Age is More Than
Christine Passaretti, M.Ed, BC BA is a board certified behavior analyst, executive director and co-founder of the Mea'Alofa Autism Support Center in Chesapeake, VA. She received her bachelors degree in Child Development and Psychology and her Masters in Early Childhood Special Education, all from Vanderbilt University. She has been providing ABA services to families of children with autism since 1995.
3
Just a Number
Gift Buying for the Multi-Aged Child
The holidays will be here before we know it, and with the holidays come the all important task of holiday shopping. When you have a child with a disability in your life, this task can be even more challenging. Parents and family members often get very confused when figuring out what to look for when shopping for a child whose developmental age, or functioning level, differs from their chronological age. What is a good present for a child who is 13 years old but functions cognitively at the age of 5? Should you buy an age appropriate toy for which your child may not be ready to use, operate and enjoy? Should you buy a toy based on his or her developmental age or will that limit him or her in some way? Should you get some type of educational activity to assist in addressing his or her areas of need? What will be fun, appropriate, AND usable? These questions bring a whole new challenge to the holiday season for many families of children with special needs.
Luckily, there are a few things we know for sure about children. Every child is unique. Every child grows and learns in his or her own special way. And all children love to play. Children with disabilities are no different. Whether a child’s disability is mild or severe, obvious or not, that child is first and foremost a child. This means he or she will explore their world and environment, often through play. Here are a few tips when looking for the right toys for children with disabilities.
• Make sure what you pick is their idea of fun. Just like any child, a child with special needs will play with a toy if it is enjoyable to them. It doesn’t matter how therapeutic or educational a toy is if your child is not ready or interested in playing with it.
• Make sure that the toy is at your child’s skill level. The age range printed on the packaging may have absolutely no relation to a child’s developmental stage, skills, or attention span. If it’s a toy that your child likes that could do him or her some good, it’s a good toy, regardless of what age the toy manufacturers have put on the box.
• Ask for recommendations. Other parents of children with special needs, ABA therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, teachers, and even doctors have seen your child in different settings and often have insights and/or a great deal of experience with children with special needs. Their recommendations may help you find some great gifts.
• Be sure to consider your child’s sensory profile and communication style when choosing a gift. Good questions to ask may include: Does your child enjoy physical play or movement? Are there any textures or materials that your child may be sensitive to? What are your child’s favorite things to do or play with? Answers to these questions will give you insight into new toys that may spark their interest.