Favorite Products Recommended by The DIY Therapist
Below you will find some of my favorite occupational therapy products from sensory support tools to adaptive daily living aids.
This content is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, therapist, or other medical professional regarding a medical condition or treatment. This content is for informational purposes only.
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Favorite Sensory Support Tools
At The Beach Weighted Sand Kit: Tactile Sensory Play
Why I love it!
Because it’s too fun. I personally love weighted sand. It feels good to my hands, its moldable, and its easy to clean up. Especially as a mom of three, I love that the sand doesn’t get everywhere, nor does it stick to clothing or furniture. Plus! Kids can mold the sand with their hands, find small hidden objects (try with your eyes closed), and even pack cups and other molds (cookie cutters and play dough molds) with it. It’s a great sensory play activity, encourages creativity and pretend play, increases potential opportunities social interactions, and fine motor skill development. Add to your go-to sensory activities at home or school as a part of a sensory station or sensory room. Fun and Function also offers scented sand, dino sand, and sparkle sand. Click the button below for further details.
Choking hazard: Weighted sand is not intended for children under the age of three years or for anyone who chews on non-food items.
Space Explorers Sensory Body Sock – Adult + Child Sizes
Why It’s My Favorite
Sensory body socks are an amazing sensory support tool. And they’re so much fun! They’re stretchy, provide lots of proprioceptive, tactile, and vestibular sensory input. Plus they’re a lot of fun for kids and adults too! The stretchy fabric of the sensory body sock provides the user with calming deep pressure to help regulate and organize the sensory system. This type of sensory aid is ideal in situations when feeling overwhelmed or when needing a quiet moment. Climb into the space explorers sensory body sock, stretch out for a heavy work workout, and begin to feel more calming affects. An essential sensory tool for those sensory seekers who crave deep pressure and movement, helping to self regulate.
* Both child and adults sizes are available.
Stretch Me Chair Fidgets, Set of 2
Why these are so great!
- Focuses attention
- Calming effect
- Improved classroom and peer engagement
- Decrease anxiety
- Increase engagement in learning activities
- Able to sit still for longer periods of time
- Simple and accessible sensory tool for the classroom or home use
Jumbo Weighted Lap Pad
Why I Love It!
Weighted lap pads are a must in my book for those with sensory differences. The weight of this lap pad helps to organize the sensory system, helping children to relax, alleviate anxiety, and improve focus for school-based tasks.
Benefits of using a weighted lap pad include:
- Travels easily in a car rides or on the airplane
- Use during meal times
- While watching TV
- While doing homework
- Use while waiting for appointments or during appointments such as the dentist or while getting a hair cut
- Take it to school, as approved by the teacher
- While out and about in the community
Weighted lap pads should be between 5-10% of a persons body weight so make sure to select the one that is right for you. The jumbo weighted lap pad weighs 6 pounds. Fun and Function offers a variety of weighted lap pads along with wipe clean versions, as well as weighted blankets! Check out the different listing using the link below.
* Always use weighted items with the guidance of your therapist. Never use a weighted lap pad while sleeping.
* Here is the DIY tutorial for a quick and simple weighted lap pad– less sewing is required than the traditional version.
Weighted Teddy Bear With Optional Fine Motor Dressing Vest
Why It’s A Fave!
- Improved focus and attention
- Decrease anxiety
- Improved activity and peer engagement
- Helps regulate the sensory system
- Emotional regulation
- Helps improve behavior
- Improve dressing and fine motor skills with the optional fine motor dressing vest
This weighted teddy bear weighs 3 pounds and comes with an optional dressing vest which I personally love.
* Looking for the DIY tutorial? Here is the quick and simple step-by-step guide for how to make your own weighted stuffy!
Weighted Sensory Knot Ball
Why I love it!
Weighted sensory knot balls are super cool and your kids will love them, and adult too! Not only does the weighted knot ball provide users with a calming weight, but the knot ball can be used in a variety of ways to add heavy work and deep touch pressure at various times throughout the day.
