Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Ways Occupational Therapy And Specialized Toys Help Kids With Special Needs

By Frank Richardson


Play is essential for child development. A toy is a tangible way for babies to learn about shapes, textures, colors, and structures. A toy can be therapeutic, contribute to brain development, and be fun all at the same time. There are a number of ways for occupational therapy and specialized toys to work in tandem to help improve the life of a special needs kid.

You can engage an autistic child with a cause and effect toy. These types of playthings are great because they have repetitive sequences and give kids a chance to explore different senses. They help develop hand eye coordination and explore how something the child causes will create a reaction. An example would be when they push a button and a light flashes or a bell rings. A light up toy, shape sorter, pop up toy or water squirter work well with children who suffer with autism.

Kids who are developmentally behind in fine motor skills can benefit from puzzles. They have to pick small pieces up, grab onto knobs, and place the right piece in the right spot to create a specific pattern that fits together. Kids have to make choices about which pieces will fit and process how all the pieces work to create a whole. These children appreciate and understand clear goals. You can choose from interlocking, sliding, and non-connecting puzzles.

There are children who have oral motor and chewing issues. Oral stimulators work well for these kids. Things like chewable jewelry and chewy tubes give kids the opportunity to chew and bite. Blowing bubbles is a way to improve breathing control and teach a child how to purse his lips. Slides and bird whistles are good toys for developing oral control and strength.

Kids who don't respond to sensation need sensory playthings to help them overcome these obstacles. Objects that appeal to their senses of touch are textured. Light up objects appeal to the visual.

Playthings that pop, burst, explode, or snap appeal to a child's audio and visual senses. Understanding which sensory response a child lacks is very important. Children can get hurt if they are introduced to the wrong toy. They may respond inappropriately in an effort to create the sensation they lack.

Fidgets can be wonderful playthings for a child with an attention deficit disorder. They will keep his fingers busy while his mind is processing the activity. Fidgets help the child concentrate and stay focused. They reduce stress and provide the kind of tactile response these kids crave. Inflatable cushions are also a good toy for kids with ADHD. Their attention is diverted while they're trying to balance on them.

Play dough is a wonderful toy for kids, no matter whether they have attention disorders, autism, or are right on track. There are now a number of different forms this substance can take. It might be foamy, slippery, or slimy. Kids love the tactile nature and the ease with which it can be formed into almost any kind of character, building, or shape. It is affordable and available everywhere.




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