Choosing toys for children with special needs
July 8, 2008 at 6:56 PM 4 comments
Welcome to the AblePlay blog.
We are happy to be writing our first post, and hope that we are able to expand the reach of this wonderful free resource which helps family members and professionals find the perfect play products specific to each child’s individual needs.
AblePlay was created by the National Lekotek Center which is a national not for profit organization dedicated to providing therapeutic play sessions to children with special needs. We are the leading authority on play services to families, and we are experts at choosing not only appropriate, but also fun play products for kids.
Ableplay allows users to search toys by specific disability, and then read a review that not only defines the specific attributes of the toy, but also offers great play ideas, and new ways for the toys to be used. Parents, professionals, and others can now review, compare, and buy great play products.
In the posts to come we will be talking about children with special needs, answering questions and offering advice about specific disabilities, recommending play products, and not only sharing our knowledge and expertise, but also learning and sharing your comments.
In the meantime, please take a look at AblePlay, and the National Lekotek Center, and feel free to send us your questions and comments. We will talk again soon.
Entry filed under: Uncategorized. Tags: kids, special needs, toys.
4 Comments Add your own
Leave a reply to vl Cancel reply
Trackback this post | Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed
The Ableplay™ Blog 
1. Bill Ryan | July 8, 2008 at 7:22 PM
I was able to research and purchase toys easily for my niece and nephew who both have special needs. The kids loved the toys, and are using them regularly. I will use AblePlay regularly.
2. vl | August 24, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Hello, this is a great tool, and a great extension from the guide made by lekotek and published with toys R us.
Toys / games for my older son are a challenge, once he outgrew the 3-4 manufacturer age toys. (sometimes, not in development, but in taste, graphics, interests…)
The speech therapist told me about guess who and about the on-line printable pecs type questions guide for it, but aside from that, we are pretty much just sticking with puzzles and crayons around here.
Many toys / games need slightly modified/simplified instructions, this is where a team of therapists comes in ever so useful! it would be so fantastic if such modifications / guidelines could be published along with the toy on able play, or in the toys r us guide.
Thanks so much for everything you do for us. It is a great comfort in our situation that some people are dedicating their professional lives, or volunteer time, to our children and our families.
3. Lenore Holtzclaw | September 17, 2008 at 10:54 PM
I took care of a special needs child for 8 yrs. and because of her I invented a special chair that being patent and I am looking for someone who will support me in getting this product started.
You help or information would be greatly appreciated.
4. Jean Bailey | September 18, 2008 at 3:48 PM
Thanks Lenore for your comment. We would be happy to talk to you more about your product. The National Lekotek Center has been involved with many product development projects for companies such as Fisher Price and Rockenbok and we applaud your efforts to make the world more comfortable for children with special needs.