The joys of opening toys (especially during the holiday season) as children is something most adults treasure as some of the best memories they have from their childhood. Adaptive toys allow children with a disability the opportunity to have experiences they may not be able to have otherwise. As technology has improved, there are methods of adapting toys so that children with disabilities can have the experience of interacting with a toy that people may not have thought possible.
As a child with a disability, you sometimes fall into this unknown space where your parents want to buy you toys but sometimes because of the limitations we have, they aren’t sure what the best toy to buy for you might be. Adaptive toys can give a child with a disability a layer of independence that can pay many great dividends in other areas of their lives. These toys can also have a positive impact on that child’s life for many years to come.
When I was young, I had a motorized bike that I operated with a button on the pedal to make the bike go because I couldn’t use a standard bike.
First, the idea being able to play with toys is actually a very important part of childhood. Most parents might think of them as ways to keep their kids entertained so they can get work done around the house, but this has many other benefits too. Being able to play with toys helps us develop our imaginations, express our feelings and can even act as a coping mechanism to help get through some potentially difficult situations. It helps us interact with our peers and even learn the value of teamwork.
Once you have a toy that you can operate independently, that toy becomes even more special.
Adaptive toys give kids with a disability a sense of empowerment because it’s a toy they can use to explore the world around them in a way that their disability doesn’t limit them.
It also adds to their self-esteem. Because of advances in technology and various programs now in place through different avenues, these toys are more readily available today than they were even a handful of years ago. For example, Adaptive Tech Solutions has a variety of adapted toys for children. And the Toys R Us Differently Abled Guide allows you to choose toys based on specific needs.
Every child deserves to have toys they’re able to enjoy, and kids with disabilities are no different. At the same time, it’s possible that this demographic of children might be unintentionally overlooked. Having play time with your favorite toy not only helps you figure out ways to do things in your surroundings, it also helps to expend energy in ways that aren’t hindered by your disability. Sometimes given the circumstances of your disability, simply going out to play, even if you’re able to do so in some capacity, may not be the easiest thing. If there are toys available to kids that allow them to have a similar experience and get the activity they can do integrated into their lives, it’s an all-around rewarding experience. It also gives you a chance to just be a kid and not have to worry about things like doctor appointments, therapy, or even surgeries that may have or will occur sometime in the future for that child. These are things that most kids with a disability deal with as a routine occurrence that other kids who aren’t disabled don’t even have on their radar.
Our imagination and playtime as children help us dream and shape who we want to be as adults. Having access to toys that allow us to focus on having fun and not think constantly about what might lie ahead of us is a big help in managing an array of potentially difficult situations, especially for a child. Adaptive toys are there to assist and provide that outlet for children with disabilities. These toys can also nourish who we are, and be part of the greatest memories of that person’s childhood once they become an adult. The beginning steps for parents is to find out what is available and see how that child’s interests can be tailored around a toy that is perfect for their child. After that, the only thing left to do is sit back and enjoy the feeling you get as you watch that child’s face shine with complete joy as the adventures begin.
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Thanks to Christinne Rudd for these helpful tips! Christinne is a disability advocate, speaker, author, and consultant. You can learn more about her at her blog: Mama’s Munchkin.