The best toys for autistic teenagers can help stimulate their senses and improve their awareness of the present environment.
In general, autistic kids are known for their difficulty in expressing how they feel and respond to the environment although it varies sparsely in kids.
For example, my son never had any difficulty maintaining eye contact with people and smiling. “He has the best smile in the world”
But I notice he craves for light and beautiful colors. Whenever I bath him, he plays with the bubbles and doesn’t want to leave the bathtub. Therefore, because of his visual sensibility, I got a light up toy for him and he fell totally in love with it.
However, before you go searching for toys for autistic teenagers be sure of the sensory need of your child from an infant. Autistic children process sensory information differently. I reviewed some of the best autistic toys for teenagers in this article to help guide your selection process.
Sometimes it could be oral, vestibular or sense of touch. Listed below are the sensory needs of autistic kids to guide you when shopping for toys for your autistic kid.
Sensory Needs for Autistic Kids
Sense of Light
If your child is like mine that is a visual seeker then his love for beautiful colors and light can be compared to none.
Because they are attracted to light, they can be calmed easily. You can use simple things like foamy soap, tinted lens glasses, bath paints and light up toys.
Sense of Touch
Kids with this sensory need like to touch and feel several kinds of textures and they can also be sensitive to touch.
If your child loves to touch then you need to get them a toy that fits this need and can calm him/her. Some parents use smooth and cool stones, soft materials, carpet square samples, and other tactile toys.
Proprioception
Autistic kids with this sensory need love to tread heavily, stomp or jump on things to feel the impact.
Because children with this sensory needs are prone to injuries, you can calm them with crash mats, trampoline, and other safe impact toys.
Oral
When your child loves to put anything in his/her mouth or loves to engage in biting, chewing and licking then help them out. Go for chewable toys like chewable bracelets, chewable toothbrush or Knobby super chew.
Olfactory
Kids with this sensory needs dislike bad odors and like to sniff and look for attractive smells.
If your kid loves doing this, the best toy he/she will appreciate is a toy with a beautiful and attractive smell.
Autistic kids with this sensory needs love are usually calmed with smells of lavender or vanilla essence.
The benefit of Toys for Autistic Kids
Develops Kids Mental Growth
Benefits of playing with toys for an autistic kid cannot be overemphasized as toys help them develop their social interaction, language skills, and even sensory motor skills. Also, the perfect toy can help calm and make them experience joy.
Encourages Family Bonding
Picking a toy for your kids could be your gateway to their heart and an opportunity for you to connect with them.
There are several toys picked for you in this article that helps build understanding between family members and increases family bonding.
An example of an idle toy for an autistic teenager that promotes family bonding is the Mad Dragon.
Perfect Gift Idea
Lastly, toys are ideal for autistic kids as a Christmas gift or birthday gift. My sons God-father sent him a quack stack toy as his birthday gift and so far that is his best toy.
If you are looking to put a smile on an autistic teenager face this season check for the perfect toy below.
Best Toys & Gift for Autistic Teenagers
1. Fidget Toys
Here is a fidget toy by Austor for kids with anxiety disorder. This toy will help calm your child and help them focus on whatever activity they want to be involved in.
The stress relieves toy can be squeezed, rolled like a bell, bent and folded to burn energy. Also, the toy can be used by kids that don’t like noise or in an environment where noisier toys will be a distraction.
Therefore, the toy is good to calm autistic kids and make them focus their energy on useful activities.
Pros
Made of quality nylon and machine washable
Comes with 20 colored toys
Reduces anxiety and improves focus
Cons
None for now
2. Ausein LED Gloves
The Ausein Led Gloves is a toy for autistic teenagers with visual sensory needs. The glove comes with six light modes, three colors quick flash and three color slow flash.
With this toy, you can be sure your child will be calm and his cognitive skills will improve.
Also, you don’t have to worry about the size as the glove comes with an elastic band making it suitable for kids and adult hands.
