Are you a parent or caregiver of a child with autism looking for fun autism toys? We at Worldwide Pediatrics understand the difficulties you face raising a child with autism. Even finding toys for autistic kids can be a challenge. This is why we created this list of the best sensory toys for autism.
As you may well know, one of the symptoms of autism can be sensory sensitivity. Many people with autism also have another condition called sensory processing disorder. Either way, your child is likely to be dealing with some sensory issues. Sensory play is a great tool to help your youngster manage their sensitivities.
About Sensory Sensitivity
Sensory Sensitivities can affect one sense or multiple senses. It typically presents in one of two forms. Some kids are hypersensitive (oversensitive), while others are hypo-sensitive (under-sensitive). Oversensitive children may overreact to sounds, clothing, and food textures. Alternatively, an under-sensitive child may underreact to sensory input, causing them to seek out more intense stimuli. They can also be oversensitive and under-sensitive depending on the affected sense.
Signs of Oversensitivity
Specific sensory input can be overwhelming for people with oversensitivity. This can lead to a phenomenon Autism Speaks calls sensory avoidance, when someone tries to escape stimuli that most people can easily tune out. It may look like pulling away from someone’s touch, covering the ears when presented with a loud or unpredictable sound, or avoiding certain fabrics or clothes.
Common oversensitive behaviors may include:
- Complaining of scratchy or itchy clothing
- Avoiding contact with certain fabrics or textures
- Fussing over bright lights
- Certain food textures make them feel sick
- Thinking normal sounds are too loud
- Poor body control and inability to balance
- Reacts to soft touches as if too hard
- Are afraid of certain playground equipment like swings or slide
- Extreme reactions to sudden or unexpected touch, noise, movement, or light
Signs of Under-Sensitivity
Particular sensory input may cause little to no reaction for under-sensitive people. This may present as a constant need to move or difficulty recognizing body cues like hunger, illness, or pain. They may seek out loud noises, bright lights, or bright colors. Someone with under-sensitivity may stimulate their senses by making noises, randomly touching people or objects, or moving their body.
Common under-sensitive behaviors may include:
- Constantly moving or fidgeting
- Insomnia or other sleep issues
- Thrill-seeking (May engage in risky behaviors)
- Enjoys extreme sports or activities like rock climbing
- Can spin without feeling dizzy.
- Doesn’t recognize bodily cues
- Chews on random things
- Video game addiction
Why Sensory Toys for Autistic Kids?
Sensory objects make great autistic children’s toys. They are designed to activate the senses (sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste). They’re usually tactile (touch), visual (sight), or auditory (sound) in nature. Occasionally, you’ll find toys that include olfactory (smell) or gustatory (taste). Still, they’re usually combined with one of the top three.
Sensory toys are excellent autism toys because they help the child relax, focus, and calm down and give them the sensory experience they crave. Being exposed to different experiences may help your child better manage diverse sensations and interact with the outside world.
Sensory play creates the opportunity for children to open brain pathways and build new connections. In turn, communication and social skills improve. This is a massive benefit as one of the hallmarks of autism is difficulty in social situations.
Sensory activities can also boost coordination and motor skills. Those with autism generally struggle with movement, and low physical activity is detrimental to developing motor skills. Since using all the senses is typically physical play, it also helps develop physical attributes.
12 Best Sensory Toys for Autism
Toys you can buy (note: they make great gifts for autistic kids!)
1 – Fidget Cube
These toys help a child focus by keeping their hands occupied. The palm-sized box has different textures and mechanisms on each side. Some of which click, making it auditory as well as tactile. The best part is that they’re not just one of the best sensory toys for autism but also for other neurodiverse children as well.
2 – Reflective Ball or Cube
The reflective surface makes them ideal for kids that need visual input. You can get them weighted to add a bit of tactile input to the mix.
3 – Weighted Stuffy
A favorite amongst schools is weighted stuffed animals. They have an instant calming effect on most children on the spectrum, making them one of the best gifts for autistic kids.
4 – Textured ball
There are so many different types of sensory balls out there. We’re positive you’d find one that your child enjoys. They range from squishy stress balls to metal atomic balls and everything in-between. Most satisfy the need to fidget, making them popular autistic children’s toys.
5 – Light Table
This furniture-like toy is one of the best sensory toys for autism. It can be used with other sensory objects like water beads and sand or alone. Most include brightness settings and multi-color modes.
6 – Squishy Stuff
Water beads, sand, slime, putty, and playdough, are all wonderful gifts for autistic kids. They provide endless hours of tactile fun. Some even boast a sweet aroma inviting your child’s sense of smell to play. Water beads and sand can become more visually stimulating when added to a light table.
Autism Toys You Can Make
7 – Sensory mat/texture mat
These autism toys can be made or bought. It’s a large mat made up of tiny squares featuring different textures. You can make it using a cardboard box or a yoga mat and gluing different textured objects to it.
8 – Sensory Bottle
Combine water, oil, food coloring, glitter, and as many beads or other shiny objects as you can find into a clear bottle. Seal it and shake for loads of visual and tactile fun. This is one of the most effortless and most enjoyable autistic children’s toys to make!
9 – Chew toy
We aren’t talking about the squeaky toy you give your dog. These chew toys originated to help with infant teething and evolved into toys for autistic kids. You can make them by wetting and freezing cloth. They can also be purchased in the baby department.
10 – Filled Balloons
This is where the squishy stuff comes in again. You can fill balloons with water beads, sand, or clay and have a homemade sensory ball. You can also go another route and fill it with beads, marbles, or other hard materials. Either way, it’s an inexpensive way to keep your little one occupied.
11 – Sensory Box or Tent
Fill a cardboard box with soft or squishy materials. Cut a hole in the top just big enough to reach inside and watch your child’s face light up as they play with the unknown substance. Alternately, immerse your child in their senses with a tent filled with blankets and stuffed toys. Set up a flashlight to shine through colored paper and use a white noise machine to add to the ambiance.
12 – Ripping Box
Ripping paper is a favorite amongst toddler boys, both neurotypical and neurodiverse alike. Simply fill a shoebox with multi-colored construction paper and allow your child to rip it up to his heart’s content. Once the pieces get too small to rip, you can easily reuse them as filler for your balloons!
In short, sensory toys are great for children with autism in one form or another. They can help with all kinds of sensory issues. Still, they can also help with other common conditions associated with autism, making them the perfect addition to your toolbox!
Want to learn more about the support available to you? If you believe your child could benefit from sensory therapy, it is never too late to contact us. We at Worldwide Pediatrics Group are experts in autism screening and treatment. Call or click the link above to schedule your child’s appointment with us today!
