3 Essential Sensory Toys for Kids with Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that affects how a child interacts with the world around them. Children with autism often experience challenges in sensory processing, socialization, communication, and motor skills. Fortunately, therapy toys can provide valuable support, helping children engage in meaningful play and development. In this post, we will explore three essential sensory toys that can help children with autism thrive in different aspects of their daily lives.
1.Chewy Tubes
Why It’s Essential:
Chewy Tubes are designed for children who may need oral sensory input. Many children with autism experience a need for oral stimulation, and these chew toys can help satisfy that craving safely. Chewy Tubes are especially useful for children who chew on non-food items, helping to redirect that behaviour.
How It Helps:
- Sensory Processing: These tubes provide oral sensory feedback, which can calm sensory-seeking behaviours. The deep pressure and texture also help regulate emotions. The firmness of the Chewy Tubes is also varied, according to the user’s age. Chewy Tubes for those aged 12+ and above are the largest and firmest of the range with a general 16mm stem diameter, as compared to Chewy Tubes for infants and children below 2 years old (with a 9mm stem diameter).
- Oral Motor Skills: Regular use of chewy tubes can support the development of oral motor skills, which are crucial for speech development and eating.
- Self-Regulation: Chewing can be a calming, self-soothing activity, helping children cope with anxiety or stress.
Shop now at Aspire Toys’ Chewing Category and find the ideal Chewy Tube for your child’s development!
2.Sensory Swing
Why It’s Essential:
A sensory swing can be a game-changer for children with autism, offering deep pressure input that is calming for those who have difficulty with sensory modulation. These swings allow children to experience a gentle swaying or rocking motion, which can be incredibly soothing, especially during times of sensory overload.
How It Helps:
- Sensory Regulation: The rhythmic motion of the swing helps children self-regulate and calm their nervous systems
- Emotional Regulation: The motion of the swing helps children relax, and even improve sleep quality. It provides a safe space for children to decompress and reduce sensory overload.
- Motor Development: Swinging also encourages the development of coordination, balance and body awareness, which are essential for spatial awareness and motor planning.
3.Fidget Spinners and Fidget Cubes
Why They’re Essential:
Fidget spinners and fidget cubes are sensory toys that help children manage hyperactivity and regulate sensory input. These therapy toys offer a variety of tactile features (switches, dials, rollers and buttons) to keep hands occupied, which may help children focus during school lessons, therapy or other activities.
How They Help:
- Sensory Processing: Sensory toys like fidget spinners and fidget cubes provide calming sensory input through touch, helping individuals with sensory processing difficulties or sensory-seeking behaviours.
- Emotional Regulation: The repetitive motions of fidgeting can have a soothing effect, helping kids manage frustration, anxiety or stress.
- Focus and Attention: For those who struggle to sit still or concentrate, fidgeting can be a way to channel excess energy and stay focused.
Shop now at Aspire Toys’ Fidget Category and find the ideal fidget sensory toys for your child’s development!
Key Takeaways
- Top 3 Sensory Toys for Autism: Chewy Tubes, Sensory Swing, Fidget Spinners and Fidget Cubes are all highly effective therapy toys for children with autism
- How They Support Sensory Processing and Social Development: Each of these toys provides a different kind of sensory input and sensory support. Be it tactile stimulation, a calming motion or oral input, these toys help children with sensory processing difficulties, as well as emotional regulation.
- Why These Toys Are Essential: These toys are essential as they address key areas of development for children with autism – sensory processing, emotional regulation and motor development. By incorporating these toys into therapy routines and everyday play and learning, parents and caregivers can help children with autism navigate their sensory world, build skills and aspire to their fullest potential!
Investing in sensory toys for children with autism can have a profound impact on their overall development. By choosing the right toys, parents and caregivers can create opportunities for play, growth and self-discovery – while also providing support for difficulties that children may face.
