Toys and equipment
Sometimes children with special needs
might need to play with different toys from other children.
Particular types of toys can
be good for children with specific difficulties, but as a parent it is not
always clear what to choose. Some
toys (like ‘Switch’ toys) have been designed specifically for children who
have difficulty with hand co-ordination.
Parents often need advice and guidance and can get this from a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or home visiting teacher. If you are not in touch with any of these services, your GP can refer your child to them.
Toy libraries provide a range of stimulating toys suitable for children with special needs. They operate in the same way as book libraries, with a set number of items being borrowed and returned within a number of weeks. SNIP keep an up to date list of all the toy libraries in the Edinburgh and Lothians area.
Many children enjoy riding bikes, and we also have information about special trikes and stabilisers to enable children to participate in this activity.
A wide range of equipment is also available for children with special needs to assist them in the home : things like handrails, hoists and specially designed cutlery. Your home can be adapted to make it more accessible for a child with a wheelchair – local authority grants can be available to carry out this work. Your child’s physiotherapist or occupational therapist can provide detailed information about equipment. SNIP also has this information, and can give you contact details for shops and manufacturers.