Toys for Special Needs Children
Parents of Children with Special Needs often look for toys that can benefit their child physically, intellectually and emotionally. The toys may improve problem solving or encourage play at a higher level. Yet they need to be safe and fun for the kids. This page offers articles on choosing toys, places to get toys, and easy toy and game adaptations. Please note, this listing is merely a compilation of catalogs; it does not constitute an endorsement of any of the companies or products listed.
Companies that offer toys for Children with Special Needs
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Abilitations
http://www.abledata.com
One Sportime Way
Atlanta, GA 30340
(800) 850-8602
Developmental devices including therapy balls, scooter boards, water therapy devices, ball pits, swing sets, manipulatives, and positioning devices.
Abledata
http://www.abledata.com
8401 Colesville Road, Suite 200
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(800) 227-0216
Listings of over 19,000 products for individuals with disabilities, including toys.
AbleNet
http://www.ablenetinc.com
1081 Tenth Ave. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414-1312
(800) 322-0956
Switches, BIGmack voice output device, SpeakEasy voice output device.
Achievement Products, Inc.
http://www.specialkidszone.com
P.O. Box 9033
Canton, OH 44711
(216) 453-2122
Achievement Products offers hundreds of top quality therapy products, special needs exercise products and special education products from walkers and standers to therapy balls, feeder seats, rolls and wedges to help children achieve their best.
Adaptivation
http://www.adaptivation.com
2225 West 50th St.
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(800) 723-2783
VoicePal, Taction Pads, LinkSwitch
A Doll with Down Syndrome
http://www.downsyndromedolls.com
22 Plantation Drive
Simpsonville, S.C. 29681
(864) 962-1593
The idea behind the creation of this toy is to enable children with Down Syndrome to identify with a doll which reflects their image, thus helping them through play to strenghten and develop their self-esteem. At the same time, it is meant to be educational, a toy to be used by other children as well; it is suitable for use in Kindergarten, pre-primary schools.
Assistive Technology of Ohio
http://www.atohio.org/
445 E. Dublin-Granville Road, Building L
Worthington, OH 43085
(800) 784-3425
Assistive Technology (AT) Ohio is a federally funded non-profit organization. AT Ohio’s mission is to help those with disabilities acquire assistive technology. Their programs include a loan program, computer distribution, and an adaptive toy library. These programs are designed to increase the availability and use of assistive technology devices and services.
Attainment Company
http://www.attainmentcompany.com/home.php
P.O. Box 930160
Verona, WI 53593
(800) 327-4269
Software, video, print and augmentative communication products.
Beyond Play
http://www.beyondplay.com
1442-A Walnut Street #52
Berkeley, CA 94709
(877) 428-1244
Early intervention products for young children with special needs.
Bindependent
http://www.bindependent.com
921 Northlake Dr.
Richardson, TX 75080
(913) 390-0247
Dolls of different races that can be bought with disability accessories like crutches, wheelchairs, cane, service dog.
Blind Children's Fund
http://www.blindchildrensfund.org/Material_Pages/WebMaterials/Toys.pdf
4740 Okemos Road
Okemos, MI 48864-1637
(517) 347-1357
Blind Children's Fund offers various products for all children.
Carolyn's Catalog
http://www.carolynscatalog.com/
PO Box 14577
Bradenton, FL 34280
(800) 648-2266
Adapted board games for visually-impaired children.
Childswork/Childsplay Center for Applied Psychology, Inc.
http://www.childswork.com
PO Box 61586
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(800) 962-1141
Addresses mental health needs of children and families through play.
Come Play With Me
http://www.comeplaytoys.com
2130 Fillmore Street - PMB 290
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 673-2125
Developmental toys for young children - has a section on special needs.
Crestwood Company
http://www.communicationaids.com
6625 N. Sidney Place
Milwaukee, WI 53209-3259
(414) 352-5678
Communication aids and switch adapted toys.
Different Roads to Learning
http://www.difflearn.com
37 East 18th Street
New York, NY 10003
(800) 853-1057
This company specializes in learning materials and playthings for children with developmental delays and challenges. This catalog puts together educational toys and materials that stimulate the skills leading to speech and language for challenged children ages 2-10.
Don Johnston Inc.
http://www.donjohnston.com
1000 N. Rand Rd., Bldg. 115
PO Box 639
Wauconda, IL 60084-0639
(800) 999-4660
Alternate keyboard, Jokus and Make It Series software, switches and switch interfaces, distributor for other companies' products.
Downi Creations
http://www.downicreations.com
1738 Nursery Hill Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(888) 749-9338
This non-profit organization has dolls with Down Syndrome features.
Dr.Toy
http://www.drtoy.org/main/index.html
268 Bush Street, Suite 2811
San Francisco, California 94104
(800) 551-8697
Though not designed specifically for the families of children with disabilities, this website provides a great deal of information about hundreds of toys and other children’s products. The holiday gift guide, awards, links and other resources may be valuable to all those seeking toy-buying guidance. Dr. Toy, aka Stevanne Auerbach, PhD, is a national expert on children’s play and play materials.
