There are six books in this series, all of which have bilingual settings and can alternate between English and Spanish or English and Chinese. Best of all, this book is made from sturdy plastic, so its pages can’t be torn. It has 12 interactive pages that focus on objects, people, animals, food, and places they may see in their daily life. This digital book is a great way to build an autistic child’s vocabulary. Price at time of publication: $20 Key Specs: Dimensions: 3.19 x 12.99 x 10.24 inches | Recommended Age: 3 years and up | Helps With: Sensory exploration, fine motor skills Although it's made of non-toxic ingredients, Play-Doh does contain wheat, which may make it unsafe for autistic kids who follow a gluten-free diet. It comes with six cans of Play-Doh and loads of accessories, all of which help strengthen fine motor skills. This set has everything a child needs for playtime. What the Experts Say: “Using Play-Doh can be a great sensory experience for an autistic child,” Susan Kim, Behavioral Interventionist, says. Plus, its soft texture, bold colors, and distinct scent make for a pleasant sensory experience that can be used for years to come. Its tried-and-true formula allows children to bend, mold, squish, and cut it into whatever they’d like, encouraging them to explore and create freely with their hands. Play-Doh is a childhood staple that is ideal for autistic kids. Here are the best toys for autistic kids. After reviewing nearly 60 different toys, we developed a list of recommendations that are appropriate for children of all ages across the autism spectrum. To determine which toys are most engaging and beneficial for autistic kids, we spoke to licensed marriage and family therapist who works with autistic children, a behavioral interventionist, and a former behavioral specialist. “They may also find it difficult to read social cues or take turns with others,” says Kim. Many autistic children also struggle with processing sensory information.

According to Susan Kim, a behavioral interventionist who has nearly 10 years of experience working with autistic children and young adults, autistic children may engage in unique forms of play, such as repetitive motions or fixating on specific toys. Through play, children learn valuable life skills such as taking turns, compromising and cooperating, and looking at situations from another’s perspective.įor an autistic child, play may look different than it does for a neurotypical child. It helps children learn about the world around them, cultivate relationships, and foster their creativity.

Any choices you make in determining your child’s treatment are completely at your own discretion.Play is an essential component in developing a child’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being. The advice and opinions expressed by the host of Autism Live and her guests are meant solely as suggestion and should not be in any way construed as child-specific advice. Order the book written by the host of Autism Live, Shannon Penrod! Our host Shannon Penrod explains why Lux Blox won the best STEM toy award in the caregiver category of the 2022 Autism Live gift and toy guide! Tune in and check it out!

Stem toys for autism