Parents who need ideas for grandparents (or others) to help choose gifts this holiday season should check out a helpful New York Times article published yesterday that explains the particular challenges kids with autism spectrum disorders have with learning through play, alone and with peers. "For a child with autism, the right kind of play at the right time is crucial," the article notes. "Play can help deliver some basic communication and life skills that may not come naturally."
You can read the article here. It includes links to a special Toys R Us catalog (at www.toysrus.com/differentlyabled) and Discovery Toys, as well as citing several toys and book suggestions.
One example: If your child has any experience with video modeling -- learning by watching what other kids do, and imitating their actions -- the article suggests looking at the DVD version of Cranium's "Hullabaloo" game, which has kids following directions to participate in the game.
Showing posts with label toys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label toys. Show all posts
Monday, November 27, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
A Toy Catalog for Kids with Disabilities
Toys R Us has teamed up with the National Lekotek Center, an organization that helps disabled children integrate into family and community activities, to create a "Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids." The 52-page catalog, available here, is above all about selling toys, but it does use criteria for each toy to say what kind of play or sensory experience it's designed to promote, such as spoken language, gross motor skills and social interaction. The catalog is available in Toys R Us stores starting this week.
Toys R Us has been doing this guide since 1994 with Lekotek, which evaluates toys to see if they are suitable for children with physical and developmental disabilities. See page 3 of the catalog for Lekotek's "Top 10 Tips for Buying Toys," a list of questions to help friends and relatives match a toy or gift to a child's abilities. Questions particularly useful to kids with autism spectrum disorders include: "Will the child be an active participant during use? Will the toy encourage social engagement with others?"
Toys R Us has been doing this guide since 1994 with Lekotek, which evaluates toys to see if they are suitable for children with physical and developmental disabilities. See page 3 of the catalog for Lekotek's "Top 10 Tips for Buying Toys," a list of questions to help friends and relatives match a toy or gift to a child's abilities. Questions particularly useful to kids with autism spectrum disorders include: "Will the child be an active participant during use? Will the toy encourage social engagement with others?"
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