Best Sensory Toys for Autism

Selecting the right toys for children with autism can significantly enhance their developmental progress, engagement, and comfort. 

Sensory toys specifically cater to the unique sensory needs common among autistic children, providing therapeutic benefits that support their growth and well-being.

At Cardinal Pediatric Therapies, we understand the importance of selecting appropriate sensory tools. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore some of the best sensory toys for autism, offering insights into their benefits and how they can effectively support your child’s development.

Why Sensory Toys Matter for Autism

Children with autism often experience sensory sensitivities or sensory-seeking behaviors. Sensory toys can:

  • Improve sensory integration and processing
  • Enhance fine and gross motor skills
  • Provide calming effects and reduce anxiety
  • Boost focus and attention
  • Encourage communication and social interactions

Choosing suitable sensory toys can transform playtime into productive therapy sessions.

Why Sensory Toys Matter for Autism

Types of Sensory Toys and Top Recommendations

Here’s a careful list of sensory toys recommended for children with autism, each chosen for specific therapeutic benefits:

1. Fidget Toys

Fidget toys help manage anxiety and improve concentration by providing tactile input.

  • Pop-It Fidget Toys: Encourage repetitive pressing actions to soothe anxiety and enhance fine motor skills.
  • Fidget Spinners: Aid in calming and improving concentration through repetitive spinning motions.
  • Stress Balls: Excellent for grip strength and tactile stimulation, helping to reduce anxiety levels.

2. Sensory Chew Toys

Chew toys are perfect for children with oral sensory-seeking behaviors.

  • Chewelry Necklaces: Safe, durable necklaces designed for chewing, offering discreet oral sensory relief.
  • Chewy Tubes: Enhance oral motor skills and provide necessary sensory input safely.

3. Weighted Toys and Blankets

Weighted items offer deep pressure stimulation, beneficial for calming and sensory integration.

  • Weighted Stuffed Animals: Provide comfort and sensory grounding, aiding relaxation.
  • Weighted Blankets: Help children feel secure and reduce sensory overload, promoting restful sleep.

4. Visual Sensory Toys

These toys stimulate visual tracking, attention, and engagement.

  • Liquid Motion Bubblers: Visually calming, promoting concentration and visual tracking.
  • Fiber Optic Lamps: Offer gentle visual stimulation and help improve visual processing.

5. Tactile Sensory Toys

Tactile toys enhance sensory processing through hands-on interaction.

  • Kinetic Sand: Supports creativity, fine motor skills, and tactile exploration without overwhelming the senses.
  • Textured Balls: Different textures enhance tactile awareness and fine motor development.

6. Auditory Sensory Toys

Sound-based sensory toys can support auditory processing and attention.

  • Rainmaker Toys: Gentle sounds soothe and promote auditory tracking.
  • Sound Blocks: Encourage cause-and-effect understanding and auditory processing skills.
Tips for Choosing Sensory Toys

Tips for Choosing Sensory Toys

When selecting sensory toys for autism, consider the following guidelines:

  • Safety First: Ensure toys are age-appropriate, non-toxic, and free from choking hazards.
  • Personal Preferences: Observe your child’s sensory needs and preferences. Choose toys that align with their unique sensory profile.
  • Therapeutic Goals: Select toys that complement specific therapeutic goals such as communication enhancement, fine motor skill improvement, or emotional regulation.

Integrating Sensory Toys into Daily Routines

Incorporating sensory toys effectively into everyday activities can amplify their therapeutic impact:

  • Use weighted toys during transitions or bedtime to ease anxiety.
  • Introduce fidget toys during tasks requiring sustained attention, such as homework.
  • Encourage tactile and visual sensory toys during structured playtime for targeted skill development.

Cardinal Pediatric Therapies Recommendations

At Cardinal Pediatric Therapies, we advocate using sensory toys as part of a broader, individualized therapy plan. 

Our experienced therapists can guide you in selecting and integrating sensory toys effectively into your child’s daily life, ensuring optimal developmental benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are sensory toys beneficial for all autistic children?
Most children with autism can benefit from sensory toys, but preferences and needs vary individually. Observing your child’s responses helps determine suitability.

Can sensory toys help reduce meltdowns?
Yes, sensory toys can help manage sensory overload, reducing meltdowns by providing calming stimuli and grounding sensations.

At what age should sensory toys be introduced?
Sensory toys can be beneficial at any age, but early introduction can significantly support developmental growth and sensory processing skills.

Are sensory toys safe for everyday use?
Yes, when selected appropriately for age, material, and durability, sensory toys are safe and recommended for daily therapeutic use.

Conclusion

Choosing the best sensory toys for autism can profoundly impact your child’s developmental journey, offering both therapeutic and engaging experiences.

Cardinal Pediatric Therapies is dedicated to supporting families in making informed, effective decisions to nurture every child’s developmental potential.

