Things I’ve learned from the autism support classroom: Life with Velcro

Bottles "velcroed" to cabinet door

I am a “new uses for old things” junkie. I love finding simple solutions that don’t cost a lot.

When my son was in our local intermediate unit’s preschool, I discovered the wonder of velcro.  First, I saw it used for visual schedules.  For my post on how we use visual schedules, etc., click here.) Little icons, signifying each assigned activity or task, were stuck to a big piece of paper with velcro.  When the students were done with one activity, they would move the icon to a “done” column, where another half of velcro awaited, ready to secure the icon to the board. Wow, I thought.  Little squares of paper don’t get lost!   The little squares didn’t get lost! They were even more secure than magnets!

A paraprofessional told me that she didn’t know what they would do in the autism support classrooms without Velcro.  It was like magic.

I started looking for other ways to use this overlooked wonder! I don’t sew (too much work, LOL) so I use the sticky kind.Here’s what I’ve come up with so far.

Storing vanilla and other extracts on the inside of cabinet doors– now I refill the old bottles and recycle the new ones, since the old ones have the velcro on them.

Keeping erasers and markers on a dry erase board

Keeping notepads from disappearing by attaching them to the inside of yet another cabinet door

Notepads secured to inside of cabinet door

Securing my paper accordion files and photo box lids

Hanging pictures on the wall (I was so happy when I found the command picture hanging velcro-like strips!)

Keeping my son’s shoe inserts in his shoes (Industrial strength velcro! Who knew?)

I’ve heard of people using industrial strength velcro to hang heavy items on walls, but I haven’t tried that yet.

I wonder, when I look around some more, what else I will find that I learned from the autism support classroom…