There are a variety of activities and games you can use the weighted knot ball:
- Play games
- Cozy up with it in your favorite chair and read
- Stick your hands inside and use as a fidget
- Roll or toss it back and forth with a partner
- Create an obstacle course
- Roll over the back and legs for an added benefit of deep pressure as tolerated and appropriate for the user
- Build upper body strength with specific exercises
Caution: Never sleep with the weighted sensory knot ball. All individuals using the weighted knot ball should be able to independently pick up and move the ball without assistance. Make sure to follow safety guidelines when using this product, adult supervision is required, and use it with the guidance for your personal occupational therapist. Ball weights 5.5 pounds.
Crawl And Calm Resistance Sensory Tunnel
Why It’s Helpful
Its fun, calming, and helps organize the sensory system. Due to the stretchy fabric, resistance tunnels provide users with not only heavy work, deep pressure, and increased body awareness, but also provides proprioceptive, tactile, and vestibular sensory input. Encourage users to use the tunnel to:
- Stretch out pushing against the fabric
- Hold extended positions
- Crawl through
- Create a quiet space
- Slither around on the floor like a snake
- Inch along like a caterpillar
- Take turns with siblings or peers and encourage social interactions
Bear Hug Hoodie (weighted)
Why I love it!
Wrap yourself up in a cozy soft weighted hoodie to help relax after a long day at work or at the end of the school day. This weighted bear hug hoodie is made with soft minky and fleece fabrics with glass beads quilted inside the hoodie.
Weighted sensory support tools, such as the bear hug hoodie, help to regulate the sensory system, enhancing focus and concentration, alleviating anxiety and stress all while feeling an overall sense of calm. I personally love the feel and comfort of weighted support tools.
The bear hug hoodie comes into two sizes: teen/adult (5.5 to 6 pounds) and the junior size (3 pounds). Click the button below for more details.
Looking for other sensory support hoodies? Check out my tutorial on the sensory fidget hoodie– fidgets hidden inside the front kangaroo pocket.
Favorite Handwriting Aids
Pencil Weights, Set of 3
Why I love it!
The weights are made out of steel and coated with a powdered paint coating; however, if you or your learner like a more cushioned feel around the weight, follow my tutorial for how to add craft foam to your pencil weight. Comes as a set of three each with 2 O-rings to keep the weights in place.
Handi-Writers Handwriting Aids, set of 6
Handiwriters are a comfortable and effective handwriting aid to help bring the pencil back into the website space while facilitating a tripod grasp and strengthening the muscles of the hand while writing. I love handi-writers. They are a great tool to have at home, use in the clinic, and while at school.
Grotta Grip Handwriting Aid, set of 36
Why I love it!
These grips are soft and cushy, they facilitate a tripod grasp encouraging an open webspace which promotes increased fine motor control needed for writing letters, plus both right and left-handed writers are able to use these. These handy little grips discourage hypermobility while also helping to decrease hand fatigue.
Comes with as a set of 36 grips, great for classrooms, home use, and at therapy centers.
Looking for other handwriting aids? Check out my tutorial for a built up handwriting aid.
The Writing C.L.A.W. Handwriting Pencil Grips, set of 12
Why It’s Awesome!
These little hand writing grips helps to teach young writers to hold their pencil or crayon correctly encouraging the use of a tripod grasp creating an open webspace. Plus they’re too fun! These grips are great for both left and right handed users, and are often used by children between the ages of 5-11 years. Use these grips while drawing, learning to write letters, or while writing stories. The C.L.A.W. pencil grips are ideal for home, the therapy clinic, and for classroom use.
Favorite Daily Living Aids
Dressing and Grooming Aids
7 Piece Hip Kit
Why I love It!
This hip kit includes daily living aids needed for after hip or knee surgery. Order the kit ahead of your surgery so that when you are home, you will have the tools you need. These daily living aids are also used for those who have arthritis, mobility differences, limited upper body strength and range of motion, and decreased hip flexion (bend at the hip). The tools can be used in some of the following ways (explanation from top to bottom according to the featured picture):
- 2 pairs of elastic shoe laces- make any lace shoe a slip on shoe with elastic shoe laces.
- Sock aid– put on socks without bending over using a sock aid.
- Shoe horn- use a long handled shoe horn to easily slip shoes with more ease and comfort without bending over.
- Dressing stick- put on and take off clothing including shirts, jackets, and undergarments along with removing socks, pulling on shoes, and pulling up zippers. This device can also be used to remove clothing from a washer and dryer, adjust hangers, and retrieve items from the floor.
