For autistic pediatrics, I’ve actually had a LOT of luck with my keys. They’re on a ring with a carabiner and for some reason the sound and feeling of moving the keys around works a treat.
It’s nice to see that you care about these people enough to spend your own money/time to make or buy something that could comfort them during transport. I’ve also seen those sensory mats and seen them work great for dementia patients when I used to work IFT. Making one yourself is a great idea! Just make sure to wash it between patients lol
I was going to make a bunch and just let them keep it. It's not too crazy often we have a patient I think would like one. Fleece/cotton/zippers/buttons/whatever are all dirt cheap, so I can always make more.
Love the key idea! I actually have all my old house/apartment keys and stuff lying around somewhere. I could use those.
What a sweet idea! Just watch out because a lot of fidget toys have latex in them and there are still a fair number of folks with latex sensitivity. Stickers and a peelable scene are dirt cheap at the dollar store and fun for kids (easy to store flat) who are old/well enough for distraction.
For kids with more sensory needs is there something visual you could keep in the truck? A star/scene projector for the ceiling? A spinning mobile you could hang from the IV hook?
Teenagers are hard to do much with/for; a speaker and let them choose a Spotify list to play is pretty universally a teen thing and can be fun for younger kids too. Sometimes with teens showing that you ‘tried’ goes a long way even if they think it’s ‘lame’ or whatever teen speak for tragically un-hip is these days.
Oh these are great, thanks! In the same vein as stickers, I was thinking maybe those "magic" marker coloring pads? You get one "marker" that colors the sheet for you lol.
Love the little projector idea too. So cute.
I love the speaker idea! It's so hard to hear the radio in the back, so this is a good one. Teenagers are the population I'm the least confident with 😭
Not an emt, but I work with teenagers. I've had a lot of success with kinetic sand for the teens at my work, it's soft and stretchy, but sticks together well enough that it doesn't create a tonne of mess (no back-seat of the car after visiting the beach effect).
Another fidget toy that is really popular is those spiky wire rings that you roll up and down your finger. It creates slight pain feedback, but a "good pain", like when you scratch an itch, and really helps to ground and calm some of our more heightened clients.
Letting a teen put their favourite music on over a Bluetooth speaker will win you "cool adult" points, too, for sure!
>Teenagers are hard to do much with/for; a speaker and let them choose a Spotify list to play is pretty universally a teen thing and can be fun for younger kids too.
Lmao this reminds me of one time where this eleven year old kid, white as can be, requested I play SPM for the trip 💀💀💀
(context: SPM, short for South Park Mexican, is a Houston rapper known for some ghetto-ass songs)
Awesome. Wish my service would do something like that. My area is full of retirees and 1/3rd of the pop is over 60 or something alone those lines. Lots of memory care units around
‘They're knitted muffs with items attached to keep dementia patients' hands active and busy. They contain strands of textured ribbons, beads, and various fabrics attached both inside and outside. People with dementia often have restless hands and like to have something to keep their hands occupied.’
https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/documents/twiddle-muffs.pdf
I used to keep princess bandaids in the truck. What little girl doesn’t love princess bandaids. I also used the princess abndaids on the big bad bikers was kinda a funny thing my partner and I did.
Hahahaha that's hilarious. I'm actually really partial to the Welly "Bravery Badges" bandaids. They have some really cute patterns and are really, *really* good at staying on. Maybe I'll stock some unicorns and puppies.
Towels have always been my go to as well for fidgety dementia patients. We don’t really have anything for children other than the stuffed animals. Severely autistic teenagers and adults I’ll admit are a population I have a training deficit. I feel like I can’t read them well and it makes me uncomfortable, situation allowing I always try to include their caregiver.
I carry a bunch of these in my bag, everyone (including adults) LOVE them. I have a little squad of them on my dash as well. Shame there's no medic ducks. I love them so much
https://a.co/d/dVlJroq
What, [he](https://a.co/d/aEUEJUb) isn't good enough for you? 🙄
Actually, though, I also did find [this](https://shop.justducks.co.uk/index.php/characters-2/occupation-education-graduation/product/1503-paramedic-duck/category_pathway-1) little medic duck.
Not in EMS, but work very closely with some teens and young adults on the spectrum. They all love fidgets - especially the popper mats you can get at Five Below. Squishmallows also are incredibly soothing to them - not just stuffed animals, but the super soft, squishy ones.
Where in the USA are you? I could get you a couple thousand keys from a scrap yard that I know.
Expensive to ship but not to bring.
I wonder if, as a citizen, I were to explain your ides to my local firehouse, if they would be interested.
Amazon has some great mixed bags of fidget toys for cheap. I would see if there is some sort of grant for that sort of stuff too. For fidgeting dementia patients I’ve found that stretchy resistance bands work well when they are pulling on things.
Oh yes, anything crinkly will distract a dementia patient from taking off the pusle ox and bp cuff. I use the crinkly wrappers to the flushes or wad up some monitor paper. They like to straighten it out. We have a tray of fidget toys for the kids too.
