Toys for the Holidays for Children with Disabilities

Each year during the holiday season I receive scores of e-mails, faxes and telephone calls from parents and relative looking for toys for children with disabilities.

Recently, one mother said to me, “I want my daughter who has a disability to experience the joys of the holidays and receive toys. Where can I find them?”

The mother of a six year-old blind boy asked me, “What can I buy to include my son in the holiday spirit of receiving a gift?”

A 17-year-old sister asked me, “I want my 9-year-old brother, who has Cerebral Palsy, to receive a unique gift for the holidays. Will you help me with some ideas?”

Today, September 30, a father called me and asked, “What do I need to consider when I am buying a gift for my three-year-old son with multiple disabilities?”

There are considerations in buying toys for children with disabilities. For example, for multi-sensory appeal, consumers should ask: Does the toy respond with lights, sounds, or movement? Are there contrasting colors? Does it have a scent? Is there texture?

Other questions are: Will the toy provide a challenge without frustration? What is the force required to activate it? What are the number and complexity of steps required to activate it? Can the toy be used in a variety of positions such as side-lying or on wheelchair tray? Will the toy be easy to store? Is there space in the home? What are the opportunities for the user to be successful in using the toy? Is it adaptable to the child's individual style, ability and pace? Does the toy provide activities that reflect both developmental and chronological ages? Does it reflect the child's interests and age? Will the child be an active participant during use? Will the toy encourage social engagement with others? Does the toy have moisture resistance? Can it be washed and cleaned?

Buyers want to see the excitement on their children's or siblings faces when they open a toy that has been adapted to meet their needs. Fortunately for these gift givers a wide selection of toys exist for ages six months to 12-years old.

For example, there are communication aids and toys specially designed for children (and adults) who are unable to communicate because of stroke, neurological disorder, brain dysfunction, hearing/voice/physical difficulties, or other language barriers. There are learning materials and playthings for children with developmental delays and challenges. There are educational toys and materials that stimulate speech and language for children ages two to 10.

There are toys for specific disabilities. For example, Downi Creations makes a doll with Down syndrome with which children who have Down syndrome can identify. The doll reflects their image, helping them through play to strengthen and develop their self-esteem.

In 1997, Mattel introduced "Share a Smile Becky," who used a wheelchair; she later became Paralympic Becky, and was joined by a Sign Language Barbie. Drastic Plastic makes an FDR figure with his custom-made wheelchair and leg braces as part of their Leaders of World War II line. Other manufacturers have produced dolls and doll-sized wheelchairs and disability equipment such as guide dogs, crutches and glasses.

There are adapted battery-operated toys, adapted art equipment, textured material toys for children who are blind, adapted playground equipment, and books. There are toys to enhance the development of fine and gross motor skills, adapted furniture and sensory stimulation products. There are toys teaching phonics.

For sports enthusiasts, Fun-Attic Sports and Toys, Inc. carries an exclusive line of Saturnian 1 Sport & Fun Products to keep the fun in sports and provide unique products promoting active play for people of all ages and all levels of ability.

Parents can look at the POSS-I-BOWL 2000, an electronic control system that enables persons who are physically challenged to participate in this exciting sport. POSS-I-BOWL 2000 attaches to any tubular bowling ramp system sand enables the bowler with a gentle touch of the control switch to release the bowling ball.

For children who love talking toys there is a talking shrek and talking donkey
(http://enablingdevices.com/viewproduct.aspx?id=830&session=child).

For children learning to walk there is a pre-walking and push toy that is stable. It allows the child to work on standing balance and play with interesting toys. Parents can place a sandbag inside the toy to improve its stability.

For children who love to hug and cuddle with stuffed bears, there is Spinoza Bear. Hidden deep in his fur is a cassette tape player and speaker to play his collection of nine audio cassettes or any standard audio cassette. The collection of tapes includes messages regarding breathing, healthy eating, hope, grief, feelings, creativity, anxiety, and more.

