FUNMAS

Now that we are winding down to year's end, and Christmas is only a few weeks away, parents of disabled children are probably wondering what to buy for those special wee ones in their lives. Matching a toy's suitability to a child's ability level can be a challenge at the best of times, so, in the spirit of the season and giving, I decided to assist in that decision by providing information I could find about toys for the disabled child. Every child loves Christmas, Santa Claus and toys....a disability does not make a child different in this regard.

There are different considerations to account for when deciding what to choose for the disabled child:

· Does it appeal to the child in a multitude of senses, such as colouring, smell, touch, and movement

· Will it offer a challenge for the child without encountering frustration, and how easy is it to figure out, or how many steps need to be taken for the toy to operate

· Can the toy be used by the child, if they are sitting, lying down, in a wheelchair with a tray, or is the space available that is needed for the toy to function properly

· Does the toy fit to the child's ability level, style and speed

· Does it offer the child ample opportunity to successfully operate it without adult supervision

· Is it a toy most children would like, and does it relate to other things in the child's life they enjoy, such as tv, radio, books

· Does it allow the child to express their own individuality

· Does the toy reflect both the child's chronological and developmental age, and does it hold the child's interest

· Is the toy safe, durable, the right size for the child, and can it be sanitized easily

· Will the toy allow the child to actively participate in its function and does it encourage social interaction

An adapted toy lending library is an excellent idea, as adopted by The Stony Brook Child Care Services Inc., at the State University in New York, as indicated by the the link I provide to their service. Adapted toys are toys that are redesigned after manufacturing, or specifically designed for children meeting challenges developmentally or physically. In a toy lending library people are allowed to borrow toys for a set time. This is excellent, in that it allows a child to try a toy before a parent decides to purchase it. Usually there is a nominal membership fee, well worth the cost, especially when you consider the cost for toys thrown aside and never used.

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