Shopping for timers can be challenging. Whenever I go looking specifically for a timer, I seem to check all the wrong places. Many times I end up ordering timers online. That way I don't have to deal with people and stores.

This concludes Timer Week! Happy timers, everyone!

There are many areas in life in which timers are used, both for personal and business. Some examples are: 

 

The main reason I use timers is to show that there is an end to things. Being autistic, I have very little sense of time. Minutes, hours, days, weeks, years are so difficult for me to grasp. Which means I track SO many things. 

So, for me, the more visual a timer, the better. I especially love when I can see the seconds pass. Which is why any kitchen/wind-up timers are my least favorite, but they are very affordable. And I have a lot of them.

So, I present to you a few questions to ask yourself:

Could I benefit from using a timer?


What would I use a timer for?
 (daily routines, to wake up in to morning, a reminder to eat, doing chores, cooking, limiting certain activities, just because I can, tracking how long it takes to do a task, etc)


What type of timer would fit that use?
(digital, super-visual, sand, wind-up, portable, silent, APP, etc)


How can I implement using a timer?
(writing a reminder for yourself on a sticky note, asking someone to help remind you, setting the timer in a noticeable place, keeping it in your bag/purse/pocket, etc)

Today, my blog is about what uses timers can offer, from my own experience. The following is a list of the timers I own and how they are SO useful for me.

App Timers I use on my iPhone, 6 total:

Uses:
-daily routine motivational timer (Task Timer, Apple Clock timer, Cosmos timer)
-transitioning from an activity or location, like to get prepared to leave the house (Lickety Split and Apple Clock timer)
-time spent on certain tasks or keeping track of how often I am at certain stress levels (Time Tracker)

Timers I use in my art studio, 4 total:

Uses:
-for limiting time on projects and activites. 
-break reminders. For example, when I begin a project I forget to eat and setting a timer every hour reminds me I need to need to move around, eat, stretch, etc.

Timers I use in the kitchen, 3 total:

Uses:
-cooking reminder for:
                               -things on the stove
                               -things in the oven
                               -food cooling to an edible temperature
-washing dish. I find it helpful to set a timer to gain a better grasp on time so it won't feel like I am washing dishes "forever."
 

Timer I use in the bathroom/shower, 1 total:

Uses:
-Setting a time limit helps remind me that my sensory/torturous showers DO have an end. 
-It's important to use a shower/waterproof timer in any bathroom that way it won't lose function if it gets wet.

Various other timers around my home, 6 total:

Uses:
-dealing with change; transitioning from an activity or place
-quick timer needs. All I have to do to start it is to turn it over!
-Just watching the timer :-) Sand timers are fun to watch, they are a great 3-7 minute relaxing time for me. It's an activity in itself!
-setting time limits for cleaning. I find that makes cleaning more productive knowing there is an end.

Visual timers are by far my favorite. The downside is that visual timers are often more expensive than other timers. 

Personally, have not used any vibrating timers separate of my iPhone.  But, I love the idea of them.  Silent...yet alerting. 

PROs:

• very quiet and discrete
• more features
• great for traveling

CONs:

• more expensive than other timers
• not as simple and easy as most timers

There are SO many kinds of digital timers now days! We have access to so many great tools! Let's break them up into 3 categories:
___________________________________________________________________

PROs:

• APPs are reasonably priced and some are free (the REALLY good ones are not free)
• very portable
• easy access to multiple types of timers with a single device
• can use on either vibrate or audible tones
• many, many very different, specific timers to choose from
• iPhone APPs can be used without a phone plan (some APPs need WiFi)

CONs:

• only available if you have a smartphone, iTouch, iPhone, iPad or other electronic tablet.
• vibration feature not available on iPad and iPhone
• electronic devices are expensive initially

APPs are my personal favorite types of timers because I have access to several timers, as long as I have my phone. As well as access to MANY other helpful tools, such as Proloquo2GO. Proloquo2GO is a program that speaks for non-verbal individuals. I use it when I am unable to physically speak and it is definitely my FAVORITE autism tool. Ever.

I believe that everyone should own a timer of some kind. Timers are such a concrete tool for many, many situations in daily life. There are so many different types.

Among the most commonly used timers are 'kitchen timers'. I have about 6 of them around my home. I almost never use them in the kitchen. I generally use these timers as a last resort because they tend to have a harsh ring when the timer goes off. But they are SO cheap and handy.

Potential uses:

• waiting for an art project to dry before touching it
• limiting the time of an activity, such as video games, computer usage, television, a conversation
• attempting to transition to a new activity but having trouble. Set a concrete boundary with a timer and then move on to the next thing/task/activity

Cautions:
There are times when a loud timer, or possibly any timer, should probably NOT be used. Each person is different. If you are interested in implementing any kind of timers for someone with ASD I suggest trying out different timers in a fun and relaxed setting so it is not a stressful, new event.

• in high stress situations
• when noise is currently bothersome
• during a time of relaxation (too startling)

This whole week I am going to be blogging about timers, yay!

Sometimes good timers are hard to find! I have spent SO MUCH time over the years trying to find good, affordable, fun, relevant timers. Hope you enjoy Timer Week!


Video explanation of how great timers can be for anyone:

During this week I will be blogging about:

I own this set of sand timers. They are great for small tasks. I use these usually when sitting at the table to show passing time during various activities, like eating and waiting.