As a developmental disorder, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects children in different ways, but one common characteristic of autistic children is difficulty with social communication and interaction. Autistic children often find it challenging to play with others and engage in pretend play, which can impede their social development. However, toys have been found to be useful tools in helping autistic children develop their communication skills, socialization abilities, and cognitive function.​​​​​​​

Here are some ways that toys can help autistic children:

1. Promote Communication:

Toys that encourage verbal interactions such as board games or those that allow for continuous back-and-forth such as ball-throwing games promote conversation between the child and their peers/family members/caregivers. This not only helps autistic kids learn new words but also improves their cognitive processes since they're applying concentration towards language learning.

Autistic kids playing board game

2. Enhance Socialization Skills:

Autistic kids have difficulty relating to other people, so playing with others may not come naturally to them; however some toys promote group activities facilitating interactions among themselves giving them an opportunity towards building friendships over time leading towards betterment of long-term relationships irrespective of age/gender/race/nationality etc. For example: 

  1. Wooden Blocks: Blocks can help children develop their language skills by encouraging them to describe the different shapes, colors, and sizes of the blocks. Children can also use blocks to build structures, which can provide opportunities for imaginative play and storytelling.

  2. Wooden Puzzles: Puzzles can help children develop their language skills by encouraging them to identify and name different objects and animals. Puzzles can also help children develop problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills.

  3. Wooden Play Kitchen: A wooden play kitchen can provide opportunities for children to practice language skills by pretending to cook and serve food. Children can also use the play kitchen to practice sharing, taking turns, and socializing with others.

  4. Wooden Train Set: A wooden train set can provide opportunities for children to practice language skills by describing the different parts of the train, such as the engine, cars, and tracks. Children can also use the train set to practice storytelling and imaginative play.

  5. Wooden Building Sets: Wooden building sets can help children develop their language skills by encouraging them to describe the different shapes, colors, and sizes of the pieces. Children can also use the building sets to practice problem-solving skills and spatial awareness.

  Wooden Train Town Set for Autistic Kids

3. Foster Fine Motor Skills:

Wooden Alphabet Blocks for Autistic Children

Toys like legos or puzzles require fine motor skills thereby enhancing dexterity & problem solving capabilities alongside concentration levels leading towards increased attention spans too attaining improved motor coordination - all beneficial traits for developing minds! 

Here are some wooden toys that can help foster motor skills development:

  1. Wooden Building Blocks: Wooden building blocks are great for developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Kids can practice grasping, stacking, and manipulating the blocks to create structures.

  2. Wooden Puzzles: Wooden puzzles help children develop their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Kids can practice grasping puzzle pieces and fitting them into their correct place.

  3. Wooden Push and Pull Toys: Push and pull toys are excellent for developing gross motor skills. Kids can practice pushing or pulling the toy while walking, which helps them develop their balance and coordination.

  4. Wooden Shape Sorters: Shape sorters can help children develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Kids can practice manipulating and fitting the shapes into the correct holes.

  5. Wooden Bead Maze: A wooden bead maze is a great way to develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Kids can practice manipulating the beads along the maze to reach their destination.

  6. Wooden Balance Board: A wooden balance board is excellent for developing balance and coordination. Kids can practice standing on the board and rocking back and forth, which helps strengthen their core muscles and improve their balance.

4. Encourage Pretend Play:

Pretend play often presents a challenge for autistic kids since it requires engaging imagination - an activity that may be difficult due to possible anxiety/fear associated with self-expression around strangers/friends alike etc.; yet by gradually introducing these opportunities while incorporating suitable toy equipment/tools etc over time this fear/difficulty will possibly fade away resulting towards more comfort/confidence during future social scenarios/engagements!

Here are some wooden toys that can encourage pretend play:

  1. Wooden Dollhouses: Dollhouses are great for encouraging imaginative play and storytelling. Kids can create their own scenarios and play out different roles using dolls and furniture.

  2. Wooden Play Kitchen: A wooden play kitchen is great for encouraging pretend play and creativity. Kids can practice cooking and serving food, and can also use the kitchen to practice social skills and teamwork.

  3. Wooden Tool Bench: A wooden tool bench can encourage kids to use their imagination and pretend they are builders or repair people. Kids can use the tools to build and fix things, developing their fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities.

  4. Wooden Farm Sets: Wooden farm sets can help children learn about animals and farm life while encouraging imaginative play. Kids can play with the different farm animals and create their own farm scenarios.

  5. Wooden Train Sets: Wooden train sets can encourage kids to use their imagination and create their own train worlds. Kids can build different tracks and tunnels, and can also use the train sets to practice counting and color recognition.

  6. Wooden Castle Sets: Wooden castle sets can help kids create their own medieval worlds and stories. Kids can use the castle to create their own adventures and battles, developing their creativity and storytelling abilities.

Dollhouses are good pretend play toys for autistic children

5. Boost Cognitive Functioning:

Certain types of toys like building blocks or educational electronic games have been found to be beneficial towards cognitive growth, as they can help develop visual and spatial skills, enhance memory capacity alongside problem solving capabilities.

Here are some wooden toys that can help boost cognitive functioning:

  1. Wooden Blocks: Wooden blocks are great for promoting cognitive development, as children can learn about shapes, sizes, colors, and spatial relationships while building structures.

  2. Wooden Puzzles: Wooden puzzles can help children develop problem-solving skills and spatial awareness. Children can also practice shape recognition and memory while completing the puzzles.

  3. Wooden Memory Games: Wooden memory games, such as matching games or memory cards, can help children improve their memory and cognitive skills. These games can also help children practice turn-taking and social skills.

  4. Wooden Shape Sorters: Shape sorters can help children learn about shapes, colors, and matching. These toys also promote cognitive development by encouraging children to problem-solve and manipulate objects.

  5. Wooden Abacus: An abacus can help children learn about numbers, counting, and basic arithmetic. This toy can also help children develop their fine motor skills as they move the beads along the wires.

  6. Wooden Lacing Beads: Lacing beads can help children develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, while also promoting cognitive development by teaching them about shapes, colors, and patterns.

Puzzles For Autistic Children

 

Toys are an effective tool in helping autistic children develop their socialization skills, speech/language abilities, cognitive functioning & overall development through interactive play that encourages imaginative thinking whilst promoting new skillsets at the same time! It's important to remember that every child is unique and may benefit from different toys or types of play; hence introducing a variety can broaden their horizons while possibly discovering new interests/hobbies along the way leading towards betterment of personalities over time!

 

 

 

 

Citations:

1. Autism Speaks - Toys for Children with Autism (https://www.autismspeaks.org/toys-children-autism)

 

2. National Autistic Society - Using play with children with autism (https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/behaviour/play)

 

3. Child Mind Institute - How Play Therapy Helps Children (https://childmind.org/article/how-play-therapy-helps-children/)

 

4. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders - The effects of toy play on the communication and interaction of individuals with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review

(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1750946714002889)

 

5. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association - Play-Based Interventions for Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder

(https://pubs.asha.org/doi/abs/10.1044/policy.PS2018-00339)