The 5 Best Fidget Toys for Autistic Children in 2022 For Autistic children, traditional toys are sometimes challenging to play with and engage with, but there are certain Fidget Toys that have proven to be very effective in engaging autistic children and keeping them focused on the task at hand. It has been suggested that autistic children benefit from the use of fidget toys and fidgeting when it comes to developing their communicationContinue reading “5 Best Fidget Toys for Autistic Children in 2022”
Tag Archives: sensory processing
The Importance of Tactile Sensory Play
The Tactile System The tactile system, or sense of touch refers to the information we receive through the receptors in our skin. These receptors monitor our sensations including light touch, pressure (deep touch), temperature, and pain. They help us discriminate things we touch and come in contact with such as textures, shapes, size, and weight (North Shore Pediatric Therapy). Touch receptors begin developing in the womb and start with the face (Morgan, J., 2017)! WhenContinue reading “The Importance of Tactile Sensory Play”
Best Toys for Non-Verbal Autistic Children
Parents of children who have autism can face challenges throughout their parenting experience. Children who have autism often communicate differently than children who do not, and in this post, we will be discussing non-verbal autism. Non-verbal autism simply means that the autistic child does not speak. It does not mean that they are unable to speak or that they cannot communicate, but instead that they may not have developed the verbal communication skills necessaryContinue reading “Best Toys for Non-Verbal Autistic Children”
Sensory Processing
Happy Sensory Processing Awareness Month! Sensory processing is a very complex topic (and one of my favorites!). The brain receives input from the different senses and turns this input into a motor or behavioral response. For those with sensory processing differences, the information goes into the brain, but doesn’t get organized appropriately. Think of the brain like a file cabinet. Sensory input comes in as what we see, hear, touch, taste, smell, and when weContinue reading “Sensory Processing”
Fidget Tools for Focus
Everyone fidgets– you may bite your nails, play with your hair, doodle on your paper, or bounce your leg. “Fidgets” have become a common craze today in the world of our kids, but there is actually science behind why fidget tools help some kids focus. Some children’s brains are seeking more input to stay at the “just right” arousal level. For example, a child who is “seeking” sensory input may be constantly moving, wiggling, touchingContinue reading “Fidget Tools for Focus”
Developmental “Quarantivities”
Simple Activities To Support Development Using Household Items Has this quarantine exhausted all of your efforts to entertain your toddler or school-aged child? Looks like we may be quarantined for a bit longer, so here are some ways to develop fine motor, gross motor, and sensory processing skills and help your little ones stay regulated using common household items. No need to venture out to the store as you probably have most of these itemsContinue reading “Developmental “Quarantivities””
Tactile Sensitivities
Does your child struggle with getting dressed each morning? Do you have difficulty getting out the door while your child is crying in the middle of his/her room in only a diaper or undies? Does he/she cry, fight, and push away when you’re trying to put on their shirt, pants, socks, and shoes? Will he/she only wear long sleeve, spandex shirts that you’ve made sure to cut every tag out of? Tactile sensitivities may playContinue reading “Tactile Sensitivities”