Pros
Soft and comfortable material
Comes with replaceable batteries
Improves focus
Perfect Christmas gift
Cons
The gloves cannot be washed in water
3. Big Mo’s Toys Hypnotic Liquid Motion Spiral Timer Toy
Here is another visual sensory play toy from Big Mo. The motion spiral timer toy works in rhythm – the bubbles travel down the ramp and turn the spinner.
With this awesome stress reliever, you can be sure your kid will be calmed for a very long time.
All you have to do is place the hypnotic toy on a desk and before you know it, the kid gets carried away by the beauty.
Pros
A great stress reliever for kids and adult
Good for hyperactive kids
Sturdy and handy
4. Sensory Chew Necklace
Help your kids put a stop to chewing of cloth or materials with germs by getting them one of this chew necklace. Some autistic kids are characterized by oral sensory needs hence they can’t help but chew.
Therefore, it’s your duty as a parent to choose what they chew. This beautiful necklace is stylish and can be worn as a jewelry and sometimes the kid can chew on it to reduce anxiety.
Pros
Stylish and fashionable
Provides bonding experience
Easy to clean
Safe and non-toxic
5. Creative Magnetic Building Blocks Set
As much as you are looking to get a sensory toy for your child, you should also invest in toys that can encourage creativity and brain development.
The dream builder toy is a STEM toy that can help your kid learn how to spell and solve simple math while catching fun.
Also, the toy is produced to fit tightly and smoothly with your child’s hand hence promoting the sense of touch.
Pros
Enhances critical thinking
Encourages social interaction
Helps with the tactile sensory need
6. Motivational Stress Ball Assortment
Teacher peach ball is a perfect handy toy for both kids and adults who suffer from anxiety disorder.
Most kids with autism can’t control their emotions like anger hence you can get this ball for them to release their frustration without disturbing other kids in school.
The ball is easy to use, all you have to do is squeeze it and enjoy the feeling of calmness that comes after.
Pros
Soft and durable
Perfect for therapy
Handy stress reliever
7. Flippy Dragon Eye Popping Squishy Squeeze Toy
Another stress relieve toy from Funky toys. This toy relieves stress and calms kid by squeezing the dragon and watch has the eye pops out.
Interestingly, the toy can be used by anyone, not just autistic teenagers. If you feel frustrated, stressed out or have any panic disorder the Flippy dragon helps calm you and reduce the tension.
Pros
Hand washable
Cool for both kids and adults
Helps with the panic attack
8. Hopper Ball for Teenagers
Like most toys on our list, WALIKI toys also help calm anxiety in autistic kids but it can also be used as an exercise gadget.
The hopper ball can be used as a jumping ball, sit and bounce, or a kangaroo bouncer. This toy is great for learning balance and coordination while having fun.
Also, the toy is good for families that want to spend time together as hopper ball can be used by both adult and kids.
Pros
Enhances balance and coordination
Comes with a hand pump
Easy to inflate
9. TANGLE Set of 3 Jr. Original Fidget Toy
Another tactile sensory toy that helps calm the body and soul from TANGLE.
This fidget toy helps with the flow of creativity from your mind as you try to unravel the puzzle of a tangle that has no beginning and no end.
More so, the toy can be used for many things like anti-stress device, a brain tool, a puzzle or a fidget. Its continuous motion catches attention and keeps you busy till your mind is settled.
Pros
Suitable for both adult and kids
Comes in colorful patterns
Promotes creativity
10. Sensory Toys for Autistic Teens
Like most sensory toys, this toy helps calm your kid and help with coordination. But it also sharpens the mind of the kid and encourages problem-solving skills.
The puzzle block comes with 90+ colorful pieces and a pack to keep it safe. While interlocking the puzzle helps reduce stress, you can be rest assured your child motor skills and cognitive skills are developing.
Pros
Stimulate a child’s imagination
Enhances cognitive skills
Reduces anxiety
Support STEM
Important Articles:
Best Toys For Autistic 3 year old (Sensory Stimulating)
Best Toys For Autistic 4 Year Old
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