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The Five Types of Toys for Children with Special Needs

Starting as early as infancy, toys play a supportive role in a child’s development.  Toys can help a child learn new skills, like color and shape identification and hand eye coordination, in the crucial years of primary brain development. For a child with special needs, toys can cater to specific areas of development or preference and serve as a therapy aid. There are myriad of toys available that address specific needs but are still marketed for children of all abilities.

1. Cause and Effect Toys

Cause and effect toys promote visual motor and grasping skills and are especially helpful for children with autism as they provide the opportunity for hand-eye coordination, sensory exploration and repetitive sequences.  These toys allow children to “cause” a type of reaction (example: push a button and a light flashes).  Some of the more common cause and effect toys are:

  • Shape sorters
  • Pop-up toys
  • Water squirters
  • Light-up toys
  • Sing-a-ma-jigs (Sing-a-ma-jigs make a variety of noises when squeezed.)

2. Puzzles

Puzzles offer many developmental benefits that give children the chance to learn new skills while they work toward a goal.  Putting together a puzzle requires a child to pick up, grasp and pinch pieces; some with knobs or three-dimensional components.  This gives children with a fine motor delay a good opportunity to work on strengthening those skills.  Puzzles also improve cognitive development as they help children learn strategy, choice and how pieces fit together to form a larger picture.  There are various types of puzzles for children:

  • Non-connecting puzzles with pieces that do not fit into each other.  Many of these puzzles include knobs or pegs.
  • Connecting (or jigsaw) puzzles with pieces that fit into each other.  These puzzles are a step up for kids who have mastered non-connecting puzzles.
  • Sliding puzzles with pieces of a picture divided into squares with an empty space inside of a case.  These puzzles are more challenging and usually appeal to older children.
  • Non-connecting puzzles with knobs help children with fine motor skills.

3. Fidget Toys

For children with ADD or ADHD, fidget toys are a good option to keep their hands and fingers busy while the brain is engaged.  These toys can effectively help with self-regulation, promote focus and concentration, decrease stress and provide tactile awareness.  There are many different types of fidget toys but the most helpful ones offer an experience with different or extreme textures and an effective medium to keep fingers busy.  Some examples are:

  • Play dough.  There are many different adaptations on this modeling compound from foam to slippery, slimy “gak.”  Regardless of the type, this classic provides the perfect outlet for hyper-creative energy.
  • Koosh balls and squeezable stress balls.
  • Noise-making toys like hand clappers or clackers.
  • Sensory or “wiggle” cushions.  These tactile inflatable cushions help children with focus and balance problems.

4. Oral Motor Stimulators

Oral motor toys are designed to either go in or engage a child’s mouth.  These toys can be effective stimulators for children who crave chewing or struggle with oral motor difficulty: bubbles

  • Chewy tubes, oral motor devices that provide a chewable surface for practicing biting and chewing skills.
  • Chewable jewelry in either necklaces or bracelets
  • Slide, wooden and warbling bird whistles
  • Bubbles: Blowing bubbles helps a child learn breath control and pursing of the lips.

5. Sensory Toys

Some children with sensory processing disorder are under-responsive to sensation and often need to feel intense outside sensations like texture, touch, pressure and speed.  Sensory toys offer a quick sensory response to help children calm down and focus their attention.   It’s important to make sure a child is experiencing the sensory response he desires.  If a child craves more of or a different response, he may misuse a toy in order to achieve it, which may be dangerous.  Some effective examples of sensory toys are:

  • Light up toys
  • Water or sand tables
  • Finger paint
  • Mini trampolines or personal bouncers: Mini trampolines offer a quick and repetitive response.

Incorporating the right type of toys for a child’s specific needs is a fun way to teach self-management techniques and learn new skills.

CategoriesToys for Special Need Children by

Toy Buying Tips for Children with Special Needs

Which toys are best for children with special health care needs? It’s simple. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says toys that enhance parents’ play with their child are always appropriate.

