American Asperger's Association
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American Asperger's Association Support Group

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» Chambers of Hope (COH) and American Aspergers Association (AAA)
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSat Jul 27, 2013 1:29 pm by csweepigirl

» Introductions
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeMon Feb 06, 2012 12:39 am by earthenvessel

» June 4th 2011
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeFri Feb 25, 2011 6:22 am by csweepigirl

» Free Home Speech Practice Home offer
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSat Feb 19, 2011 2:21 pm by csweepigirl

» Support group meeting and hbot volunteers
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeMon Dec 20, 2010 9:35 am by Dr. Ron

» Favor....Locals..read..please...
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeMon Oct 11, 2010 7:46 am by bondgary009

» Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) is hosting the first of its best practices webinars
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeFri Aug 27, 2010 4:51 am by csweepigirl

» We need to start this website back up again!
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeMon Aug 23, 2010 2:33 am by man of a million names

» Group Home Manager is Yelling I Need Help
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeThu Aug 05, 2010 3:10 am by csweepigirl

» Facebook
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeMon Jul 05, 2010 2:27 am by KelleyNNelson

» Support Group Meetings 2011 *EDITED*
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeWed Jun 23, 2010 3:57 am by KelleyNNelson

» community happenings!
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeTue Jun 22, 2010 6:01 am by asg_tlm@hotmail.com

» Asperger's (how it is diagnosed and treated)
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSat Jun 12, 2010 4:27 pm by csweepigirl

» What do you do when people look at you by the pills you take vs. the person you are?
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSat Jun 12, 2010 4:01 pm by csweepigirl

» Items under your nose that are gluten free, and cheap too!
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeWed Jun 09, 2010 5:59 am by KelleyNNelson

» Adam
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeTue Jun 08, 2010 1:19 am by man of a million names

» Looking for friends
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSat Jun 05, 2010 8:51 pm by channing28105

» Maas-Rowe Carillon Questions
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSat Jun 05, 2010 8:51 pm by channing28105

» Video Emails from Dr. Ron
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeTue May 11, 2010 1:40 am by Dr. Ron

» Ah, it's good to be back.
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSat May 01, 2010 5:03 am by man of a million names

» 1st Annual Aspergers Volleyball Tournament
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeMon Apr 19, 2010 2:03 am by Dr. Ron

» free event: Therapeutic Recreation Adapted Sailing and Kayak Clinic
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeThu Apr 01, 2010 3:20 am by csweepigirl

» Help! I Seem to be Getting More Autistic!" ARTICLE
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeMon Mar 29, 2010 10:22 am by csweepigirl

» Was this teacher out of line?
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeWed Mar 03, 2010 10:31 pm by lovethefish

» OMG THE PLACE IS REMODELED!!!!
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeWed Mar 03, 2010 2:38 am by KelleyNNelson

» Got Plates?
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeTue Mar 02, 2010 1:19 am by KelleyNNelson

» Local IEP Advocate!! THANKS VAL!!!
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSun Feb 28, 2010 1:16 pm by csweepigirl

» Pinellas ESE advisory board meetings
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSat Feb 27, 2010 12:31 am by lovethefish

» Dentists who use sedation.. thanks Dr. Ron
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSat Feb 27, 2010 12:28 am by lovethefish

» Hey GAB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeWed Feb 24, 2010 5:25 am by csweepigirl

» Autism in the news: WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A hormone thought to encourage bonding between mothers and their babies may foster social behavior in some adults with autism, French researchers said on Monday.
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeThu Feb 18, 2010 7:01 am by csweepigirl

» **********echo*******************
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSun Jan 31, 2010 11:16 pm by KelleyNNelson

» Any ideas on how to make a gluten regression easier for both child and family?
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeWed Jan 06, 2010 9:47 am by csweepigirl

» Hi! Long time no see.
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeMon Dec 21, 2009 3:04 am by KelleyNNelson

» Hellooooo? Need some freakin' help here.
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeTue Dec 15, 2009 8:50 am by man of a million names

