Sensory Toys

The benefits of sensory toys for kids

There is a huge range of sensory toys available to assist both children and adults with special needs including those with autism, adhd, sensory processing disorder abilities or other sensitivities.

Toys are fun and great for developing motor skills and fine motor control through play in any place, but when a toy is “sensory” then it brings extra benefits to toddlers, teens and adults who may crave activity, that extra stimulation for the senses.

Sensory toys offer something that is effective in helping a person to self-regulate and control input to their senses outdoor in the playgrounds in the classroom or home

Facts:

1. Sensory toys are designed to stimulate the senses, including sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste.
2. They can be used to calm or focus a child, or to promote sensory development.
3. Sensory toys are often used in occupational therapy and special education.
4. They can be used with children of all ages, but are especially beneficial for children with sensory processing disorders or autism.
5. Sensory toys can be used in a variety of settings, including at home, at school, or in a clinical setting.
6. Some common sensory toys include balls, puzzles, playdough, blocks, teether and musical instruments.
7. Sensory toys can be purchased online or at many retail stores.
8. It is important to choose sensory toys that are appropriate for a child's age and abilities.
9. Sensory toys should be used under supervision, and should be cleaned and stored properly.

The best sensory equipment for children with autism and special needs

Therapists are increasingly recommending sensory items both at home and at school for a child who may suffer anxiety, restlessness or the inability to maintain attention for long periods of time.

If an environment becomes stressful, objects that stimulate the hands, eyes or other body parts, can assist in promoting calm by giving an individual the sensory support that their body requires.

Some of the more common types and accessories of products that an occupational therapist may now promote as a tool for self-regulating and avoiding overload include:

• Tactile balls

These safety design of toys can be large, small, soft, squishy, bumpy, extra-smooth or spiky balls. Kids will love the feel of them as they provide extra input to the senses when they are thrown, scrunched, squeezed or caught and there is a huge amount of games and activities that can be played with each type of ball.

So whether or not you want to improve your power and accuracy in throwing, your hand-eye coordination, or you just need a calming sensory balls, these make a fantastic, versatile and all-round item in any kit bag.

And why not even take it one step further and combine them in ball pits for the ultimate sensory experience!

• Fidget toys

These are becoming hugely popular! We are now witnessing the integration of fidget toys into the school classroom by teachers, and at home by parents, as a solution to increase concentration and focus.

There features come in all weird and wacky shapes and sizes that appeal to not only a child but also teens, adults and family . They include such items as pop fidgets, fidget spinners, fidget cubes, and even bracelets and jewellery that is made to be chewed.

They are actually a whole lot of fun to tinker, balance, fiddle and play with! There is such a huge range on the market so if you want hard vibration, stimulation or fine motor control for the fingers, or perhaps a different sensation to encourage movement of the feet, lets not forget about loud noise but quiet is available as well to stimulate our hearing senses, there is such a variety out there for everyone.

• Putty

This is a great sensory tool that is often used by occupational therapists to improve fine motor control along with development of finger and hand strength.

Putty is available in a wide range of colours, textures and consistencies. Not only that but is just plain and simply fun to play with.

It can also be successfully used as a fidget in the classroom assist kids to focus on their learning.

also comes in a sweet pungent fragrant.

• Sensory Sand

This quality sensory sand is an awesome sensory toy, allowing the user to be creative and mould whatever shape or object they like. It works similar to wet sand in that the user can mould shapes to their heart’s content.

It isn’t gritty on your fingers like sand and it won’t dry out making it perfect for kids of all ages. can also be used as hot and cold.

The perfect therapy, it's cheap, preschool boys and girls love the feel of it and for extra sensory integration why not choose "essential oil stretchy sand" that has essential oils infused into it.

• Weighted toys

These are usually weighted stuffed animals and are heavier than a normal stuffed toy that you may purchase in a store.

They are a way to reduce anxiety and can help others with sleeping. They range in sizes and weights including lap sizes for use in a discreet environment such as a school classroom right up to huge, weighted elephant which can function as a sleeping buddy at night-time.

• Weighted blankets

These are a heavier blanket and come in a range of sizes, weights and materials. They are very popular for children and adults who crave extra pressure on their body, but also are being increasingly used by people experiencing insomnia and other sleep issues.

Occupational therapists usually recommend a weighted blanket that is no more than 10% of a person’s body weight.

Stats:

1. According to a study by the University of Florida, children who used sensory toys showed a decrease in problem behaviors and an increase in on-task behavior.
2. A study by the University of South Wales found that children with autism who used sensory toys had a decrease in anxiety and an increase in social interaction.
3. A study by the University of Missouri found that children with ADHD who used sensory toys had a decrease in hyperactive behavior and an increase in attention span.
4. A study by the University of Central Lancashire found that children with sensory processing disorder who used sensory toys had a decrease in disruptive behavior and an increase in task completion.
5. A study by the University of Arizona found that children with Down syndrome who used sensory toys had an increase in cognitive skills and social interaction.
6. A study by the University of Texas found that children who are blind or have low vision who used sensory toys had an increase in cognitive skills, social skills, and motor skills.

The home of sensory and tactile equipment for your child is OT Warehouse

So check out our online shop for more information and a huge brands range of stock to choose from, all orders in the one space and with price offers to suit your budget. Delivery is available Australia wide.

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The benefits of sensory toys for kids

There is a huge range of sensory toys available to assist both children and adults with special needs including those with autism, adhd, sensory processing disorder abilities or other sensitivities.

Toys are fun and great for developing motor skills and fine motor control through play in any place, but when a toy is “sensory” then it brings extra benefits to toddlers, teens and adults who may crave activity, that extra stimulation for the senses.

