Choosing Good Toys For Low-Functioning Autistic Children

Children are diagnosed as growing up with low-functioning autism based on the intensity of symptoms and results from intelligence tests. What does this mean exactly for the mother or father who wants to purchase the appropriate toys for these schoolchildren? It means that children with low-functioning autism are more likely to display one or more of the following behaviors:

• An inability to articulate themselves using language or to comprehend language
• An inability to live without assistance from others
• An inability to use normal nonverbal gestures used for communication
• Avoids eye contact
• Has a preference for being solitary
• Lacks physical coordination
• Either a strong sensitivity to sensory stimulation, or a lack of sensitivity to such stimulation (sounds, lights, touch, tastes, odors)
• Emotions flip-flop to extremes, such as breaking down seemingly without reason.
• Very rash
• Very combative
• May like to self-injure
• Physical manifestations, such as being below their peer group in weight and stature
• Lags other children in their age range academically

Because of these symptoms, choosing an appropriate toy for kids with low-functioning autism is especially difficult. Even though high-functioning autistic kids may play and learn well with age-appropriate toys, low-functioning autistics may require toys designed for children below their age group, meaning toys that pose no safety hazards and are easier to comprehend.

Characteristics of Good Toys

Low-functioning autistic children have struggles expressing themselves verbally, which prevents them from communicating with others with ease and forces them to spend most of their time in solitary activities. They are therefore inclined to gravitate towards toys that allow them to play alone and become familiar with such toys. But if these toys can also be used for playing with others, you may have an easier time getting them to use the toy as a way to communicate with others.

Because of their emotional extremes and the risk that they might show aggression towards others or themselves, you will want toys that are safe to play with and won't lead to risk of injuring others. (This means don't choose toys that shoot missiles!)

Finally, toys that help them improve their motor abilities will be crucial during their youth because this is an important period for motor development.

Specific Toy Suggestions

The most appropriate toys are those that capture the interest of babies and toddlers because low-functioning autistic children operate at a level several years below other children of their age.

For alone-play toys that can also be played with others and are safe, a good choice may be cloth hand puppets, such as those made by Melissa and Doug. Melissa and Doug manufactured a variety of low-cost ($10-$20) hand puppets that range from dragons to princesses. Something to be careful about is the wooden dowel that comes with the puppet for use in manipulating the arm. You can easily detach this from the puppet if you are afraid that it might cause safety issues.

Creation sets for young children are also an appropriate selection for toys that can be played alone as well as with adults. Duplo (the young child's version of Lego) is a typical choice, as well as a variety of toddler stacking toys such as the Fisher-Price Little Superstar Classical Stacker. These toys generally run $20-40.

Wooden Puzzles are also good, safe options for solitary and adult time play activities. Again, Melissa and Doug is an appropriate option for these toys since they are inexpensive, pleasing to the eye, and safe for young kids.

Finally, soft balls marketed for toddlers are good choices for use in developing motor skills. The best way to make use of such toys is to work with the child in catch and throw games, which will develop manual dexterity. Plush balls are great options, and you should stay away from foam balls such as those made by Nerf since a child could easily ingest bits of the foam.

Thanks for reading this article, and I hope it helps you in your search! Another article that is useful may be one about shopping for autism toys.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joy_A_Moore

Finding Entertaining Toys For a Child With Autism

here are many companies both on and off the internet who are promoting toys for children with autism. As an educator for over 20 years and also a parent, I have found some of the best toys are not toys. Therefore, in addition to suggested toys, I will also recommend some items most people have that children on the Autism spectrum seem to like.
Children with autism tend to have sensory processing problems. All of the following suggested "play items" encourage "heavy work" activities, which seem to be one area all of my students, but particularly my students with autism, seem to need a lot more sensory input.

•For children with a high need for heavy work activities, here is a list of things they can do.

