10 Toys Great for Kids with Special Needs.Fun stuff that will help kids with Down syndrome, autism, juvenile arthritis, cerebral palsy, and sensory integration impairment.

1. 10 Toys Great for Kids
with
Special Needs

2. And Now, Our Creature Presentation
Kids with Down syndrome can have
difficulty with fine motor skills, so
games and puzzles with just a few
large pieces to work with are often a
hit. Especially good are games like
this Monster Toss -- its level of
difficulty can be adjusted to custom-
fit the child and her developmental
stage. Try starting out close, and
then slowly moving farther back!
($34.99; alextoys.com)

3. Speak to Me
For kids with autism, focus on
cause-and-effect toys (push a
button, get a response), especially
those that promote interaction by
encouraging a verbal reply. Vtech's
Tote & Go Laptop Plus does just
that, teaching letters, words, and
more through fun games and
friendly characters. ($21.99;
amazon.com)

4. Trunk Show
Juvenile arthritis can limit
movement in certain parts of the
body, so choose a toy that gently
works the area that's compromised.
Because slow and easy gestures are
used to catch the cascading
butterflies, Elefun is ideal for kids
who have trouble with their upper
joints. ($19.99; hasbrotoyshop.com)

5. In the Loop
For kids with cerebral palsy,
muscular dystrophy, or any
condition that affects the motor
systems, look for toys that work
with their limited movements. A
good choice if he uses a wheelchair:
the Infinite Loop. It increases upper-
body dexterity and concentration as
he opens and closes the tracks to
keep the ball on its path. Two balls
of different weights, for two
difficulty levels, are included.
($23.85; munchkinfield.com)

6. Paint Life Grand!
Think open-ended crafts for kids with ADHD
because focusing on directions can be hard.
Instead of paint-by-numbers, get a kit that
gives plenty of creative license, like Paint a
Rock Pet. Also available in a turtle. ($11.99;
alextoys.com))
Spin Doctor
Anything that spins is often a draw for children
with autism, as they tend to like repetition;
gear sets are a smart choice. The Gears! Gears!
Gears! Lights & Action Building Set by Learning
Resources has a motor, lights, glow-in-the-dark
stickers... heaven! ($56.99;
learningresources.com)

7. Baby, You Can Drive My Car
Consider games that adapt to fit the
developmental stage of a child with Down
syndrome. The object of Rush Hour is to move
vehicles out of your car's way to escape the
gridlock. Players progress at their own pace,
tackling four levels of difficulty. ($19.99;
thinkfun.com)
Just Say Dough
Glow in the Dark PlayFoam can be squished
and formed into luminescent creatures. But it
doesn't stick to hands and offers tactile
stimulation -- bonuses for kids with sensory
integration impairments. Accessories included.
($19.99; creativityforkids.com)

8. bObles Tumbing Anteater - 4 Layer, Big
bObles is a playful interior environment for
children - with a design their parents would
love to place within their homes. The tumbling
animals can be used as furniture, but is meant
for play. The whole idea is to enhance
children's motor skills while playing!
(www.sensorykidstore.com)
XLarge Blue Peanut Ball
The unique shape of this ball provides the child
with added stability for balance, exercise and
vestibular therapy.
(www.sensorykidstore.com)