Preliminary tests and research indicate that interactive soft toys may help children with autism calm down and become relaxed. Once they feel relaxed by and engaged with the interactive soft toys, they start feeling comfortable about the situation and become open to various external stimulations.
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.
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.
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).
Soft play is a great indoor activity for children that are on the autism spectrum and can suit all ages and abilities. This can make parents feel at ease knowing there is the perfect indoor activity for their children where they can feel safe and happy.
Jigsaw puzzles, blocks, and Rubik's cube can provide autistic children with a satisfying tactile sensation. Puzzle toys can also help improve their focus as these let them center their attention on one activity and hone their fine motor skills as they practice manipulating objects.
Good tactile toys for children with autism must be durable and interesting to touch. Some popular choices include massaging pillows, fidgets, and fabric items with lots of textures like the sensory pillow or textured squares.
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.
Many autistic people experience hypersensitivity to bright lights or certain light wavelengths (e.g., LED or fluorescent lights). Certain sounds, smells, textures and tastes can also be overwhelming. This can result in sensory avoidance – trying to get away from stimuli that most people can easily tune out.
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.
Children with an ASD are not vigilant and do not look up to the caregiver for social referencing. They may not cling to the caregiver, although go up to them for succor. However, some cling to the caregiver because of extreme anxiety.
Autistic children are often strong in areas like visual, rule-based and interest-based thinking. A developmental assessment or an IQ test can identify autistic children's thinking and learning strengths. You can develop autistic children's skills by working with their strengths.
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.
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.
Children often become attached to stuffed animals and blankets because they represent a sense of comfort, security, and emotional well-being. During their first years of life, children are gaining a sense of trust and safety with their primary caregivers and within their homes.
Though autistic people may respond to emotions and social cues differently than neurotypical people, this does not mean they lack empathy. Just like neurotypical people, levels of empathy vary between autistic individuals.
Although your son's reaction sounds more severe than most, many people with autism struggle with a range of fears, phobias and worries. These can range from a debilitating fear of, say, spiders or the dark to chronic anxiety about making mistakes or being late.
Every autistic person is different, but sensory differences, changes in routine, anxiety, and communication difficulties are common triggers.
Children with autism prefer their mothers to strangers and attempt to remain close to them as much as other children. However they do not engage in attention sharing behaviors such as pointing or showing objects. They also do not seem to recognize the meaning of facial expressions and emotions.
It is easy to see why many children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are captivated by water. The number of stimuli associated with water hits all the senses! The feel of water, the sounds of waves and splashes, the visuals of light reflecting off the surface, and even the smell can all be so enticing.
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.
Sensory objects and toys are perfect for soothing the early stages of a meltdown. They can help decrease sensory overload (even if that seems counterintuitive) and provide a helpful distraction for the person with autism. There are plenty of sensory toys on the market if you want something convenient.
Greens, blues, pinks, soft oranges and neutrals can be very comforting. Keeping the colors muted, these tones can quiet the mind and create calm.
Reward good behavior.
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.