Once in awhile, someone shares a tip so elegant and easy I wonder why it wasn’t invented sooner…like when my son was little.
Katie Wetherbee and Meltdown Cards
My friend Katie Wetherbee loves to talk about meltdown cards, which parents of kids with autism or Asperger’s can hand to onlookers. Katie’s review, which describes the cards more fully can be viewed at her website, www.DivingforPearls.com.
EA/TEF Information Cards
Since my son doesn’t have autism or Asperger’s, he didn’t have meltdowns in public. But from birth to age five his barky cough, caused by his TEF repair, garnered plenty of judgmental looks from onlookers who thought we had no business taking a sick kid out in public. And most restaurant meals resulted in at least one episode of gagging and vomiting. If only I’d had meltdown cards, I could have eased our embarrassment, educated our ignorant audiences and dispelled germ phobias in one fell swoop. Maybe someone in the EA/TEF community will design a card like that.
A Meltdown Card for Every Special Need
If your child has a different special need, maybe you can think of a way to adapt it to your circumstances, too. Leave a comment if you have an idea or if you already use something similar. What a great way to educate others about our kids!
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Thank you for the link, Judith. For those of you looking for Vista Print, this link takes you to the free printable autism business cards Judith mentioned. But a Vista Print ad pops up, too.
Jolene
Vista print is always very reasonable, too. What a good idea to use their double sided cards. If any of you want to check out Vista print, it will come up on an internet search. Thanks for the suggestion, Kat!
Jolene
I actually love this idea. I have calling cards from Vistaprint, and I used their front and back print option, with a brief note regarding ASDs/flares and overstimulation, as well as URLs for Generation Rescue, TACANow, and Autism Speaks. Using the double-side print option makes the cards not free (save for S/H), but SO very worth the cost! 😉
Try this link for free printable autism awareness buisiness cards. http://piecebypiece.bravehost.com/autismcards.html
Ingrid,
Thanks for the link. The purple cards are a fantastic idea, and I love the way they can be personalized with a child’s picture. Readers, follow Igrid’s link and to check out the cards. You’ll come away with new ideas, I guarantee it!
Jolene
Hi Jolene!
Would love to share what we offer to parents of little girls suffering from Rett Syndrome, a debilitating neurological disorder that primarily affects girls and is on the autism spectrum.
We simply call it “The Purple Card” —
Read more about the card and some amazing stories of how it has helped families!
http://www.girlpower2cure.org/how-to-help/thepurplecard.aspx
Ingrid Harding
Girl Power 2 Cure, Inc.
Whenever you can, Heather. You have so much going on!
Jolene
Jolene,
I have been meaning to create these for some time now. I’ll try to get it done within the next week or so, if possible.
You go, girl!
Jolene
I am on it! The UK has wonderful pins that say “I have a TOF Cough”, just need to figure out a good slogan for the US!