What are the best toys for autistic children? Children are so different from one another, and so are their needs. Does your child like physical activity? An indoor ball pit or trampoline might help your child with autism expend some energy.
What about sensory issues? Many kids benefit from soothing toys such as stress balls and fidgets. Visually oriented children are often drawn to motion lamps and liquid timers. LEGO blocks and educational puzzles are popular choices when looking for the best autism toys, too.
Before we move on to choosing the best toys for your autistic child, make sure you get your free guide here:
How to choose the best toys for autistic kids
When choosing the best autism toys for the child in your life, it is important to consider:
- their preferences and interests,
- their age,
- their ability level, and
- their developmental stage.
Physical activity play toys are wonderful choices for children who have lots of energy or who struggle to find a constructive way to harness energy.
Educational toys for autism can help children meet their academic goals and support their curriculum and therapeutic goals.
Tactile sensory toys are a great option for children with sensory processing disorder who have very specific preferences in sensory input and who use toys to self-soothe. For children with autism, tactile toys may include visual toys or tactile puzzles.
When finding the best autism toys for toddlers and hunting down ideas for the best gifts for kids with autism, it is important to consider each child’s individual special needs. Below, you will find ideas for children with autism in each of these scenarios.
Autism toys for physical activity
Physical play can be an excellent way for children to improve hand-eye coordination, develop healthy movement habits, and release anxious or excess energy.
Trampolines, particularly indoor models that can be used in any weather, are a great option for kids who enjoy vestibular motion and need to work on gross motor skills or balance.
Many indoor trampolines are small enough to fit in a living room or bedroom and can be folded and transported for convenient use at home or on the go.
Ball pits are another popular choice, offering a fun and engaging way to support various therapeutic activities. The bright colors and the unique sensation of being immersed in a pool of balls often appeal to children of different ages.
Ball pits can be made as a DIY project using a large paddling pool and balls or purchased as preassembled sets from a variety of retailers.
Educational toys for autism
Children with unique interests may enjoy toys that align with their preferences, such as trains, dolls, dinosaurs, or books.
For toys that support developmental goals or therapies, consider exploring specialty retailers or seeking recommendations from your child’s therapist.
Toys designed to teach practical skills can be particularly helpful. For example, a wooden shoe-tying toy can assist children in learning to tie their shoes.
These toys often feature large, durable shapes with thick laces, making them easier for small hands to manipulate. In addition to shoe-tying, they can also be used to practice various types of knots, enhancing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
LEGO® blocks are undoubtedly one of the most popular autism toys among children. They encourage the development of:
- fine motor skills,
- visual perceptual-motor skills,
- cognitive skills,
- sensorimotor skills,
- self-efficacy skills,
- imagination.
While LEGO therapy isn’t considered a formal one, the social and cognitive benefits are endless.
Dollhouses are a wonderful way to help children develop social skills and explore interpersonal relationships and their community through play. They also allow children who require extra reinforcement to practice routines and activities of daily living through role-play.
Engaging in dollhouse play with your child with autism can also be an excellent opportunity to reiterate household expectations and gain insight into your child’s understanding of their environment.
Puzzles for children with autism
Many children with autism enjoy the process of working on puzzles. When choosing a puzzle for your child, it’s important to consider their interests, current skill level, developmental goals, and preference for challenge.
Puzzles with themes like vehicles, animals, or letters can often capture a child’s attention while supporting learning. Large, chunky pieces are especially helpful for children still developing fine motor skills, making them easier to manipulate and fit together.
Look for puzzles categorized by age range or skill focus to ensure they match your child’s needs and abilities.
Best toys for autistic toddlers
As early diagnosis and intervention for autism have become more common, many parents find themselves searching for the best toys to support their toddlers’ development.
If you are new to your child’s diagnosis and unsure of where to start, a therapist can be a valuable resource for guidance on selecting appropriate toys. Paying attention to your child’s specific interests can also help you choose toys that capture their attention.
Incorporating favorite items, like plush toys, into activities such as social stories can be a helpful way to reinforce therapies and address challenges in a creative, enjoyable way.