» Cats or dogs? Summer or winter?
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeMon Nov 23, 2009 6:47 am by man of a million names

» Mozark and the whale *aspergers movie* on showtime on demand.. SUCKED by the way
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeMon Nov 23, 2009 6:42 am by man of a million names

» Adult Aspergers Syndrome
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSun Nov 22, 2009 4:07 pm by KelleyNNelson

» Asperger’s Syndrome: A Developmental Puzzle by Michael McCroskery
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSun Nov 22, 2009 12:22 pm by csweepigirl

» Really Cool Super Awesome Thing! Kim And Kelly You Have To Read This!
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeFri Nov 20, 2009 4:24 am by man of a million names

» 2 Articles of Interest Re: Aspergers
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeThu Nov 19, 2009 6:15 am by csweepigirl

» Accidently stubled across some info about meletonin oops!
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeTue Nov 10, 2009 2:41 pm by csweepigirl

» Lack of Services for ASD
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeMon Nov 09, 2009 8:04 pm by Dr. Ron

» New and having a hard time
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeWed Nov 04, 2009 3:40 am by lovethefish

» Sorry I haven't been around as much (update)
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeTue Nov 03, 2009 10:53 pm by KelleyNNelson

» Having a hard time again
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeTue Oct 20, 2009 8:35 am by man of a million names

» Important paradox/riddle! Anyone care to help with it?
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeMon Oct 19, 2009 10:46 pm by KelleyNNelson

» Follow through or not.
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeThu Oct 15, 2009 4:01 am by csweepigirl

» New Pediatrics Autism Study Putting Prevalence at 1 in 91
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeWed Oct 14, 2009 11:45 am by csweepigirl

» Different Directions
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeFri Oct 09, 2009 12:41 am by csweepigirl

» AS is a very difficult diagnosis to make.
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeThu Oct 08, 2009 1:47 pm by csweepigirl

» How is everyone?
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeMon Sep 21, 2009 9:48 pm by Jerry Graham

» CD to benefit the AAA ~!!!!! Check this out!!
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeMon Sep 21, 2009 11:14 am by bassfiddlesteve

» I met Joe Diffie's son!
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSun Sep 20, 2009 8:01 am by csweepigirl

» Anyone feel like helping me smack the crap out of my former boss?
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSun Sep 20, 2009 7:56 am by csweepigirl

» Lazy or Aspergers?? or both?
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSun Sep 20, 2009 5:20 am by man of a million names

» The right thing?
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeTue Sep 15, 2009 7:27 am by man of a million names

» Mark Fowler and his wonderful work.
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSun Sep 13, 2009 5:51 am by man of a million names

» A.A.A. RESEARCH STUDY. Do you see any differences between females with Aspergers vs. males with Aspergers
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeThu Sep 10, 2009 1:49 pm by csweepigirl

» What happened?? because I don't know, do you?
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeThu Sep 10, 2009 6:24 am by man of a million names

» Haha, Funny URL.
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeWed Sep 09, 2009 9:15 am by man of a million names

» Dude! Kim, I forgot to tell you... and maybe anyone else at the last meeting...
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSat Sep 05, 2009 4:59 am by man of a million names

» My son is making strange noises!
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeFri Sep 04, 2009 11:41 pm by KelleyNNelson

» Terrible sound on video
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeFri Sep 04, 2009 9:30 am by man of a million names

» Aspian or Aspergian?
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeFri Sep 04, 2009 7:22 am by man of a million names

» If you, or you know someone who needs a BIG/HUGE carseat..
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeFri Sep 04, 2009 12:33 am by csweepigirl

» Just a quick hello
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeWed Sep 02, 2009 7:37 am by man of a million names

» We started the FLDRS process...and here's what we found out so far
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeWed Sep 02, 2009 7:19 am by man of a million names

» Support Groups
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSun Aug 30, 2009 1:31 pm by KelleyNNelson

» (Aspergers) Boy Meets Girl Movie
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeTue Aug 25, 2009 8:13 am by man of a million names

» I give up, with trying to ever just relax, really.. I'm so flustrated!
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeMon Aug 24, 2009 9:15 am by man of a million names

