subject: The Guide To Buying Special Needs Toys [print this page] Sensory rooms and just individual sensory toys are ideal for babies, toddlers, children and in particular children with special needs. These include Autism (Autistic Spectrum), Dyspraxia, ADHD, and those kids who are partially sighted, deaf or blind. Before we look at the types of sensory toys, we must mention safety. Every child is unique. This should be bourne in mind when selecting sensory toys for special needs children. Even if the toy has all the relevant manufacturing safety certifications, just take a moment to consider if it will be suitable for the individual child.
Distraction Toys
Distraction Toys do exactly that. They enable the child to turn their attention away from stressful situations and immerse themselves in play. These toys invite children of all ages to escape and explore, enabling them to cope. They include discovery tubs and exploration bags full of all types of small toys.
Light Toys
Toys which light up give multi-sensory experiences and can be enjoyed by all children, including those who may be partially sighted. These toys include fibre optics and projection toys. The projector tent is a wonderful toy whereby a large white net which makes an ideal screen for projected images - allows users to get close to or touch the colour and movement. Can be fixed overhead. The fibre optic harness is 2 meters in length usually and comprises a spray of safe to handle acrylic fibres which change colour constantly along their length. Provides visual stimulation and encourages attention focusing.
Auditory
Auditory sensory toys offer auditory feedback, enhance language and motor skills, develop spatial intelligence and understanding of cause and effect. Exploration bags contain lots of carefully hand picked products that each have their own unique auditory reward. Ideal within a small group to encourage communication skills. Create an opportunity for the fun of noise exploration. Noisy balls are a range of fun balls which when rolled or shaken produce a variety of sounds including giggling. Children love these.
Aroma Toys
There are several aroma products on the market including aroma play dough and Aroma Card. Aroma Card is a game. The object of the game is to match the chosesn fragrance to the appropriate AromaCard. Select a fragrance, dip a bamboo stick, smell the fragrance and then try to match it to one of the AromaCards. The difficulty level of the game can be altered by reducing or increasing the number of AromaCards from which a selection can be made
Texture
Texture Toys provide opportunities to use touch to explore similarities and differences and to learn words to describe these characterisitics. Developing tactile discrimination skills enriches sighted children and lays the foundation for blind children to learn braille.
Visual
Children and adults alike are mesmerized watching the many dramatic effects provided by the contents of exploration bags. All visual stimulating whilst encouraging concentration and providing fun rewards. For instance contents can include Oozy gunge tubes, liquid visual timers, jumping bean timers, kaleidoscope, UV pinpression, light up eyes, glitter globes and more.
Texture Toys
There is a huge range of special needs toys in this category including the space blanket. The space blanket is a noisy, crinkly and highly reflective versatile blanket. A dynamo torch is shined onto the Space Blanket for stunning reflections.
by: Ben Whitlow
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