Looking for the right gift for a child with special needs? Today more and more toy manufacturers are creating toys for special needs children that make them laugh, engage them and hold their interest, and lend themselves to imaginative play.

Types of Special Needs Toys
Auditory toys - Consider the types of toys available for kids with special needs by the skill addressed. For example, auditory toys enhance youngsters’ ability to connect through sound in order to absorb information, tell or listen to stories, connect with music, or appreciate the order of repetitive rhymes.

Auditory Toys for Special Needs Children


Tactile toys – Tactile toys can help increase children's hand-eye coordination, build concentration and improve tactile skills and gross motor skills (e.g. grip, strength and flexibility in hands and fingers).  For fine motor skills, including hand-eye coordination, think visual toys that challenge your child’s focus as well as engage his or her curiosity.

Tactile Toys for Special Needs Children


Language toys – Language toys can help your child integrate sounds, mimic rhythms, words and sentences, make word associations, and build vocabulary. Language toys and games that can be played in a group situation can be both especially fun and reinforce social communication skills.

Language Toys for Special Needs Children

Other Aspects of Special Needs Toys and Activities
Creativity - All kids, including special needs children, can benefit from toys that encourage them to use their imagination. Look for toys that focus on building, painting, making music, or even playing dress-up with dolls. (Remember that fun, basic science experiments can be as creative as an activity like painting for a child who loves science.)

Creativity Toys for Special Needs Children

Self esteem - One of the best ways to help kids with special needs build self esteem is through activities that provide independence and mastery. A toy that presents a challenge is good, but make sure that it’s a challenge your child can reasonably succeed at.

Self-esteem Toys for Special Needs Children


Social skills - Learning how to navigate social situations is critical for special needs children, so consider toys and/or games that help them learn to play successfully with others. This could include toys for multiple players such as board games or language games. Especially effective are games or toys where kids have to cooperate with each other to achieve a goal.

Social Skills Toys for Children with Special Needs


Laughter - Any toy that brings laughter into the lives of special needs children – and those who love them – is a terrific one, no matter what other skills, learning, or knowledge it delivers.