» Basic White or Yellow Cake
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSat Aug 22, 2009 6:33 am by man of a million names

» When did this category get here?
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSat Aug 22, 2009 1:55 am by man of a million names

» Pork Fried Rice
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeThu Aug 20, 2009 11:17 pm by man of a million names

» Why Are The Private Messages Still Disabled????
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeThu Aug 20, 2009 10:48 pm by man of a million names

» Sorry I've been M.I.A.
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeWed Aug 19, 2009 6:04 am by man of a million names

» 5Km Run For AS!
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeFri Aug 14, 2009 11:30 pm by man of a million names

» Help for a mother.
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeWed Aug 12, 2009 12:01 pm by Dr. Ron

» Aspergers and empathy
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSat Aug 08, 2009 11:41 am by csweepigirl

» We are the three amigo(a)s!Aanyone care to join?
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeFri Aug 07, 2009 12:42 am by man of a million names

» Vaccinations, Red Book, What?
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeThu Aug 06, 2009 12:21 am by Dr. Ron

» What is the first step?
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeWed Aug 05, 2009 7:14 am by Dr. Ron

» Children who can’t cuddle
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeMon Aug 03, 2009 1:27 pm by csweepigirl

» Challenging popular myths about autism
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeFri Jul 31, 2009 10:59 pm by Dr. Ron

» I NEED your HELP!!
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeSat Jul 25, 2009 2:41 am by melissa

» Ok..what do I do? any suggestions..
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeFri Jul 24, 2009 3:53 am by melissa

» Back home!
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeWed Jul 22, 2009 2:10 pm by KelleyNNelson

» Any spanish speakers willing to help an aspie in spain?
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeWed Jul 22, 2009 1:34 pm by csweepigirl

» Gluten Free Simple Bread
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeTue Jul 21, 2009 11:49 am by csweepigirl

» More research (genetics)
Tips on choosing toys! I_icon_minitimeTue Jul 21, 2009 11:43 am by csweepigirl


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Tips on choosing toys!

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1Tips on choosing toys! Empty Tips on choosing toys! Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:55 pm

csweepigirl

csweepigirl
Admin

Choosing the Right Toy for Children with Special Needs

Choosing the right toy for any child can be difficult; parents sometimes need extra help narrowing down a toy
for a child with a disability. These children have the same basic needs as other typical children. They are curious
about their world. A special needs child may require extra support based on their individual needs, but should not
be treated as if they are different. However, selecting a toy for any child begins with two steps: first, learning
what the child is interested in, and second, assessing his or her skill level. Choose a toy that is age appropriate
and will inspire the child’s interest, creativity and exploration.

Special needs children should be given toys in which they are capable of achievement. They want to learn; and
enjoy activities such as going to the park, picture books, toys, and games. These children need to experience
success and learn how to deal with failures. Helping a child experience success through play has a significant
influence on brain development. In fact, researchers have found a direct link between brain function and the
rising stress level caused by a losing during play and other activities. Toys that are appropriate to a child's
developmental stage and abilities help assure repeated successes, building brain function as well as self-esteem.

Educational toys enhance a child's skills in sensory, motor, and cognitive development. All special needs children
can benefit greatly from toys for their therapeutic, educational, and entertainment values. Toys for special needs
children should be action-oriented, attracting the child to center their attention on it.

Special Needs Children and Play

For a typical child playing comes natural but for children with special needs, play is often not self-initiated. They
need demonstration and encouragement, and some children may have trouble choosing one toy from numerous.
Children with cognitive problems do not have the same plan of action that typically developing children do, so
organizing themselves and their activities is more difficult.

When teaching a child with special needs how to play, one must not cross the fine line between demonstrating
and dominating the play. Adults provide the environment and the tools, but only the child can match the play to
his/her skills and interests. Too much adult interaction, particularly when the adult's idea of the desired outcome
of that play is pressured on the child, it causes stress levels to rise. Likewise, independent play can relieve anxiety
and stress. So even if adults have a specific result in mind for each toy, such as fitting a small cup into a larger
one, that should not be the sole purpose of success in playing with that toy. Play should focus on the process
instead of the results. The joy of play has to be the exploration for special needs children.

