Psssst: Got Grandparents and friends who want to purchase just the right toy for your child? You are going to want them to read this review. Just a friendly heads up!
Lake Bluff, IL – All kids love new, cool, fun toys, and that includes kids with disabilities. But it’s not always easy to find, let alone choose, the right toys for a child with special needs.
That’s why One Step Ahead has partnered with the National Lekotek Center—the leading not-for-profit authority on play for children with disabilities—to offer a different kind of toy selection.
Here Come AblePlayTM Toys!
Fun for All Kids…and Rated for Kids with Special Needs
AblePlay toys are rated on a scale of one to five stars in four disability categories:
* Physical disabilities, such as Cerebral Palsy and Muscular Dystrophy
* Sensory disabilities, like hearing/vision impairments and Sensory Integration Disorder
* Communicative disabilities, including Autism and speech delays
* Cognitive disabilities, such as Down Syndrome, ADD, and learning disabilities
“The AblePlay ratings provide a snapshot of a toy’s appropriateness relative to specific disabilities. They make it easier for parents and family to choose specific toys for their child.
At www.onestepahead.com, parents can easily review each toy’s AblePlay rating. And even parents of kids who don’t have special needs can use the ratings as a toy selection tool.
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The beauty of AblePlay toys is that they’re inclusive—that is, they’re the same exact toys kids will find at a cousin’s or neighbor’s house. There are 6.2 million kids with disabilities in the=2 0U.S., or 13.2% of the child population—and when it comes to play, says Mendoza, “they want to be included in the same way as everyone else.”
“But they’ve also been rated by play experts in the area of special needs regarding their suitability for kids with disabilities.”
Parker and I have been playing with the Tater Tot Toss and the WEDGiTS and love them.
Want to win your own Tator Tot Toss AND WEDGiTS from One Step Ahead?
1. Take a look at their toys.
2. Choose one that would meet your child’s specific needs.
3. Come back and tell me not only which toy, but WHY. Let’s help each other out with some great therapy ideas using the wonderful selection of toys at One Step Ahead.
Want to earn an extra entries?
1. Follow us on Twitter. We are 5MinSpecNeeds
2. Tweet this giveaway @5MinSpecNeeds
This contest will go through April 11th.
Offer available in the U.S and Canada!
Please be sure to read our Terms and Conditions.
You can also find Tammy and Parker hanging out at their other blog, Praying for Parker and on Twitter where they are known as ParkerMama.
My son has low muscle tone. I really think the Configuration Balance Beam would be very good for him.
I like the Sock Monkey – my nephew is in love with monkeys and this would be great to help encourage body part identification.
i like the tummy time safari mat.
The photo blocks are cool! Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
My son has SPD and fine motor skills delays and I think the E-I-E-I Dough would be great for both things – the clay for the sensory input and the accessories would help with his fine motor skills.
jennifernew81 at hotmail dot com
I really like the “Tummy Time Safari” mat
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I would choose the Configuration Balance Beam because our 3 y/o needs the most help with gross motor skills. I love that this can be configured into lots of different patterns/shapes to keep it interesting for a little one and that it encourages attention to foot placement, balance and stability. I also love that it looks like it would be easy to set up a small version inside in the winter or on rainy days. Cool!
My other favorites are the Bright and Beyond Activity cards, because it looks like they have great activity ideas including motor skills development, and the Asthma Friendly Plush Puppies, because J loves stuffed animals, but we minimize them due to her chronic lung problems.
Thanks for the chance to enter!!
Follow at Twitter!
Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/PsychMamma/status/1494285405
The Foam Construction Set would be great.
It looks like fun but it really works the brain.
It would be perfect.
Rub a Dub® Dunk and Score would be a useful and helpful toy for us. My Baby sister has always been Special, but this past Christmas she has\d a breakdown, and regressed even further. She was at the level of a high functioning 8-10 year old, now she is at the level of a 2-4 year old, and afraid of baths. This would help her not be afraid of the water if she had something easy to play with while in the tub.
My daughter is 11 and has a physical disability. She enjoys arts and crafts so I think she would enjoy the Glow-in-the-Dark PlayFoam. I liked the carpet skates. When I taught preschool special ed, we would skate on wax paper, though I did have to hold their hands to make sure they didn’t fall.
I follow you on twitter.
I also tweeted, http://twitter.com/litefoot873/status/1495736163
I love the Asthma Friendly Plush Puppies. This would be great for my son who has asthma. I have to keep everything so clean. These seem perfect.
the monster bubbles and refil
I would love to get the tummy time safari mat for my little one.
The dinner games look fantastic! My little nephew has such a time at the dinner table. I really think this is something that would help keep him focused.
thanks for the great offer
My little cousin would love the Touch and Feel Cards because he has an aversion to loud noises but loves different textures and toys that he can move with his hands
I like the Configuration Balance Beam, this would be great to develop balance and motor skills
Personalized My Little Puppies Set
I love the Configuration Balance Beam.. I think it would help my son a lot with his balance