About the Author

Picture of Alice Okamoto
Alice Okamoto

Chief of Staff

Alice has been with Cardinal for over 4 years and has worn many hats along the way! Alice has a passion for working with clients and families as a unit, supervising behavior analyst trainees, and collaborating on strategic initiatives to ensure clinical efficiencies.
Alice has been with Cardinal for over 4 years and has worn many hats along the way! Alice has a passion for working with clients and families as a unit, supervising behavior analyst trainees, and collaborating on strategic initiatives to ensure clinical efficiencies.
Read More from this author

Dr. Mike Henderson, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA

Regional Operations Director

North Carolina

Mike Henderson, PhD, LBA, BCBA-D, is the Regional Operations Director at Cardinal Pediatric Therapies. With over two decades of experience in behavior analysis and organizational leadership, he focuses on mentoring teams and fostering a culture of collaboration, growth, and excellence in client care. Mike believes strong leadership and supportive systems are essential for helping clients, families, and providers succeed together.

Felicia Freeman

Clinic Manager

I am Felicia Freeman, the Clinic Manager for Cardinal Pediatric Therapies. I have been in ABA for several years now and am passionate about the community that we serve. I started out as an RBT, decided to go the administrative route, and worked my way up to managing clinics. I choose this field every day because I enjoy making a meaningful impact in the lives of our clients and building strong teams that change lives.

Amanda Dean, MA, BCBA, LBA

Johnston County, NC

Amanda graduated from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2018 with her Masters in Psychology. She proceeded to complete her graduate certificate in ABA and became a BCBA in November 2020. Amanda has a passion for behavior reduction, tolerance training and functional communication training. She enjoys spending as much time as she can with her 3 children and husband. When she’s not working, Amanda is very involved in her local Pop Warner Cheerleading program where she is the Assistant Cheer Director and a head coach.

Becky Fronheiser

Operations Director

Arizona

Becky has worked in behavioral health for 7 years. She joined Cardinal in the spring of 2024.  Becky is grateful for the opportunity to work with such a passionate group of people and looks forward to supporting families with their specific ABA needs.  In her personal time, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband, 6 kids and 4 grandkids and loves to travel and relax on the beach.

Matthew Wilkinson

Operations Director

Cary, NC

Matthew holds a bachelors degree from the University of Utah, Medical Degree from the Autonomous University of Guadalajara and an MBA from Western Governors University. He has worked in the pediatric field for the majority of his professional life and has a passion for helping bring the best care to children in need. He enjoys spending time with his wife and three children and day trips to the coast.

 

Trisha Iannotta Bieszczad, PsyD., BCBA

Triad, NC

Trisha is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with extensive expertise since 2016 in applying behavior analytic principles to improve the lives of children and adolescents. Her professional journey began with a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, emphasizing child and adolescent development. This foundation has equipped her with a deep understanding of psychological theories and practices, which she seamlessly integrates into her work as a BCBA. Outside of her professional endeavors, Trisha enjoys reading, spending time outdoors with her family & trying out new restaurants. Trisha’s dedication to both her career and personal interests reflects her commitment to continual growth and enrichment, both professionally and personally. Her multifaceted background allows her to approach each aspect of her life with a blend of expertise, enthusiasm, and a genuine appreciation for learning and exploration.

Tina Lee

Director of Finance

Tina Lee is the Finance Director for Cardinal with a variety of experience in the Healthcare Industry for over 13 years. She is compassionate and always eager to assist where she can. In the ever-changing Healthcare environment, Tina has played a vital role in putting processes in place to obtain high efficiency outcomes to help our clients get the care they need. Tina enjoys the outdoors and loves spending time with her family.

William Evans

Director of Outreach and Recruitment

William is a UNCW Graduate who started his professional career working in Marketing and Recruiting for a local technology company before looking for an opportunity to take those skills and help others. In his spare time he plays hockey, including annually for the North Carolina Autism Hockey Tournament, which is dedicated to the raising money and awareness for organizations helping local families with children diagnosed with autism.

Alice Okamoto, MA, BCBA, LBA

Chief of Staff

Alice has been with Cardinal for over 4 years and has worn many hats along the way!  Alice has a passion for working with clients and families as a unit, supervising behavior analyst trainees, and collaborating on strategic initiatives to ensure clinical efficiencies.  Alice‘s professional experience began with ABA in a school setting, and has worked in schools, homes, and clinics throughout the years while enjoying collaboration with related providers.  In her free time, Alice enjoys traveling, exploring parks with her dog, Oliver, and trying new restaurants. 

Darrin Miller

CEO

Darrin has dedicated his education and career to the field of behavioral health. As a licensed therapist and master’s in clinical counseling he works to create solutions that improve the lives of those impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder at a local, state, and national level. He strives to create a culture of caring and empathy while innovating solutions for improving families’ access to quality care as quickly as possible.