Tools & Resources to Support Children with Disabilities, Sensitivities, and Learning Differences

At Levy Educational Advocacy, we know that supporting children with diverse needs requires compassion, creativity, and the right tools. Parents, caregivers, and educators often tell us they’re looking for simple, effective strategies to help children feel calmer, more focused, and more confident. Sometimes, the right sensory item, book, or educational support tool can make all the difference in a child’s daily experience.

We’ve compiled a list of highly recommended resources to support children and young adults with disabilities, sensitivities, or unique learning styles. These tools can provide comfort, build skills, and give families new ways to navigate challenges together.

Sensory Items That Make a Difference

For children with sensory sensitivities or regulation challenges, having the right tools can provide calm and focus throughout the day.

• Sensory Stickers – Great for kids who need tactile input at their fingertips.

• Chew Necklaces: Option 1 | Option 2 – Safe alternatives for oral sensory needs.

• Chew Sticks and Chewy Strings – Flexible tools for self-regulation.

• Sensory Brushes – A calming tool often used in occupational therapy.

• Therapy Putty and Discovery Putty – Fun ways to strengthen fine motor skills while relieving stress.

• Kick Bands for Chair Legs – Perfect for wiggly students who need to move while learning.

• Wiggle Seats: Option 1 | Option 2

• Wiggle Wedge and Sensory Foot Cushion – Subtle movement tools for classrooms.

• Sensory Stones – Designed for children with ADHD and autism to provide grounding input.

• Wiggle Stool – Encourages active sitting and focus.

• Full-Body Sensory Socks: Option 1 | Option 2

• Inflatable Sensory Chair – A cozy, regulating space.

• Weighted Blanket or Weighted Vests: Option 1 | Option 2 – Provide deep pressure for calming comfort.

• Time Timer – Visual countdowns help with transitions.

• Slant Board for Writing – Supports posture and handwriting.

• Pencil Grips: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

• Pencils with Fidgets – Writing plus sensory support.

• Balance Board and Peanut Ball – Encourage movement and coordination.

Books That Build Understanding

Books open doors—for children, teens, parents, and educators. They can help kids see themselves in stories, provide language to understand emotions, and offer strategies to handle challenges.

For Kids

• Anxiety & worries: You’ve Got Dragons, Wemberly Worried, What To Do When You Worry Too Much

• OCD & repetitive thoughts: What To Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck

• Impulsivity: Impulsive Ninja

• SleepStruggless: What To Do When You Dread Your Bed

• Anger & big feelings: What To Do When Your Temper Flares

• Separation Anxiety: What To Do When You Don’t Want To Be Apart

• Social Anxiety: What To Do When You Feel Too Shy

• And more: What To Do When It’s Not Fair, What To Do When The News Scares You

Learning Differences

• Dyslexia: Overcoming Dyslexia, The Dyslexic Advantage

• Stories with characters who learn differently: Fish in a Tree, Hank Zipzer series, My Name is Brain, Rain Reign, Brilliant Bea, and more.

ADHD

• ADHD 2.0 by Ned Hallowell

• Driven to Distraction

• Smart But Scattered

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

• The Explosive Child by Ross Greene

For Teens & Parents

• The Emotional Lives of Teens by Lisa Damour

• Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy

Special Education & Executive Functioning

• Wright’s Law – Essential guide to special education law.

• Smart But Scattered

• Executive Functioning Workbook for Teens

Gifts and Classroom-Friendly Toys

Sometimes small tools bring big comfort, especially when disguised as toys. These are wonderful options for home, school, or gifts.

• Fidgets – Pocket-sized calm. Additional options are here, here, and here.

• Sensory Tube – A visual and auditory regulation tool.

• Tangle – Twist, move, repeat.

• Desk Dividers – Helpful for focus and minimizing distractions.

• Liquid Motion Timers — These “oil-and-water” visual timers are calming.

• Weighted Stuffies

Every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and thrive in an environment that meets their unique needs. Whether it’s a simple sensory tool, a weighted blanket, or a story that helps them see their experiences reflected in the pages, these resources can support children and their families in powerful ways.

At Levy Educational Advocacy, we believe in empowering parents and caregivers with the tools, knowledge, and community they need. We hope this list provides a starting point for building your child’s toolbox of comfort and success.