Dragon Fly Toy Company
http://www.dftoys.com
291 Yale Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3M 0L4 Canada
(800) 308-2208
Adapted and developmental toys, toy search service.
eSpecial Needs
http://www.especialneeds.com/home.php
11724 Lackland Industrial Drive
St. Louis, MO 63146
(877) 664-4565
Adaptive equipment and therapy solutions for children and adults.
Enabling Devices
http://enablingdevices.com/catalog
385 Warburton Avenue
Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706
(800) 234-6006
Enabling Devices is a company dedicated to developing affordable learning and assistive technology devices to help people of all ages with disabling conditions.
Exceptional Parent Toy Recommendations
http://www.exceptionalparent.com/
700-76 Broadway #360
Westwood, NJ 07675
(800) 372-7368
Each year EP highlights fun and educational gift ideas for exceptional children and people of all ages. They have a panel of certified toy testers who offer recommendations for the best toys produced in the past few years.
FindTheRightToy.com
http://www.findtherighttoy.com/index.htm
This website provides reviews of recreational, educational and therapeutic toys from a therapists perspective. The site is separated by skill areas allowing you to search where you feel your child needs the most help. The mission of Find the Right Toy is to help parents help their children through play using the child’s strengths to engage their interest while exercising skills that are weaker.
Flaghouse - Special Populations
http://www.flaghouse.com/Special-Populations
150 No. MacQuestern Pkwy.
Mt. Vernon, NY 14222
(800) 793-7900
Flag House has a selection of exclusive special education equipment, assisted living and physical therapy products.
Fun and Function Special Needs Toys
http://funandfunction.com/index.php?main_page=index&parentCat=65
PO Box 11
Merion Station, PA 19066
(800) 231-6329
Committed to providing affordable, educational and therapeutic toys and equipment for all children including those with special needs. Large selection of educational & developmental toys, sensory integration products, hard to find specialty toys, equipment, and resources to therapists, schools & families.
Integrations
http://www.integrationscatalog.com/
PO Box 922668
Norcross, GA 30010-2668
(800) 850-8602
Integrations offers a catalog of products for children with learning and sensory differences. The catalog is intended for Teachers, Speech Pathologists, Special Educators, Occupational Therapists, and Parents.
IntelliTools
http://www.intellitools.com
55 Leveroni Court, Suite 9
Novato, CA 94949
(800) 899-6687
IntelliKeys- alternate keyboard and overlays.
Kidszplay
http://www.kidzplay.org/theragiftscatalog.html
1F Commons Drive, Suite 38
Londonderry, New Hampshire, 03053
(603) 437-3330
The Theragifts division of Kidzplay specializes in selling sensory motor products, toys, and gifts for children that have dysfunction of sensory integration, Autism, Attention Deficit disorders, Developmental Delay or learning disabilities.
Lakeshore Learning Materials
http://www.lakeshorelearning.com
2965 E. Dominquez
Carson, CA 90749
(800) 421-5354
Educational products, adaptive equipment, and outdoor play equipment.
Laureate Learning Systems
http://www.laureatelearning.com/
110 E. Spring St.
Winooski, VT 05404-1898
(800) 562-6801
High quality developmental software for speech.
Let’s Play! Projects
http://letsplay.buffalo.edu
322 Kimball Tower, Buffalo, NY 14214
(716) 829-3141
Let’s Play! Projects provide families with children with disabilities ways to play through the use of assistive technology. These projects provide ideas and strategies to promote play through better access to play materials, and use assistive technology to give the children this critical access. These projects believe that by building on what the child can do, and by creating interactive play environments, families can reclaim play as a critical component of childhood.
Mayer-Johnson Co.
http://www.mayerjohnson.com
PO Box 1579
Solana Beach, CA 92075-1579
(800) 588-4548
Educational and special needs products; augmentative communication products, including Boardmake.
Mindplay
http://mindplay.com
160 W. Ft. Lowell Road
Tucson, AZ 85705
(800) 221-7911
Educational software for pre-K to adult.
National Lekotek Center
http://www.lekotek.org
2100 Ridge Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201-2796
(847) 328-0001
Lekotek uses interactive play experiences, and the learning that results, to promote the inclusion of children with special needs into family and community life.
New Horizon Toys
http://www.newhorizontoys.com
PO Box 1791
Clackamas, OR 97015
(877) 877-8080
New Horizon Toys have been specially selected to provide the most learning and educational value for children with cognitive, communicative, physical and sensory disabilities.
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
http://www.toyportfolio.com
40 E. 9th Street, Suite 14M
New York, NY 10003
(800) 544-8697
A quarterly guide/catalog which includes a section on special needs toys.
Pattycake Dolls
http://www.pattycakedoll.com
107 Southfield Dr
Fayetteville N.Y.13066
Dolls with Down Syndrome features and Special Needs dolls including service dog and wheelchairs.
