Best Vibration Toys for Autism and SPD: What They are and Why they Help

Thankfully, there are tools available to help children with sensory needs, including sensory toys. Sensory toys can provide a great way to help children with sensory processing issues by offering different textures, gentle vibrations, and sensory feedback.

In this blog post, we'll explore the best vibration toys for autistic children and how they can help your child.

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Sensory Needs

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder often have sensory needs that require extra attention. Sensory needs refer to the way that individuals with autism and sensory processing disorder process and respond to sensory information from their environment.

These needs can manifest in a variety of ways, such as an aversion to bright lights or loud noises, seeking out sensory input through tactile stimulation, or difficulty with sensory processing that can lead to sensory overload.

Addressing these sensory needs is crucial for the development and well-being of individuals with autism.

Children with autism and special needs face unique challenges when it comes to learning and functioning in daily life. These challenges can affect their ability to communicate, socialize, and process sensory information.

Occupational therapists can help children with autism and varying abilities, develop the skills they need to function in daily life. We work with children to improve their fine motor skills, sensory processing, and social learning skills.

Pediatric occupational therapy can also help children cope with sensory overload and manage stress and anxiety through the development of a sensory diet which can include sensory products and toys and may include vibration toys.

Sensory Toys and Products

There are many sensory products available that can help provide support to children with sensory issues. Fidget toys, sensory mats, and sensory rooms are common products.

The benefits of using sensory products for children with sensory processing issues are numerous. They can help children with sensory processing issues become more regulated, calmer, and better able to function in their environment and reduce sensory overload.

Overall, sensory products are an important tool for parents and caregivers to help support the sensory needs of their child with autism.

Vibration

Many individuals with autism spectrum disorder are attracted to vibration toys due to the sensory input they provide.

Vibration toys provide proprioceptive input to our muscles and joints. Proprioceptive input helps our body know where it is in space. This input can be soothing and can help regulate the nervous system and provide a sense of comfort to individuals with sensory processing issues.

I like to explain the proprioceptive input people receive from vibration as similar to the calming sensation you get after a run. Often referred to as the “runners high”.

Vibration Toys

The vibrations of Senseez vibrating pillows, vibrating cushions, and other sensory vibration toys can provide this input.

One of the most popular types of vibration toys used for therapy is the vibrating cushion. Vibrating cushions come in many different shapes and sizes and can be used to provide a gentle, rhythmic movement that can help regulate the nervous system and improve focus and attention.

Pop tubes are another type of vibration toy that is more active than cushions or pillows. Pop tubes are colorful, fun-shaped portable tubes that can be stretched, twisted and popped.

Best Vibration Toys for Autism

What are the best vibration toys for autism and spd and how can you have your child use them during the day as part of a sensory diet?

Vibrating Handhelds

I love using vibrating handheld toys as they are easy to use and able to be put on different parts of the body such as the head, TMJ joint, hands, and feet. Many people like to use these objects as back massagers. One idea to use these as part of a sensory diet is to give your child a back massage before bed.

Vibrating Mats and Pillows

Vibrating pillows such as the Senseez or ones in fun shapes are great to use in a quiet corner to help relax. I like to have these cushions available for children to use when they need to self-regulate.

Vibrating Tethers

Not only are vibrating tethers a great way to get sensory vibration into a child's mouth for calming. They also help desensitize a child if they are having difficulty with oral defensiveness. Offer these to children when they sit down to a meal before the food is served.

Vibrating Toothbrushes

Vibrating toothbrushes are also a great way to introduce proprioceptive input into a child's mouth. It is important to never force but to introduce and allow the child control over using the toothbrush.

Other Vibrating Toys

This is a great vibrating toy for toddlers!

Vibrating Pens

If your child has a hard time sitting to do school work, try a vibrating pen!

In conclusion, as a parent or caregiver of a child with autism spectrum disorder, it's important to address the sensory needs of your child. Sensory toys and products can provide great support to children with sensory processing issues.

By offering a sensory diet and sensory toys, we can help children become more regulated, calmer, and better able to function in their environment.

Many individuals with autism are attracted to vibration toys due to the proprioceptive input they provide. Vibrating toys, such as vibrating pillows, vibrating cushions, vibrating handhelds, vibrating mats and pillows, vibrating tethers, vibrating toothbrushes, vibrating toys, and vibrating pens, can provide this input. They can help regulate the nervous system and provide a sense of comfort to individuals with sensory processing issues.