Resources for Toys, Manipulatives, and Assistive Technology
There are many sensory resources for people with disabilities, everything from chewy toys to weighted belts. The following online resources either sell or describe the benefits of such sensory objects.
- AbleNet Assistive Technologies
- AblePlay
- From the National Lekotek Center
- Rates toys based on developmental areas of physical, sensory, communicative, cognitive, and social/emotional abilities of a child, providing research, ratings and reviews on each of these key areas of development.
- Ability Station
- Mostly chew sensory relief items and a few other things
- Can browse by disability
- Autism Community Store
- Has toys and manipulatives as well as informational and educational resources
- Books
- Different Roads to Learning
- Have books on Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Reinforcer Kit and Fidget Kit might be useful
- Also have some assistive technology items
- No great search or browse function
- Discovery Toys
- Browse by what the toys support
- Have a chart that organizes toys based on specific skills and the best way the child learns (Auditory, Kinesthetic, or Visual)
- DIYAbility
- Blog with Maker activities for people with and without disabilities
- Projects include hacks that make non-accessible toys accessible
- Includes webinars on assistive technologies
- Do2Learn
- Information on helping children and teens with a variety of disabilities
- Free printable picture cards
- Apps and electronic tools focused on specific skills
- eSpecial Needs
- Toys, books, furniture, and functional items like dishes
- Can browse by disability category
- Fun & Function
- They have a lot of options
- Can search by disability, age range, price range
- Kado Kids
- Mostly balance and sensory toys
- Can browse by type of toy
- National Autism Resources
- Geared toward teachers and therapists
- Browse by category of materials
- Toys, games, books, and movies
- Informational resources
- National Lekotek Center
- National Toy Lending Library
- Other resources, including training opportunities for play based therapy, toy evaluations and ratings, and playgroups
- Playability Toys
- Toys, games, books, media
- Browse by Special Need
- Sandbox Learning
- Customizable educational tools for teaching and monitoring learning outcomes
- School Specialty
- Purchasing guides
- Activity guides
- Sensory products broken out into specific areas, such as Oral Motor, Vibrotactile, etc.
- Southpaw Enterprises
- Furniture to chew toys
- Browse by categories or keyword search
- Special Needs Toys
- Many, many options on toys
- Sensory tables, squeeze machine, floor mats, etc.
- Browse based on skills promoted
- Therapy Shoppe
- Have toys and manipulatives for many different disabilities
- Browse by type of disability or type of resource