| What birthday present should you get for your autistic | | | | gross motor skill development. In a home setting your |
| child? | | | | child can practice gross motor skills activities in an |
| Toys that develop fine motor, gross motor and | | | | enjoyable way. Toys that encourage improvement in |
| sensory skills: | | | | these areas include training balance bikes, soft balls |
| What birthday present should you get for your autistic | | | | and rockers. |
| child? An ideal present that both you and your child | | | | |
| would appreciate are therapy toys. The advantages | | | | Most children with autism have a sensory processing |
| of therapy toys are twofold. They are very effective | | | | disorder. There are many toys that are effective in |
| in therapeutic ways AND they are toys that are really | | | | helping with this. Included are sand and water tables |
| fun to play with! | | | | and trampolines. Sand and water tables are very |
| It is common for children with autism to experience | | | | effective for improving tactile development by allowing |
| delays in fine motor skills. A child with delays in fine | | | | the water and sand to run through a child's fingers. A |
| motor skills should receive therapy from a certified | | | | mini trampoline with a handle is another excellent |
| occupational therapist. However, a parent can also help | | | | activity that is suitable for any child. However, for an |
| with the child's fine motor skill development by providing | | | | autistic child, there are therapeutic benefits to be |
| the child with appropriate toys at home. Toys such as | | | | gained along with the fun. The jumping motion on the |
| clics, blocks, and puzzles are great for developing fine | | | | trampoline is very therapeutic in regulating the child's |
| motor skills. If your child likes trains or animals, he/she | | | | sensory systems. |
| will love to receive puzzles, blocks or other toys that | | | | |
| are designed with these types of pictures. | | | | Through play a child can develop and advance |
| | | | | therapeutically. It is important to provide your autistic |
| Children with autism often have delays in gross motor | | | | child with opportunities for therapy toys and playful |
| skills. They tend to be clumsier and have difficulty | | | | activities at home. This gives the child the opportunity |
| running or pedaling a bike. You can provide your child | | | | to further expand upon his professional therapy while |
| with toys to play with at home that encourage his | | | | relaxing in the home environment. |