- Run the sweeper/vacuum
- Push a lawnmower
- Pull a wagon Load up big, heavy toy trucks with blocks and push them around
- Put another student/sibling in a plastic bin and have the child push him/her around in it (They love this!)
- Put together chairs and make a tunnel - At the end of the tunnel there is something for the child to do such as match a letter or color card. This is one of my students' favorites!
- Take long walks or runs
- Exercise to music. My children love Greg and Steve's "Kids in Action" and the DVD "Move n' Groove"
- Jump on a mini trampoline
- Dribble a basketball
- Kick a soccer ball
- Get 10 used boxes from the cafeteria and fill them with something not too heavy but something that will give them some weight. Blankets work well. Have the children take turns stacking and counting the boxes.
- Encourage the children to do push-ups, sit-ups, and jumping jacks.
- Make a mini-obstacle course in the classroom.
- Put colored "lily pads "on the floor of the classroom (or any other concept you are working on) and have the children jump from one to the other.oDo musical games and act them out. For instance, have 10 children lay on a carpet (or however many you have). Then sing "There were 10 in the Bed and the little one said Roll over." Then they all roll and one falls out. It becomes a sequencing game and teaches wait time. My children with autism really like it.
- Play "tug of war."
- Play non-competitive musical chairs. This is how we do it. I put out enough chairs for each child. I turn on the music. At first we walk and sit down. It takes a while for the children to understand which way to walk and that they go to the closest chair, not necessarily the one they started on (it's about learning to accept change). After they learn what's expected, I start asking them to do something other than walk, such as "swim, fly like a bird, walk like a monkey, jump, hop, or their favorite is crawl."

Crawling seems to be really good for children with autism for a number of reasons and they must generally need the sensory stimulation because they tend to enjoy it.

One of the greatest joys in teaching is when a child who didn't know how to play suddenly knows how to play, laugh and have fun. It's something they need for a lifetime.

This is a blog and website dedicated to sharing resources and strategies to enhance the lives of children with disabilities.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristin_Whiting

4 Helpful Tips For Organizing Autistic Kid's Toys, Schedules and Schoolwork

It's important for all children to learn how to be organized and this is especially true for autistic children. Kids who develop good organizational skills are significantly more likely to excel in school and life. Learning organizational skills helps develop their focus, concentration and motor skills.

Organization can be more challenging with children on the autism spectrum because they are easily distracted, require visual aids and usually have limited motor skills.

Autistic children tend to be visual learners, which means they generally learn and perform better when provided with visual instructions and prompts. These are some tips on how you can help your child be organized, develop skills and make smooth transitions between activities using visual instructions and prompts.

These tips vary depending on your child's age and abilities. You can use this as a reference guide and adjust as needed.

#1 - Create a bin system for your child's supplies and toys. Separate the types of toys and supplies into individual bins. Take photographs of each type of toy or supply contained within and tape the photograph to the front of each corresponding bin.

For example: Tape a photograph of your child's bin filled with building blocks and tape it to the front of the bin. Do the same with markers, plush toys, crayons, and so on. Even if the bins are clear (transparent), it will be easier for your child to be organized if s/he has a visual cue as to where the toys or supplies belong. Bins with easy to remove lids or no lids tend to work well.

#2 - Display childrens' toys, supplies and clothing. It is easier for autistic children to stay organized and function if they can see all of the their belongings. Drawers do not usually work well for children on the autism spectrum. Hang as many of their clothes as possible or fold them and place them on shelves, preferably cubbies. Place jeans in one cubby, sweatshirts in another and so on. Socks, underwear and pajamas are best placed in transparent bins with photographs taped to the front. If you don't have cubbies, you may tape photographs on the front of each drawer. If possible do not combine items into one drawer.

#3 - Set up daily routines and stick to them as much as possible. Creating regular daily routines can make transitioning from one activity to another less upsetting. Children on the autism spectrum often thrive when they have daily routines and usually react poorly to changes in routines. Once a solid routine is created small changes can be introduced slowly and can help your child develop coping strategies to deal with transitions. It is best to introduce changes in routines in very small steps. Gradually, your child will be able to use strategies like social stories and self talk to work through the anxiety they experience when making transitions.

