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When it comes to choosing toys for children with autism, there's a need to balance fun and developmental benefits. The right toys can engage and support their unique sensory and cognitive needs, providing hours of entertainment and aiding in their growth. In this blog post, we'll explore the top 5 best toys for autistic kids that can make a positive impact on their playtime and development.
Don't worry guys!
As per, I have Partnered with Amazon and created lists of toys, so all you need to do is click the link and browse without hunting the web!
1. Sensory Balls and Fidget Toys
Sensory toys are a fantastic choice for children with autism. Sensory balls and fidget toys offer tactile stimulation, helping kids explore different textures and sensations. They can be squeezed, stretched, or manipulated in various ways, promoting relaxation and focus while also improving fine motor skills.
For my lil Miss these are the one thing we tend to lean to, anything squishy or stretchy helps sooth and regulate her. I think we have at least over 300 different types of squishy’s now, from animals and characters to long spaghetti like noodles.. oh and various different coloured squishy turds of course.
Fidgets such as spinners or anything hard are not really Lil Miss’s thing, but that being said my little brother that’s Non verbal Autistic LOVES any thing this spins, turns, or anything mechanical; Remember All children are different and that’s the same for neurodiverse children and not all will like the same thing.
2. Building Blocks and Construction Sets
Building blocks and construction sets encourage creativity and spatial awareness. These toys allow autistic children to experiment with designs, patterns, and structures, fostering cognitive development and problem-solving skills. The tactile nature of these toys can also be soothing for some children.
Now as for Building things, i cant really say that its lil Miss’s interest but if you throw my Autistic Husband into the mix then Jeez .. We have got something there. I couldn’t tell you how many Star wars Lego sets we have around here! Another great building toy is the classic marble run! This toy brought me and my siblings loads of fun as kids and I've learnt with most Autistic kids marble runs are certainly the go to toy!
3. Visual and Auditory Stimulation Toys
Many children with autism have a strong affinity for visual and auditory stimuli. Toys that incorporate lights, colours, and sound effects can captivate their attention and enhance sensory experiences. Interactive toys like light-up musical instruments or cause-and-effect toys provide engaging entertainment while encouraging sensory exploration.
Lil Miss loves flashing lights and anything that makes noise, if it stimulates her visual, touch and auditory senses it brings her massive amounts of happiness. Her favourite toys are the ones that you would often find at a festival, those spinning handheld lights.
4. Puzzles and Sorting Games
Puzzles and sorting games are excellent for developing cognitive and fine motor skills. These toys challenge children's ability to analyse shapes, colours, and patterns, promoting critical thinking and hand-eye coordination. Start with simpler puzzles and gradually progress to more complex ones as their skills improve.
I use a lot of sorting games to help me home school lil Miss and as many SEN parents know play based learning is the best ever for helping a child advance in bits they are struggling with.
Click here for Ultimate Puzzles and sorting Games >
5. Pretend Play and Social Interaction Toys
Pretend play toys like dollhouses, action figures, or play kitchen sets can help children with autism practice social interaction and communication skills in a comfortable and controlled environment. These toys allow them to mimic real-life scenarios, fostering imaginative play and encouraging the development of language and social skills.
Pretend play toys are brilliant for Autistic kids, there is a lot of misconception that kids with autism do not have imagination skills and they don't pretend play. This is so wrong on many levels! Almost all Autistic kids I know at some point do pretend play, okay granted it might not look like how non neurodiverse kids play but they still do it.
Another thing I have found which actually has scientific evidence behind is that doing pretend play as an Autistic is also another form of socialising in there own way. My non verbal brother often lines up stuffed toys and will talk and interactive with them, this his way of socialising as he lacks the ability to socialise properly with other humans.
Do you blame him? who can stand human interaction all the time its exhausting!
Click here for The Ultimate Pretend Play and Social Interaction Toys >
Remember, the best toys for autistic kids may vary based on their individual preferences and sensitivities. It's essential to observe and listen to your child to understand their interests and needs. Additionally, safety is paramount, so always ensure that the toys are age-appropriate and free from small parts that could pose a choking hazard.
In conclusion, selecting the right toys for autistic children goes beyond mere entertainment. The toys mentioned in this list offer a blend of sensory stimulation, cognitive development, and social engagement. By tailoring the toy choices to your child's preferences, you can create an enriching and enjoyable playtime experience that supports their growth and development.
Don’t forget to check out my other blogs and if you want to See the full list of products i recommend go to my Amazon Page! Click here!>
Disclaimer - These links are independently recommend products and may earn commissions for myself on purchases.
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