Sensory Toys for Autism

Welcome to Sensory Toys for Autism, a resource site for parents, teachers, and therapists.

Below you’ll find an ever growing list of sensory toys (we like to refer to them as sensory tools) for kids with ADHD, sensory processing disorder, autism, and other neurodivergent diagnosis.

We have first hand experience with these as our daughter was diagnosed at a young age with sensory processing disorder and autism.

Please take some time to explore our site for not only toys (because toys are fun!), but informative articles and resources.

Sensory Toys for Autism is family owned and participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program providing a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. Most product links lead directly to an affiliate partner.

Best Sensory Toys and Fidget Toys for Autism & Special Needs

Each toy (tool) is something we have used in practice with our therapists and continue to use in different ways every day to meet the sensory input needs of our family.

Using the right toys is a fun way to help autistic children with their gross motor, oral motor, and fine motor skills while getting great sensory input.

We hope you’ll enjoy browsing this growing list of sensory toys for autism, sensory processing disorder, and individuals with ADHD.

Squishy

This squishy fidget sensory stress pug dog toy is hilarious and incredibly addicting to hold and squeeze. Provides calming and stress relief for ADHD, those on the autism spectrum, and sensory processing.

We personally think the pug is funny and cute, but you can find many different versions of squishy to work in your sensory diet. Our kids love these in bed as it’s a great way to wind down for the day and get some input prior to going to sleep.

Proprioception Balance Disc

This Inflatable proprioception balance disc is great for balance training, proprioception, strengthening lower extremities, restlessness and overall vestibular system health.

We have this in our basement (which is quickly turning into a sensory room inspired by We Rock the Spectrum) and it’s a great consistent way to get input when playing. She’s usually running to the other side of the room and stops to play and laugh on the balance disc.

Putty

Therapy putty – 5 different strengths from extra soft to firm. Be careful with this so it doesn’t end up in places you don’t want it all over the house! 🙂


Auditory Pop Tubes

Mini fun pull and pop fun tubes mini for kids provide tactile and auditory sensory play, and they always seem to love all the colors! This is certainly one of the most popular fidget toys and sensory tools in our house. It’s really funny to see how interactive the kids and the dogs are with these pop tubes!

Sensory Bean Bags

Texture sensory bean bags are a fun way to mix up the sensory experience due to the different textures they have from other toys. They are perfect for a bean bag toss game which is always a good hand-eye coordination exercise to help with gross motor skills and fine motor skills. This is one of the best activities for sensory play.

In fact, our occupational therapist made a great suggestion to make a game out of throwing these bean bags into a bin as a way to redirect throwing behavior during a meltdown. It’s been a great way to reframe and get some stress relief.

Monkey Noodles

These silicone monkey noodles are an absolute favorite in our house! This is a 5-Pack glow in the dark monkey noodle stretchy string fidget / sensory toys (BPA/Phthalate/Latex-Free) – Stretches from 10 Inches to 8 Feet!


Fidget Spinners

Fidget spinners are all the hype it seems these days. This is a great sensory silicone pop fidget spinner that is used consistently at home.

Sensory Chew Toy

ARK’s Z-Vibe chewy Oral Stimulator for Speech & Feeding are great chewable tools for sensory input.

Weighted Blanket

Weighted Blanket — Heavy 100% Oeko-Tex Certified Cotton Material with Premium Glass Beads (Dark Grey, 48”x72” 15lbs)


Sensory Ear Muffs

ZOHAN Kids Ear Protection 2 Pack, Hearing Protection Safety Ear Muffs to help with sensory processing.

Stress Balls

Mini Stress Balls for Adults and Kids – 3pk Squishy Stress Balls with Light, Medium, Heavy Resistances, Sensory Stress and Anxiety Relief Squeeze Toys (Yellow, Pink, Blue). Stress balls are one of the must have if you’re trying to create a mix of fidget toys.

Sensory Fidget Toys

Scientoy Fidget Toy Set, 35 Pcs Sensory Toy for ADD, OCD, Autistic Children, Adults, Anxiety Autism to Stress Relief and Anti Anxiety with Motion Timer, Perfect for Classroom Reward with Gift Box.


3 Foot Trampoline

This 3′ Trampoline is great when you’re looking for sensory input and stuck indoors. We use ours all the time when we can’t go outside.

It’s been a great for her vestibular system by helping with proprioception to help gain more awareness of her body movement.


Benefits of Sensory Toys for Autism and Special Needs

Using the right sensory toys can make all the difference when trying to stop a meltdown, provide much needed sensory input and sensory stimulation, help with stress relief, and generally improve the sensory experience.

It never fails, every week when we meet with our occupational therapist we learn a new way to redirect behavior and reward the behavior we’re looking for. Fine tuning sensory integration has been quite the ride! I know the website is about sensory toys, but in many cases we consider these sensory tools! Here are some of the benefits of using sensory toys for autism.

  • Improved Oral motor
  • Increased Fine motor skills
  • Improved Gross motor skills
  • Stress relief before and after meltdowns
  • Improved social skills
  • Strengthen problem solving skills
  • Direct address sensory issues and sensory needs
  • Encourage sensory play and educate neurotypical siblings in the house

About Sensory Toys for Autism

Thanks for visiting us. We started this business to help support our daughter who began having seizures at around 12 months old. As the years have progressed we have deeply committed to supporting and bringing awareness for autistic children and those with sensory processing disorder and special needs. The entire sensory experience has been amazing to learn, and what originally was a shock to us, has turned into a blessing in disguise.

We continually update available products here based on what our daughter loves to play with and what our peers in the sensory processing disorder community and autism community share with us. In fact, we’re constantly asking the various therapists about their most effective toys and the toys that just provide the best experience for their patients.

Only those with first hand experience truly understand the importance of sensory input for kids with sensory processing disorder or those on the autism spectrum. It’s amazing how something as simple as a bean bags, putty, a weighted blanket, or other sensory toys and fidget toys can have such a strong effect on helping a child calm down, cope, and improve their social interactions.

Clearly not every child is the same, but we have had great luck with consistently providing sensory input for our daughter and started this store to help others find the same kind of autism toys that have worked so well for us.

We hope you’ll enjoy reading about what’s worked for us and many others and take the opportunity to expand on the types of sensory input you’re helping your children with.