Autism

Yes. Because most individuals with ASD have sensory processing difficulties and may become overstimulated or understimulated, sensory toys can provide soothing and calming effects that help children regulate their senses and create a comfortable environment suited to their needs.

More on this: Autism and Sensory Disorders: Therapeutic Impact of Sensory Toys

Stay calm and reassuring rather than reacting with alarm. In this story, the parent simply smiled and said, "It's okay. You're okay. Tell me what happened," which helped the frightened child settle and feel safe.

More on this: A Lesson of the Heart: Autism Diagnosis for My Child

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a form of autonomic dysfunction common in people with EDS. It causes a large increase in heart rate upon standing, leading to symptoms like dizziness, fainting, and fatigue, and managing it is often a key part of managing EDS.

More on this: Autism & Ehlers-Danlos: Why They're Connected

Yes. Sensory differences, including responses to sound, are part of the diagnostic criteria for autism in both the DSM-5 and the ICD-11, which came into effect in 2022.

More on this: Autism and Noise Sensitivity: What Helps, and What Doesn't

Autism isn't an illness, and it isn't something that resolves or is treated away. It's a difference in neurological development that persists across a person's life. Support exists to help autistic people participate, communicate, and do what they want to do — not to make them appear less autistic.

More on this: Autism: Signs, Diagnosis, and Support

Historical research published in 2018 by Herwig Czech in Molecular Autism, and by Edith Sheffer in Asperger's Children, documented that he cooperated with the Nazi regime, publicly supported race hygiene policies, and referred children to a clinic where disabled children were killed. He did not join the Nazi party itself, though he joined affiliated organizations. The two historians who established this disagree about whether the term should now be retired from use.

More on this: Asperger's Syndrome: What Happened to the Diagnosis?

No. It described presentations that differed in onset or didn't meet all the criteria as written — not presentations that were less significant. Someone with an atypical autism diagnosis may have substantial support needs.

More on this: Atypical Autism: What It Meant and Its Status Now

Allow yourself to feel whatever comes up without judgment, knowing many caregivers experience a period of adjustment. Seeking a licensed therapist or counselor who understands neurodivergence can help you process this transition, and caring for your own mental health matters too, since parents of autistic children report more parenting stress than parents of typically developing children.

More on this: PDD-NOS: A Parent and Guardian Support Guide

Common approaches include speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, behavioral interventions, and educational interventions, and behavioral approaches have the most evidence. Together these address communication, sensory and daily living skills, and social and emotional needs.

More on this: Therapy Checklist for PDD-NOS & Autism Spectrum

Research describes it as typically lasting three months or longer. Recovery varies widely and is often not linear. Some people report that recovery becomes harder with later episodes.

More on this: Autistic Burnout: Signs, Sensory Changes, and Recovery

No. CDD was removed as a standalone diagnosis in the DSM-5 in 2013. Presentations of this kind now fall under autism spectrum disorder. Existing diagnoses remain valid and do not require reassessment.

More on this: Childhood Disintegrative Disorder: Signs, Causes & What to Do

An Austrian-American psychiatrist who published the first detailed description of autism in 1943, based on eleven children. His description shaped the expected picture of autism for decades — which is part of why autistic people who presented differently were missed.

More on this: Classic Autism: What the Term Means Today

Describe the specific situation: what someone manages well, what they need help with, and in which settings. "Manages academically, needs support with unstructured social time" tells people what to do; "high-functioning" doesn't.

More on this: "High-Functioning Autism": What It Means and Why It's Changing

No. It has never appeared in the DSM or the ICD. It's informal shorthand. The DSM-5 uses three levels describing support needs; ICD-11 uses separate specifiers for intellectual functioning and language ability.

More on this: "Low-Functioning Autism": What to Say Instead

PDA is not listed in the DSM-5-TR or ICD-11 and cannot be formally diagnosed as a standalone condition. Some assessors describe a PDA profile alongside an autism diagnosis. The term is debated among clinicians, though many families find it a useful description.

More on this: Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA): Signs and the Evidence

No. It was removed in the DSM-5 in May 2013 and folded into autism spectrum disorder, with ICD-11 making the same change in 2022. Existing diagnoses remain valid and no reassessment is required.

