Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can cause significant social, emotional, communication and behavioral problems. While people with this disorder are no different than those without it, their difficulties in the beginning aspects can also be reflected in their behavior, interaction, and learning.
These signs usually appear in early childhood and, although they last a lifetime, it is possible to mitigate them to a greater or lesser extent or to find different strategies to achieve the same goals. Some of the characteristics that children with ASD exhibit include:
- Don’t show too much interest in objects: Although little ones generally tend to be interested in everything around them, a boy or girl with ASD usually doesn’t show excessive interest , or look at objects when someone else points them out.
- They prefer to be alone and have difficulty expressing their needs with words or movement.
- They are interested in relationships with others, but they do not process how to talk, play or interact with others in the usual way. A circumstance that implies that they have difficulty adapting when changes in their routine occur.
- They have difficulty expressing their own feelings and also have difficulty understanding the feelings of those around them.
Toys for Children With Autism
Boys and girls with autism spectrum disorders enjoy playing, just like other children. In addition, toys are an essential part of their development, as it is through playing that they learn to make different movements, identify sounds and colors, or relate to their environment.
That’s why when choosing toys for them, it’s very important that they attract their attention and also stimulate their development. However, the fact that they have communication difficulties and that it is a little more difficult for them to get involved in activities means that toys must be much more selective in their case.
Emotion Balls
This is a set of six different colored balls with different emotions drawn on them. This toy helps them to stimulate the development of gross motor skills and coordination. In addition, it helps the child to identify more with the emotional expressions.
Chew Toys
It is not uncommon for parents to use chew toys for infants, especially when they are teething, but chew toys can also be used by children with autism. Chew toys are made of a non-toxic silicone material and can be hand-held objects or jewelry worn around the neck or wrist. They are available in a variety of textures (dots, ridges, patterns) or can be smooth. Chew toys are intended to develop biting and chewing skills, as well as provide sensory stimulation.
Activity Planning
This is a game where children organize their daily tasks at different times for them. This activity helps boys and girls with autism to organize their daily activities and routines, according to each time of the day.
Balance Hemisphere
This toy is flexible and helps to improve the steps of boys and girls. In addition, it is a great tool for developing motor skills as it exercises balance, posture, agility and motor skills.
Food Cutter
This is a game made up of different foods to cut into pieces and made up of toy knives. In addition to being durable and fun, it is a way to stimulate coordination and imagination, as well as communication and language.
Stacking Puzzle
It consists of different puzzle pieces that can be stacked according to their shape, color or a combination of both characteristics. It is perfect for stimulating fine motor skills and coordination in little ones.
Social Skills Stories
This is a game for slightly older children with ASD to learn to understand their environment and everyday situations. This activity consists of 30 cards that refer to six different emergency situations in which they must represent each story to find the outcome.
Sensory Mats
An excellent sensory toy for children with autism is a series of sensory mats. These are small mats that each use a different texture. Children can then use their hands or feet to feel and play with the different types of textures. You can even have your child close their eyes and walk around the different mats while asking them to describe how they feel.
