Toys for Sensory Development

Autism can bring difficulties in interpreting common sensory inputs such as sound, taste, touch, etc. This can make day-to-day times overwhelming for a child, whose sensitivity to some textures or even a hug can lead to sensory overload.

Issues Involving the Senses

There are two different classifications, hyper-sensitive and hypo-sensitive.

These two groups react much differently to stimuli and require different treatment forms. These can affect sight, sound, touch, smell, taste, and even balance or coordination. Without parent's care, their children's developing skills may become stunted and problematic for them. 

Hyper and Hypo Sensitive Children

•  Hyper-sensitive issues involve a child becoming overpowered by stimuli. This can include both normal and more extreme stimuli receiving the same reaction level. Bright lights or colors and even pungent odors can overwhelm a hyper-sensitive child.

•  Hypo-sensitive, on the other hand, is the opposite of hyper-sensitive, and the child is unable to react to stimuli that should create a response. Their sensitivity to light, texture, and even pain can be very low. This sensitivity affects children through the messages between the brain and body regarding balance. The child may not receive the required information to properly adjust or coordinate their body.

What Are Sensory Toys?

These toys target a specific sense and help kids develop properly. For example, a textured mat facilitates the child’s tactile abilities. These products are handy tools for developing physical and mental capabilities. 

Sensory play allows your child to experiment with different objects and textures on his own terms and gain valuable hands-on information about the world around him. It can help kids with autism calm down, stimulate their senses, and develop important skills.

Benefits

Kids enjoy new playthings and can understand different stimuli while remaining calm and relaxed. Different senses activate but are less apt to overwhelm or confuse the child. These products can also help facilitate social behavior with little one's learning to play and share.

5 Skills Kids Under the Spectrum Learn from Sensory Products

Promotes Focus

Some sensory toys are excellent fidget toys and can improve concentration and focus in children with ADHD and others who need to keep their hands busy to listen and attend. 

Socialization 

Kids learn to share, plan, and negotiate. Improving social skills such as communication and cooperation.

Fine and Gross Motor Skills 

There are certain products that the child will use that encourages different types of actions and activities to be done. 

Cognitive

Sensory products increase the function of the brain and encourages the child to think more creative.

Reduces Anxiety

As your child enjoys play time with sensory toys they start to feel prideful and confident which reduces anxious habits such as nail biting or thumb sucking.  These toys can also calm your children down when they are agitated, giving parents a great opportunity to connect with their child.

READ OUR BLOG: Sensory Pea Pod for Special Needs for more information.

When setting up a sensory toys play area be sure that the area is flexible enough so that your child can move to different sensory toys when ready. Consider using soft barriers such as couch cushions to “divide” up each sensory toy play area.

These are some of the most effective and helpful toys for keeping your home peaceful and calming your child when needed.

Only This Week! Special Discounts In All Our Sensory Products!

Calming Sensory Sea Lamp

The magical, multicolored, water-like glow of the Calming Sensory Sea Lamp combined with the nature-themed relaxation sounds built in make it one of our most beautiful autism calming products.

The Calming Sea Lamp offers seven color-changing lighting modes, four relaxation sounds, an auto-off timer, and the ability to plug into your phone or computer to play your own music. It’s highly customizable while helping your child drift off to sleep. Its versatility and effectiveness are what make it absolutely essential for your home.

TAP-TAP LED Lights

Beautiful, fun, and colorful, the TAP-TAP LED Lights provide safe and calming sensory stimulation for your child. These autism calming products are easy to use, improving communication and social interaction as well as helping to relax your child. 

Plus, they’re effective and simple to install. Not only are they great for your child, but they’re also a wonderful purchasing experience for you as a parent.

 

Stretchy Tubes

Our Stretchy Tubes improve a child’s gross motor skills, coordination, and dexterity. They’re fun to attach to each other, or to play with on their own. But beyond any of that, they’re great for helping a child focus and calm down in just about any situation.

 

Sensory Vibrating Pillow for Special Needs

Many children with sensory difficulties love soothing vibrations. Now you can provide this stimulation with the pressure Vibrating Massage Pillow!

It starts vibrating as soon as you squeeze it. Children love to sit on top of the pillow, lean back on it, or hug it to feel the relaxing and calming vibrations.

Kids that have trouble sitting for meals, stories, car rides, shopping trips, school work, movies, or anything else will be comforted by the vibrations.
The vibrating cushions can calm kids who need more sensory feedback or help train hypersensitive kids to tolerate more sensations.

Weighted Stuffed Animal- Deep Pressure Stimulation

Weighted animals have been shown to increase focus, soothe and calm anxiety in children while boosting their mood when they feel overwhelmed.

They help children relax and focus on any task with deep pressure stimulation (like a weighted blanket).

These Puppy and Lamb weighted stuffed animals are loveable! They are perfect at home, in the classroom, or while traveling. They are plush, durable, and easy to care for.

 

Do you need more information? Read our blog: Sensory Pillows for Special Needs and learn more about Vibration and Deep Pressure Therapy