Life as a special needs individual is full of challenges. In this category we offer an assortment of assistive devices that can help overcome some of those challenges and improve the quality of life for people with special needs and their caregivers. We offer a unique selection of sensory toys for autism, books, furniture and mobility aids designed to provide a gentle and reassuring comfort to persons of special needs. Our toys for children with special needs are highly therapeutic in nature and provide a stimulating experience improving social skills and calming sensory integration.
Special needs include challenges like coping with learning disabilities, profound cognitive impairment, food allergies, developmental delays, chronic illnesses or psychiatric problems. Behavioral issues related to ADHD, sensory integration dysfunction, Tourette’s syndrome, need expert handling. Products needed to deal with symptoms of special needs include items to improve gross motor and sensory motor skills, provide vestibular therapy and visual, tactile and auditory stimulation. There are relaxation items, devices to promote speech therapy as well as learning toys. Also check out specially created furniture to meet the needs of special needs children. All our products are high quality and designed by trusted manufacturers like Bergeron, Melissa & Doug, Kaye Products, Ablenet, Enabling Devices, Patterson Medical, Grow With Play Corporation, Skil Care Corp, Cardinal Gates, Somatron Corporation, Haleys Joy, and many more.
Vestibular disorders arise from parts of the inner ear and brain and affects the sensory information pertaining to balance and eye movements. Symptoms include dizziness, vertigo, visual disturbance and imbalance. These are often seen in children with Down Syndrome, autism and anxiety disorders such as panic attacks. Vestibular therapy can be provided through specially created items that help overcome these problems. These products provide vestibular rehabilitation through balance training and other exercises that shift the focus of the brain from dizzying spells to actions like body positioning and coordination. Therapy is offered through different types of adaptive swings from Haleys Joy, Enabling Devices and Play away Toy Company as well as indoor climbing ladders, one-seated gliders and tortoise shell therapy systems.
At HPFY, we offer a variety of products that solve the mobility and seating issues of special needs people. Some of them are described below:
Gross motor skills involve control of the large muscles in the body to help perform normal daily functions like walking, running, swimming, crawling, etc. We carry scores of versatile products created to help develop the gross motor skills of children with developmental disabilities, particularly Down Syndrome, congenital abnormalities, cerebral palsy and autism. There are a variety of games and sensory integration activity items which aid in eye-hand coordination, help maintain balance, improve grip, increase focus and attention span with an overall emphasis on interaction and attention. There are tunnels, tents and play panels that encourage exploring, crawling, climbing and weight-bearing co-ordination. Our ball pools and ball pits encourage development of gross motor skills through physical play.
Special needs condition brings with it certain dysfunctional traits of attention deficit, speech disorders and visual impairment.
Restlessness, anxiety, mood swings and nervous fidgeting are common with autistic kids and children with ADHD. Weighted blankets act as a comfort factor in calming down a nervous or fidgety child. There are plenty of other relaxation products to help with these including weighted sashes, weighted writing gloves, pressure vests, weighted animals and lap pads. They provide a secure grounded feeling have a calming effect on the child. These weighted items also force more attention and focus out of the children during studies making them sit in one place for longer periods.
Sensory therapy toys and sensory motor balls play a useful role in developing the vestibular response of children with autism and Down Syndrome. Therapy balls and tactile balls help develop motor skills through Tumble Forms 2 developmental training balls which teach children balance, widen their attention span, improve their protective extension reflex and trunk equilibrium response, facilitate relaxation and promote weight bearing on knees. These balls also help strengthen core muscles and improve body awareness.
Special needs conditions can affect vision, hearing and touch. We have stimulatory products designed to help improve them by targeting skills pertaining to these three senses. There are toys for tactile stimulation using sensory massage, textures and spatial awareness assistive technology. Visual stimulation is provided using mirror and light therapy. Children with hearing impairment are given auditory stimulation through instruments and music players which enable auditory and color recognition using music and bright twinkling multi-colored lights.
How does Assistive Technology help students with Special Needs?
Visual and auditory cues are offered through our assistive technology products which include switches, mounting products and environmental control units. The child is subjected to great visuals, spinning glitter and vibration providing auditory and tactile feedback. The sound alert jack box from Califone visibly signals to students and teachers when volume is louder than the recommended 85 dB level. The reminding device from Motivaider gently reminds the child about a chore or homework. The Pouring Cups Game is designed to teach the laws of conservation. These devices are created to promote physical and mental exercises.
Special needs can range from people with Asperger syndrome, Down syndrome, autism, blindness, cerebral palsy, dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, deafness, and cystic fibrosis.
No. Even children with the same condition have unique problems and experiences.
At HPFY you find a huge range of special needs products. All our products are high quality and designed by trusted manufacturers like Kaye Products, Grow With Play Corporation, Cardinal Gates, Haleys Joy, and many more.
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