More on this: PDD-NOS: What It Meant and What Replaced the Diagnosis

Since 2022, ICD-11 has included sensory processing differences in the autism diagnostic criteria. It is part of the definition rather than a separate co-occurring issue.

More on this: Sensory Processing and Autism: What Changed in 2022

There are no longer separate types. Since the DSM-5 in 2013 (and ICD-11 in 2022), autism is diagnosed as one condition — autism spectrum disorder — that describes a wide range of individual profiles rather than distinct categories.

More on this: Types of Autism: Why There's Only One Diagnosis Now

Your pediatrician can assess and refer. The SAMHSA National Helpline — 1-800-662-4357 — is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day for treatment referral.

More on this: Substance Use and Neurodivergent Teens

Usually a developmental pediatrician or psychologist for diagnosis, a speech-language pathologist, an occupational therapist, and school staff once your child is in school. A physical therapist joins if motor skills are a concern, and audiology, gastroenterology, sleep medicine or dietetics as needed. Behavioral services are a separate decision worth making deliberately.

More on this: Autism Care Team: Who You Need and How They Work Together

No. This self-assessment can highlight where your experiences align with Asperger's symptoms, but it is not a substitute for professional diagnosis. If your results are concerning, speak with a qualified mental health professional for further evaluation.

More on this: Do I Have Asperger's? (DSM-5 ASD)

Under Title I, a covered employer must provide reasonable accommodation to a qualified employee with a disability where it's needed for equal employment opportunity, unless it would cause undue hardship. Autism is covered.

More on this: Autism at Work: Adjustments, Disclosure and What Helps

Yes, it is possible and not uncommon for a child to have both conditions. A dual diagnosis matters so that interventions can target both the social-communication needs of autism and the specific listening challenges of APD.

More on this: Autism or Auditory Processing Disorder? How to Tell

Yes. While sensory sensitivities were long associated with autism, emerging research shows SPD can exist as a standalone condition, and most children with significant SPD features do not meet the diagnostic criteria for autism.

More on this: Is It Autism Or Sensory Processing Disorder?

No. It is not in the DSM-5 or ICD-11 and there is no test for it. The diagnoses, where they apply, are the underlying ones — ADHD, autism, dyslexia, a language disorder.

More on this: Twice-Exceptional (2e): Gifted and Neurodivergent

Managing mood swings involves self-care, identifying triggers, seeking support, and practicing mindfulness, and it is an ongoing process. Modeling healthy ways of managing emotions also helps children learn.

More on this: Managing Emotions and Mood Swings in Neurodivergent Kids

Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome — a late-onset condition affecting premutation carriers, typically after age 50, involving intention tremor, ataxia, and cognitive changes. It is frequently misdiagnosed as essential tremor or Parkinson's disease before genetic testing identifies the cause.

More on this: Fragile X Syndrome: Causes, Signs & Its Link to Autism

It helps a child take part in what they need and want to do — dressing, eating, writing, playing, managing school. An OT looks at what's getting in the way and works on it, sometimes by building a skill and often by changing the environment or task so the skill isn't needed.

More on this: OT Activities for Autistic Children: 8 to Try at Home

Ask about the non-academic day: transitions, non-preferred tasks, recess, friends, and whether your child can signal for a break without drawing attention. Then ask what supports are already in use and what else is available in the building.

More on this: Parent-Teacher Conference Questions for Neurodivergent Kids

Federal law can help, but not in the way most parents are told. IDEA eligibility runs through thirteen named categories and sensory processing disorder is not one of them, so a child reaches an IEP through a category that does apply. Section 504 asks a different question — whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity — which is often the more realistic route for sensory difficulties alone.

More on this: Sensory processing disorder without ASD? – Dr.Sensory

Evidence for effects on attention is mixed. Many people find occupying their hands genuinely helpful, and there's no reason not to use one if it works for you.

More on this: Sensory Tools for Neurodivergent Adults: What Actually Helps

Structured programs aimed at building interoceptive awareness are widely used in occupational therapy and report positive results, though controlled research is still developing. Approaches typically build body-focused noticing first, then vocabulary, then connection to emotional states.

More on this: Interoception: The Eighth Sense, Its Signs and Autism Links

Stimming is repetitive movement, sound, or sensory behavior — hand-flapping, rocking, humming, fidgeting, and much more — that serves a self-regulatory purpose. Everyone stims to some degree; the difference is frequency, form, and how essential it is.

