Choose Right Toys For Autism Spectrum

While many children have a laundry list of toys they must have for the holidays this year, gift giving to a child with Autism or Asperger’s can be a bit more difficult. Sensitivity to sounds and lights can be especially irritating or frightening to the child and some games can often be too difficult, frustrating or even dangerous.

Susan Ashley, PhD, author of The Asperger’s Answer Book offers the top tips and toys this holiday that are sure to be a success.

1. Ignore manufacturer’s age suggestions: Select toys that match the child’s functioning level. A toy made for 10–12 year olds will not be appropriate for a child who functions like a six-year-old.

2. Avoid toys with many small pieces: Not only can small pieces be choked on, but children with ASD can be very repetitive in their play, using the same items in a ritualized fashion. Small pieces of toys and games are easily lost and can be extremely upsetting for a child with ASD.

3. Choose toys that are easy to play with. Choose toys and games that require little or no set up. Having to wait to start a game can cause so much frustration that the child with ASD may refuse to play.

4. Choose toys that have no rules. Toys that can be played with freely are more enjoyable to children with ASD because they cannot be played incorrectly, no one loses and they do not cause frustration. Play-Doh, puppets, cars and trucks, and doodle makers are examples of free play toys.

5. Choose toys that are durable. Toys can become the object of the ASD child’s frustration so choose toys that are durable and can be tossed, stepped on and thrown.

Bonus tip: Choose low frustration toys — play is for fun. Toys that fall apart, collapse after building or tear easily can cause a meltdown. Pinwheels, logs and building blocks are fun but topple easily. Choose large plastic building blocks such as Legos that stick together and won’t break apart when it gets knocked over.