Special Needs Toys

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ADHD, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Disabilities, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Visually Impaired.

It is almost impossible to define 'special needs toys' in a single category like this, purely because the requirements of different children are so wide-ranging. There are however, a growing number of companies that now recognise the need to sell toys that are specifically suited for children with special needs.

For example, one company makes a special pair of paper cutting scissors which are extremely lightweight, require very little pressure and have a blade guard to avoid accidents. Often though, standard toys only require minimal amounts of alteration to make them more suitable for children with special needs. Children with hearing impairments for example, may just need a little more volume from a toy that utilises sounds or speech - or children with visual impairments may need sensory toys that have distinctive shapes or brighter colours.

With more and more shops recognising the requirements for special needs toys, many now have whole sections of their shop or website dedicated to this kind of toy, book or other plaything. Needs may include ADHD, visual impairment, learning difficulties or Autism - and it's always worth finding a shop that has staff who are trained to advise on the best special needs toys for particular children. There is also plenty of background research material available - with several websites (includng Nasen) offering practical written advice on what toys are best for specific needs.