At the same time, child-led play is just as crucial for children with autism as it is for their neurotypical peers. Letting children guide you toward what they enjoy can reveal their preferences and interests.
A visit to a toy store may feel overwhelming. Offering clear, limited choices at home, such as presenting a tactile toy and a dress-up cape, can help your toddler express their preferences more easily.
Toys that promote sensory exploration and skill development are particularly beneficial. For example, brightly colored sensory balls with easy-to-grasp textures can help refine gross motor skills and encourage sensory play.
Other options, like textured rollers, provide opportunities for hand-eye coordination, fine motor development, and creative play, whether tracing patterns or making impressions in materials like sand.
Sensory toys for autistic children
When choosing toys for a child with autism, it is important to consider any additional needs, such as sensory sensitivities or challenges.
Sensory processing difficulties are common among children with autism, and sensory toys can play a supportive role in therapy and daily activities.
These toys are designed to engage a child’s senses in enjoyable and manageable ways. They come in various forms, such as:
- spinners,
- chewable items,
- hand-held gadgets, and more.
Sensory toys can help reduce anxiety by offering familiar and calming stimuli, making it easier for children to explore new sensory experiences gradually.
As children become more comfortable with certain sensations, introducing toys that engage different senses or provide variations can promote further development.
Sensory toys not only support sensory integration but can also contribute to improvements in other areas, such as communication, by reducing stress and fostering a sense of safety and relaxation through play.
Visual toys for autistic children
Children with autism are often drawn to visually stimulating toys that engage their sense of sight in a soothing way. These often include:
- motion lamps,
- liquid timers,
- illuminated bouncy balls, and more.
These toys, with their rhythmic or fluid movements, can support skills like visual tracking, which is important for developing reading, handwriting, and coordination.
Visual toys can also provide a calming effect, helping children self-regulate during transitions, sensory breaks, or moments of overstimulation.
Liquid timers, often categorized as fidget toys, are versatile tools that can be used during class, car rides, or periods of anxiety. They offer a range of colors, shapes, and novelty designs.
Illuminated bouncy balls, which light up upon impact, are another popular option. They combine visual stimulation with opportunities to improve hand-eye coordination through active play.
These toys are available in various textures, such as squishy, spiky, smooth, or ridged, catering to different sensory preferences.
FAQs
Q: What kind of toys do autistic kids like?
A: Autistic kids often enjoy sensory toys, such as fidget spinners, stress balls, or kinetic sand, which engage their senses. They may also prefer toys that align with their special interests, like trains, puzzles, or building sets.
Q: What makes autistic people happy?
A: Autistic people often feel happiest when engaging in activities related to their passions or spending time in environments that respect their needs. Predictable routines, understanding relationships, and sensory-friendly experiences contribute to their well-being.
Q: Why do autistic people like cuddly toys?
A: Cuddly toys can provide comfort and a sense of security for autistic individuals, helping to regulate emotions and sensory input. They may also serve as a form of companionship or a tool for self-expression.
Q: What calms autistic people?
A: Calming strategies for autistic individuals include using sensory tools, such as weighted blankets or noise-canceling headphones, and engaging in repetitive or self-soothing activities. Quiet, predictable environments and empathetic support from others also help reduce stress.
References
Healey, A., Mendelsohn, A., Sells, J. M., Donoghue, E., Earls, M., Hashikawa, A., … & Williams, P. G. (2019). Selecting appropriate toys for young children in the digital era. Pediatrics, 143(1). https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/143/1/e20183348/37330
Soysa, A. I., & Al Mahmud, A. (2019, December). Interactive Pretend Play (iPPy) toys for children with ASD. In Proceedings of the 31st Australian Conference on Human-Computer-Interaction (pp. 285-289). https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3369457.3369480
Purbasari, I., Fajrie, N., & Putri, J. (2020). Effectiveness of Motor Skills through Traditional Children’s Toys in Autistic Children. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 14(3), 764-782. https://www.ijicc.net/images/Vol_14/Iss_3/14348_Purbasari_2020_E_R.pdf
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