An example of an organizing routine is to give your child a 10-minute heads-up before dinner each evening and then have them set an egg timer for 10 minutes. Teach them that when the timer goes off, they are to pick up all of their toys and place them in the appropriate bins.

This establishes a routine, lets them know what to expect, gives them a 10-minute lead-time and then provides them a distinct audio clue when it's time to pick up and get organized. It is important to have them set the egg timer, not you. It gets them more involved in the process so they will be more likely to follow through with the routine.

An addition to this routine could be that when the egg timer goes off and it's time to pick up and get organized, you play a specific song that your child then recognizes as the "pick-up and get organized" song. This can make it fun, playful, soothing and also can help keep them on task and get the work done faster.

#4 Create a visual schedule for your child. Picture schedules work best for autistic kids. Set up the picture schedule so that when your child is finished with the task/activity they can move that picture to the all done side. Essentially you are creating an interactive picture schedule that your child can "control". Their picture schedule could also be organized by first, next, last. It will give them the order of the tasks and they can move the picture to the "completed" side.

Using visual aids and keeping it simple are the most important keys for autistic children. Of course all of these tips are only to be used as guidelines and ideas. Each child on the autistic spectrum reacts a little differently, has different needs and is functioning at varying levels. Consider modifying and adjusting these ideas as you see fit based on your child's needs, abilities and age.

Heidi DeCoux is a Professional Organizer, Public Speaker, and Author of the Fast-Filing Method audio program available at http://www.ClearSimpleLiving.com She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers. Heidi is dedicated to helping people live their best lives. She offers a FREE monthly e-newsletter with tips and solutions on how to make your life easier, calmer and more organized. To sign up, visit her website at http://www.HeidiDeCoux.com and click on e-Solutions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Heidi_Decoux

10 Great Toys For an Autistic Child

Have you considered a toy for autistic child? Regardless if a child has autism, another disability or not, all children love toys. Of course, no child is alike. Therefore, what may be enjoyed by one child may not hold the interest of another. Thus, the trick is to figure out which toys your autistic child will enjoy playing with, and will help them develop skills.

The following are 10 great toys for autistic children. The first 5 are suggestions are for children age 3-7 and the second 5 are for children age 8 - 12. Following each basic toy description is examples of where you can find them -

Ages 3-7

1. Paints and/or coloring pencils with large paper - This is a great way for an autistic child to express him/herself in color. Knowing what colors your child responds to may be helpful when it comes to learning. Check Toys R' Us, Sears, or Wal-Mart.

2. Building blocks - any toy for autistic child that can be stacked helps them improve their motor skills. Great toys to consider include "Lego", alphabet blocks, colored shapes, etc. Check Toys R' Us, Sears, or Wal-Mart

3. Stories with Repetition and/or Rhyme -These books help in the development of speech skills. Good book examples you can consider include "Dr. Seuss" and "Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes". Book stores, online at Amazon.com, or your local library.

4. Mix and Match toys - Toys that involve sorting and grouping together matching numbers, colors, shapes, etc. help improve cognitive skills. One interesting toy for autistic child is "Match & Spell 3 - Letter Word". This game teaches a child how to spell basic words by putting together matching colored cards that create a picture of the word. This game can be found online at the autism toy store stars4kidz.com.

5. Toys that light up - Toys such as the "flashing molecule ball" are good for visual stimulation. When the ball is squeezed, the colorful balls light up and flash. Check online at stars4kidz.com or Toys R' Us.

Ages 8 - 12

1. "Calculator Cash Register" - This is a perfect pretend toy for autistic child. This particular toy comes with a working calculator, pretend money (bills, coins and credit cards). This toy encourages creativity and math skills. Check online at Stars4kidz.com or local toy stores.

