Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Sensory Toys in Honor of Autism Awareness Month

You may have heard about sensory toys. They’re items that specifically stimulate one sense, if not multiple senses. Think along the lines of silly putty, malleable dough, squishy balls, or uniquely textured materials like kinetic sand.

You don't have to feel put off by the term toys, either. Sensory and fidget toys aren’t just toys; they’re tools that help autistic and neurodivergent folks feel calm, focused, and relaxed. All of them can be used by adults, and many of them are. This means that plenty of options are out there, and there’s ample opportunity to light up your inner child.

In honor of Autism Awareness Month, we’re here to share everything you need to know about sensory toys, from why they matter to how certain toys are suited for the different levels of autism. We’ll even help you find the best picks to suit your needs.

“Stimming can often be viewed as an unwanted and negative behavior, but it is the way autistic people help regulate,” shares Roseann Capanna-Hodge, EdD, a bestselling author, child and family mental health expert, and psychologist in Ridgefield, Connecticut.

Finding ways to stim in a variety of situations can be supportive in navigating environments that aren't sensory-friendly. Plenty of discrete fidgets and sensory toys are included in this guide to help you do so.

Outside of gadgets, you can do simple movements with your body that might help. “You can also tense and release different muscle groups, move your fingers or toes, or rub your tongue against your teeth,” says Kate Lieberman, PhD, a clinical psychologist in Washington, D.C.

Also, she says, you can consider whether the environment you’re in is safe enough for you to stim without the burden of “masking,” or trying to hide your stimming. “Of course, not everyone has the same level of freedom to do this,” she says.

“While some forms of sensory input may be overstimulating (e.g. loud noises or bright lights), other types of input can be calming and regulating to the nervous system,” says Dr. Lieberman, who specializes in working with autistic folks and mainly does psychological evaluations. She says that preferences vary from person to person, but weighted items, chewable toys, and squeezable objects are especially popular.

Autism isn’t a one-dimensional experience. In fact, some experts group autism spectrum disorder into different levels. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM V) — the manual that many clinicians in the United States use to diagnose mental health conditions — three levels are defined:

• Level one (“requiring support”)
• Level two (“requiring substantial support”)
• Level three (“requiring very substantial support”)

While the three levels can be helpful for understanding the spectrum of autism, they aren’t meant to fully define a person’s needs. “These levels describe support needs and by no means do they define a person’s intelligence or potential,” says Capanna-Hodge.

With this in mind, we’ve explored these autism levels and scoped out sensory toys that could help someone in each level.

We like how easy it is to travel with fidgets, too. You can pop one in your purse, toss it in your backpack, or keep it handy at your desk. We love these picks. They’re discreet, engaging, and fun.

Remember when we mentioned the term multisensory environment? This is what we’re going to help you build. Sensory and fidget toys are a great start, but creating a true multisensory environment can help boost your comfort even more. Here are some key components of a sensory-friendly space to help you get started.

While the DSM-5 uses three different categories in the diagnostic criteria for autism, it fails to capture the true nuances of the autistic experience. Although each label specifies the level of support needed, it doesn’t specify the many variables within each level.

“While these distinctions were designed to convey information that may be helpful for tailoring services and accommodations, they are not universally supported,” says Lieberman.

She also says that some folks feel misaligned with these labels: “One significant problem is that an individual's needs can vary widely depending on the setting (e.g. home versus work).” Rather than trying to fit into a label, it’s most beneficial to focus on finding tools and solutions to support your unique needs.

If you identify as allistic (not on the autism spectrum), you may have your fair share of blind spots when it comes to supporting the autistic folks in your life. “A sound, light, or texture that feels perfectly normal to you may feel overwhelming or even painful to an autistic person,” says Lieberman.

Both Capanna-Hodge and Lieberman encourage folks to recognize and honor their unique sensory needs. As we’ve covered, research supports the value of sensory-friendly environments, and there are simple ways to bring that into your space.

An easy way I honor this in my clinical practice is with open communication. I try to keep my therapy office sensory-friendly with warm lighting, a quiet, noninvasive sound machine, and blankets and pillows in various weights and textures. Beyond that, I always check in with my patient about the environment, asking whether the temperature or lighting needs to be adjusted for optimal comfort during the session.

Finally, creating a space where autistic folks don’t have to hide their autism-related behaviors can be a big relief. “Things like stimming, taking breaks, or stepping away from a crowded space are often ways people manage their nervous systems,” says Lieberman.

Capanna-Hodge recommends asking folks or watching what helps them feel regulated. And both she and Lieberman agree that a safe space where folks can feel free to be themselves creates connection and trust.