More on this: Stimming: What It Is, Why It Helps, and When to Worry

They describe the amount of support a person needs, not their intelligence or their worth. Level 1 requires support, Level 2 substantial support, Level 3 very substantial support. They're assigned separately for social communication and for restricted or repetitive behaviors, and they aren't fixed — support needs change with setting and with how much capacity someone has left.

More on this: Social Skills and Autism: What Helps, and What to Question

Yes. Physical therapists create customized, predictable movement plans that lower anticipatory anxiety, provide safe outlets for nervous energy, and teach breathing and stretching techniques children can use at home or school when they feel a meltdown approaching. Exercise also reduces stress hormones like cortisol while boosting mood-enhancing endorphins.

More on this: The Vital Role of Physical Therapy in Autism Care

Fiddle toys help a child maintain focus by keeping their hands busy while their minds stay focused. They can range from squeezable toys to objects with different textures, shapes, and colors that stimulate the senses.

More on this: Top 10 Sensory Toys for Autism and Why They Work

Applied Behavior Analysis focuses on encouraging positive behaviors and teaching new skills while reducing behaviors that may be harmful or interfere with learning. It breaks complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps and uses positive reinforcement to help individuals learn communication, social, and daily living skills.

More on this: Top 10 Autism Therapy Options for Support and Growth

Meltdowns can be triggered by sensory overload from things like loud noises or bright lights, communication difficulties, changes in routine, anxiety, learning difficulties, and a lack of coping skills. Recognizing these triggers helps caregivers create environments that lower the risk of a meltdown.

More on this: Understanding and Managing Autism Meltdowns vs Tantrums

Autism regression is the loss of acquired skills, often seen in areas such as language, social skills, and play. It can happen suddenly or gradually and usually becomes apparent between the ages of 1 and 3.

More on this: Understanding Autism Regression in Children

Not simultaneously — an IEP includes accommodations, so it covers what a 504 would provide. A child may move between them as needs change, based on evaluation data.

More on this: IEP vs 504 Plan: How to Request School Support for Your Child

Yes. The AAP names autism among the conditions associated with higher drowning risk, and wandering from a safe setting — which about half of autistic children attempt after age 4 — is the usual route. Of the children who went missing in one large survey, 24% were in danger of drowning.

More on this: Water Safety for Autistic and Neurodivergent Children

Asperger's is no longer an official diagnosis since the DSM-5 was released in 2013. The term is still used informally by some people, particularly in media and personal narratives, but it lacks the formal significance it once held.

More on this: Why Was Asperger's Removed From DSM-5?

Yes — sensory differences occur in children who are not autistic. What does not follow is a separate diagnosis: sensory processing disorder is not a standalone diagnosis in the DSM-5 or ICD-11, so an evaluation describes the sensory profile and looks for what else may explain it.

More on this: When Do Sensory Processing Issues Become a Disorder?

Not necessarily. Sound sensitivity occurs in autistic and non-autistic children, and it's also common in ADHD. Since 2022, ICD-11 has included sensory processing differences in the autism diagnostic criteria, so it's worth mentioning during any assessment — but on its own it doesn't indicate autism. → Autism and noise sensitivity .

More on this: My Child Can't Cope With Loud Noises: What Helps

Children with special needs, particularly those with autism, often thrive on structure and predictability. Using a visual schedule with images or symbols to outline the daily routine reduces anxiety, helps them know what to expect, and makes transitions between tasks smoother.

More on this: Promoting Independence in Children with Special Needs

No. Sensory differences are common in autistic people and are now part of the autism diagnostic criteria in ICD-11, but sensory processing difficulties also occur in people who are not autistic.

More on this: Sensory Processing Disorder: Signs, Subtypes and Support

Not necessarily. Sensory differences are now part of the autism diagnostic criteria in ICD-11, and they're very common in autistic people — but they also occur in people who aren't autistic. Both are worth exploring if the question is open.

More on this: Sensory Processing Differences in Adults: Signs and Support

Possibly, if there's chronic exhaustion, loss of skills that were previously reliable, and reduced sensory tolerance following a period of sustained demand. It's worth reading about and raising.

