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Home › Articles › General › Special Toys for Special Toddlers

Special Toys for Special Toddlers

Finding the Right Toys for Toddlers with Autism, Hearing and Other Developmental Issues

By Lisa A. Goldstein

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Cause-and-effect toys are also helpful, Patel says. These are toys that have objects that pop up or light up if the child pushes a button.

Likewise, toys that visually direct a child to the ways they can be used are good for children with hearing impairments, says Sue Olsen, who administers the Up to 3 Early Intervention Program at the Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. She recommends toys with these features:

  • Realistic actions, figures and sounds
  • High-pitched or low-bass sounds
  • Varied textured surfaces
  • Mirrors
Poor Motor Skills

For a child with slow motor skills, Patel recommends getting a large dump truck. The child can place objects in it and push it around, as well as fill it with different textured items like sand or rice. This way the child feels the different types of textures. Large stacking blocks or different size cups are also good for building towers and knocking or kicking them down.

For fine motor issues, Patel recommends the following:

  • Building toys
  • Snap beads
  • Connecting toys
  • Lacing toys
  • Peg boards

Olsen recommends toys with these features:

  • Multiple access areas that result in different responses
  • A response to manipulation with visual and/or sound feedback
  • Exploration of visual details and various textures
  • Toys with knobs, levers, buttons, switches and holes fo exploring and manipulating

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