Recommendations for fidget toys for ds with Aspergers

[hebejebe]

My ds who is almost 11 was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome about 18 months ago. His school have been great but he's increasingly having problems there - the usual Asperger issues. He finds it very difficult to stay on task and to focus if he is not interested in the topic - probably about 90% of his school work does not interest him.

He does chew things or fiddle with the corners of paper when he is supposed to be doing his homework so I think this must help him concentrate. Has anyone got some good recommendations for something I could get him to take to school? Does anyone have any tips to help with his concentration? I feel like I am banging my head against a brick wall with his education - a whole other story - but am just trying to deal with one little thing at a time!

Any advice/tips/experiences shared would be very gratefully received!

Hi there, I have a 14 year old dd and a 9 year old ds, both AS. What you say about your ds reminds me of my ds in that 90% of school work bores him. To avoid distraction, he has his own desk facing away from the class for when he needs to get down to work. He also has available to him a wobble cushion so he can fidget while sitting in one place. Apologies if you've heard all this before .

Dd3 would agree about 90% of the work being boring, she has a tendance to eat the ends off her pen/pencils and the collars of her tshirts.

I have found if she wears a bangle or bracelet of some kind she will fiddle with that but obviously that would not work with a lad. What about one of the bangle type watches that are trendy at the moment? Would he wear one of those, or some beads on a string in his pocket.

We have a wobble cushion at home that really helps Dd3 but there is no way she would sit on one at school, she is absolutley determined not to stand out.

Am watching with interest to see what others say

Hi, my ds is 9, nearly 10 and also has AS.

We've been trying out fiddle toys recently and the one he likes the best is this one.

Its just a tangle toy really, but he likes the fact that it has scientific symbols etc on it, as it makes it less toy-like. I thought it was much better than just the plain tangle toys, as it has the keyring attachment, which not only means it doesn't get lost, but again makes it seem like less of a toy to his peers.

He actually tends to prefer the feel of squidgy/spiky things like this and the squidgy, spiky balls etc, but he keeps those for home and just takes the keyring one to school.

Other things that school have given him which have worked are as simple as a lump of blu-tack and some thin silver wire that he could just keep twisting. (I think it was probably jewellery making wire of some sort.)

Some more Fidget Toys here.

Ds likes the squidgy things too like this which you can get in pound shops, tescos, Hawkins bazaar etc

Lenin, ds's favourite tangle toy at home is the textured one that Indigo linked to. He prefers the feel of that to the smooth ones, but he won't take it to school, as its too brightly coloured and toy like - but that's because he's in year 5 and almost 10.

Funny how they all seem to like those rubbery spikyish ball textured things.

I will add my advice about not buying one of these moody face toys if your dc sensory seeks with their feet and has a tendency to stand on things. Let's just say my living room had a white christmas! Its amazing how far a small bag of compacted cornflour can spread when put under extreme pressure - especially in a room full of just opened christmas presents and a christmas tree.

Many thanks for all your ideas!

I think he does have a wobble cushion at school but I never thought of getting one for home - good idea (Ineedalife). I think he'd like the tangle keyring for the same reasons your ds, (moosemama) likes it as he hates to stand out or get special attention.

Off to Amazon to order...

Thanks again.