Toys for Autistic Boys

One of the challenges in finding toys for autistic boys is the potential for unexpected consequences. Parents of autistic children can't rely on simple advertising or even the opinions of other children to pick out toys that are both appropriate and entertaining.

Luckily, the community of families dealing with autism spectrum disorders has formed many support networks on the Internet, and there is quite a bit of discussion and suggestions about what toys have been appreciated, which ones were duds, and which were actually bad.

While it may be tempting to focus on only items that will be constructive in the development of skills and learning, it is important to remember that the whole idea of a toy is fun and it should be stress-free and engaging.

Items like Mr. Potatohead, for example, may not seem to do much for child development. However, children learn through play and this particular toy has much to teach:

• Foods
• Facial features
• Body parts
• Clothing
• Sequencing
• Imitation

Toys that are enjoyable for the child offer the most benefits. Encouraging interactions and modeling appropriate play are great additions to the activity.

Fun toys are ideal because they maximize therapeutic interventions. Common, everyday toys can be used in many autism treatment programs that are coordinated by teams of professionals, such as speech therapists and teachers. Asking professionals about the best toys that contribute to methods of treatment is the best way to find good investments for the playroom and treatment room. Some of the toys that have been found useful by some parents of autistic children are:

• Matching Games – There are many kinds of matching games. These games help both pattern matching and short-term memory. Some forms of the game also work with categorizing and sorting.
• Gross Motor Skill Games – Whether a toy workbench with a hammer to swing or an entire inflatable play space (something almost always present at autism support events), gross motor skill development is often very conducive to helping an autistic child learn. Many educators have enabled autistic children to focus on a problem or subject by also allowing them to move around, squeeze a ball, or simply write in a different position than the traditional school desk motif. These strategies for learning can be found in toys and activities that encourage movement.
• Sensory Environments – Physical sensation is a very large part of dealing with the positive and negative aspects of autism. Many parents have purchased "wet/dry" tables (flat bins used to hold liquids for kids to play with) and filled them with beans or rice. Autistic children are able to control how much sensation they actually get – from plunging their hands and forearms into the beans to simply examining them one by one.

Another aspect of playing with toys is their utility in providing interaction with other children, both autistic and non-autistic. While the toys mentioned so far can be shared, one line of toys tends to stand out as being attractive to autistic boys: Thomas the Tank Engine. With a full range of videos, TV shows, plush toys and complete environments, the staple product is the basic train set itself, simple wood and plastic with magnets to allow trains to be connected and taken apart.

The nature of the basic train set may be part of what makes the toy so attractive to young autistic children. "He likes any toy that has an order to it…" says Dana Pellebon about her four-year-old autistic son, Cobain. "For him and lots of other autistic children Thomas trains are cool because they can line them up and they will be exactly how they want them..."

It's not a sure thing – Ms. Pellebon notes that Cobain will occasionally get very frustrated with the track system – but it seems to be quite popular and one of the most beneficial toys for autistic boys.

• Preschool Activities for Autistic Children
• Possible Causes of Autism
• Tips for Raising Kids with Autism
• What Is Your Autism Empathy Rating?

• Lesson Plans for Autistic Children
• Adult Autism Symptoms
• Social Skills Activities for Kids with Autism
• Speech Therapy Ideas for Autistic Children
• Famous Autistic People

• Autistic Toddlers
• Being Autistic and Dealing with Death
• Inclusion for Autistic Middle School Students
• ABA for Older Autistic Children
• Category:Autism and Children