In the realm of childhood development, autism presents unique challenges that require specialized attention. Toys play a pivotal role in a child's growth, offering opportunities for learning, skill development, and sensory stimulation. Recognizing this, we delve into the world of toys specifically designed for kids with autism, exploring options that cater to their sensory needs, promote communication, and foster social interaction, ultimately empowering them to thrive in their own unique way.
ThinkFun Zingo Bingo is the perfect game for pre-readers and early readers. It's an award-winning preschool game that has been trusted by families worldwide, with over 50 million sold. It's great for ...
Playskool Sit ‘n Spin Classic Spinning Activity Toy for Toddlers Ages Over 18 Months (Amazon Exclu...
⋅ PLAYTIME COMES FULL CIRCLE : Remember when you discovered how to sit, spin, and giggle yourself silly. Well, now it’s time for YOUR little one to enjoy the winning spinning fun of this class...
Melissa & Doug My First Daily Magnetic Activities Calendar For Kids, Weather And Seasons Calendar For...
6. 100% happiness guarantee: we design every toy to the highest quality standards, and to nurture minds and hearts; if your child is not inspired, give us a call and we'll make it right; our phone number is on every product
The Rock and Bop Music Player by VTech is the perfect way to set learning to music! With ten musical games, your child can explore letters, numbers, animals, instruments, time and more while listening...
⋅ Trusted by Families Worldwide - With over 50 million sold, ThinkFun is the world's leading manufacturer of brain games and mind challenging puzzles
⋅ Develops critical skills – Pla...
⋅ Develops critical skills – Pla...
Introducing the My First Flybar Foam Pogo Jumper for Kids! This fun and safe pogo stick is the perfect way to get your little one off the sofa and active. Crafted from durable foam, this pogo stick is...
Toysmith Tech Gear Multi Voice Changer, Amplifies Voice With 8 Different Voice Effects, For Boys & Girls...
⋅ Experiment with the science of sound using this electronic voice synthesizer, featuring 10 different voice modifiers
⋅ Side levers adjust frequency and amplitude, creating hundreds o...
⋅ Side levers adjust frequency and amplitude, creating hundreds o...
Toysmith Tech Gear Multi Voice Changer, Amplifies Voice With 8 Different Voice Effects, For Boys & Girls...
⋅ Experiment with the science of sound using this electronic voice synthesizer, featuring 10 different voice modifiers
⋅ Side levers adjust frequency and amplitude, creating hundreds o...
⋅ Side levers adjust frequency and amplitude, creating hundreds o...
⋅ Learning Toys for Toddlers: Develop toddler color recognition and sorting skills with this fun collection of realistic-looking play food for toddlers!
⋅ Explore New Foods: As they pl...
⋅ Explore New Foods: As they pl...
⋅ Beautiful solar system puzzle: The Melissa & doug solar system floor puzzle includes 48 extra thick cardboard pieces that are easy for children to put together; the finished puzzle displays be...
⋅ Interact With Friends: Meet learning friends Turtle, Tiger and Monkey who will introduce the alphabet through more than 100 age-appropriate words chosen by learning experts
⋅ Learn C...
⋅ Learn C...
⋅ Educational wooden block set: The Melissa & doug pattern blocks and boards classic toy is a set of 120 wooden blocks in various shapes and colors, inspiring kids to assemble colorful patterns ...
⋅ FINE MOTOR GAMES FOR KIDS: Build fine motor skills with chunky, peg-shaped pieces that fit to the back of this friendly hedgehog. Also use Spike as for occupational therapy exercises
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Hasbro Gaming Simon Handheld Electronic Memory Game With Lights and Sounds for Kids Ages 8 and Up, Includes...
⋅ CLASSIC SIMON GAMEPLAY: Watch, remember, and repeat. The electronic handheld Simon game presents an exciting challenge to repeat the patterns and advance to higher levels
⋅ REPEAT THE PATTERNS: It's the exciting electronic game of lights and sounds. Players repeat random sequences of flashing lights by pressing the colored pads in the correct order
Sentence Building, Sight Word Builder Literary Resource for Early Reading, Speech, Writing, and Language...
⋅ MULTI-PURPOSE LEARNING TOOL: Practice building proper sentences with familiar sight words and picture cards with Key Education's Sentence Building set. The set teaches the use of capitalizatio...
⋅ Practice lacing and tying skills
⋅ Encourage independence and fine motor skills
⋅ 5"H x 3.75"L x 8"W
⋅ Shoe lace included
⋅ 3+ years
⋅ Rocket Spaceship KidsTent: Give kids their very own private playroom while learning more about the outer space with this rocketship play house tent for kids; the included space projector toy i...
