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The Importance of Play
Toys and Disabilities By Teri Brown
Most everyone understands how important play is to a child's development. It is their joy, their calling and their first job on this earth. Toys facilitate that play, whether they are the high-tech toys of today or the classic, beloved toys of yesteryear. When you have a special needs child, those toys become even more important, as they are the tools that promote development of skills needed to function in today's world.
Amanda Stevens, whose 5-year-old daughter has been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, understands how important toys are for her child's development. Asperger Syndrome is a high functioning form of Autism that does not affect her daughter's cognitive skills, but does affect her social skills. Steven's daughter is unable to socialize at the level of a non-Asperger child and does not understand interactive play, emotions or expressions.
Stevens believes that toys have helped Emily in many ways – from learning about emotions to understanding how to behave in social situations. She has become very selective about what toys she buys for her daughter.
"I first evaluate what Emily seems to be having a particular difficulty in and I research products that will help her," says Stevens. "I look for something that is not complex and does not challenge her as much as it aids her. Emily almost sees the world as if it is one giant painting. She will not notice a little boy or little girl, but she will notice the color the shirt the little boy or little girl is wearing. I want toys that have wonderful graphics and pictures and are bright and colorful because that is what works for Emily."
Evelyn Ain is not only a mother of an autistic child, but the publisher of Spectrum Magazine, a national bimonthly publication for the parents of children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Frustrated by the lack of information on her child's condition, she began researching and soon became an advocate and started the magazine. She believes that finding the right toys is an essential tool in a child's development.
"Whether it's education, entertainment or reinforcement, the right toy will serve a therapeutic function," says Ain. "I strongly urge using toys in the everyday activities of a child. As a parent and an advocate, I know among all the other things you do for your child there is little time left for the fun things, but I cannot stress enough how important it really is."
When it comes to choosing toys for her son, Ain tries to make sure that it is right for him. "Like I do with anything else for my son, I research," says Ain. "Whether it's his diet, speech therapist or school district, I'm always researching for the right fit for him. My son Matthew likes to revisit his toys again and again. He knows what he likes and he likes the familiarity. So if it's a book it has to be durable, because he will flip through those pages several times before he goes on to the next book."
