For children that have ASD, toys are valuable tools for teaching them social skills, motor skills, language dexterities, and problem-solving techniques. In truth, when working with kids who have ASD, speech therapists and ABA therapists utilize toys as learning apparatuses. There are various types of toys that can be appealing to these kids, and every category has different advantages and the opportunity for personal growth and learning.
The primary categories of toys that are most advantageous to children that have autism spectrum disorder are:
- Puzzles
- Sensory toys
- Cause and effect toys
- Fine motor skills toys
- Manipulatives
Puzzles
Puzzles are excellent toys for kids with autism. They provide opportunities for developing problem-solving techniques and visual stimulation. Often these children respond better to pictures than words; therefore, puzzles give them a creative opening for grounding. There are various types of puzzles available for the different developmental stages and age groups, therefore make sure that you select age-appropriate puzzles.
Sensory Toys
Sensory toys are splendid teaching tools for kids with ASD, both visual and tactile, since they are able to capture the attention of these children. ABA therapists often incorporate sensory toys as reinforcers or rewards to help form behavior. You can browse the Mr Toys Toyworld website for a great selection of toys. Examples of sensory toys include:
- Toys like light shows, lava lamps, etc. with visual effects.
- Toys like sensory kits that vary in texture.
- Toys that offer comfort, which is soft and fuzzy.
- Toys that shake, vibrate, rattle, or toys that are different colors and make various sounds, etc.
Also, read This: 5 Best Summer Camp Activities for Your Autistic Child
Cause And Effect Toys
Cause and effect toys can assist kids with ASD in developing motor and visual dexterities. They can also boost learning, hand-eye coordination, as well as exploring with the five senses, learning repetition arrangements, and learning. These toys are:
- Shape sorting toys
- Wind up toys
- Sound puzzles
- Water games
- Mechanical sets
- Light spinners
- Jacob’s ladder
- Voice alternating toys
- Water timers
- Ooze tubes
Toys For Enhancing Fine Motor Skills
For children who have ASD, there might be certain developmental delays in which fine motor skills are among them. Toys can assist children with developing their fine motor skills that are vital for their growth during the early stages. These types of toys are:
- Xbox
- Building toys, sorting toys, and tacking toys
Toys that necessitate fine motor skills include:
- Threading
- Drawing
- Painting
- Putting items into small spaces
- Tying
- Catching
- Pointing
- Creating
- Sculpting
- Following instructions
Manipulative Toys
Manipulative toys are excellent teaching tools for kids with ASD. These toys encourage counting, mathematical skills, sorting, as well as learning patterns. They are often sensory and tactile toys, and many ABA interventionists utilize these types of toys for particular skills. Some examples of manipulative toys are:
- Stacking toys
- Learning card games
- Sorting toys and games
- Categorizing toys and games
Conclusion
We hope that this post has presented you with valuable insight into toy gift ideas for a child or family member who is living with ASD. Toys like this pose many advantages, specifically in teaching them life skills that are vital for development and growth.
