a vital resource for autism...and each other!
Free COVID tests are now available for easy online ordering. Every household in the U.S. can order one set of four at-home tests through COVIDtests.gov. This is part of ongoing efforts to scale up access to tests, with site-based testing facilities experiencing high demand.
Tests generally return results within 15 minutes, and do not involve the deep swabbing that some laboratory tests require.
GAN provides free membership, information, referral services and events for the autism community. We rely on your contributions and donations of items for our eBay site to sustain our GAN and Family Autism Network websites. We are currently updating our sites to provide easier access to more resources for the autism community. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us continue to serve grandparents and their families world-wide.
The GAN board of directors, advisory board members and I wish you and your families good health and happiness at the holidays and in the New Year. Thank you for being a vital resource for autism … and each other!
As we prepare our homes for the upcoming holidays, the most important thing to keep in mind is to provide a safe and comfortable environment for our grandchildren. Here are some suggestions to make your home entertaining as inviting as possible:
Gift cards are great options for your family. Consider giving them for:
CLICK HERE for more gift giving tips on our GAN website.
Here are personal gift certificates that you can print out and use for holidays or any occasion:
HolidayCertif
AnyDayCertif
Giving and receiving gifts can be difficult to understand for children with autism. Sharing this gift themed social story with your grandchild can help to ease some anxiety around gift giving.
Toys for Children & Teens
Here’s a guide to gifts for people at all
developmental ages
If your grandchild needs sensory friendly clothing, Target has many Cat & Jack brand options. If your grandchild has difficulty dressing, use a search engine like Google to find sites that sell “adaptive clothing.” Here’s a link to Etsy for a broad range of additional adaptive clothing items.
*Be sure to compliment and encourage your grandchild’s parents often
*Take a grandchild to a regularly scheduled appointment or class
*Entertain siblings to enable more time for child with parents
*Freeze individual homemade meals for use when needed
*Offer your home for a family holiday or a birthday party
*Make a new calendar and enter events you will share
*Invite grandchildren for sleepovers at your home
*Take your grandchild to the library weekly
*Offer to do carpools for a week or more
*Arrange for a play date in your home
*Take your grandchild on a picnic
Holiday foods and treats tend to slow us down and make us gain weight. Here are some resources to get you and your grandkids moving and having fun together.
GoNoodle – Kids Videos: Make screen time active with 300+ dance videos, yoga exercises, and mindfulness activities for kids! Trusted by teachers and used in four out of five U.S. public elementary schools, GoNoodle videos create more than 667 million movement minutes each month in homes and schools. No subscription or login required) and available on multiple platforms.
Jump Jump Froggy 2 (iOS) is a game that gets you moving. Get active with an “exergame” that moves your whole body (and not just your thumbs)! Catch flies by making your frog jump with real-life jumps! Leap out of the way of predators! Free to download and play. You can unlock additional content for $2.99.
Now is the perfect time to visit our eBay site for gifts! Most of us have collectibles and other worthwhile items that our children do not want. Donations to the Grandparent Autism Network are tax-deductible. Create more space for all the fabulous things that you love AND benefit grandparents and families affected by autism.
All donated items are sold through our e-Bay for Charity store, raising money to support our programs.
We welcome donated goods such as:
You can mail or drop off donations for GAN at the UPS Store located at 23785 El Toro Road, #103, Lake Forest, CA. Contact us at info@ganinfo.org for possible pickup options in Orange County, CA and for donation receipt forms.
Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.Tax ID# 20-5230144.
Add locks for security or to limit access to potentially dangerous areas. Safety locks may be needed on bathroom, kitchen and laundry room cabinets. Cover over electrical outlets and limit access to electrical appliances.
Provide gates or barriers to prevent falling down steps or to limit access to certain areas.
Arrange furniture simply and practically. Clear table surfaces, provide appropriate chairs, and move furniture away from shelves or where a child may climb.
If your grandchild is at high risk for running away (also referred to as “eloping”), place locks or alarms on exterior doors and windows that provide exits from the home. Contact the local police and fire departments and provide them with a photo and description of the child in addition to contact information for family members.
Receive a GAN logo cap when you make a $25 donation! Click on the button below to order: