If you currently have a child or even a grandchild with sensory processing disorders, you likely have already driven yourself crazy searching the internet for information. Maybe you keep finding general information about sensory processing disorders, and perhaps you find answers to questions that aren’t quite what you’re looking for. In this post, I want to cover something specific. What are tactile toys?
So, what are tactile toys? Tactile toys are toys or aids specifically designed to aid with sensory processing disorders. Tactile toys often consist of fidget toys that increase focus and concentration. Additionally, tactile toys are known to help with tactile awareness and aid with reducing fidgeting.
Of course, this is a quick answer about tactile toys and perhaps not the in-depth answer that you were looking for initially when you typed this search into google. Luckily, I plan on covering all this information to give you a full-scope overview of how tactile toys can benefit your children and our grandchildren.
Stick around for just a moment or two, and I’ll give you the information you came for and hopefully help you understand if a tactile toy can help your child with your current struggles you may be facing.
Tactile Toys and A Broad Look at The Benefits
Any parent that is currently going through the struggles of aiding a child with a sensory processing disorder has probably tried many different tactics and techniques. However, if you haven’t tried tactile toys or toys specifically designed to reduce fidgeting, this could potentially be your answer.
Like we stated before, in the introduction, tactile toys are created for the specific purpose to help children with additional focus and concentration. Additionally, tactile toys can significantly improve your child’s ability to increase awareness and reduce that busy fidgeting that children often experience with sensory processing disorders.
Additionally, tactile toys help children dramatically to relieve stress and provides children with an easy and affordable option to keep their minds stimulated and occupied.
The Variations of Tactile Toys Used to Improve Sensory Processing Disorders
This is when it can become even more confusing if you don’t have the proper information needed to understand the best options. Tactile or “fidget toys” come in many shapes, sizes, and options. Here’s a list to give you a bit more of an idea of what I’m referring too.
- Alert Style Fidget Toys
- Calming Toys
- Chewy Fidgets
- Full Fidget Kits
- Stress Balls
This is honestly not even touching the surface of all the potential options or that you can use to help your child with their current struggles. If you need a better idea about some of these toys and devices, I recommend viewing one of our other post discussing Chewigems.
Chewigems would be a great example of a fidget toy that would fall into the category of “chewy fidgets.”
What You Should Be Focusing on Dealing with Sensory Processing Disorders
The first thing to understand is that only a professional can help you with the original diagnosis. Some children suffer more from hearing or visual sensory disorders. Other children have unique and sensitive stimulation that occurs with touch through the skin on their hands.
Touch is considered one of the most sensitive and intimate senses the human encounters has so finding aids that help with these sensory disorders can feel like a significant barrier, but it shouldn’t be, and plenty of tools and aids currently exist to help with this issue.
Tactile toys are often tailored specifically to fit these individual needs. Let’s assume it was a chewing or oral sensory processing disorder. If this is the case, the example of the Chewigem would be a great fit to help aid your child through the issue.
However, let’s assume it’s a separate issue, and it’s more of touch or sensitive style of a sensory processing disorder. If this is the case, a tactile toy that could aid dramatically with the situation could include varying toys. Here are some examples of what I’m referring too.
- Sensory Bead Curtains
- Sensitivity Touch mats
- Bead Balls
- Gel Balls
- Sensory Putty
All these tactile toys are going to offer unique advantages based on your children’s needs. This is when it’s more imperative for you to understand your child and for you also to understand which tactile toy may serve your child the best.
How Much Do Tactile Toys Cost and Where Should I Look for Them?
Tactile toys are incredibly affordable aids that may provide more benefits than you may believe upon a first look. Most tactile toys designed for aiding with sensory processing disorders are going to range from 10-30.00 dollars.
I haven’t seen many tactile toys ranging higher than this, although some other variations of sensory processing disorders may surely exceed this price point.
When looking for tactile toys, it’s best to look at various online vendors. It’s not a device or aid that’s easy to shop for in department stores. Many specialty websites are currently offering these toys for your children with reputable reviews and affordable pricing.
If You Haven’t Considered a Tactile Toy in The Past, Now Is the Time To Give Them A Try
Like I stated before, I fully understand that you may be in a situation where you aren’t 100% sure what the best approach or avenue to take maybe. It’s tough being in these situations where our kids need some relief for specific concerns.
However, we are lucky to live in a world where information is always at your fingertips and easy to access. All it takes is a little due diligence on your end and having the blind faith that something as small as a tactile toy may provide your child with the relief they have been desperately waiting for.