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CHICAGO (July 26, 2004)

Note: These toys, and many others, are featured in the 2004 version of the Toy Guide for Differently Abled Kids.

Dinosaur Stamp Set by Melissa and Doug
Several important skills and abilities are developed through a child’s interaction with this toy, including visual attention and processing. Through the seemingly simple act of stamping and creating a picture, kids incorporate hand-eye coordination, hand grasp and muscle control. Through repetition, children come to know and identify a variety of objects, and that knowledge is strengthened through repeated play experiences. Enough stamps are included in this set to enable parallel play, thereby enhancing social interaction skills. Children who have limited motor control can find success with this toy because it allows them to create a picture even with simple, unrefined movements.  

Fur Real Friends Newborn Puppy by Hasbro
Not only is this puppy cute to look it, it’s responsive, too. A sensor is activated when a child strokes the puppy’s back, and the animal becomes more animated and emits a sound as it is stroked. If the petting continues, the puppy’s response continues. The toy moves its head and rewards a child with positive reinforcement for continued play. Because the puppy remains stationary, it’s easy for a child to use who has limited movement. Through play with this kind of toy, children become aware of cause and effect relationships. Pleasant and soft to the touch, this puppy sits comfortably on a child’s lap. It requires three AA batteries, sold separately.  

Original Mini Sphere by Hoberman
This Mini Sphere is a smaller version of the company’s larger sphere. Children develop enhanced finger dexterity as they hold the globe with two hands while opening and closing it. The sphere encourages children to use two hands cooperatively and move large arm muscles as well as to refine smaller muscles.

Kick & Crawl Aquarium by Fisher Price
Here’s a toy that grows with the child. As they lie on their backs and watch the toys move overhead, young babies will enjoy the visual stimulation offered by The Kick & Crawl Aquarium. As the same time, they’re encouraged to reach their arms and grasp with their hands. Babies’ feet are drawn into playtime as they kick to stimulate movement in the toys attached to the back arch. Another advantage of this toy is that its mat can accommodate older children who still require simple overhead stimulation. As months pass and motor skills are sharpened, the aquarium can be transformed into a short tunnel, encouraging social interaction through “peek-a-boo play.” The aquarium includes non-replaceable batteries.

The National Lekotek Center provides direct services, support and information to children with special needs and their families in resource and play centers that are found worldwide. Lekotek is a division of Anixter Center, a not-for-profit organization in Chicago that assists individuals with disabilities to live and work in the community. People served by Lekotek include children with a range of disabilities such as Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, sight or hearing loss, developmental disabilities or chronic medical conditions, and their families. Lekotek, based in Chicago, Illinois, is the U.S. headquarters and the administrative and training center for the nationwide network of 42 Lekotek centers in 11 states (California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia).

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The mission of the Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center is to assist people with disabilities to live and work successfully in the community. Anixter Center is a leading provider of high-quality vocational, residential and educational options, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and health care. Anixter Center is an advocate for the rights of people with disabilities to be full and equal members of the community.