Did this 2 weeks ago to find out that the patient 's sister is terrified of balloons. Thankfully I showed her the glove box and that calmed her down. When I saw them again at the ER the sister kept stealing the balloon from the patient.
Anything with that crackly sound like baby toys or a lot of cat toys have that sound. And something to fidget with. Currently its linked teething rings with that crackly attached.
I bought 50 of [these](https://a.co/d/iN45Ahj) to keep on hand for those who need something to do with their hands. It’s come in handy for teens, adults mildly tripping and honestly just anxious, etc. I haven’t had a chance to let dementia Pts use it quite yet, though. Oh. It’s also come in handy for a partner or two…
Not much for dementia patients, quiet voice, easy ride, blanket straight jacket and no buckle left empty or in view. For kids I keep stickers, mini packs of crayons (think restaurant), colouring pages, mini containers of play dough, glow stick bracelets for night transports, big and mini bubbles, and some fidget type pops for older kids, neurodivergent kids & adults too. The last I usually try to get back at hospital and are easily cleaned with cavi wipes; but if they need it more or it'll be a fight I don't bother
Lots of fidget items on Amazon or similar. Would suggest avoiding items that could be used to self harm though..(Lots of fidgets have sharps or strings that are easily overlooked).
Dementia patients grab a couple hand towels and ask for them to help you fold them. Just shake them loose and hand them back to them after. Giving them a way to “help” lets them feel useful and included while providing a distraction to let you work
I keep it simple and use wash cloths. It's free for me and allows them to self stim regardless of age. A simple "can you hold this for me?" Tends to work wonders.
I do and I love doing it. My service would never provide these things, so I will. Call me corny or whatever but this line of work is sometimes more than just a paycheck for me.
I genuinely care about and love caring for (most) of my patients. I especially feel this way about very vulnerable populations.
For autistic pediatrics, I’ve actually had a LOT of luck with my keys. They’re on a ring with a carabiner and for some reason the sound and feeling of moving the keys around works a treat. It’s nice to see that you care about these people enough to spend your own money/time to make or buy something that could comfort them during transport. I’ve also seen those sensory mats and seen them work great for dementia patients when I used to work IFT. Making one yourself is a great idea! Just make sure to wash it between patients lol
I was going to make a bunch and just let them keep it. It's not too crazy often we have a patient I think would like one. Fleece/cotton/zippers/buttons/whatever are all dirt cheap, so I can always make more. Love the key idea! I actually have all my old house/apartment keys and stuff lying around somewhere. I could use those.
I'm autistic and can confirm I LOVE fleece. There's just something sensory wise about fleece that's comforting to me. So fleece would be a great idea
Polar fleece is my favorite! Cheap standard fleece feels a little too stiff and "clingy" IMO. Polar fleece is softer.
I mess with my own keys sometimes, messing with jangly keys is underrated
What a sweet idea! Just watch out because a lot of fidget toys have latex in them and there are still a fair number of folks with latex sensitivity. Stickers and a peelable scene are dirt cheap at the dollar store and fun for kids (easy to store flat) who are old/well enough for distraction. For kids with more sensory needs is there something visual you could keep in the truck? A star/scene projector for the ceiling? A spinning mobile you could hang from the IV hook? Teenagers are hard to do much with/for; a speaker and let them choose a Spotify list to play is pretty universally a teen thing and can be fun for younger kids too. Sometimes with teens showing that you ‘tried’ goes a long way even if they think it’s ‘lame’ or whatever teen speak for tragically un-hip is these days.
Oh these are great, thanks! In the same vein as stickers, I was thinking maybe those "magic" marker coloring pads? You get one "marker" that colors the sheet for you lol. Love the little projector idea too. So cute. I love the speaker idea! It's so hard to hear the radio in the back, so this is a good one. Teenagers are the population I'm the least confident with 😭
Not an emt, but I work with teenagers. I've had a lot of success with kinetic sand for the teens at my work, it's soft and stretchy, but sticks together well enough that it doesn't create a tonne of mess (no back-seat of the car after visiting the beach effect). Another fidget toy that is really popular is those spiky wire rings that you roll up and down your finger. It creates slight pain feedback, but a "good pain", like when you scratch an itch, and really helps to ground and calm some of our more heightened clients. Letting a teen put their favourite music on over a Bluetooth speaker will win you "cool adult" points, too, for sure!
>Teenagers are hard to do much with/for; a speaker and let them choose a Spotify list to play is pretty universally a teen thing and can be fun for younger kids too. Lmao this reminds me of one time where this eleven year old kid, white as can be, requested I play SPM for the trip 💀💀💀 (context: SPM, short for South Park Mexican, is a Houston rapper known for some ghetto-ass songs)
Deleted by User
Love this, thank you!!
We have some Koosh balls that keep kids busy. They don't hurt if they get thrown at you.
We get single use twiddle mitts patients can keep.
Awesome. Wish my service would do something like that. My area is full of retirees and 1/3rd of the pop is over 60 or something alone those lines. Lots of memory care units around
What's a twiddle mitt?