- Reacher- grasp difficult to reach items using a reacher. Retrieve items from a high shelf or off the floor with more ease without bending over.
- Long handled sponge– wash hard to reach areas without bending or twisting such as the feet and back with a long handled sponge. A second long handled sponge can be used to clean counter tops, bathtubs, and spots off the floor.
* The tutorials are highlighted above.
Dressing Stick
Why I love it!
- Put on a remove shirts and jackets
- Pull on pants and shorts
- Assist with undergarments
- Zipper pull
- Pull on shoes using the tab on the back of a shoe using the screw hook end of the dressing stick
- Adjust clothing
- Remove socks and shoe
This handy device can also be used to pull clothing out of a washer and dryer, retrieve items from the floor, and hang up items in a closet.
* Here is the step-by-step tutorial for how to make your own dressing stick.
Pocket Dresser All In One Dressing Tool
Why Its helpful!
It’s handy and convenient plus this little dressing aid amps up independence with buttons and zipper. Carry the pocket dresser in your purse, pocket, or bag. This multitool-like device has 3 different button hooks and a zipper pull. Specially designed with all button types in mind, there is a large hook for jeans and pants, a small button hook for shirts, and also a closed loop that is nice for delicate shirts. In addition to the button hooks, there is also a zipper pull that can also be used to untie shoes and pull on shoes with the back loop. The pocket dresser is nice to use for those with arthritis or hand strength limitations as it has pull loops are helpful in opening the aid you want. This handy little pocket dresser comes with a quick release strap which is helpful when maintaining your grip of the dressing device. Some practice may be needed to learn how to use the pocket dresser.
*Be cautious when packing your bags for the airport, as this tool may not pass TSA.
*Here is the step-by-step tutorial for how to make your own button hook and zipper pull.
Long Handled Skin Inspection Tool
Why Its Helpful
Skin inspection tools are an important aspect of performing daily skin checks for those who experience differences or changes in sensation, diabetic neuropathy, limited mobility, or poor circulation. This long handled mirrored helps users to see and inspect those hard to see areas without bending and twisting. Inspect daily the bottoms of your feet, backside, between the toes, inspect toenails, behind the legs, and any areas where skin folds are present using a long handled inspection mirror.
This long handled inspection mirror features a bendable handle, square double-sided break resistant mirror, and an adjustable hand loop.
*Check out the tutorial for how to make your own long handled skin inspection tool.
Bathing Aids
Long Handled Sponge
Why It’s Helpful
- Recovery from hip, knee, or back surgery
- Restricted upper body range of motion
- Limited back mobility
- During stroke rehabilitation
- Limited hip flexion (bend)
- Injury recovery
Bedroom Aids
Bed Ladder
Why It’s A Favorite
Bed ladders are a simple, and quick to attach device that can elevate independence in bed mobility. For those who have difficulties getting into and out of bed, a bed ladder helps users sit up and lay back with ease. Intact upper body strength is needed to use adaptive aid.
Bed ladders can be helpful for those who experience:
- Differences in trunk and core strength
- Limited hip mobility
- Back discomfort or pain
- Pregnancy
- Spinal cord injury
- Older adults
Stander EZ Bed Rail
Why It’s A Fave!
Safety, safety, safety. Bed rails help prevent falls while getting into and out of the bed, as well as prevent loved ones from falling out of bed. This bed rail is exceptionally helpful because it is adjustable; the bed rail lengthens from 24 to 42 inches allowing individuals choose the length that best fits their needs. The Stander EZ bed rail also flips down which can make it easier to make the bed and for times when you need to bed rail out of the way. These bed rails can also provide support during transfers. Strong and sturdy, and quick and easy to install.
The Stander EZ bed rail fits mattress sizes with 12-16 inch thickness.
Kitchen and Dining Aids
Check out this post, “Adaptive Eating Aids: Tools For Independent Eating” for more information about how to increase independence while eating using adaptive aids.
Insulated Weighted Cup With Anti-Splash Lid
Why It’s A Fave!
This weighted cup is insulated, contains added weight, and anti-splash. The weight of the cup helps to stabilize the cup which can be especially helpful for those with tremors, dyspraxia, cerebral palsy, sensory processing differences, and for those with movement disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease or Multiple Sclerosis.
