How to Choose the Right Toys for Children with Autism

Buying toys for kids can be a challenge. Sometimes, it seems they always want the most current and expensive items advertised on TV. 

In looking for less expensive alternatives, it’s often hard to know what will be the best choice.

And you're suddenly met with a ton of questions when shopping: Is it age-appropriate? Will they like it? Will they actually play with it?

When buying toys for kids with autism, however, this process can be even more complicated.

Choosing toys for kids with autism

Kids with autism need specialized toys that are a match for their ‘developmental age’ and line up with their particular interests.

Also, the toys need to avoid any tactile sensitivity issues they may have.

What is tactile sensitivity?

Some kids with autism suffer from tactile sensitivity. Tactile sensitivity refers to the sensation of touch.

Common thought is that impaired brain processing in those with autism causes a skewing in the interpretation of the physical act of touching.

Although the degree of impairment varies from child to child, those with autism are quite likely to experience some degree of tactile sensitivity.

Examples of tactile sensitivity

Examples of such tactile sensitivity could include aversions to certain textures, such as clothing tags, seams in socks, types of cloth, etc.

For those with such sensitivities, it’s theorized that there’s something in the touching experience which causes the child to feel “peculiar, noxious, or even in pain” which can progress into sensory overload.

Since those with autism aren’t geared to expressing these overwhelming sensations, they may communicate their thoughts with negative behavior.

In extreme cases, the child avoids all touch whenever possible. This includes touching/being touched by other humans.

On the other hand, there are many autistic children who are ‘stimulation seekers.’ They thrive on handling objects in their environment, and will even grab onto and nestle up to varied forms of cloth, even if it’s being worn by another.

Since tactile sensitivities are a common component of autism, always clear your gift ideas with the child’s parents to assure you gift appropriately.

Gift hints for children with autism

The American Autism Association offers gift suggestions based on the child’s ‘developmental age’ and special interests.

A child just beginning to notice other children of the same age might enjoy simple board games. Various options are available online.

For children with autism who have minimal interaction with others, ‘cause-and-effect toys’ are suggested. Such toys “give the child an ability to influence their environment.”

Best-selling examples are a soothing rain tube, a mini-light spinner, a multi-voice changer, and sound puzzles.

Hand-eye coordination

Many children with autism do relatively poorly with fine motor skills. Referred to as hand-eye coordination, these manual skills are needed to use fingers and hands properly. Fun games to help develop these skills are the Bed Bugs game, peg boards, and Wikki Stix.

Read on to learn more about these hand-eye coordination games, as well as many other tips to buy toys for children living with autism spectrum disorder.