Buying Toys for Children with Special Needs

December 13, 2016
•
5 min read

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Share with others
Nora
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300"] Smita Mehta, a professor of special education at UNT, poses with toys that could be good for children with special needs inside the Kristin Farmer Autism Center at UNT.[/caption]Finding the right toys for your child with special needs can be a challenge. Today's toys can sometimes overload a child with too much stimuli; while others can actually help improve motor skills, auditory skills, socialization and more. Knowing the difference can turn a good gift in to a great one.

Dr. Smita Mehta is a professor of special education at the University of North Texas and a collaborator with ACES partner, UNT Kristin Farmer Autism Center. Dr. Mehta has produced a helpful gift giving guide as part of "Safe Toys and Gifts Month" initiative.Included in the article are three helpful tips for selecting a special toy for that special loved one.

  1. Gift givers should look for toys that can help turn the child's developmental challenges into strengths.
  2. Many everyday play items, sometimes with small modifications, can help also work well for kids with special needs.
  3. What is done with gifts afterward can be just as important as which toy is selected.

For more tips and insight read the full article here: UNT expert gives advice for buying toys for children with special needs.

Related posts

ACES Client Graduations – The Ultimate Goal
5 min read
ACES Client Graduations – The Ultimate Goal
Discover what ABA graduation means at ACES and how personalized goals, caregiver support, and meaningful progress help children with autism build independence and thrive beyond therapy.
ABA Therapy Cost and Insurance: What Parents Need to Know
5 min read
ABA Therapy Cost and Insurance: What Parents Need to Know
Learn about ABA therapy costs, insurance coverage, and financial responsibility. ACES helps families navigate the insurance process.
Autism Screening: What to Expect and Understanding Results
5 min read
Autism Screening: What to Expect and Understanding Results
Learn about autism screening tools, what happens during screening, how to understand the results, and next steps if a screening indicates signs of autism.

Expert Insights for Families

Receive trusted information, practical guidance, and the latest resources from our clinical team.