If you’re on the autistic spectrum and only take photos occasionally, digital photography can be more trouble than it’s worth. All that finicky business of transferring the pictures to your computer, then printing them out on the right kind of printer and paper, etc. The Polaroid Z2300 is an instant camera that gives you the option of printing your pics straight from the camera, or saving them to an SD card for digital storage. The pictures have peel-off adhesive backs, so you can stick them straight into scrapbooks, etc. All-in-all, a neat product for fun photos without the fuss, and also shoots videos. The demo below is from the Home Shopping Network.
gadgets
IdeaPaint: Turn Your Walls Into Whiteboards.
Autistic children often have a lot of creative energy, but it doesn’t always end up in the right place. Why not turn their bedroom walls into whiteboards, and let them use the space for artistic expression? IdeaPaint is a special paint that creates a whiteboard-like surface, and is used in schools, offices and other spaces where creativity is encouraged. Video from DailyGrommet.
Etymotic ER-20 Noise-Adjusting Earplugs
Some autistics get round the problem by wearing these earplugs from Etymotic. Unlike normal earplugs, the ER-20 is designed to reduce volume without blocking sound completely, and maintains a high degree of fidelity, so you can hear conversations or music clearly (just not as loud). Some autistic users have found them helpful in reducing the irritation of ambient noise.
“I am autistic with severe sensory deficits. These ear plugs are perfect for this problem. Have tried sponge ear plugs off and on, but they muffle all sound. The Etymotic Ear Plugs keep the sounds sharp and audible but just turn the volume down. It was recommended by a friend who has the same problem.” [Amazon customer review]
The earplugs come in different sizes, so be sure to get the right size for your ear canal. The earplug stem sticks out of the ear, so depending on how your ear canal is angled, it may (or may not) be conspicuous. For examples, see the pics below, courtesy of Amazon. The wearer in the second pic appears to have a ear canal that’s angled down, so the earplug stem is less obvious. For detailed product specs, visit the Etymotic website.
Motoring Alternatives for Autistics
Like many autistics, I find driving difficult and never bothered to get a license. Clumsiness, absent-mindedness, poor reflexes and anxiety are some of the issues that may challenge autistic drivers. For those who encounter such problems (autistic or otherwise), there are now alternatives to the standard car that may be easier to drive. Two are shown below, the Renault Twizy and the Piaggio MP3. The Twizy is what they call a ‘microcar’, an electric-powered vehicle for city driving. The main advantages of the Twizy are its maneuverability, compact size and small turning circle; making it easier to park and weave through city streets. Doors are optional, and removable for better all-round visibility. The driver’s seat is in the centre, further improving side-visibility. The first video below is ‘with doors’, the second ‘no doors’.
Having said that, there are a few concerns worth highlighting for the Twizy. There is a single back-seat, but it’s cramped. The optional doors have no windows, so the interior is ‘open to the public’ and you’ll get wet in heavy rain. UPDATE: It turns out you can now buy windows for the Twizy either from Renault or third-party suppliers. Just google ‘Twizy windows’.
The Piaggio MP3 is a three-wheel motorbike that offers the stability of a car without the restrictions of driving a one-ton steel box. The two front wheels tilt on corners, so it feels like a normal bike on the road. But unlike a normal bike, you can come to a full stop without putting your leg out, and no worries about falling over. The MP3 offers excellent all-round visibility and handling: but it’s still a bike, with most of the usual disadvantages when it comes to security and weather-proofing. The Twizy and MP3 are just two of the many motoring alternatives out there for autistic drivers, choices depend on your particular strengths and weaknesses. Other options include trikes, motorbikes with sidecars, and other types of microcars.
Find One Find All Key Finder
Absent-mindedness or ‘brain fog’ can be an issue with the sensory overload that usually accompanies autism. The Find One Find All (FOFA) system is a practical solution for keeping track of everyday items like keys and wallets. The best feature of FOFA is that no base station or remote is required (so no need to recall where you left the remote!). Instead, every token is a remote that can be used to find the others. The set comes with one flat token for wallets and one fob token for keys, etc.
I bought this for my son who has a brain injury and loses his wallet. He loves how easy it is to program and use. He has one in his wallet and one on his key chain. I recommend it for anyone who consistently loses things.
Orbitouch Keyless Keyboard
Some autistics have difficulty using a standard computer keyboard, if they have problems with muscle coordination (particular where a series of quick and subtle actions are required, as in typing). Qwerty keyboards are not laid out in alphabetical order, which can frustrate autistics who like consistency. The Orbitouch keyboard is operated by simple movements of the arms, which some autistics (and users with carpal tunnel syndrome) find a less stressful way to type.
DESIGN FOR ASD 