Calm Down Kits for TEENS

2020 has been a world wind of emotions to say the least. As I dealt with all this year had to dish out, I quickly realized that I wasn't in this alone. Although my children have been dealing with it all extremely well, the fact remain that they must deal. A pandemic, new routines, quarantines, social distancing, and a fight for change for our Black community all within the span of a few months. Throw in the natural growing pains that come along with growing up and things can get stressful pretty quickly. As my son gets older and times began to change the realization of just how important it is to make sure he is learning coping skills increase. It is important that he learns to self-regulate emotionally. Once I came to this realization, I found myself right back in the seat of a new parent who has just received their toddler’s autism diagnosis, googling, questioning and in need of answers. Raising a soon to be teen with autism I find the resources for us autism moms of teens aren’t as easily found or readily available as they are for toddlers and even small children with autism. I shared a post not too long ago expressing how some forget that toddlers with autism become teens with autism that then grows into adults with autism. Their need for support does not just go away.

One thing that has helped my son through daily stress is his calm down kit. 

WHAT IS A CALM DOWN KIT? The answer is quite simple. A calm down kit is a special box or portable bag filled with tools that help regulate emotions and helps one to calm and relax when feeling anxious. In lamest terms it’s a kit filled with items to help your child calm down.

As mentioned, you may find quiet a few suggestions for items to put into your toddler or small child’s calm down kit. Below I’ll be sharing what my twelve-year-old son has in his. 

•  Noise Cancelling Headphones
• Gum
• Fidget Spinner 
• Crunch Snack
• Stress Ball
• Small Lego Kit
• Sensory Bottles
• Tangled Fidget Toy
• Weighted Blanket 

HERE ARE A FEW MORE SUGGESTION FOR ITMES YOU CAN ADD TO YOU KIT THAT WE MAY NOT HAVE IN OURS.

There is no right or wrong way to put together a calm down kit. I highly suggest thinking of the things you know works for your child. They don’t have to be expensive to create either. The Dollar Tree is a great place to get everything you need to create a kit. From the box or bag, itself, right down to the snacks and gadgets. I hope you found this post helpful and please feel free to add any suggestions below. We are all in this together.