Children with special needs include children of all abilities, cultures, races, and backgrounds. Like all children,
they have individual interests, likes, and dislikes. Some children with special needs have physical disabilities,
speech or other developmental delays, or difficulty interacting with other children or adults. The disability may be
mild to moderate to severe in range. Whatever the range, children with disabilities are more like other children
than they are different; as they play, make friends, feel happy or sad.

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Children with autism often have a few unusual heightened skills, such as solving jigsaws, artistic drawings,
incredible block builders, and computer wizards. Toys for children with autism should stimulate all the senses.
Autistic children enjoy listening to music which offers auditory stimulation and picture books enhance visual
thinking. Tactile toys expose children to a wide variety of textures. These include sand and water tables, squish
balls, Play-doh, and finger paints. For the development of gross motor skills children should play with bouncing
balls, pounding toys, riding toys, and swings. Toys for fine motor improvement include puzzles, stacking toys,
shape sorters, and lacing beads.

Sensory Integration Dysfunction

Children with sensory integration dysfunction experience problems with skills such as tying shoe laces or riding a
bike can be difficult as they involve sequences of movements. Activities to help in these areas may include
swimming, construction toys and building blocks. Hand and eye coordination can be improved with activities
such as hitting a ball with a bat, popping bubbles, and throwing and catching balls, beanbags and balloons.
Difficulty with using both sides of the body together can occur in some cases of sensory integration
dysfunction. These children may benefit from hopscotch, skipping, playing musical instruments, playing catch
and bouncing balls.

Physical Disabilities

It's important for children with disabilities to frequently play, because physical disabilities can have a major
impact on the motor systems of an infant or toddler, limiting a child's ability to reach, sit, stand, or even move at
all. When toy shopping for a child with a physical disability, make sure the product is simple to use and provides
a clear cause-effect relationship that the child can see. It should have large buttons or other easy-to-use parts.

Hearing Impaired

Depending on whether they are totally deaf or hard of hearing, children with hearing impairments must be
challenged to absorb environmental information to fully enjoy their toys. So in picking toys for these children,
make sure the volume can be amplified if it's a product with a voice or generates noise. Both bright colors and
lights increase sight and other sensory stimulation. Textured toys are great for children with hearing loss because
the feel of the toy can heighten their appreciation.

Visual Impaired

Children with visual impairments enjoy toys that are simple to operate, produce familiar sounds, and have large,
raised parts or other tactile textures and shapes. Also great: toys that give off distinctive scents or provide
auditory directions, vibrations, and noises. Bright, bold colors are important for children who are partially
sighted. Visually impaired children enjoy playing cards with large numbers and letters.

Speech and Language Delays

Children with speech and language delays enjoy playing simple games such as itsy-bitsy-spider, peek-a-boo and
patty-cake. Read books appropriate to the child’s age and interests out loud. Sing to the child and provide
him/her with music. Learning new songs helps children learn new words, and use memory skills, listening skills,
and expression of ideas with words. Blowing bubbles can develop oral muscles, and toy telephones and pretend
play encourage talking. Play with your child one-on-one, and talk about the toys and games while you are playing.

Mentally Challenged

Mentally challenged children often enjoy activities involving sorting, counting, identifying, and planning. So toys
that challenge them to engage and think are ideal. Some toys to consider for cognitively challenged children are
clay and Play Dough, bubbles (to improve a child's visual pathway), finger-painting supplies, jumping games, ball
games, cards, and play-fishing games.

When buying toys

Choose toys with care. Keep in mind the child’s age, interests and skill level. Look for quality design and
construction in all toys for all ages. Make sure that all directions or instructions are clear—to you and, when
appropriate, to the child. Plastic wrappings on toys should be discarded before they become dangerous
playthings.

Be a label reader

Look for and regard age recommendations, such as “Not recommended for children under three.” Look for other
safety labels including: “Flame resistant” on fabric products and “Washable/hygienic materials” on stuffed toys
and dolls.

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