When seeking toys for kids with autism, give thought to the 3 major areas of development: social interaction, language/communication and behavior. Each individual differs in the manifestation of the different characteristics indicated under each of these areas. Each individual will not have all of the characteristics and will vary on the severity of the expression of the characteristics.
Social Interaction
Kids with autism have deficits in the area of communication especially in the social use of language. There is a delay or lack of language development. Both verbal and non-verbal aspects of language are impaired. When language is present it may appear stereotypic or repetitive. Receptive language deficits include problems responding to directions, answering questions, understanding multiple meanings of words or understanding abstract concepts. Individuals with autism may need extra time to process information. It is helpful when information is concrete and specific. This is why visual supports like choice boards or visual schedules are helpful. The following Enabling Devices’ products are recommended for visual supports:
Choice Boards
Choice Go Board 2 X 2 Icons #3349
Choice Go Board 3 X 3 Icons #3348
Go! Board with 6 Icon Holders #3336
Go! Board with 8 Icon Holders #3338
Take N’ Talk Communicators/Choice Boards
7 Message Take and Talk Go! Board #3347
7 Message Take N’ Talk Tabletop #3350-B
Upright Take N’ Talk Four #8709
Language/Communication
In the area of expressive language development some characteristic problem areas include using pronouns, expressing emotions, retrieving words and constructing sentences. In addition, troubles with reciprocal conversations and initiating conversations are often seen. Language tends to be idiosyncratic. Many of these children require communication devices for speech and physically impaired individuals. The following communicators are suggested:
Augmentative Communicators
7-Level Communicators #7075 (Blue), #7075B (Black) and #7075G (On-the-Go)
Talk 4 & 8 Communicator with levels #2500, #2500B, #2501, #2501B
Big Talk #4200R (Red), #4200Y (Yellow), #4200B (Blue), #4200G (Green), #4200P (Purple)
Behavior
Children with autism do not use their free time independently learning from the environment. Because social motivators, such as praise or self-pride, do not function in the same way for children with autism as they do for typically developing children, a high level of external reinforcement is needed initially when teaching skills. It is important to be child driven when determining reinforcers/rewards for learning. Observing the child is one way of determining reinforcers. For example, one characteristic under stereotypic behavior that a child with autism may engage in is staring at lights or shiny surfaces. For this child, toys with visual stimulation may be very reinforcing. For other children who enjoy more tactile stimulation, massagers may be more enticing. Toys for kids with autism are ideal when they provide an immediate reward. Skills being taught need to broken down to the level a child is presently demonstrating and increase step by step as the child makes progress.
Some recommended toys that provide visual stimulation are:
Cosmic Steering Wheel #779
Glitter Pin with Music, Lights and Spinners #1699
Glowing Goo Tube #3043
Lighted Vibrating Mirror #358-M
Mr. Roboto #322
Musical Bead Chain with Mirror, Lights and Vibration #659
Shooting Stars with Music, Vibration and Lights #2001-S
Spinning Light Show #145
Water Fall Toy #9016
Peek-A-Boo Mirror #348
Carnival Tube #158
Some recommended products that provide tactile stimulation are:
Somatosensory Tube with Lights, Vibration and Music #402
Therapy Hairbrush #3012
Tubular Vibrator #1151
Vibrating Pillow #460
In summary, when seeking toys for kids with autism, keep the 3 areas of development in mind, and select toys that help autistic children develop in each of these areas.