Sensory Toys and Autism 

Sensory toys for people with autism ranges greatly from a fidget spinner to a chew necklace and even to a Rubix cube. They help people regulate their emotional needs as well as their sensory needs. They help calm a person with autism down and help them figure out what they need to do or say for what could be an overwhelming situation for them. They are often used as self-regulating tools for when someone might be feeling overstimulated by their environment or their emotions. It redirects their minds to a calmer input and is something that they can control or be in control of so the thing that is causing them distress can be figured out on their own. There are plenty of ways to regulate emotions, it is finding the right tools that help someone with autism. 

Growing up, I was given a few fidgets to keep me occupied even before I knew I had autism. I had stuffed animals, fluffy blankets, and some other toys when I was younger. I used to carry around one of my stuffed animals wherever I went and I still do to this day. That stuffed bear even followed me when I moved to Richmond. I grew up with slime, a rainmaker and a music box that I used to love to listen to as a kid. I had and still have a few music boxes that I love to play with as they are hand cranking ones. I used to play with the LightBrite and a few other similar toys growing up that kept me occupied for hours. 

The reason for these sensory toys is so that people can soothe themselves and calm down from their high emotions or any turmoil that may be going on internally. Sometimes people with autism cannot vocalize their emotions well enough to express what they may need. It is so that they may be able to settle down enough to be able to tell someone how they’re feeling. It can also help them focus on a task at hand or even exploring their own world in a way that works best for them. 

Sensory toys are tools to help people with autism deal with the world around them.