What Makes a Toy "Therapeutic?" : Your Insights Requested
Discovery Toys "Parent Support Pack"
That was six years ago. Today, therapeutic toys fill entire catalogs - and are available from major toy distributors like Toys R Us and Discovery Toys. They still include things that buzz and bubble and bounce - but now virtually anything that requires fine or gross motor skills, encourages sharing, feels good to do, or is heavy, bouncy, squishy or soft seems to qualify as "therapeutic." While the big retailers don't charge more for these toys, many of the "therapeutic" catalogs seem to charge twice as much for, say, a squishy ball as you'd pay anywhere else.
In recent weeks, I've received some toys to review for the site. They're certainly fun, and they require motor planning and both fine and gross motor skills. But I'm finding myself baffled by what makes them more "therapeutic" than the next toy. Wouldn't a child get the same quality of experience from Wal-Mart priced (or even yard-sale priced) blocks, clay, kickballs, bubbles, and so forth?
What's your opinion? Is there such a thing as a "therapeutic" toy? If so, is it worth the extra price? If you've purchased, used, or are professionally involved with therapeutic toys - please share your knowledge and experience!
Comments
If you had the money, I’d say try any of them out. You can make anything ‘therapeutic’ without spending the extra money. Any toy isn’t going to play with your child either, the parent most times has to show that child how it works and in my opinion, that’s what makes any toy therapeutic: the parent/ provider. I have spent much money on many different toys, therapeutic and otherwise that my son never touched, even with my help. I could be my own freecycle over here with the amount of it in my basement.
I’m not sure what the difference is between the two, catalog or store bought but they’d both compare the same if the child never touches it, and it might leave you with more money in your pocket if you didn’t spend as much so you could then buy another idea-toy to see if that worked.
Simple…
Your imagination as to how to use it for your needs.
Caroline
I have another insight. I’m a toy store owner. Every day I am approached by manufacturers with “theraputic” toys. Most are the same old toys that have been around for a while.
There may be a few toys that have specific theraputic uses, but in most cases, any toy can fit the bill. I have found there are more effective theraputic toys for physical issues (pencil or card holders, for example). But fine motor skills can be developed with something as simple as a windup toy. And breath control for speaking can be developed with bubbles. Even toys are not necessary….one speach therapist who shops in our store for motivators, suggests the use of an ice cream cone for tongue control.
Where there are some few, specific items that fill a niche, 90% of the “theraputic” items are hype. For me, to have a trusted relationship with my customers is more important than making an extra buck and taking advantage of their fears. The autism community has many people and businesses preying upon them and I will not facilitate that.
We will not carry the so-called educational videos for infants. Despite the advertising, pediatricians recommend AGAINST videos for children under two.
I love toy talk.
Most of the therapeutic toys I found though are just overpriced with the word therapy on it.
Discovery is nicly priced for what you get. We got one as a gift and it’s a nice toy.
I’ve went to some autism and spd shops.
I saw that toys were priced 500 and could be gotten cheaper.
A lot of good therapy toys, bubbles, sensory balls, playdoh, kazoos, puzzles can be gotten very cheaply.
No toy could me hiding wadded up gum wrappers and hiding it in my hand. It had my little one in stitches today. I love relationship driven play.
I do plan to get toys you beta and even know find myself getting sucked into wanting to buy what I don’t need but I am having fun and I know she is.
I find the best toys that I can use for therapy on Toys R us’s site but not in their therapy section