Best Toys for Autistic Children: Wrong Expectations

September 17, 2017

As adults we have many wrong expectations on what to expect of children and their behavior.

• Expectation 1. This is a toy. We have a well defined image of what is a tool and it’s used to play with, however when another object is used with that same function but is not defined as a toy for us we tend to think it’s not good behaviour.

 

• Expectation 2. This is fun. We have heard thousands of times that the best toys are brightly coloured ones that make noise. However, as these don’t qualify as the best toys for autistic children, in fact they might be the worst for a child with autism. Many of the commercial toys are noise-makers, smelly plastic, bumpy or textured, all of which can make a hypersensitive autistic child very overwhelmed. Other autism toys that might be stressful for easily frightened autistic children are the typical pop up toys or books, or books that could fall down.

 

• Expectation 3. This is appropriate. We give children toys we think are appropriate for their developmental stage and when they don’t play with them our alarms set off. However, we have to think, maybe they don’t find our choices engaging or they are not in that stage yet. In this stage it’s important to ask yourself:
  • Is the toy fun for them?
  • Is it comfortable?
  • Can they identify which objects are toys?
  • Do they know how to use a toy?
  • Are they able to choose something to play with?

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