Introduction

Buying toys for children with special needs can be a frustrating task for parents.  Kids with disabilities require toys that they are able to use.  However, the term “adaptive toy” is not all-inclusive.  Each disability category – physical, sensory, communicative and cognitive – necessitates specific features.  A toy appropriate for one disability may not be appropriate for a child with another disability.  Please use the information in this guide to ensure you get the most appropriate gifts for the special child in your life.

In order to help family, friends and therapists to locate appropriate toys for their children and clients, the National Lekotek Center provides several helpful resources that you can use while shopping at eBay.  In late 2005, Lekotek launched their AblePlay initiative which provides helpful ratings and reviews on a rapidly growing number of popular mainstream toys.  Each toy listed at AblePlay.org has been evaluated by Lekotek professionals trained specifically in this task.  In the absence of a professional toy evaluation, the “Top Ten Tips” listed below will you identify toys that your kids will be able to use and enjoy.  And most importantly, the guidelines will help you find toys that help promote your child’s physical and cognitive development. 

Sellers are also strongly encouraged to be sensitive to the needs of the disability community.  By utilizing the resources mentioned above, sellers can help these buyers find the right toys.  If sellers are aware that a specific toy has been evaluated by a reputable program such as Lekotek’s AblePlay, eBay sellers should definitely mention it in their online listings.  Parents search for this information and may overlook your items if you do not provide them with reasons why your product is appropriate for their child.

Buying on eBay

It is always helpful to do your research online before buying toys on eBay or elsewhere.  Search on Google using keywords such as “special needs” and “toys.”  You will without a doubt find hundreds of websites promoting toys for children with disabilities.  Come back to eBay to find the toys that interest you for a great price.

If you are not looking for a specific toy on eBay, it is important that you remember to checkmark the box allowing you to search titles AND the full descriptions.

Many sellers may provide information within their listings regarding the suitability of a certain toy for children with disabilities.  However, without placing a checkmark in the box as seen above, you will only be searching the brief title and be missing out on many great toys.

AblePlay Ratings and Reviews

But how do you know which toys are appropriate for your loved one?  The National Lekotek Center has a free online resource available for just this purpose.  Their AblePlay website allows you to search for great toys based on your child’s age, disability category, brand, product category and/or by product name.  After a quick search, you will be provided with a list of the latest mainstream toys that have been independently evaluated by Lekotek professionals for children with special needs.  In some cases, the website will let you know where the item can be purchased online as the website itself is only a resource.  However, you should definitely come back to eBay to find the best prices!

Next to each listed toy, you will find an AblePlay rating similar to the one below.  For example, a five-star rating in the physical disability category means it is excellent for children with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy or multiple sclerosis.  A low rating in the cognitive category means the toy may not be the most appropriate toy for a child with a cognitive disorder such as Down syndrome or fetal alcohol syndrome. 

While these ratings give a snapshot view into the suitability of many toys, the website also has detailed reviews for your review.  Information is provided for each toy describing its strengths and weaknesses in each disability category.  After heading over to eBay and purchasing your toys, make sure to take a look at the toy adaptation ideas in the reviews.  The evaluators offer unique ideas for using each toy for each category of disability.

Click below for current listings of AblePlay rated toys selling on eBay:
Bee Bop Band by Parents Magazine
Bebe Do Doll by Corolle
Knock Knock Blocks by Small World Toys
Sculpey Clay by Polyform Products
Bucket Blast by Lolo Company
Giant Building Blocks by ImagiPlay

In the absence of a professional toy evaluation, the “Top Ten Tips” listed below will you identify toys that your kids will be able to use and enjoy.  And most importantly, the guidelines will help you find toys that help promote your child’s physical and cognitive development. 

National Lekotek Center’s Top Ten Tips to Consider When Buying Toys for Children with Disabilities

1. Multisensory appeal
Does the toy respond with lights, sounds, or movement to engage the child?
Are there contrasting colors? Does it have a scent? Is there texture?

2. Method of activation
Will the toy provide a challenge without frustration? What is the force required to activate? What are the number and complexity of steps required to activate?

3. Where toy will be used
Will the toy be easy to store? Is there space in the home? Can the toy be used in a variety of positions such as side-lying or on wheelchair tray?

4. Opportunities for success
Can play be open-ended with no definite right or wrong way? Is it adaptable to the child’s individual style, ability and pace?

5. Current popularity
Is it a toy that will help the child with disabilities feel like "any other kid"? Does it tie-in with other activities like books and art sets that promote other forms of play?

6. Self-expression
Does the toy allow for creativity, uniqueness, and choice-making? Will it give the child experience with a variety of medium?

7. Adjustability
Does it have adjustable height, sound volume, speed, level of difficulty?

8. Child’s individual characteristics
Does the toy provide activities that reflect both developmental and chronological ages? Does it reflect the child’s interests and age?

9. Safety and durability
Consider the child’s size and strength. Does the toy have moisture resistance?
Are the toy and its parts sized appropriately? Can they be washed and cleaned?

10. Potential for interaction
Will the child be an active participant during use? Will the toy encourage social engagement with others?

Selling on eBay

There is a significant opportunity for selling toys on eBay for children with disabilities.  Considering the high prices many parents and friends must pay for such toys in department and specialty stores, there are no doubt a large number who come to eBay to find them cheaper.  However, relatively few evaluated items are currently available on eBay.  Sellers often do not consider the potential market they are missing out on by neglecting to mention the awards and ratings a particular product has received.

Sellers are strongly encouraged to mention in their titles and descriptions that their item has received an award by a recognized organization.  This small action will not only significantly increase the demand for your listed items, but will make it easier for millions of people to find the best products for their children.

Recognized awards and evaluations:

AblePlay (disability-specific)
Parent's Choice
Toy Tips
Dr. Toy
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio

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This guide has been submitted to eBay Guides on behalf of the National Lekotek Center, a respected authority on toys and play for children with special needs.  The content therein, including but not limited to “The Top Ten Tips to Consider When Buying Toys for Children with Disabilities,” should be considered copyrighted material belonging to the National Lekotek Center.  In addition to their national network of play centers and toy libraries for children with disabilities, Lekotek provides ratings on many popular mainstream toys via their AblePlay website.