Perfectly Safe Catalog
http://perfectlysafe.stores.yahoo.net/
7835 Freedom Ave., N.W.
North Canton, OH 44720
(800) 837-5437
Products designed to ensure child safety.
Pocket Full of Therapy
http://www.pfot.com/
P.O. Box 174
Morganville, N.J. 07751
(800) 736-8124
This site was developed by OT’s. They offer unique materials and toys that can help provide effective, appropriate, motivating and fun, pediatric therapy and learning. The catalog is arranged into categories pertinent to development.
Prentke Romich Company
http://www.prentrom.com/index.html
1022 Heyl Rd.
Wooster, OH 44691
(800) 262-1933
Communication devices such as AlphaTalker and TouchTalker, ECUs, computer access devices, switches and mounts developmental software.
Rifton Equipment from Community Playthings
http://www.rifton.com
Route 213 Box 901
Rifton, NY 12471-0901
(800) 777-4244
Play equipment for children with special needs.
Riverdeep
http://web.riverdeep.net
500 Redwood Blvd
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 763-4700
TouchWindow, educational software including KidDesk, McGee, Katie's Farm, Playroom, Stickybear, Millie's Math House. Riverdeep, a leading on-line developer of K-12 interactive learning solutions, acquired Edmark, a leading developer and publisher of children's educational software for the K-8 and Special Needs areas.
R.J. Cooper & Associates
http://www.rjcooper.com
24843 Del Prado #283
Dana Point, CA 92629
(800) 752-6673
Developmental software.
Sammons Preston
http://www.sammonspreston.com
4 Sammons Court
Bolling Brook, IL 60440
(800) 323-5547
Orthopedic and daily living devices, including tableware, positioning devices, therapy balls, stacking cones, manipulatives, therapy putty and jettmobile.
SensoryEdge
http://www.sensoryedge.com/info.html
8469 Canoga Ave
Canoga Park, CA 91304
(800) 734-8019
This site offers an online catalog of educational and sensory-based products. The website, started by parents of a child with special needs, also plans to offer a newsletter with articles and activities from parents, teachers, and therapists.
Sew Dolling
http://www.sew-dolling.com
P.O. Box 53
East Greenwich, Rhode Island 02818
(401) 398-0070
Dolls with prostheses, wheelchairs, crutches, physical therapy equipment etc.
S&S Worldwide
http://www.snswwide.com
PO Box 517
Colchester, CT 06415
(800) 243-9232
Indoor and outdoor toys and games, crafts and activities for therapy and rehabilitation.
SoftTouch
http://www.funsoftware.com/softtouch/index.htm
4300 Stine Road, Suite 401
Bakersfield, CA 93313
(877) 763-8868
Software for students with disabilities and the very young, including Old MacDonald's Farm, Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, and Five Green and Speckled Frogs.
Tack-Tiles(r) Braille Systems
http://www.tack-tiles.com/
PO Box 475
Plaistow, NH 03865
(800) 822-5845
Tack-Tiles® Braille Systems are a sophisticated teaching tool for all ages based on LEGO®-type blocks.
TASH, Inc. (Technical Aids & Systems for the Handicapped Inc.)
http://www.tashinc.com
3512 Mayland Ct.
Richmond VA 2323
(800) 463-5685
Switches and accessories, alternate keyboards, environmental control units.
TFH (USA) Ltd.
http://www.specialneedstoys.com/usa
4537 Gibsonia Rd.
Gibsonia, PA 15044
(412) 444-6400
Providers of carefully selected fun products designed to help you or those in your care enjoy life, and achieve more.
Toy Industry Foundation
http://www.toyassociation.org
1115 Broadway, Ste. 400
New York, NY 10010
(212) 675-1141
Let's Play! is a guide to toys for children with special needs.
Toys for Special Children-Enabling Devices
http://www.enablingdevices.com
385 Warburton Ave.
Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706
(800) 832-8697
Adapted toys and communication devices.
Toys "R" Us
http://www.toysrus.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=3261680
Call 1-800-TOYSRUS for a Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids available at the toy stores or online.
Toys To Grow On
http://www.toystogrowon.com/
PO Box 17
Long Beach, CA 90801
(800) 542-8388
Wonderful learning games and playthings.
We Can Play!
http://www.ataccess.org/resources/wcp/endefault.html
1304 Southpoint Blvd., Suite 240
Petaluma, CA 94954
(707) 778-3011
This section of the Alliance for Technology Acess website offers a variety of activities and play suggestions for children with special needs. Learn how to adapt a battery operated toy for children who can only press a single button. Learn more about web resources and books about play.
WorkLink Innovations
http://www.worklink.com
2452 Armstrong St.
Livermore, CA 94550
(510) 848-8363
Access-I product provides computer accessibility from a wheelchair.
Additional Resources:
- Choosing Toys Takes Consideration - from the What's Up newsletter at the Early Childhood Training Center.
- Easy Toy and Game Adaptations - from Exceptional Parent Magazine.
