Are you the kind of aunt that buys toys for her nieces and nephews on a whim?  If passing by a toy store filled with colorful or rare and hard-to-find toys seems incredibly exciting, then you might be a toy-addict, just like your nieces and nephews! (Disclaimer: I once begged and then bribed a saleswoman at a very famous toy store in New York City to sell me a doll that was “on hold” for another customer as it was the last one in the store.  She conceded without the bribe, probably feeling sorry for my pathetic intentions.)

Toys today are often created with such interesting designs and beautiful colors that, whether plastic or wooden, nothing can beat the smile on your nieces or nephews' faces when you hand them over that shiny new package.
 
If your niece or nephew is a Kid With Special Needs (KWSN), it goes without saying that the toys you give them should be fun, beautiful and stimulating.  But, since every moment of intervention, therapy or learning intensely counts with special needs kids, it’s really wonderful when you can find that unique toy that is educational and amazing all at the same time.  With stores filled to the brim with toys galore and advertisements and jingles stuck in our heads, how do we find the right KWSN toy?
 
Enter  Toys“R”Us which recently partnered with Autism Speaks, the not-for-profit organization which funds grants and supports research to autism families, centers, schools, scientists and universities.  From March 1 to May 1, Toys“R”Us /Babies"R"Us and Autism Speaks are conducting a fundraising campaign to collect contributions to support the work of Autism Speaks.

Toys“R”Us  donated a $400,000 grant to this campaign and is Autism Speak’s national sponsor for 75 upcoming Walk Now for Autism events around the country.  Not only is Toys“R”Us putting their corporate money to a great cause, but  they have also developed a fact sheet called “Ten Toys That Speak to Autism”  which defines the neurological disorder as well as focuses on early warning signs of autism every concerned family member should know about.
 
So, what’s great from the Ten Toys list?  My personal favorites include anything that teaches a skill and is fun, engaging and colorful.

I love Melissa and Doug’s Locks and Latches Board which features pretend houses with real locks to fasten and undo.  I also like Vtech’s KidiZoom Camera that puts the power of the camera in your KWSN’s hands which is a great tool to have in this digital age. Ned’s Head Game is a silly and fun way to have a kid with sensory challenges experience experimenting with new textures.  Finally, Fisher-Price’s GeoTrax Grand Central Station Terminal with remote control features is a toy that encourages imaginative play and role-playing which are paramount and essential to the growing mind.

Kudos to Toys"R"Us for helping Autism Speaks and for Autism Speaks for helping so many KWSN.

You'll find the Toys"R"Us special needs toys and many others in the Savvy Auntie Gifts section, Filter for "Special Needs" toys in the Savvy Search filter.