Toys for children with Autism?

Question

I babysit a 6 year old with Autism. Are there any web sites of toys or places that have toys that would be good for him?

Answer 1

I read somewhere that Thomas the Tank Engine is actulally good for autistic kids as it helps them with reading expressions and stuff.

It will mainly depend on what his social skills are like there are toys you can play with independently while there are others which you need to be able to play in a group

Answer 2

There are loads of companies that produce strong tough toys that are specifically for autistic children. In the UK the National Autistic society usually keeps up to date lists of them. Toys that are designed for children with autism are usually much more expensive but if you do your research you can usually find similar toys for children much cheaper.

Answer 3

If the 6 year old likes books, you can make adaptive picture books using a hot glue gun and craft related items (foam letters, googly eyes, buttons, colored feathers, ribbons, yarn, etc.).  For instance, you can glue on the googly eyes onto a character in the book, making a small yarn "wig" for a character's hair--whatever your imagination takes you.

As for toys themselves, try using a "marble works" set.  You

should be able to find it at a toystore.  Basically, it's set that the kids can build, and drop marbles to run the course they design for it.  This will provide image and auditory stimulation.  

If the kid likes to build, try legos.  They provide tactile stimulation through the snapping on and off process, combined with the bumping ridges.  They may also enjoy the sound of the legos popping on and off.  

Children with Autism need activities related to pressure, so letting them do things like jumping and tossing a ball can be of great benefit.   You can also try rolling the kid in a yoga mat and applying gental pressure (ask the parents about this first). The pressure from the mat will often help settle down their system, thus bringing them "back to earth" if they become over stimulated.  Another idea is to have the kid swing, especially if you're at a play ground.  If not, then you swing the kid yourself if she/he is willing and light enough for you to safely do so.

So basically, you can make adaptions to many activities using what you already have and your own creativity.  Granted what you'll be able to do will depend on the child's skill level.  However, my experience has been that even kids with a fairly low level of functioning with Autism can do quite a bit.  It just takes a lot of patience, as well as trial and error.

Good luck and have fun!

Answer 4

abilitations.com is a good website for sensory toys

it all depends on what the child can do

i would try puzzles

different sorts of blocks that u can put together

krinkles are the one my child loves

cars dinosaurs it all depends on the child

i would need more info on what he can do no one autistic child is alike

Answer 5

It depends on the kiddo of course, but almost all of my students with autism have LOVED trains!  They also love cars and things with wheels.....do activities that have lots of motion to them......jumping on a trampoline, find squishy/balls with different textures, do lots of sensory activities, also try to do some social activities if possible since a lot of kids with autism have social difficulties.  Also you can get toys that have a button to push to light up......alot of these toys can be found in dollar sections or dollar stores......also at target in the holiday section alot of times.....  marble works and different building activities also

Really try to encourage the social interaction if at all possible....especially if you are babysitting the kid for a long time (like over the summer or something)  I have found that my kids with autism need that more than anything.......they will play with toys like every other student.......but won't interact with the other students....

And keep in mind a "sensory diet"  meaning do physically activities, do sensory activities with hands, etc....  oh and you can make "discovery bottles"  for the child to look at.......just look it up online and you will find tons of ideas of what to put in the bottles  (example water and glitter......and they them shake it and watch it_)

Answer 6

i have a family member with it, and he loves trains, hes a big Thomas the train kid, so try that, have things with sound and color, thats easy to play with

Answer 7

i babysit for one and he LOVES thomas the train and or Dieago

Answer 8

it really depends on the individual child--the spectrum is so wide-

consider safety, interests, ability

Answer 9

Depending on his abilities, most autistic children love the same toys as other kids. They just find very inventive ways of playing with these toys. All three of my children enjoy things with lights, but not a lot of lights. Things that they push buttons on to make light up. That way they are in control of the lights.