The Original Slinky Walking Spring Toy, Easter Basket Stuffers, Metal Slinky, Fidget Toys, Party Favors...
⋅ There’s only one Original Slinky Brand Celebrate 75 years of wiggly-jiggly fun with Slinky Generations of children and adults have loved playing with Slinky.
⋅ There’s only one O...
⋅ There’s only one O...
⋅ Number Of Players: 2-6
⋅ The surprise family game that is a real barrel of fun
⋅ Take turns sliding the colorful swords into the barrel
⋅ Beware - if the pirate pops up on your turn, you are out
⋅ Kids love the popping action of the pirate flying out of the barrel
⋅ No reading required
Choosing toys for kids with autism can be a challenging task. Children with autism have different sensory needs and behavioral challenges, so it is important to select toys that can cater to their individual needs. Toys are not only used for fun, but they also play a significant role in improving the child's cognitive, social and emotional development. This guide offers valuable tips for parents, caregivers, and therapists that can help you choose the best toys for kids with autism.
Consider the sensory needs
Children with autism have varying sensory needs, some are hypersensitive, while others are hypo-sensitive to certain sensory stimuli. Toys that cater to their sensory preferences can help them to feel more comfortable and engaged. For example, if a child is hypersensitive to noise, toys with loud sounds like drums or electronic toys may be overwhelming. In contrast, a child who is hypo-sensitive to touch may enjoy toys that provide tactile sensations like textured balls, playdough or slime. Consider the child's specific sensory needs when selecting toys.Some toys that cater to sensory needs:
- Textured balls, sensory balls or fidget balls
- Noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs
- Weighted blankets or vests
- Chewable toys or chewing necklace
Choose Toys that are Inclusive
Children with autism prefer play that encourages socialization and interaction with others. It is important to choose toys that can help children to develop their social skills, communication and interaction with others. Inclusive toys such as board games, puzzles, or building blocks can encourage children to play with siblings, parents or friends. These games promote turn-taking, communication, problem-solving and social engagement.Some inclusive toys:
- Building toys like lego or blocks
- Board games like Trouble, Sorry, or any game with simple rules
- Puzzles with large pieces and simple designs
- Dress-up clothes
Safety
Safety is a critical consideration when selecting toys for kids with autism. Children with autism might exhibit repetitive behaviors, mouthing or exploration that can potentially be harmful. Make sure that the toys chosen are safe and meet the standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Avoid toys which have sharp or small parts that can present a choking hazard. It is also important to consider the age range indicated on the box and ensure that the toy is suited to the child's age and developmental level.Some safe toys:
- Foam balls, made from safe materials
- Puppets
- Sensory water or sand tables with adult supervision
Consider the child's interests
Make sure to take into account the child's interests and motivations when choosing toys. Select toys that align with their interests, as this can encourage them to play more and stay engaged for longer periods. Children with autism have a wide range of interests, including cars, dinosaurs, animals, and arts and crafts. Observe the child's interests and try to find toys that align with their interests.Some toys that cater to interests:
- Art supplies such as markers, crayons or playdoh
- Toys related to their favorite shows or movies
- Toys related to their interests, like vehicles or toy animals
- Musical toys or instruments
Look for Multi-sensory Toys
Multi-sensory toys are designed to stimulate multiple senses simultaneously. For children with autism, multi-sensory toys can help develop cognitive, social and emotional skills by providing visual, auditory, tactile and olfactory experiences. Multi-sensory toys can help to improve their sensory processing skills and enable them to respond appropriately to different stimuli.Some Multi-Sensory Toys:
- Bubble tubes or lamps
- Laser lights
- Spinning tops and fidget spinners with different textures or lights
- Toys with vibrating sensations or textured surfaces
Engagement Levels
Children with autism may have difficulty staying engaged or focused on a single task for long periods. Toys that encourage play and exploration can help children to stay engaged for longer periods. Consider toys that have additional features like buttons, motions or sounds that can keep their attention for longer periods. Toys that offer varied levels of complexity can accommodate different skill levels and promote developmental progress.Some toys that encourage engagement:
- Maze toys with different levels of difficulty
- Cars with remote controls
- Toys with different textures or features
- Toys with different motions or sounds
Conclusion
Choosing toys for kids with autism can be a daunting task, but with these tips, it is possible to find toys that suit your child's individual needs. Sensory preferences, safety, inclusivity, interests, multi-sensory experiences, and engagement levels are all important aspects to consider when choosing toys for children with autism. Remember that toys have a powerful impact on the child's cognitive, social, and emotional development, so it is essential to select toys that support their individual needs and encourage their development.Related Topics You Might Like
