Special Needs Toys

It's not easy to summarise Special Educational Needs (SENs) toys in a simple soundbite - and this goes a long way to explaining why many retailers shy away from applying the term to toys that they stock. There are however, a growing number of companies that recognise the need to sell toys that are suited for children with special needs - and we're proud to be able to list some of the best ones below.

The reason "special needs toys" are so hard to define is largely because the requirements of different children are so wide-ranging. A child with ADHD is likely to have totally different requirements to a child with, for example, visual impairment or a physical disability. Another issue that adds to the confusion is that more often than not, toys that are suitable for children with specific needs haven't even been created specifically for that purpose.

As the SENs report in the November 2011 issue of Toys 'n' Playthings points out, whilst products produced by Haba or Playmobil may be regarded as suitable for children with special needs, this isn't a major part of their marketing machines. A very real concern may be that their products would somehow become less attractive to consumers who weren't specifically looking for an SENs toy.

Thankfully however, more and more independent retailers are now recognising that toys already on their shelves are suitable for children with a wide range of needs. Many of these shops are run by people with first-hand experience of children with special needs and will be able to advise you of the most suitable toys or games for your child. There's also plenty of background research material available - with several websites (includng Nasen) offering practical advice on what toys are best for specific needs.