Self regulation is a skill that everyone needs to learn and use. It helps children to manage their emotions, behave appropriately, get along with their peers and focus in the classroom. Children learn self regulation through their relationships with others and through watching the adults in their lives. But you can help them build this vital life skill in an enjoyable way by providing self regulation tools.

For children with autism, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions, self regulation can be a lot more difficult. Kids with ADHD may struggle with impulse control or experience a rapid, intense onset of emotions. Autistic children often experience meltdowns or shutdowns when overwhelmed with demands or the environment. Self regulation toolscan provide a source of comfort that helps children manage anxiety and stay calm, both in the home and in the classroom.

Sister Sensory is Australia’s number one choice for sensory toys online, with an ever-evolving selection of fidgets and self-soothing tools. Whether you need sensory educational toys for the classroom or toys for the kids to enjoy at home, Sister Sensory can help.

Self regulation tools come in several unique varieties to meet the various needs and tastes of different kids. Here’s a brief guide to some of the main kinds of self regulation toys on the market and their benefits.

ASMR toys

 Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is a pleasant tingling sensation that occurs in response to gentle external stimuli. ASMR videos are popular online and effective for people with conditions such as insomnia and PTSD. ASMR toys are designed to provide this pleasant sensation for kids by providing soothing sensations as they play. These toys can take all kinds of forms from tactile fidgets to slime kits and mini-sized musical instruments.

 Fidget toys

Fidgets are small, hand-held toys designed to help both children and adults release pent-up energy and focus more effectively. Available in a range of size, colours, shapes, textures and styles, fidget toys are versatile enough to meet the needs of all kinds of children. Available in squishy, stretchy and even metal forms, fidget toys are available in common varieties such as spinners, bracelets, tangles and hand therapy exercise balls.

 Plush toys

 Plush toys can provide a sense of comfort and security for anxious children or those with sensory processing difficulties. These toys are soft, huggable and can provide a sense of security, often taking forms like animals that are familiar and comforting to kids. Holding a plush toy can trigger the release of oxytocin, a bonding hormone that reduces feelings of loneliness and stress. Weighted plush toys provide the kind of deep touch pressure therapy that can soothe panic attacks and OCD symptoms and help children sleep better.

 Putty and slime

 Kids love slime and goo, and squeezing, stretching and having a great time with these tools is a fun-filled way to keep calm while building vital skills. These materials let kids try out touching and playing wide a wide range of textures, stimulating imagination and creativity and building hand strength and dexterity. Playing with the slime offers both visual and tactile stimulation, while coming up with creative designs encourages kids to experiment and be creative.

 Tactile toys

 Tactile toys are toys that engage and stimulate the sense of touch in order to soothe children’s emotions and help them to process information. Tactile toys take all kinds of forms from classic pop fidget-style toys to sensory balls, textured fabric books and games. These self regulation tools benefit children in a number of ways. They allow children to filter out distractions and pay attention to the task at hand, enhance motor skills and aid cognitive development while calming emotions.

 Visual timers

 Visual timers show the passage of time in a colourful and interesting way, helping with time management by letting you see how long you’ve spent on a task. Visual timers are useful for autistic kids who struggle with transitions, allowing them to see time disappearing in real-time and evaluate how much longer they have until they need to switch. From moving sand art to volcanic eruptions, there are many creative and engaging forms for watching the passing of time.

Find the right self regulation toys at Sister Sensory

 From tactiles to timers, you can find whatever self regulation tools you’re looking for at Sister Sensory.

A family-owned business and registered NDIS provider, Sister Sensory has over 10 years’ experience and more than 2,000 diverse products including a variety of self regulation tools. All of our therapy tools and sensory products are hand-picked and tested by our experienced team to make sure they’re suitable for kids with autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder (SPD) and other conditions.

To find out more, call Sister Sensory on 0401 689 313, e-mail info@sistersensory.com.au visit Factory 4, 4 Brooke Court Melton, Vic, 3337 to see our stock in person.