What are some great educational toys and/or activities for Autistic children?
By jrkirsch75
@jrkirsch75 (72)
United States
September 25, 2012 1:11pm CST
I have 2 daughters under the age of 5; one has the Autism Spectrum Disorder and the other is scheduled for the test. They both are intelligent past their actual ages, so regular age appropriate toys don't hold their interest for very long.
Are there any AWESOME! toys out there that are great learning and fun for special needs children for the ages of 4.5 and 3 years old.
What activities are fun, keep their attention longer and will get them involved more?
2 responses
@Autumnrose2008 (1478)
• United States
25 Sep 12
When my kids were growing up there was this computer game that they would play it was called reader rabbit. It taught them the basics of reading and it was fun as well. My kids never got tired of it because there were many options for them to choose from. I don't know much about autistic children but you could try getting them an electronic keyboard so they can play music. I also know that Leap Pad company has many great learning toys out and so does a company called Vtech. My daughter had a car that was like the old school shape sorter but it was way cooler than the ones I had when I was growing up. It would make noises and the head lights would light up every time you got a shape in the right hole. Good luck I know keeping kids entertained for any amount of time is hard let alone for an autistic child its even harder. I am sure that there is something out there that will work good luck 
@jrkirsch75 (72)
• United States
26 Sep 12
Thank you, and you are correct, it is tough, but those moments when you see them eyes light up and the smiles are worth all the grays and pulling of the hair. Hahaha!
My situation though is the oldest doesn't play with other children, not even her sister. Now, the youngest knows that and so they just antagonize each other and want what the other has.
Music does work, but I suffer migraines, so it has to be in very SMALL doses. Actually, we are looking into music therapy for both. The youngest is very interested in the drums and we do have a few keyboards and one vtech guitar/keyboard combo, which of course they FIGHT over.
I'm interested in something that they can play with together, WITH NO FIGHTING. I know, I'm dreaming about that, but it's either that or go bankrupt in having to buy 2 of everything.
I'll have to check Reader Rabbit out, I've heard of it, but don't know it.
Thank you so much, for your ideas and input.
@GemmaR (8517)
•
25 Sep 12
My partner has autism, and he has told me about some of the things that he liked when he was younger. One of the things that he really liked was one of those static balls that you can touch and then the static goes to your finger. He said that this kind of thing kept him occupied for many hours when he was a child. He said he also liked watching things that he could observe motion in, for example model trains that he could build and then use around a track. This meant that he was always kept busy, and I am sure that your children would be the same.
@jrkirsch75 (72)
• United States
26 Sep 12
Those are great ideas. I'd be afraid they'd want to try and throw the static balls though. These are very young toddlers, but the trains, yes, we have 3 already and of course, they fight over them.
Thank you very much for your ideas, I will check into the static balls and/or something similar to it.
