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Fidgeting has gone mainstream over the past year with the rapid rise of Fidget Spinners and Cubes. However ADHD Fidget Toys have been and always will be a mainstay for folks with neurological challenges — Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), ADHD and others. With the help of Matthew, a young man who knows ASD firsthand and his mom Jane, we wanted to share an insider’s perspective on the right fidget toy for any sensory diet. “If my son is feeling stressed or is experiencing sensory overload,” Jane says, “he knows can use fidgets for ‘self-regulation’ — to help him find his calm, and get focused, centered, or organized.”
For folks with ADHD or those on the autism spectrum, fidgeting is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Understanding the variety of sensory needs can help you hone in on the tools or resources that would be best for each individual. Even then, you might have to try a few to figure out which tools best help create an ambiance of calm and focus.
Stimming, short for Self-Stimulation, refers to self-soothing behaviors. For those who find repetitive motions to be calming, these fidget tools might be good picks:
Those with Visual Perception sensitivity (a.k.a. Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome and the Irlen Lens System) might find that light, glare, busy patterns and reflection cause stress. They might also find that single-colored objects are more to their liking. If the goal is to avoid visual perception overload, you might like these:
Some with SPD find certain textures particularly soothing. Several fidget toys offer interesting tactile experiences. Favorites include:
Dyspraxia, or movement difficulties, are not uncommon for those with neurological challenges. If you’re looking to build fine motor skills, strengthen finger muscles, or develop eye-hand coordination, we suggest these:
Proprioceptive Systems refer to ones’s ability to sense where he (/she) is in relationship to his surroundings. For those with proprioceptive sensitivities who might be prone to avoid touching and physical activity, these fidget toys could channel some productive movement:
Sound perseveration refers to an individual’s need to repeat the same sound or language over and over. Although word phrases are often found to be distracting in class, the sounds made by some fidget toys may be an optimal compromise. For instance:
We understand that every person with a sensory disorder, ADD, ADHD, or whatever, has different symptoms, needs, and preferences. We don’t profess to be medical experts and appreciate that it may take some trial and error to find the right fidget toys for your needs. And even then, “the right” fidget tool for today may not be the right one for tomorrow. That’s just how it goes. If you want to start building your own “Comfort Kit,” visit Trainers Warehouse and find the fidgets that will bring focus and calm to your world.
Meanwhile, rest assured that we’re always on the lookout for new tools and toys to satisfy a range of sensory diets. We hope you’ll let us know your recommendations for specific needs, so that we can continue to update this list.
Which Fidget Toys are Best for You?