The first thing to think about when buying toys for special needs children is what they will gain from the toy itself. Children with certain conditions or special needs will generally need extra help with some aspect of their lives. They may, for example, have physical issues, show delayed social development or have psychological issues that need extra help. In some cases the best special needs toys will simply be regular toys and games that can be picked up in any toy store. In others, the child will see more benefit from a specially designed toy that addresses their own particular special needs.

Considerations to make when choosing special needs toys and games

Firstly, think about the special needs that the child has -- this will help make sure that the toy or game you buy will be of some benefit. It's worth while talking to the parents to see what stage the child is at and what help they need. Buying a toy or game that is simply appropriate to their physical age may not work here as they may be developmentally behind (or ahead) of their age range.

It's also important to make sure that any toy comes with an accredited safety marking such as the BSI Kite Mark. Safety can be a bigger issue with special needs children in some cases. And, quality is also important -- some kids can give their toys a lot of wear and tear and the better the quality you'll buy, the longer they'll last.

Suitable toys for specific special needs

The best toy for any child with special needs is one that will be fun to play with and that helps them manage/improve their abilities from a special needs perspective. So, for example, a child with a hearing problem may be having difficulty learning to read and games that use their visual and touch senses may give them an extra boost.

Many children have medical conditions that give them physical special needs. These conditions -- such as Dyspraxia, Autism, Down's Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy -- can lead to delayed development and problems with issues such as gross and fine motor control, co-ordination and spatial awareness. Good games here include construction games, puzzles, drawing/painting and craft kits which will all encourage them to use their hands which aids in the development of fine motor control.

Outdoor toys here can also be of great assistance with gross motor control issues. Riding bikes and scooters can help with balance and co-ordination. Playing on outdoor toys and playing simple sports games can also be useful.

Conclusion

Children have special needs for various reasons. Some may simply have delayed development for no apparent reason for a short period of time. Some may have specific long term issues due to a medical condition or disability. And, others may have a short term special need due to a short term medical condition -- i.e. if a child had ear problems when young then they may have speech delay problems later. In all cases it is wise to pick toys and games that are fun to play with and that address the special needs of the child -- this way they'll see the greatest benefits.