Toys & Gifts for a Child with a Disability
AblePlay Rating System by Lekotek Matches Toys to Child's Ability
Oct 14, 2009
How does a parent or family member find the right toy for a child with a disability? Do grandparents constantly ask what kinds of toys to buy for an older child who has special needs? Friends want to know what toys are safe and would be well-received. Therapists and teachers continually search for play products children find interesting – toys that are educational and stimulating.
When a child’s age and ability don't always coincide it can be frustrating shopping for appropriate play products. Family members, pediatric professionals, and any persons interested in purchasing a toy or gift for a child with a disabling condition are invited to visit AblePlay™.
What is AblePlay?
AblePlay is an online toy buying resource developed by Lekotek – the leading source in the U.S. for toys and play for children with disabilities. By using a simple evaluation system, anyone can select appropriate toys and gifts for kids with special needs. The resource is available year-round for birthdays, holidays and any gift-giving occasion.
As stated on the AblePlay home page, "AblePlay™ is a toy rating system and website that provides comprehensive information on toys for children with special needs. AblePlay was created so parents, special educators, therapists and others can make the best decisions when purchasing products for children in their lives with disabilities." (Lekotek staff, 2009)
How Do Shoppers Use the AblePlay Toy Rating System?
AblePlay takes the guesswork out of matching toys to a child challenged by a disability. Shoppers go to the AblePlay website and choose "Search AblePlay Rated Products". From there, follow the four easy steps:
- Choose one of the four disability categories: Physical, Sensory, Communicative, or Cognitive
- Select a specific disability (Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delay, etc.)
- Select a product category (Educational Products, Outdoor Toys and so forth)
- Narrow the search by choosing an age range, manufacturer or product.
The search brings up all the toys that fit the specifications selected. Shoppers then choose a specific toy – or toys – the child might like to have. Each toy is given a rating of 1 to 5 stars with five stars being an exceptional choice for that particular category.
Where to Buy Toys and Gifts for Children With Disabilities
Shoppers who want more detail can click on the name of the toy and read the product review. The product review contains the AblePlay rating, the price range, age range, number of pieces, battery requirement, skill development, adaption ideas, and much more. The buyer is given a mental picture of every detail of the toy.
Want to purchase the product? AblePlay makes it easy to purchase toys for kids with special needs by providing a link directly to the retail site where the toy is sold.
Who Rates the Toys for Kids With Disabilities?
Toys submitted by toy manufacturers for consideration are evaluated by a team of specialists from the fields of special education, early childhood education, and therapeutic disciplines. Additionally, each evaluator must adhere to the AblePlay Evaluation Process.
Parents and professionals can make others aware of the AblePlay rating information:
- Parents are urged to print copies of how to evaluate each toy and distribute the information to support groups, family and friends.
- Pediatric medical professionals are asked to pass information on the rating system to colleagues.
- Teachers who work with children that have special needs can benefit from the AblePlay rating system when buying toys for the classroom.
- Therapists can help spread awareness of the AblePlay toy rating system by informing parents of new clients on how to purchase toys for kids with disabilities.
Buying play items for a child with a disability doesn't have to be difficult. Children with disabilities want to play with the same popular toys as other kids. By giving attention to the guidelines and the child's personal interests, anyone can find a good variety of special-needs toys for any gift-giving occasion, including the holidays.
The rewards of finding just the right toy for a child who is differently-abled are the hours of fun, the therapeutic value, and the smiles.
Acknowledgments:
Permission to use the AblePlay logo granted by the National Lekotek Center, Chicago, IL.
Photos provided by Lekotek used with permission. All rights reserved.
The National Lekotek Center, a division of Anixter Center, is a non-profit organization with a national network of affiliates dedicated to making play and learning accessible for children with disabilities and provides supportive services for their families. For additional information on toys, play and technology for children with disabilities, please visit Ableplay or Lekotek.
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