Psssst: Got Grandparents and friends who want to purchase just the right toy for your child? You are going to want them to read this review. Just a friendly heads up!
Lake Bluff, IL – All kids love new, cool, fun toys, and that includes kids with disabilities. But it’s not always easy to find, let alone choose, the right toys for a child with special needs.
That’s why One Step Ahead has partnered with the National Lekotek Center—the leading not-for-profit authority on play for children with disabilities—to offer a different kind of toy selection.
Here Come AblePlayTM Toys!
Fun for All Kids…and Rated for Kids with Special Needs
AblePlay toys are rated on a scale of one to five stars in four disability categories:
* Physical disabilities, such as Cerebral Palsy and Muscular Dystrophy
* Sensory disabilities, like hearing/vision impairments and Sensory Integration Disorder
* Communicative disabilities, including Autism and speech delays
* Cognitive disabilities, such as Down Syndrome, ADD, and learning disabilities
“The AblePlay ratings provide a snapshot of a toy’s appropriateness relative to specific disabilities. They make it easier for parents and family to choose specific toys for their child.
At www.onestepahead.com, parents can easily review each toy’s AblePlay rating. And even parents of kids who don’t have special needs can use the ratings as a toy selection tool.
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The beauty of AblePlay toys is that they’re inclusive—that is, they’re the same exact toys kids will find at a cousin’s or neighbor’s house. There are 6.2 million kids with disabilities in the=2 0U.S., or 13.2% of the child population—and when it comes to play, says Mendoza, “they want to be included in the same way as everyone else.”
“But they’ve also been rated by play experts in the area of special needs regarding their suitability for kids with disabilities.”
Parker and I have been playing with the Tater Tot Toss and the WEDGiTS and love them.
Want to win your own Tator Tot Toss AND WEDGiTS from One Step Ahead?
1. Take a look at their toys.
2. Choose one that would meet your child’s specific needs.
3. Come back and tell me not only which toy, but WHY. Let’s help each other out with some great therapy ideas using the wonderful selection of toys at One Step Ahead.
Want to earn an extra entries?
1. Follow us on Twitter. We are 5MinSpecNeeds
2. Tweet this giveaway @5MinSpecNeeds
This contest will go through April 11th.
Offer available in the U.S and Canada!
Please be sure to read our Terms and Conditions.
You can also find Tammy and Parker hanging out at their other blog, Praying for Parker and on Twitter where they are known as ParkerMama.