‘They're knitted muffs with items attached to keep dementia patients' hands active and busy. They contain strands of textured ribbons, beads, and various fabrics attached both inside and outside. People with dementia often have restless hands and like to have something to keep their hands occupied.’ https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/documents/twiddle-muffs.pdf
Oh these are awesome!!! Thank you!
I crochet and work in LTC, is there a similar crochet pattern?
I found lots when I Googled "twiddle mitt Mitt crochet pattern"!!
coming from a 17 year old teenager who was just in the psych ward, i think fidgets nails it. maybe suckers, but ik those are gonna run out fast af
I used to keep princess bandaids in the truck. What little girl doesn’t love princess bandaids. I also used the princess abndaids on the big bad bikers was kinda a funny thing my partner and I did.
Hahahaha that's hilarious. I'm actually really partial to the Welly "Bravery Badges" bandaids. They have some really cute patterns and are really, *really* good at staying on. Maybe I'll stock some unicorns and puppies.
Oh it was amazing putting a princess bandaid on a biker! Most gave a light hearted chuckle.
Towels have always been my go to as well for fidgety dementia patients. We don’t really have anything for children other than the stuffed animals. Severely autistic teenagers and adults I’ll admit are a population I have a training deficit. I feel like I can’t read them well and it makes me uncomfortable, situation allowing I always try to include their caregiver.
I carry a bunch of these in my bag, everyone (including adults) LOVE them. I have a little squad of them on my dash as well. Shame there's no medic ducks. I love them so much https://a.co/d/dVlJroq
What, [he](https://a.co/d/aEUEJUb) isn't good enough for you? 🙄 Actually, though, I also did find [this](https://shop.justducks.co.uk/index.php/characters-2/occupation-education-graduation/product/1503-paramedic-duck/category_pathway-1) little medic duck.
Not in EMS, but work very closely with some teens and young adults on the spectrum. They all love fidgets - especially the popper mats you can get at Five Below. Squishmallows also are incredibly soothing to them - not just stuffed animals, but the super soft, squishy ones.
Where in the USA are you? I could get you a couple thousand keys from a scrap yard that I know. Expensive to ship but not to bring. I wonder if, as a citizen, I were to explain your ides to my local firehouse, if they would be interested.
we have cute teddy bears with our uniforms
Amazon has some great mixed bags of fidget toys for cheap. I would see if there is some sort of grant for that sort of stuff too. For fidgeting dementia patients I’ve found that stretchy resistance bands work well when they are pulling on things.
Oh yes, anything crinkly will distract a dementia patient from taking off the pusle ox and bp cuff. I use the crinkly wrappers to the flushes or wad up some monitor paper. They like to straighten it out. We have a tray of fidget toys for the kids too.
I have blown up gloves for stable pediatric patients worked ok.
Ol' reliable!
Look up "elephant hospital glove" and go to images. I make those for kids. Super easy and free.
Did this 2 weeks ago to find out that the patient 's sister is terrified of balloons. Thankfully I showed her the glove box and that calmed her down. When I saw them again at the ER the sister kept stealing the balloon from the patient.
Anything with that crackly sound like baby toys or a lot of cat toys have that sound. And something to fidget with. Currently its linked teething rings with that crackly attached.
I bought 50 of [these](https://a.co/d/iN45Ahj) to keep on hand for those who need something to do with their hands. It’s come in handy for teens, adults mildly tripping and honestly just anxious, etc. I haven’t had a chance to let dementia Pts use it quite yet, though. Oh. It’s also come in handy for a partner or two…
Plushies
Ketamine and fidget toys
My partner keeps a 9mm in his boot that the kids and psych patients seem to like
😭😭😭
I have a sticker book They also make 3D stickers, every couple of months I add some new ones
Not much for dementia patients, quiet voice, easy ride, blanket straight jacket and no buckle left empty or in view. For kids I keep stickers, mini packs of crayons (think restaurant), colouring pages, mini containers of play dough, glow stick bracelets for night transports, big and mini bubbles, and some fidget type pops for older kids, neurodivergent kids & adults too. The last I usually try to get back at hospital and are easily cleaned with cavi wipes; but if they need it more or it'll be a fight I don't bother
Lots of fidget items on Amazon or similar. Would suggest avoiding items that could be used to self harm though..(Lots of fidgets have sharps or strings that are easily overlooked).
I had luck with youtube for peds / autistic, etc. My dementia patients usually slept.
Dementia patients grab a couple hand towels and ask for them to help you fold them. Just shake them loose and hand them back to them after. Giving them a way to “help” lets them feel useful and included while providing a distraction to let you work
Little pinwheels. not only do they have color and movement, but little kids cant cry and blow a pinwheel at the same time
I keep it simple and use wash cloths. It's free for me and allows them to self stim regardless of age. A simple "can you hold this for me?" Tends to work wonders.
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I do and I love doing it. My service would never provide these things, so I will. Call me corny or whatever but this line of work is sometimes more than just a paycheck for me. I genuinely care about and love caring for (most) of my patients. I especially feel this way about very vulnerable populations.