This weighted cup is dishwasher safe, but is NOT microwave safe due to the steel plates inside the cup. The insulated weighted cup will help keep hot liquids hot and cold liquids cold. It holds 8 ounces.
Here is the link for the complete guide to adaptive weighted cups answering all your questions.
Gripware Plastic Scooper Plate
Why I Love It!
Scooper plates are really pretty awesome with its simple design. The Gripware scooper plate helps users to independently scoop food more easily onto a spoon or fork while preventing food from spilling onto the table.
This type of adaptive plate is beneficial for those with limited upper body mobility, dexterity, or vision impairment. The scooper plate can also be helpful for those with tremors, Parkinson’s, during stroke recovery, and arthritis enabling self-feeding.
The Gripware Scooper Plate features a non-skid rubber feet and is dishwasher safe.
Easy Hold Right Handed Angled Spork
Why It’s A Fave!
Achieve the correct angle needed for easier access to the mouth with a angled spork. Angled sporks (right handed) are often beneficial for those with differences in strength, hand control, and wrist and arm range of motion to achieve the correct angle of the spoon for independent eating.
When using long handled feeding utensils, these adaptive aids make it easier to achieve the angle you need to easily feed yourself independently. Attach your angled spoon to a long handled device (tutorial) to increase your reach with arm range of motion is limited.
* The angled spork featured is specifically for right handed users. A LEFT handed angled spork is also available for LEFT handed users as well.
Big Grip Bendable Utensils, Set of 5
Why It’s A Fave
Built up, lightweight utensils can help individuals with a weak grasp maintain their grasp. The bendable metal shaft allows for users to bend the utensil based on their needs and the angle needed for easier access to the mouth. Easily grasp the non-slip surface even when wet.
Follow this DIY tutorial for why and how to add foam tubing to spoons and forks and create your own DIY built up gripping surface to use with a variety of handled utensils.
A wider gripping surface can help alleviate pain related to arthritis decreasing stress on the joints. Built up utensils can also be beneficial for those who experience differences in muscle tone and strength.
Big T Rocker Knife
Why I love it!
Super easy to use plus it’s specifically designed for one handed cutting! It’s easy on the hands for those with joint or hand pain and uses an-easy-on-the-wrist-and-hands rocking motion. No need to stabilize food with the opposite hand when using a rocker knife.
The Big T Rocker Knife designed to increase leverage and control while cutting. The built up, non-slip handle helps users maintain a more stable and safe grasp allowing users to cut through a variety of foods.
Dishwasher safe.
Protective blade cover included for storage.
Multi-Functional Adaptive Aids
EaZyhold Grip Straps, Adult 5 pack: Soft Silicone Grip Assist Straps
Why I love It!
These are too cool, easy to use, and they come in a variety of colors. EaZyhold straps are often used by people who have difficulties with grip strength, arthritis, older adults, as well as for people with limb differences. This type of universal cuff help improves independence in a variety of self care and daily tasks as well as hobbies. Use the EaZyhold straps while:
- Holding eating utensils
- Wrap around your hairbrush, toothbrush, and comb
- Use while gardening to hold tools and the water hose
- Use to hold wooden spoons and spatulas when cooking
- Place around crayons, markers, pens and pencils and even sidewalk chalk
Colored Foam Tubing, 3 different sizes
Why I love it!
Foam tubing is so handy for anyone with grip strength differences. The foam tubing comes in 3 different of sizes and can be used across a variety handles to build up the gripping surface, making it easier to grasp handles. Foam tubing is helpful for those with arthritis, hand pain, decreased hand range of motion, limited dexterity, or for anyone who has trouble grasping utensils.
By adding foam tubing to handles, it can:
- Enhance grip on handles
- Improve ergonomic comfort
- Help reduce hand cramping
- Help reduce stress or pain associated with grasping utensils/handles
Adaptive Hobbies
Hands-Free Game Card Holders, set of 2
Why I love it!
Adaptive game card holders offer a more accessible way to play card games with less hand fatigue and strain. Specifically designed to sit on a table top, hands-free, and easily move cards one by one as needed. One game card holder holds up to 15 cards at a time. Play card games with friends and family with more comfort and ease when using a hands-free game card holder.
Looking for more types of game card holders or the DIY version of the hands-free holder, check out my step-by step tutorials for 6 different adaptive game card holders. Choose the one that best fits your needs.
