Appropriate Toys for Autistic Children
From LoveToKnow Autism
Appropriate toys for autistic children perform double duty, offering hours of amusement while supporting the development of essential skills. Children with autism often need extra support to learn skills that the average child seems to absorb with little effort, and playtime can be an opportunity to reinforce those skills in a relaxed setting, away from the pressures of more formal learning environments.
Not all toys should be chosen with educational goals in mind. Every child needs a few things that are just for pure fun or a special stuffed animal or two just for comfort.
Choosing Appropriate Toys for Autistic Children
Choosing the right toys for any child should be done with individual interests and personality in mind. If a bit of stealth learning is to be incorporated into playtime, assessing the developmental areas with which the child could use a little extra help is a great way to begin. Goals set forth in treatment plans can offer ideas as to which skills most need attention, and discussing goals and interests with family members, teachers, or therapists can be helpful as well.
Social Interaction Skills
Social interaction skills are an area in which children with autism often need some extra support. Toys that focus on cooperative play can be an effective way to promote the development of skills like sharing, turn taking, communication, and imitation. Board games are particularly good for the reinforcement of these skills, and they are available in varieties to suit children of any age, from preschool through the teen years. For the young child who is just beginning to learn sharing and turn taking, short and simple games are the way to go, using these skills in small doses to avoid frustration.
Sensory Stimulation
Sensory issues are quite common with autism, and playtime can be used as an opportunity to address these needs with toys that integrate several types of sensory input. Textured toys can be a great way to work in a bit of low stress tactile stimulation, especially helpful for those who are working on overcoming tactile defensiveness.
Letter or number blocks can combine visual cues with tactile ones, as well as appealing to the urge to organize and sort that is a common trait in children with autism. Musical toys that provide visual stimulation with lights or bright colors can be excellent choices for youngsters with autism. Sing along videos are great for auditory stimulation as well as helping with verbal skills.
Motor Skills
Fine motor skills are an area in which many autistic children may need a bit of support. Puzzles are wonderful toys to fine tune finger dexterity, and if they are chosen with educational themes, such as letters, words, numbers, or geography, so much the better. Art kits and supplies are great for encouraging the development of those fine motor skills, as well as encouraging creativity and imagination. Magnetic picture books are often a good choice, putting fine motor skills to use as well as creating an interactive reading experience.
Gross motor skills can be enhanced with well chosen toys for autistic boys and girls also. Therapy balls, trampolines, bicycles, or jump ropes are a lot of fun for children even as they enhance muscle coordination and balance. Movement also can stimulate the language centers of the brain, so these types of toys can help in enhancing those verbal and communication skills as well.
Just Because
While choosing appropriate toys for autistic children can be an opportunity to sneak in a bit of extra work towards those developmental and educational goals, every child needs a few toys that are given just for the sake of fun. Watching the child during free play time is a great way to find what interests him when he's calling the shots. Take note of what she's drawn to when walking through the mall or watching commercials on TV.
Kids who are drawn to building and organizing may like models or building block sets. Children who find touch or pressure soothing may love a stuffed animal or soft baby doll to hug. Very active children may appreciate outdoor toys to expend some energy with physical exercise, or those that are a bit more subdued may find books or science kits more enjoyable. So long as some thought is given to individual interests, chances are the toys you choose will be a hit.
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This page has been accessed 6,394 times. This page was last modified 20:45, 31 October 2009.
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