More on this: Sensory Processing Differences in Teenagers: What Changes

No, SPD is not a form of autism, but the two conditions often co-occur. Most autistic individuals have significant sensory processing challenges, yet a child can have SPD without being on the autism spectrum.

More on this: Sensory Processing Disorder in Toddlers: A Guide

Sensory balls and fidget toys such as sensory putty or squishy stress balls provide tactile stimulation that can help a child maintain focus during lessons or activities. Aromatherapy oils like lavender, jasmine, or vanilla and tangle toys have also been reported to increase focus and attention span.

More on this: Autism and Sensory Disorders: Therapeutic Impact of Sensory Toys

A child's curiosity can have a strong pull, and a very literal child may follow directions exactly as written. In this account, the boy thought a wall-mounted device was a toy like the others and was reading and following its instructions when it activated.

More on this: A Lesson of the Heart: Autism Diagnosis for My Child

Start by talking to your primary care doctor, who can refer you to a rheumatologist or a geneticist specializing in connective tissue disorders. Diagnosis often involves a physical exam using the Beighton score to assess joint hypermobility along with a review of other clinical criteria.

More on this: Autism & Ehlers-Danlos: Why They're Connected

For specific loud situations, yes — they let many autistic people access places they otherwise could not. There is a widely held clinical concern that wearing them all day in environments that are not loud may reduce tolerance over time, and the research does not settle that either way.

More on this: Autism and Noise Sensitivity: What Helps, and What Doesn't

Stimming is self-stimulatory behavior: hand-flapping, rocking, humming, fidgeting, repeating sounds or phrases. Research asking autistic adults directly has found they describe it as self-regulation — managing overwhelming sensory input, regulating emotion, aiding concentration. It isn't something to reduce unless it's causing injury.

More on this: Autism: Signs, Diagnosis, and Support

For many diagnosed before 2013, it was the first word that explained their experience, and it came with a community and an identity. That doesn't disappear because a manual changed. Others have moved to "autistic," including some who learned about Hans Asperger's history.

More on this: Asperger's Syndrome: What Happened to the Diagnosis?

They served similar functions in different systems. Atypical autism was the ICD-10 category; PDD-NOS was the DSM-IV equivalent. Both covered presentations that didn't fit the other categories, and both were retired.

More on this: Atypical Autism: What It Meant and Its Status Now

You can search for regional autism support chapters or parent-led organizations in your area and join moderated online forums or social media groups dedicated to PDD-NOS and the autism spectrum. Sharing reliable resources with trusted family and friends also helps them understand how to support your child and family.

More on this: PDD-NOS: A Parent and Guardian Support Guide

It goes beyond basic vocabulary to focus on the social and practical use of language. Core areas include pragmatic language (such as taking turns, staying on topic, and understanding humor or sarcasm), nonverbal communication, and self-advocacy.

More on this: Therapy Checklist for PDD-NOS & Autism Spectrum

Prolonged masking is one of the most consistently reported contributing factors. The foundational 2020 research explicitly flagged the potential dangers of teaching autistic people to camouflage their traits.

More on this: Autistic Burnout: Signs, Sensory Changes, and Recovery

Contact your pediatrician today and ask for an urgent developmental and neurological review. Loss of previously acquired skills warrants prompt medical evaluation, because it can indicate neurological, metabolic, or seizure-related conditions that need investigation. Use the phrase "my child is losing skills they previously had" when booking.

More on this: Childhood Disintegrative Disorder: Signs, Causes & What to Do

"Autism" or "autism spectrum disorder" for the diagnosis. Where you need to convey support needs, describe them specifically — "needs one-to-one support in unfamiliar settings" says more than any label.

More on this: Classic Autism: What the Term Means Today

Level 1 requires support, level 2 requires substantial support, level 3 requires very substantial support. "High-functioning" would loosely map to level 1, though the correspondence is imprecise.

More on this: "High-Functioning Autism": What It Means and Why It's Changing

Describe the specific support needed: "uses AAC to communicate," "needs one-to-one support in unfamiliar settings," "needs help with dressing and personal care." Concrete descriptions tell people what to actually do.

More on this: "Low-Functioning Autism": What to Say Instead

Presentations change over time and many young people develop more strategies as they get older, though demand sensitivity often persists in some form. A more useful question is usually how to reduce demand load now so the child is not operating in chronic overload.

