Kids with autism are just that – kids! And they want to play! So what are the best toys for autistic kids to encourage that exploration through play? “Their toys don't have to be fancy or special ‘learning toys.’ They simply need to be toys that your child enjoys and that are developmentally appropriate,” says Jamie Winter, Ph.D., a psychologist at the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in White Plains, New York.
In fact, the toys commonly found in playgroups, preschools and playrooms of neurotypical toddlers are the same kinds of toys that are beneficial to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). “Puzzles, blocks, balls, cars and books are a great place to start for all kids,” Winter says. That said, the best toys for kids with autism do have some common threads. Here, some guidelines for selecting toys for autistic children, and some suggested toys to try out.
Read more of this article from The Bump.