Autism Caterpillar Instructions

Autism Caterpillars are used by schools and other agencies who teach children with Autism.  These simple, soft, and darling caterpillars are weighted down with beans and have a sweet, soothing effect on an autistic child.  This new project will involve a little pouring, a little stitching, a little assembly and lots of love.

Autism Caterpillar Instructions

1.  Cut out caterpillar body from your choice of fabric 42" long by 12" wide. Sew edges together and leave an opening. (See diagram below for suggested layout when workin gwith an entire bolt of fabric.) 

2. Put plastic cup funnel into the opening of the Caterpillar

3.    Have neighbor help hold the caterpillar while you pour the beans. Hold Caterpillar vertically to the floor and pour the pitcher of beans into the cup inserted in the Caterpillar. 

4.    Lay Caterpillar flat on the table and wrap a small ribbon from the kit twice around the Caterpillar, approx. 2 inches from the bottom and tie a knot as tight as possible.  Check and make sure the beans will not fall out of the bottom of the Caterpillar.  Place a dab of glue on the knot, and tie another tight knot.

CAUTION: glue is stringy – be careful to not drip glue on the fabric. 

5. Stretch Caterpillar on the table and distribute the beans evenly.

 

6.    Take the large ribbon and slide it under the Caterpillar approx. 5 to 6 inches from the top; do not tie yet. 

 

7.    Take the other 6 small ribbons and slide them under the Caterpillar and distribute all of the ribbons evenly between the neck ribbon and the tail ribbon.

 

8.    Tie the big ribbon tight around the neck into a knot.  Put a dab of glue on the knot and tie a nice bow.

 

9.    Tie off the other 6 sections by wrapping the ribbon once and tie a tight knot.  Put a dab of glue on top of the knot and tie one more time.

 

 

10.    Clip the bottom 7 ribbons so it has 1½ inches on each side of the knot.

 

11.    Cut two sets of small circles from grey and white pieces of felt. The white circles are the base of the eyes and the grey circles are the pupils for the Caterpillar.  Put glue around the edge of the white circles and place them towards the front part of the Caterpillar’s face (see photo).

 12.    Put glue around the edges of the grey circles and glue them onto the middle of the white circles.

 13.    Take a needle and thread and while holding the eye in place stitch a knot in the middle of each gray felt to secure the eyes into place.

For printable instructions, click here.