Best Toy for Special Needs Baby

[merlot]

Hi guys - can I pick your brains please? I'm having problems choosing Christmas Presents for my ds2 who is 14 months and developmentally about 9 months. The problem is that we have a lot of the normal baby toys (stacking cups, sorters, balls galore, posting things) but that is the stage ds2 is at developmentally. Relatives are looking at buying involved `pretend play' items (eg. large bus with loads of characters on board). My problem is that ds2 is showing absolutely no inclination towards pretend play and I am loathed to clog up the house with lots of inappropriate toys.

Are there any real `winners' out there in the special needs baby toy category. Also am I wrong in not buying these pretend play items (so difficult - my friend looked at me as if I was the worst mother when I wouldnt spend £50 on an intricate toy suitable for an 18month plus.. I just am afraid that he will never reach that stage and I have got all these visual reminder toys around me... if you know what I mean....so sorry to ramble..)

can he hit things? i'm trtyin to remember what stage a baby is at at 9months old sorry. i have neurosmith music blocks which dd2 got at 15months, and altho the box says 3+ the m,usic from it is gerat for babies, helps with hand eye co-ordination, and the music isnt annoying. if he can hit/press the blocks then he would be able to make the music himself.

yes, he can hit things (although throwing is the latest trick), so will explore your suggestion. Sounds Great.

nit sure if they are readily available atm. try ebay

Hi Merlot - IKWYM as we're faced with this problem this Crimbo. I've actually told my dps to hold fire on buying too much stuff, as dd still isn't able to enjoy the 3+ month toys, and it's too painful as you say to have lots of reminder toys around. They're going to give some cash instead, which we'll save for when she needs something specialist.

The RNIB has just published a catalogue of toys for blind/ partially sighted kids which is really good. I know you're not talking about sight problems, but it does list loads of toys on the high st that are good for development. One cool toy I've seen is the Airtivity Ball Popper from Hasbro, which is where the baby can post balls down a tube & then they magically pop up & hover in the air. Suitable for 9months + - I want one !
To get a copy of the catalogue you can phone 08457023153 or pick one up from Toys R Us.

Just as an afterthought - Fledgelings might have some suggestions:

fledgelings

I'll shut up now

Chonky - Big Hug to You - The ball thing sounds perfect (sounds a bit like the Tomy BallParty that ds2 uses at physio, which is no longer available, so I will definitely get one of those!). Your idea of money is a good one too. I told my friend, when she pulled a face at my meanness', that I would buy the world for ds2 if it was appropriate. I feel, like you, that presents for ds2 will not be limited to xmas time - but as' and `when'.

my dd used to like the mamas and papas octipus toy. its like a soft toy, with a mirror underneath and loads of teethers and sensory bits on it. Also anything that played tunes from v-tech went down well

Hi Fio2 - Got the Octopus toy already and ds1 loves it

whoops meant to type ds2. Ds1 is 7 and would prefer Yu-Gi-Oh cards!!

how weird ds also like those bead toy things, the small hand held one. ELC used to do a plastic one, all bright colours, was a real hit!

ds2 loves bead things too . He really does purposefully push the beads round the wires.

how about the fisher price star stacker? Got that yet? It lights up, flashes and plays music.

No haven't got that yet geekgrl. Does it only flash and light up when you stack the things? cause and effect iyswim. Sounds Good. ds2 has a normal stacker that he just takes rings off and throws , so was wondering whether this light up version would encourage him to actually stack?

merlot, check the haslemere thread

peek a boo train if dd was still little i'd have brought these as they individual animals in them. they also do a dumoer truck and a few other things

fairydust - that looks good

DD (2) is obsessed (still) with her Fisher Price Spinning Discs activity table. Well, to be precise the top of the table. Also had to remove her Twirlin Wirlin garden as she was going through a pack of batteries a week. just got her a Tomy Aqua Draw for Xmas, which was recommended on another SN thread here. She is mentally/physically aged about 9-12m, so hope it wil encourage her to hold a pen/pencil/spoon etc. Good luck with the ever growing mound of unused plastic toys in your house, mine is just as big!!

Thanks Milge . Will look up your suggestions when I am a little less bleary eyed. Kwym about the ever increasing pile of plastic toys!

Saw some musical blocks in boots the other day, look cheaper than the nurosmith ones, have heard the Lamaze mirror is good for babies with Downs.

it's got sensors on the pole so when you put a star (ring) on it flashes and does sounds, the stars are translucent and glittery. When you put the top on it plays music (much dancing has been done in this house to those tunes )

geekgirl - Love it alread

My DD's faves are: a quacking duck puppet from Discovery Store, a 'tigger radio' (that plays different tunes and she now brings to me to switch on for her) from Woolies, a bubble machine (early learning centre), a yellow musical bus with funny animal people in it (think it's Vtech?). Anything 'high excitement' or musical, basically. Don't know whether that helps. I've got my eye on that Dora Explora Doll that sings 'Yes, We Did It, We Did It, Yeah' for Christmas. Totally overpriced but I sing that song to her when she achieves something and she loves it! (plus operated really simply by pressing a shoelace).

Thanks Jakbrown. Excellent ideas. Never heard of Dora The Explorer before but she sounds a hoot!

One of Ds2's favourite toys is the Early Learning Centre Drum that you can roll and bang and it makes `whizz bang' noises and calypso music

OOh lots to choose from!!!
dd had the stacking caterpillar .Very similar to the stars geekgrl recommended, absolutely fab, still plays with them now! Also have a look at the electronic activity cubes. DD had one similar and only used the musical buttons for ages, she posts the shapes now, we sort the colours,etc.
Also have a look at the ELC light & sound hammer bench, another favourite, really good for cause & effect!