More on this: Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA): Signs and the Evidence

Most people who received a PDD-NOS diagnosis would today be described as having autism spectrum disorder. Some may better fit social (pragmatic) communication disorder, a separate DSM-5 diagnosis for social communication difficulties without restricted or repetitive behaviors.

More on this: PDD-NOS: What It Meant and What Replaced the Diagnosis

Over-responsivity and under-responsivity commonly coexist in the same person, across different senses. It can also shift with tiredness, stress, illness, and how much the day has already demanded.

More on this: Sensory Processing and Autism: What Changed in 2022

Asperger's is not a current diagnosis. It was one of the categories merged into autism spectrum disorder in 2013, and it is not a standalone diagnosis in ICD-11. People diagnosed with Asperger's before the change are autistic; the diagnosis remains valid.

More on this: Types of Autism: Why There's Only One Diagnosis Now

Lead with concern rather than accusation, choose a calm moment, and listen more than you talk. The aim of the first conversation is that there's a second one.

More on this: Substance Use and Neurodivergent Teens

Approximately 1 in 31 children aged 8, or 32.2 per 1,000 across 16 CDC surveillance sites in 2022. Site estimates ranged from 9.7 to 53.1 per 1,000 — a fivefold spread reflecting differences in identification and services rather than in how many autistic children exist.

More on this: Autism Care Team: Who You Need and How They Work Together

You answer 20 questions based on your experiences over the past six months, rating each on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is Never and 5 is Very Often. You then tally your scores, and higher totals may indicate a stronger alignment with Asperger's symptoms.

More on this: Do I Have Asperger's? (DSM-5 ASD)

In writing, to your manager or HR. Describe the barrier and the adjustment rather than the diagnosis. Expect an interactive discussion. The Job Accommodation Network offers free confidential guidance.

More on this: Autism at Work: Adjustments, Disclosure and What Helps

Yes. A normal hearing test is actually a prerequisite for an APD diagnosis, because it confirms sound is reaching the brain properly. APD testing looks at what happens after the sound reaches the brain.

More on this: Autism or Auditory Processing Disorder? How to Tell

SPD primarily manifests in three ways: sensory modulation disorder, which affects how a person perceives and responds to sensory input; sensory-based motor disorder, which involves coordination and movement difficulties; and sensory discrimination disorder, which involves trouble distinguishing between similar sensory inputs.

More on this: Is It Autism Or Sensory Processing Disorder?

Because the two things cancel out. High ability compensates for the difficulty, the difficulty limits what the ability produces, and the child lands in the average band where neither gifted programs nor support services pick them up.

More on this: Twice-Exceptional (2e): Gifted and Neurodivergent

Giving children access to a more diverse emotion chart with 30 or more emotions to consider can help them better describe what they are feeling. These charts also help children understand that it is normal to experience a wide range of emotions and okay to seek help managing them.

More on this: Managing Emotions and Mood Swings in Neurodivergent Kids

Yes. It is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability. This is why a diagnosis in one child has implications for siblings, parents, and the extended family, and why genetic counseling matters.

More on this: Fragile X Syndrome: Causes, Signs & Its Link to Autism

For individualized functional goals, yes. A systematic review of randomized trials found autistic children improved significantly on individualized goals related to occupational performance, function and participation when Ayres Sensory Integration was delivered under fidelity — while research including behaviors of concern indicated no benefit. It helps a child do things they're trying to do; it isn't behavior management.

More on this: OT Activities for Autistic Children: 8 to Try at Home

It’s your choice. Telling lets the teacher plan for it, and it is required if you want a 504 plan or an IEP, since both are built on documentation. You can share the diagnosis and one or two things that help without sharing the full evaluation.

More on this: Parent-Teacher Conference Questions for Neurodivergent Kids

You can seek out local parent support groups for SPD, join online communities and forums, and connect with other parents through social media groups on platforms like Facebook or Instagram. Staying connected with your child's therapist and healthcare team is also helpful.

More on this: Sensory processing disorder without ASD? – Dr.Sensory

For regulation, the evidence is limited. For sleep in adults with sensory sensitivity, one 2023 study found reduced insomnia severity, with more benefit in those who also reported anxiety. The pediatric trial found no effect on sleep in autistic children. If you find one comforting, that is a fine reason to use it; it should not displace things with better support.

