Autistic children often enjoy sensory toys because they help them feel calm and engage their senses in a positive way. Sensory toys can include weighted stuffed animals, fidget toys, and putty. When looking for a toy for an autistic child, keep in mind their interests and their developmental stage.
Stuffed animals are great comfort objects
Whether they're four years old or forty, many people with autism are easily overwhelmed by the noise and chaos of everyday life. That's why they often turn to comfort objects that can provide security and some sensory regulation.
It's not just kids that have objects in their life that represent security and peace. Some adults on the spectrum have an object that meets these same needs. Or, at least, this adult on the spectrum does. You see, I have a Black Panther teddy bear, and yes, I sleep with him at night.
Furthermore, participants' preferred soft and comfortable textures, like satin; previous research also reporting that autistic individuals enjoy touching soft and smooth textures (Cascio et al., 2012).
Intense interests
Many autistic people have intense and highly-focused interests, often from a fairly young age. These can change over time or be lifelong. It can be art, music, gardening, animals, postcodes or numbers. For many younger children it's Thomas the Tank Engine, dinosaurs or particular cartoon characters.
Why hoodies? Some Autistic people can experience sensory sensitivities and become overloaded by stimuli, but when wearing their hoodie up, they can block out bright lights and busy environments which helps to calm them and regain their focus.
Strategies to consider include distraction, diversion, helping the person use calming strategies such as fiddle toys or listening to music, removing any potential triggers, and staying calm yourself.
While many children with autism feel averse to hugging, some children with autism like to be hugged. Some children can swing the opposite way and want so many hugs that they feel hug deprived when they aren't getting enough.
People with autism may get easily attached to people, leading them to become over-friendly. It can be difficult to understand other people's perceptions of situations, therefore what they feel is appropriate, may be considered as socially unacceptable.
Different sensory things will feel wonderful for some autistic's and painful for others. It may be that certain lights, sounds, textures, clothing, sights, smells etc brings a lot of comfort. Weighted blankets are also wonderful for helping to ground you and feel safe. Certain food can be really comforting.
People with Asperger's syndrome often tend to bond more easily with animals than they do with people. Medical research has shown that pets can be highly beneficial for children with Asperger's, as an animal gives affection unconditionally, is non-judgmental and provides emotional and physical therapy.
Key Takeaways on Psychology of Stuffed Animals
According to psychologists, stuffed animals can serve as transitional objects, providing a sense of familiarity and comfort during times of change. They can also serve as a source of emotional support, helping people suffering from severe anxiety.
Children with autism may not "play" with toys in the same manner as their peers and may become fixated to specific objects. Overreact to sensory stimuli that they see, hear, touch, feel or taste. Or, conversely, they may not react at all to various stimuli from the environment.
Some autistic children might want to wear the same clothes or keep wearing socks all the time. This is because they feel comfortable in those clothes and do not feel overwhelmed by them. This can be a problem when it comes to going out, as the child will not have anything else to wear.
Abstract Some children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) exhibit low mental age (Low-MA), defined here as cognitive functioning below 12 months.
Main signs of autism
finding it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling. getting very anxious about social situations. finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own. seeming blunt, rude or not interested in others without meaning to.
For example, autistic children and teenagers might: refuse or ignore requests. behave in socially inappropriate ways, like taking their clothes off in public. behave aggressively. hurt themselves or other children – for example, by head-banging or biting.
Autistic children commonly avoid social touch more than non-autistic peers. It is generally thought that this is due to autistic individuals experiencing hyper- or hyposensitivity of touch.
Individuals with autism can also have an aversion to touch. Touch can cause a lack of emotional response or may even cause emotional stress and turmoil. Touch aversion in autism can feel uncomfortable for friends and family who are unfamiliar with this common response.
Children with ASD often need a hug, just like other children. Sometimes they need this much more than other children. But some children don't like to be touched. Respect their personal space.
Positive reinforcement can go a long way with children with ASD, so make an effort to “catch them doing something good.” Praise them when they act appropriately or learn a new skill, being very specific about what behavior they're being praised for.