Fun product picks (with some exclusive offers) just for you. Click on each photo for a description or look beneath the gallery for a list of information, including how each product helps kids with special needs and where to buy.
1. HAVE A BALL. This fun peanut ball, recommended for daily exercise and therapy programs, challenges children to balance and stabilize their own core for an “active” learning posture. Research studies have shown that the use of stability balls as seats during homework or classroom activities helped elementary school children with ADHD or autism stay on task, improve handwriting, and increase strength and stability. (AGES 3 AND OLDER; $31.99-39.99 depending on size; funandfunction.com)
2. TYPE TEST. Viziflex Seels provides large-print keyboard stickers for those hard of seeing or who are visually impaired. These adhere easily to any desktop or laptop keyboard and come in black text on yellow, black text on white (shown), or white on black. ($14.95; viziflex.com)
3. MUSIC TO OUR EARS. It’s like a musical dream come true—stepping up and down on these colorful pads generates friendly sounds. The Sound Steps from the SPD Foundation and FlagHouse encourage and reinforce a sense of balance, making them a fine choice for addressing gravitational insecurities. A portion of all sales benefit research via the SPD Foundation. (AGES 5 AND OLDER; $69.95; flaghouse.com/spd)
4. EXPRESS YOURSELF. Draw, fill-in-the-blanks, and color in this 30-page hardcover from Ruby’s Studio by The Mother Company. Teach kids to be in tune with their emotions by allowing them to creatively express how they feel when they are jealous (shown), happy, angry, sad, and more. (AGES 3-8; $12.95; themotherco.com)
5. CHEW ON THIS. These fun, non-edible Cool Chews are great for kids who crave oral stimulation. They can also be placed on top of a pencil, a stem, or on a necklace or key chain for chewable jewelry. BPA, phthalate, and latex free; not recommended for aggressive chewers. (AGES 3 AND OLDER; $12.99 each or $39.99 for 4-pack; funandfunction.com)
6. …AND EVERYTHING NICE. These handmade dolls from Sugar and Spice’s Autism Awareness line hail from Minnesota. The 13-inch dolls are made from 100 percent cotton muslin and are available in a variety of skin and hair colors Their outfits are made of Autism Awareness puzzle fabric; personalized pillows in the same fabric are also available. ($30 per doll, $54 for boy/girl pair; $30 for pillow; etsy.com/shop/SugarAndSpice)
7. WHAT’S IN A NAME. Handmade from Sugar and Spice’s Autism Awareness line based in Minnesota, stay-at-home mom Christine Zorn was inspired to create the line two years ago when her daughter was diagnosed with autism. She blogs at asugarandspicelife.blogspot.com. ($30; etsy.com/shop/SugarAndSpice)
8. YOU’LL SMILE, CRY, NOD. In “Wit and Wisdom from the Parents of Special Needs Kids,” dozens of bloggers share their stories of the challenges and rewards of raising children with autism and other cognitive disabilities. Parents dish about everything from difficult social interactions to the impact of autism on a marriage, providing insight, validation, and comic relief (“I believe that the energy crisis would be solved if it was possible to harness the power of autistic obsessions,” writes mom Meredith Vale). (Create Space; $13; amazon.com)
9. SPREAD THE WORD. The Nth Degree website is about inclusivity, supporting “disability culture” and empowerment, and beyond advocacy, having a serious sense of humor. Slogans emblazon bumper stickers, posters, T-shirts, and pins. The simple message is perfect for any child. Says the site’s creator and creative force Dan Wilkins, “We all need to find connection with the struggle for equity and respect for all people…and work to create a more understanding and supportive world.” ($2 per pin; thenthdegree.com)
10. T-SHIRT SAYS. A T-shirt from the Nth Degree addresses society’s desire to “fix” people living with autism: “The lights are on. Yes, I’m home. You’re just not looking in the right windows. It’s all about perspective: Mine, not yours.” ($17 for kid size 10-12, $17 adult size s-xl, (+$2 for adult 2x-5x) thenthdegree.com)
11. A-MAZE-ING. This cool toy is a motor skills building program, too. Perplexus from PlaSmart is a three-dimensional maze that is interactive, kinetic, and, frankly, plain fun. Players work with gravity to carefully twist, flip, and turn the sphere to guide the marble down the track they have chosen to navigate. Kids won’t realize they’re exercising their motor and dexterity skills and improving their eye/hand coordination—and they can challenge the adults in the room, who won’t be able to put down this toy either. (AGES 6 AND OLDER; no batteries required; $24.99; sensoryuniversity.com; Neergaard Pharmacy, 454 5th Ave., Brooklyn; West Side Kids, 498 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side; Towne Variety, 72-34 Main St., Flushing)
12. YOGA FOR KIDS. Try more than 44 yoga poses with the help of bright, simple illustrations and a strengthening ball with Yoga Deck for Kids On the Ball. All of the poses in the deck help kids improve balance, coordination, and offer a more productive playtime for kids and parents. RECEIVE 10% OFF: BigSpecial (AGES 3 AND OLDER; $15.95 for deck or $32.99-$36.99 for deck and ball, funandfunction.com)
13. FASHION FORWARD. Hope Paige Medical developed an entire line of chic medical emergency and awareness bracelets for men, women, and kids, including the popular Rubber Watch Band (comes in green, blue, purple, and pink) and rope styles, and they can be customized—medical professionals recommend these bracelets for a wide range of afflictions, from food and medication allergies to asthma and ADHD. Consult with your doctor on what you should engrave on your bracelet. ($19.95-$49.95; hopepaige.com)
14. RANGE OF EMOTIONS. Kids who have trouble expressing themselves might find it easier to show their feelings using the Mr. Moody plush doll. They can shape Mr. Moody’s mouth, roll his eyes, and stick out his tongue to show that they’re feeling happy, sad, confused, upset, or just plain silly. RECEIVE 20% OFF: Special Parent (AGES 18 MONTHS AND OLDER ; $21.95; childtherapytoys.com)
15. BUMP IT. Inspired by soapbox and bumper cars found at theme parks, this fun-to-ride “vehicle” is ideal for developing motor skills, eye-hand coordination, balance, and more. No pushing or mechanics required—just turn the steering wheel to propel forward. (Kids up to 100 pounds; $115; flaghouse.com)
16. PROOF POSITIVE. The Self-Esteem Game, developed by a clinical psychologist, uses play to teach children to feel good about who they are as individuals. Parts of the game also focus on being responsible for your own behavior and accepting the consequences of your actions. (AGES 8 AND OLDER; $27.95; childtherapytoys.com)