Sensory toys offer something that is effective in helping a person to self-regulate and control input to their senses outdoor in the playgrounds in the classroom or home

Facts:

1. Sensory toys are designed to stimulate the senses, including sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste.
2. They can be used to calm or focus a child, or to promote sensory development.
3. Sensory toys are often used in occupational therapy and special education.
4. They can be used with children of all ages, but are especially beneficial for children with sensory processing disorders or autism.
5. Sensory toys can be used in a variety of settings, including at home, at school, or in a clinical setting.
6. Some common sensory toys include balls, puzzles, playdough, blocks, teether and musical instruments.
7. Sensory toys can be purchased online or at many retail stores.
8. It is important to choose sensory toys that are appropriate for a child's age and abilities.
9. Sensory toys should be used under supervision, and should be cleaned and stored properly.

The best sensory equipment for children with autism and special needs

Therapists are increasingly recommending sensory items both at home and at school for a child who may suffer anxiety, restlessness or the inability to maintain attention for long periods of time.

If an environment becomes stressful, objects that stimulate the hands, eyes or other body parts, can assist in promoting calm by giving an individual the sensory support that their body requires.

Some of the more common types and accessories of products that an occupational therapist may now promote as a tool for self-regulating and avoiding overload include:

• Tactile balls

These safety design of toys can be large, small, soft, squishy, bumpy, extra-smooth or spiky balls. Kids will love the feel of them as they provide extra input to the senses when they are thrown, scrunched, squeezed or caught and there is a huge amount of games and activities that can be played with each type of ball.

So whether or not you want to improve your power and accuracy in throwing, your hand-eye coordination, or you just need a calming sensory balls, these make a fantastic, versatile and all-round item in any kit bag.

And why not even take it one step further and combine them in ball pits for the ultimate sensory experience!

• Fidget toys

These are becoming hugely popular! We are now witnessing the integration of fidget toys into the school classroom by teachers, and at home by parents, as a solution to increase concentration and focus.

There features come in all weird and wacky shapes and sizes that appeal to not only a child but also teens, adults and family . They include such items as pop fidgets, fidget spinners, fidget cubes, and even bracelets and jewellery that is made to be chewed.

They are actually a whole lot of fun to tinker, balance, fiddle and play with! There is such a huge range on the market so if you want hard vibration, stimulation or fine motor control for the fingers, or perhaps a different sensation to encourage movement of the feet, lets not forget about loud noise but quiet is available as well to stimulate our hearing senses, there is such a variety out there for everyone.

• Putty

This is a great sensory tool that is often used by occupational therapists to improve fine motor control along with development of finger and hand strength.

Putty is available in a wide range of colours, textures and consistencies. Not only that but is just plain and simply fun to play with.

It can also be successfully used as a fidget in the classroom assist kids to focus on their learning.

also comes in a sweet pungent fragrant.

• Sensory Sand

This quality sensory sand is an awesome sensory toy, allowing the user to be creative and mould whatever shape or object they like. It works similar to wet sand in that the user can mould shapes to their heart’s content.

It isn’t gritty on your fingers like sand and it won’t dry out making it perfect for kids of all ages. can also be used as hot and cold.

The perfect therapy, it's cheap, preschool boys and girls love the feel of it and for extra sensory integration why not choose "essential oil stretchy sand" that has essential oils infused into it.

• Weighted toys

These are usually weighted stuffed animals and are heavier than a normal stuffed toy that you may purchase in a store.

They are a way to reduce anxiety and can help others with sleeping. They range in sizes and weights including lap sizes for use in a discreet environment such as a school classroom right up to huge, weighted elephant which can function as a sleeping buddy at night-time.

• Weighted blankets

These are a heavier blanket and come in a range of sizes, weights and materials. They are very popular for children and adults who crave extra pressure on their body, but also are being increasingly used by people experiencing insomnia and other sleep issues.

Occupational therapists usually recommend a weighted blanket that is no more than 10% of a person’s body weight.

Stats:

1. According to a study by the University of Florida, children who used sensory toys showed a decrease in problem behaviors and an increase in on-task behavior.
2. A study by the University of South Wales found that children with autism who used sensory toys had a decrease in anxiety and an increase in social interaction.
3. A study by the University of Missouri found that children with ADHD who used sensory toys had a decrease in hyperactive behavior and an increase in attention span.
4. A study by the University of Central Lancashire found that children with sensory processing disorder who used sensory toys had a decrease in disruptive behavior and an increase in task completion.
5. A study by the University of Arizona found that children with Down syndrome who used sensory toys had an increase in cognitive skills and social interaction.
6. A study by the University of Texas found that children who are blind or have low vision who used sensory toys had an increase in cognitive skills, social skills, and motor skills.

The home of sensory and tactile equipment for your child is OT Warehouse

So check out our online shop for more information and a huge brands range of stock to choose from, all orders in the one space and with price offers to suit your budget. Delivery is available Australia wide.

ABOUT US

OT Warehouse provides a one stop shop for parents, teachers and kids looking for appropriate resources to assist learning and play. OT Warehouse stocks a huge range of sensory and calming products, therapy toys, playground equipment, special needs and educational resources, autism resources, disability products and heaps more! OT warehouse is an NDIS service provider and ships products throughout Australia. We accept orders from individuals, families, NDIS clients, occupational therapists, schools, health departments, clinics and other government organisations. At OT Warehouse we source our products from reputable suppliers and offer the highest quality goods to our customers. We believe every child has the right to enjoy life and achieve their best. We strive to supply a range of products and resources to allow this to happen.

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