Expensive toys and electronics are not necessary. Creativity and play are enhanced by simple toys like wooden spoons, blocks, puzzles, crayons and by parents who read, watch, play with, and talk and listen to their kids.

Maxmon offers the following tips for parents on choosing toys for young children with special needs:

Choose toys for your child’s developmental (not chronological) age. Children with special needs have a unique risk for injury if their physical or behavioral development does not match the age on the package, according to a 2016 study.

Watch for choking hazards. If your child is small for her age or has a swallowing condition, avoid toys with small parts, balls, marbles or balloons.

Look for toys that help parents and children play together. This helps kids explore with pretend play and creativity. Being involved in these fun activities also helps parents notice their child’s strengths and achievements.

Ask your child’s therapist for ideas. Speech, occupational, or physical therapists can suggest toys, activities, and interactions to help your child master new play skills at home.

Adjust the toy to fit the child. Putting foam, Velcro, larger buttons and other aids on a toy can help children with motor, visual or other disabilities enjoy play.

Limit digital screen “toys.” Children and adults talk less when they play with electronic toys. Traditional toys inspire active, creative pretend play.

Books are toys. Read with your child to inspire ideas for pretend play. The AAP recommends parents read to or with their children every day.

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Finding Adaptive Toys for Special Needs Children

It’s no secret that kids love toys. They see a new one on a television advertisement and tell their parents, “I want that!” If kids had their way, they would have every toy imaginable. Toys can be a great way for kids to use motor skills, learn to play by themselves, and learn to share with others.

Special Needs Toys?
But what happens when children do not have the required skills to play with their toys? Kids with special needs may not be able to play with many of the mainstream toys available. That’s why there is a market for adaptive toys for special needs children.

Finding the Right Toy for a Disabled Child
There are different adaptive toys available for different special needs. For example, a child with cerebral palsy who has poor motor skills might find switch-activated toys more helpful while a child with autism would do better with toys that promote sensory. Adaptive toys are usually made so that a special needs child can improve the skill that they are lacking.

When trying to find adaptive toys to suit your child’s needs, it is also important to keep in mind age appropriateness and the ability for your child to reach developmental goals. It is important to talk to those who regularly work with your child, such as an occupational therapist, early interventionist, pediatrician, or special education teacher. You don’t want to get your child a toy that only causes frustration.

How to Choose the Best Toys for Your Special Kid
Some things to keep in mind when finding the right adaptive toy:

  • Which of the five senses does it appeal to?
  • Will the child be able to activate the toy?
  • Where will the toy be used and will the child be able to use it in various positions? (For example, in a wheelchair or lying on the floor?)
  • Is the height and volume of the toy adjustable?
  • Will the toy allow the child to interact with others or allow the child to play on his/her own?
  • Is it safe for that child’s intellectual age, well constructed, and durable?
  • Is it appealing and interesting to the child?
  • Is it right for the child’s physical capabilities?
  • Is it suited to the child’s mental and social development?

Remember: The toy should not be fragile, breakable, or contain any toxic materials.

Switch-Activated Toys
Many special needs toys are switch-activated, meaning that a child simply presses a button to activate the toy. Some toys come with a special button installed, but for others, you will have to connect to a special switch. The button switches come in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and textures.

Puff or Breath-Activated Toys
Besides switches that need to be pressed, they can also come as puff switches where the child puffs into a device to activate the toy. The puff switches are for those who are severely disabled and have very limited motor skills.

Toys Are for All Children
As you can see, there is a lot to consider when finding the perfect adaptive toy for your special needs child. Adaptive toys can be very fun and rewarding but at the same time, so can toys that don’t need to be adapted. As long as the child is interested in and engages with their toy, they are learning and improving some skills they may lack. Toys are for all children, but you do have to be more selective when it comes to buying toys for your special needs child. When you do find that perfect toy for your special needs child, it can be an especially enjoyable experience.