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A child with ADHD or autism may exhibit sensory processing difficulties. The need to bite, chew or fidget are some remarkable symptoms in patients indicating that they need to move. Finding the right sensory accessory to provide an outlet is critical for control, stress relief and safety reasons. If you provide the proper accessories or gadgets, you can better address these activities. Here are valuable features of sensory toys and accessories to consider when you are shopping for the best ones to give to your child.

SHAPES AND SIZES

Just like tailoring a home for someone with ADHD, sensory-motor aids are made with different kids in mind. Sensory aids come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. They are useful in helping a child with ADHD or autism relax, organise and focus. Hence, it is important to get your child, tween or teen the right sensory accessory. When buying an oral activity device, think about how your child bites. Do they chew with the back or front teeth?  If the back molars are used, you will need a chewy that is long enough to reach them while front teeth chewers can go with both short and far-reaching accessories. The shape of the device is also an important aspect. Your little ones might be intimidated by certain shapes but will be happy to chew on a toy that looks fun and colourful.

DESIGNS

There are many designs of sensory accessories that exist in the market from simple to elaborate devices. Depending on how your kids respond to the design, they might love or hate a certain oral device or toy. Your kids might refuse to carry around chewies that they find unattractive. Even older children might decline sensory devices that are not to their taste. Fortunately, there are several types of accessories available to suit all kinds of wearers from animal shapes for younger kids to jewellery for older ones. Some are discreet and can be worn around the neck while others can be clipped on garments. Younger kids are better off with something that hangs on their necks for practical reasons whilst some are contented wearing bracelets. There are also handheld chews or pencil toppers that teenagers might prefer.

TEXTURE

The texture of accessories is important to your chewer and most manufacturers of sensory toys sell different levels of toughness from soft to hard. If you are unsure about your kid€™s strength of bite, go for a softer one. You can always increase the degree of roughness later or get another one to complement an existing accessory.

SCENTS

Children with ADHD or autism have sensitive olfactory senses so choose accessories that have no odour or are unscented. Kids with sensory processing difficulties can be oversensitive to scents and will notice them immediately when others cannot.

Finding the right sensory accessory for a child with additional needs can make the difference between frustration or satisfaction. By getting them the right toys or devices, you are helping them enhance their sensory experience, increase alertness, learn and fulfil their needs.