There are toys, games and tools for children with skill-development needs. These products are organized by skill/need categories: cognitive/language; sensory development; perceptual/motor; fine motor and gross motor.

For budding writers there is the Slant. The slant encourages proper wrist position allowing for improved form in handwriting. In addition, use of this slant board promotes better functional postural position and stability.

For children eager to ride bicycles and there is the tricycle that also helps develop gross motor skills
(http://www.comeplaytoys.com/kidszone.htm).

For blossoming engineers Tack-Tiles® Braille Systems are a sophisticated teaching tool for all ages based on LEGO®-type blocks. These Braille blocks provide a unique bridge, a smoother, shorter, more interesting path to Braille literacy. Now in English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian literary Braille Code as well as Nemeth Braille Code for mathematics, Braille code for music notation, and computer Braille code. True to their nature, TACK-TILES® have shown themselves to be valuable tactile aids in several settings wherein of sensory stimulation, not vision, is the central issue to be addressed.

For budding pilots and scientists Computer Automated Chopper offers Patrol Verti Bird, a toy helicopter that can be used with a joy stick and adaptive switches (http://www.scienceshareware.com/bird.htm).

Toys4SpecialKids (www.Toys4SpecialKids.com) site provides a convenient shopping atmosphere to purchase educational and adaptive toys for special needs children. Items are selected and categorized based on recommendations from parents, educators and manufactures.

Toy Manufacturers of America publishes a Guide to Toys for Children Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
( http://www.toy-tma.org).

For the traveler, AssistTech Inc. offers ICanGo BOX (a do-it-yourself alternative to permanently adapted ride-in vehicles...convert your off-the-shelf 6- or 12-volt vehicle to adaptive switch operation) and ICanGo Software (which features ICanGo - the little red jeep - and its pals, in a full line of adventures that complement ICanGo low-tech mobility products).

Childswork/Childsplay offers books and games that encourage children to meet their developmental tasks, learn to deal with their feelings, and find ways to cope with their emotional, behavioral or learning disorders.

Dragon Toy Company sells a variety of toys for children with special play needs -- such as adapted battery operated toys, adapted art equipment, textured material toys for children who are blind, adapted playground equipment, and books for children and parents.

Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway is a comprehensive, open-ended play system which can help develop physical, social and cognitive skills, as well as foster a sense of accomplishment
(http://www.learningcurve.com/ourProducts/thomas.asp).

Constructive Playthings sells early childhood educational toys, equipment, books, records, tapes, videos, art supplies, and teaching aids.

Crestwood Company offers communication aids and toys specially designed for children and adults who are unable to communicate because of stroke, neurological disorder, brain dysfunction, hearing/voice/physical difficulties, or a language barrier.

Different Roads to Learning specializes in learning materials and playthings for children with developmental delays and challenges. This catalog puts together educational toys and materials that stimulate the skills leading to speech and language for challenged children ages 2 to 10.

Enabling Devices/Toys for Special Needs is an innovative developer of assistive and adaptive technologies for the physically challenged -- including specially adaptive toys (such as Tickle-Me Dolls).

Flag House's "Special Needs" catalog features more than 5,000 products for daily activities, therapy, education and fun! Readers will discover tools to enhance fine and gross motor skills, adapted furniture, toys, games, plus sensory stimulation products.

Fun-Attic Sports and Toys carries a line of Saturnian 1 Sport & Fun Products. The purpose of these products is to keep the fun in sports and provide unique products promoting active play for people of all ages and all levels of ability including children with disabilities.

Pleasant Company offers various books and dolls for girls. One of its products includes a doll-sized wheelchair.

Smart Start Toys focus on toys for children dyspraxia and visual impairments.

Lastly, Anna Toy Depot (http://www.annastoydepot.com/ has dress-up toys, tactile and sensory toys, puzzles, play animals, dollhouse families, and tunnels.