After careful thought and deliberation, I thought others would find this interesting about our battle with Asperger Syndrome. If anyone would like to post about their trials and tribulations, please leave a link so we can read your story. :)
This is written in the third person.
For months M’s mom anticipated what M would need in college. To start, she searched the internet to get ideas of what M should bring. Next, she made a comprehensive list to help M and her shop for all the items that he would need. She then went on a scavenger hunt throughout the house to see if she could find things that were on M’s list. She also visited several stores (IKEA, Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, The Container Store, etc.) online to see what they had and compared prices. M and his mother then took the list and went shopping. Bringing a list helped keep M on task and kept him from buying items that he did not really need. This visual list also allowed M to mark off the items that he had bought and to keep track of what he still needed. They made sure he bought the items early before the crowds and before selection and supply was minimal. Leaving items to the last minute is not advisable due to the fact that you will probably not be able to find it since other students are shopping for dorm stuff as well.
Dorm Room
Information Binder
cell phone charger
Kindle charger
school supplies- pens, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpener, pencil holder, ruler, scissors, notebook paper, 3 hole punch, stapler, staples, stapler remover, binder, binder with color tab dividers, post-it notes, tape, highlighters, glue, post-it tabs, computer paper, agenda book/student planner, calculator, paper clips, binder clips, white-out, thumb tacks, index cards, rubber bands, Ziploc bags, colored pencils, markers, etc.
book bag made to carry a laptop
laptop and accessories- headphones, USB flash drives, mouse, mouse pad, power strip with surge protector, scanner, wireless router, etc. (all packed into book bag)
ethernet cord
heavy gauge, UL-approved extension cord
desk drawer organizer and/or desk caddy
magnetic board with magnets
wall calendar
2 pillows (1 for comforter pillow cases, 1 for white pillow cases)
2 sets of sheets with pillow cases (extra-long twin 39” x 80”) top sheet at least 85” long
mattress pad/protector
2 pillow protectors
comforter with pillow shams/pillow cases (make sure they are washable)
alarm clock
desk lamp
small fan
small trash can with liners
room lamp
night light
gym bag
quarters (for laundry)
laundry bag (for dirty clothes)
laundry basket (for clean clothes)
laundry detergent, dryer sheets, stain remover, etc.
shower caddy
toiletries- liquid bath soap, shampoo, razor and blades, shaving cream, nail clippers, deodorant, hand lotion, chap stick, toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, brush, comb, mouthwash, bath gloves)
flip flops (to wear in shower)
2 bath towels and hand towels
electric toothbrush
waterpik
toilet plunger with holder
drying rack
Flipfold shirt and laundry folder from flipfold.com
hangers
umbrella
table fan
footlocker with 2 set of keys and 2 barrel type locks (for footlocker and gym locker)
cleaning supplies- sponges, Lysol, Soft Scrub with bleach, Windex, paper towels, Libman Wonder Mop, bucket, toilet cleaner with brush, broom with dustpan, dust rag with Endust, rubber gloves, Swiffer duster, cleaning rags, etc.
cleaning supply caddy (to store small cleaning supplies in)
stackable plastic storage drawers (for under the bed and/or in the closet)
air freshener spray
liquid soap dispenser with refill soap
kleenex
posters
wall saver removable poster putty or strips
command hooks
over the door hooks (for towels and coats)
duct tape
ear plugs
water bottle
small sink dishpan (soak stained clothes in and to store extra cleaning items in)
extra prescription glasses
light bulbs (for desk, room lamp, and night lights)
prescription medicine (have enough prescription medicine to last until you come home to visit)
over the counter meds- ibuprofen/acetaminophen, Nyquil and Dayquil, Pepto Bismol, Cloraseptic spray, cough syrup, cough drops/sore throat lozenges vitamins, etc.
first aid kit- thermometer, adhesive bandages in all sizes, non-stick gauze (to cover larger wounds), adhesive tape (to help secure the gauze), small scissors, antibiotic ointment, tweezers, hydrogen peroxide, cotton balls
emergency supplies (to last for at least 3 days)- toilet paper, water (one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation that will be stored under his dorm room bed), non-perishable food (tuna, ravioli, canned soup, protein or fruit bars, peanut butter, canned fruit or fruit lunch packs, canned vegetables, crackers, small boxes of cereal or granola, bottled juices, nuts and trail mixes, etc.), whistle to signal for help, battery powered radio with batteries, can opener, paper plates, paper towels, plastic utensils, first aid kit and first aid book, hand sanitizer, individually wrapped moist towelettes, flash light with extra batteries, sleeping bag, etc.
Since space is limited M is trying to keep his items to a minimum. M’s parents made sure that M was involved in purchasing the items so he could make choices of what he wanted in his dorm room. His parents also wanted to give M practice in shopping to prepare him for the financial responsibilities he will need in college. M will pack the above items in 3 stackable plastic storage drawers (labeled: 1-bathroom, 2-cleaning/laundry supplies, 3-medicine/first aid/emergency supplies) and a computer printer cardboard box (labeled: desk/room) with a lid (to make it easier when unpacking at the dorm). In the laundry basket and laundry bag he will pack: towels, sheets, pillow cases, comforter, pillows, mattress pad/protector, pillow protectors, etc. He will store this in the guest room until he moves into his dorm room.
The most important and the most expensive item that M had to purchase for college was a computer. Many colleges are specifying which laptop to buy and which features, programs and accessories it should have. M checked with the college and the department he is majoring in to find out this information. M and his father went online and compared prices and bought the computer and all the features, programs, and accessories that he will be needing.
Clothes
Clothes are a major item when packing for college. Limited space makes clothing choices for college packing a balancing act. M therefore went through his clothes and prioritized which he would need. He only packed two weeks of clothes since he wouldn’t be able to fit everything he owned into one dorm room. Plus, this would also make M wash his clothes at least once a week and not let them pile up in the corner and stink up the place. He also made sure he had two nice outfits. You never know when you will have to go to a job or internship interview, a fancy restaurant, or a religious service. He will put his clothes in his dresser and in his closet that he will need for that season and the rest will go in his foot locker. M will then rotate his clothes depending upon the season.
2 belts
1 pair dress shoes
1 pair dress pants
2 dress shirts (long sleeved)
2 pairs of dress socks
2 short sleeved collared shirts (Izod, Polo, etc.)
1 tie
1 pull-over sweater
winter gloves
winter coat with hood
1 pair of winter boots
hoodie
4 pairs of jeans
4 pairs of shorts
8 sweat shirts
6 long sleeved shirts
pajamas (for summer and winter)
14 colored T-shirts
14 white T-shirts
14 pairs of underwear
14 pairs of white socks
workout clothes (packed in gym bag)
bathing suit
M packed his clothes into his footlocker and a large duffle bag (that can be collapsed and stored in his closet). He can also use the duffle bag to use when he comes home to visit.
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