Your Personal Guide: MagnusCards
Figuring out the nuances of day to day life, from interacting with others to navigating local stores, can be confusing for many of us. Take my current situation as an example. My local grocery store is going through a remodel. Now, having lived in the same town for almost 20 years, I have gotten used to what items are in which rows. But you know what? Those people doing the remodel have changed my store all around. Perhaps some of you are like me. I struggle a bit with change. It takes me a little while to wrap my brain around the differences. Can you relate? As I wrestle with the changes in my grocery store, I got to thinking about the people that receive support in our system. Routine can make a confusing world a little less confusing. But many of the world’s routines have changed in the last year.
I just stumbled upon an app that can help with everyday challenges. The app was developed for people with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities and is called Magnuscards. MagnusCards is a growing library of digital guides to various life skills. The guides include helpful instructions (behavior social stories) with visual cues and an interactive character guide named Magnus. Magnus guides users through daily activities and can assist in a variety of locations.
MagnusCards has recently teamed up with Trader Joe’s to help people navigate shopping in their stores. There are downloadable cards that address checking out your items, reading product labels, sensory experiences in the store, shopping with a list, and what to expect during Covid-19.
But the Trader Joe portion of this application is just one piece. The app also has sections on social, health, cleaning, food, shopping, safety, money management, attractions, school/work, leisure, travel, and personal care.
The app is completely free and only requires that you create an account to start using the features. You can download whatever cards might be helpful to you so that they are available later at the tap of your finger.
If you work with someone who struggles in any of these areas, it might be worth a few moments of your time to check out this helpful tool. The world can be a confusing and overwhelming place for many of the people we support. Technology is a helpful tool to open many opportunities and avenues.