2. Musical toy instrument - If your child has an interest in music, consider getting a toy instrument such as drums, guitar, recorder or piano with sheet music. These toys teach cognitive, motor, creative and sensory skills. Check local toy stores, Toys R' Us or Wal-Mart

3. Picture books - Picture books such as "I Spy" are great ways to engage your child's imagination. "I Spy" has a collection of picture riddle books based on different themes. Check your local bookstore, online at amazon.com, or library.

4. Classic board games -There are many classic board games to choose from including "KerPlunk", "Scrabble Jr.", "Monopoly Jr.", "Trouble", "Yahtzee", etc. Board games can be a toy for autistic child that helps to improve social skills, and depending on the game, may help to develop cognitive and motor skills. Check Toys R' Us, Wal-Mart and Sears.

5. "Stretch-Eze" - This is a unique sensory toy that is ideal for stretching, exercise, and making creative movements. The "Stretch-Eze" is a stretchy circular band that comes in different sizes and colors. Look for it at Stars4kidz.com

Keep in mind that the toys listed above are only toy for autistic child suggestions. You don't need to base the toys you give your child on their age. In fact, many parents of autistic children find that any toy is acceptable if their child responds to it regardless of the age specifications on the box. Note: The only exception is choking hazard age warning.

Rachel Evans writes a Free Autism Newsletter. You can sign up here: Free Autism Newsletter. You can also see our blog posts by clicking here: The Essential Guide To Autism Blog and you can see more autism reasources here:http://www.essential-guide-to-autism.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rachel_Evans

Could Early Signs Of Autism Be An Indicator Of Playing With Unusual Toys?

What are unusual toys? I believe unusual toys are toys that are abnormal, unconventional or anything out-of-the-ordinary. These are toys your child is willing to use and play with as he or she chooses, because they think it is a toy. But is it a toy? Is it an indicator of signs of autism?

I remember when my brother was an infant, pre-school age, he was interested in playing and exploring with unusual toys and objects. Some of them were considered to be dangerous and not wise for his use.

My parents, and our neighbors thought this was out-of-the-ordinary, compared to other children his age.

As my brother developed, probably around his first birthday or later, our family noticed he would rock back and forth, stare into space, do repetitious spins, pace back and forth. He would look out of the corner of his eyes and not have direct eye contact with people. No interaction with baby rattles or toys.

I am now older, I look back on the history of my brother, who was not interested in playing with objects or toys compared to what other children felt they were comfortable with. In addition, playing with toys to fit their personalities and their genders. My brother was gravitating towards unusual toys and objects for his play time.

I have often thought, could this be an indicator of a child having autism, by not associating with the toys or objects that are considered to be the highlight of other children who do not have autism?

I felt I had to know more about this perplexing situation, regarding my brother playing with unusual toys. Could this be an indicator for early signs of autism?

The number of children at the present time being diagnosed with autism, has increased tremendously. I feel it is crucial to find out what the indicators of autism might be and what can be accomplished to assist with the signs.

I have learned, you can identify autism behaviors through the use of your child playing with unusual toys.

This does not necessarily mean that your child has autism because of the use of playing with unusual toys, but it can be an indicator for you to take into consideration.

Remember, researchers are constantly doing more studies on the possibilities that there are indicators pointing to children using unusual toys. These children, may be candidates to have early stages of autism.

You, as parent(s), caregiver(s), want to be on the alert for any suspicious, out-of-the-ordinary, playing with unusual toys or objects. This could be early signs of autism and may be an indicator or clue to have your child examined by a professional who is knowledgeable about autism.

Bonita Darula's informational web sight==> http://www.autismintoawareness.com where you SIGN up and RECEIVE your FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER about many Autistic TOPICS. Do you believe your child has early signs of autism because of playing with unusual toys? Find out by reading Autism Symptoms & Treatments.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bonita_Darula