Choosing the Right Toys for Special Needs Children

By Christina Wallerstein
Founder, Playworks.net


Choosing toys for children can be a daunting task. The choices seem endless, and advertising aimed at children often means parents are flooded by requests for the latest new toy. Then there are practical considerations: developmental appropriateness, play value, quality, durability and cost.

Most importantly, one needs to think carefully about the individual child's special needs, talents, and, perhaps most important of all, their preferences. I suspect we’ve all shared the following experience: We choose what we think is "the perfect toy" only to find that our child never quite takes a liking to it. It's a disappointment that cannot entirely be eliminated, despite our best efforts. It just underscores the challenges we face when we're shopping for toys.

The best toys for any child are those chosen after observing the child at play. What do we learn from watching and playing with our children? Their preferences, what comes easily, and what challenges, and even frustrates them. With these insights, we can better evaluate toys and make more successful selections.

Remember the adage that one person's passion is another's poison? Well, the same is true about toys. I recall clearly how one toy that some parents and professionals at a conference on autism lauded as the "perfect" toy was lambasted by others. Each had a reason for their position, as will be clear as we explain why.

This toy, called a Rainbomaker©, allows the child to simulate the sound of rain without getting wet! The child can shake, turn, and twist the 16" tube, watching colorful beads cascade through levels making a gentle falling rain sound. The multi-colored beads create a prism of color as they tumble down the tube.

Here's the deal. Some children like motion and sound. They respond positively to the movement of the beads and the sound they make, experimenting and discovering how different movements create softer or louder sounds. They observe the different color beads and how light passing through the tube affects their brilliance.

Unfortunately, some children become so fascinated by these effects that they repeat their motions over and over, and become agitated when "time's up" and they must stop and move on to another activity. Other children are so sensitive to sound that Rainbomaker is absolutely not a choice.

For children with sensitivities to light and motion, a huge issue for many with autism spectrum, parents need to choose quiet toys that provide opportunities for exploring cause and effect and enhancing motor skill. Stringing, lacing, and threading activities might engage these children. Along the way, they will explore colors, shapes and sizes, perhaps creating patterns and learning about different textures and weights. Beads can be sorted and counted as well.

Think about the properties of the materials used to create the beads and laces. Wood feels different and weighs more than plastic. By interacting with toys from different materials, the child learns about those materials. When sharing the activity with an adult, the child can also gain language to describe both the toys and his play.

Sometimes if a toy, such as Rainbomaker, is a favorite, but one that causes the child to refuse to stop playing, teachers will turn a negative into a positive, "making a deal" with the child that they can play with the toy for a specific period of time after they complete a required task. Let’s say the assignment is sorting by color and shape but the child doesn't like to sort. The desire to create the sound of rain can be strong enough to win his or her cooperation. Of course, the success of this plan depends upon adhering to the agreement. And that's a whole other "learning experience."

For an excellent selection of toys for special needs and all children, feel free to visit www.playworks.net, email info@playworks.net or call (877) 579-9300.