all children. The information presented on this blog is not intended to serve as or replace occupational therapy services for your child. The information on this blog is for entertainment, informational, and educational purposes only. This blog is not meant to replace formal professional consultation or evaluation from a qualified clinician. All children need to have the approval of a physician to participate in physical activities, including those described on this blog. In addition, children need to be supervised by a responsible adult at ALL times when completing activities that are illustrated and described on this blog. The author of this blog is NOT responsible or liable for any damage, injury, accident, illness, death, or adverse reaction due to participation in the activities described on the website.

Comments

  1. Belinda says

    June 15, 2017 at 2:44 pm

    Very helpful! Thankyou?

    • Amy SmithAmy Smith says

      June 16, 2017 at 2:46 am

      Thanks Belinda! 🙂

  2. Suzette Campbell says

    July 2, 2017 at 6:49 pm

    Very helpful.

  3. Brigitte says

    August 25, 2017 at 1:18 pm

    Those are fantastic ideas! I had not heard of using a slant board. I will have my son try it. Also, love the shorter pencil idea! My son refuses to use a tripod grip. This might force him to learn another way without us pushing him to try. Thank you!

    • Amy SmithAmy Smith says

      August 27, 2017 at 1:10 pm

      Thanks Brigitte! These ideas have worked very well for me with kids over the years! Enjoy!

  4. jamie says

    October 15, 2017 at 12:05 am

    love these ideas!
    we got woven material from a friend and made a sensory swing! we found an old swingset frame and made seal different types!

Welcome to Kids Play Smarter

Amy Smith I am an occupational therapist with over 10 years of experience working with children. I created this website to offer parents, teachers, and therapists FREE ideas, strategies, and activities that they can do with their children to improve their fine and gross motor skills, handwriting, academic learning, and regulate their sensory system all while "playing" (just playing smarter)! Read More…

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