More on this: Sensory Tools for Neurodivergent Adults: What Actually Helps

Interoceptive differences are commonly reported in autistic people and are associated with emotional regulation difficulties and alexithymia. The precise nature of the relationship is still being researched.

More on this: Interoception: The Eighth Sense, Its Signs and Autism Links

It isn't something to grow out of. Forms may change over a lifetime, but stimming remains a normal, useful part of how many people regulate.

More on this: Stimming: What It Is, Why It Helps, and When to Worry

Start with what your child wants to be able to do. Interest-based groups usually work better than social skills groups, communication access matters more than any curriculum, and shared-interest friendships form more readily than assigned ones. Ask any program what its goals are and who chose them.

More on this: Social Skills and Autism: What Helps, and What to Question

Physical therapy helps autistic individuals by improving gross motor coordination and balance, supporting sensory integration through the vestibular and proprioceptive systems, and managing anxiety with structured movement. By addressing these physical challenges, it builds confidence and improves overall quality of life.

More on this: The Vital Role of Physical Therapy in Autism Care

They provide deep pressure that many children find comforting, and both children and parents tend to prefer them. But a randomized controlled trial in autistic children with severe sleep problems found the weighted blanket did not increase total sleep time, shorten sleep onset, or reduce night waking, so it is not a treatment for sleep. Safety matters too: about 204,000 children's weighted blankets were recalled in 2022 after two young children became entrapped inside a zippered cover and died of asphyxia. Avoid any cover a child can climb into, and never use one with an infant or toddler.

More on this: Top 10 Sensory Toys for Autism and Why They Work

Yes. Speech-Language Pathologists help nonverbal individuals use alternative communication tools, such as picture boards or tablets. For those who speak, they focus on practical, everyday communication like taking turns in conversation, reading body language, and understanding tone of voice.

More on this: Top 10 Autism Therapy Options for Support and Growth

Helpful techniques include creating a safe, distraction-free space, practicing slow deep breathing, offering fidget tools, using visual supports, and encouraging communication about feelings. Establishing predictable routines can also reduce anxiety and help prevent meltdowns before they occur.

More on this: Understanding and Managing Autism Meltdowns vs Tantrums

If you notice symptoms of regression, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider or specialist. Identifying regression early is critical for supporting the child effectively.

More on this: Understanding Autism Regression in Children

Generally 60 days from your written consent to complete the evaluation. States may shorten this but cannot extend it, so check your own state's timeline.

More on this: IEP vs 504 Plan: How to Request School Support for Your Child

The AAP supports lessons after a child’s first birthday, because increasing mobility raises the risk of unintended water access. Below one year, it says there is no evidence that infant swim lessons reduce drowning.

More on this: Water Safety for Autistic and Neurodivergent Children

Asperger's described individuals who had significant difficulties with social interaction and nonverbal communication but relatively strong language and cognitive abilities. Those traits, such as challenges with social communication, restricted interests, and a tendency for detailed thinking, are now recognized within the ASD spectrum.

More on this: Why Was Asperger's Removed From DSM-5?

Sensory toys stimulate the senses and provide a supportive, calming environment for children with autism. They can help improve communication and social skills, increase focus and attention, and reduce anxiety.

More on this: Sensory Toys and Cognitive Development in Autism

Weighted blankets are filled with weighted materials that create deep pressure on the body, helping children with autism relax and self-regulate. The sleep claim has been tested and did not hold up: a randomized controlled trial in 73 autistic children with severe sleep problems found no increase in total sleep time, no shortening of sleep onset, and no reduction in night waking. Children and parents preferred the weighted blanket and it was well tolerated, so it works as comfort rather than as a treatment for sleep.

More on this: Sensory Toys and Cognitive Development in Autism

Sensory toys stimulate the senses and create a supportive, calming environment that can improve a child's communication and social skills, increase focus and attention, and reduce anxiety. They also encourage exploration of new textures, colors, and shapes, which supports curiosity and development.

More on this: How Sensory Toys Facilitate Learning for Children with Autism

Yes. Sensory toys can help a child with ASD calm down when feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated. For example, a soft blanket or weighted vest can provide comfort and security that helps reduce anxiety and stress.

More on this: How Sensory Toys Facilitate Learning for Children with Autism