Toys That Benefit Children With Autism

For some children, the toys they play with can mean the difference in being able to communicate with other people.

Bernice Thomas says, "You know I want to teach him. I can't reach him. He's withdrawn."

Thomas's son has autism and is non-verbal. She says something like a child's camera could really help her son communicate through pictures and be more creative.

She says, "They would have helped me open up a whole new world for him but I didn't know using toys could benefit him."

Derrick Howle with Autism Speaks says toys play an important part in every child's development, but with autistic children it takes them much longer to perfect certain skills.

Howle says, "Fine motor skill issues or gross motor skill issues, certain toys can help them develop those on a step by step basis."

He says toys that target a child's hearing, vision, creativity, language and motor skills will benefit them best. For example, the GeoTrax Grand Central Station. It makes sounds they learn to adapt to, it encourages them to think about the toy itself and how to operate it. It is also visually stimulating.

Even something like a handheld remote can help a child with autism. At first they may not know how to hold it or they may not even be able to grasp it, but once they learn it will help them with things like holding forks and spoons.

Other toys that can benefit a child are toys like the Dunk 'n Cheer Basketball Goal that rewards the child for making the correct motion with the ball by making fun sounds.
Howle says says it seems simple but the payoff is big.
He says, "Help them in every day life. Help them to zip up their own pants and put on their own clothes and small examples such as that"
He adds, for children with autism and even those that develop normally, teaching them these lessons as early as possible will only help them in the long run.
Experts say you can find good toys for your child anywhere just look for toys that target language, creativity and social skills.
Toys "R" Us and Autism Speaks have worked together to identify ten toys that will enhance an autistic child's learning.
If you would like to see that list click here.
Toys "R" Us is taking donations for Autism Speaks at their stores. The money goes to funding research on autism. In 2008 the toy store raised more than $1.5 million dollars for autism research and advocacy.