The holiday toy-buying season is upon us, and when choosing among the thousands of toys clamoring for attention on retailers' shelves, shoppers seeking the perfect plaything for kids with disabilities are likely to make a hit if they're armed with plenty of information.

"Think outside of the box," advises Diana Nielander, acting director of the National Lekotek Center, a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that is the country's central source on toys and play for children with disabilities and their families. Nielander says that because many people don't feel confident about how to select the best toys for kids with special needs, these children often miss out of the joy of toys at holiday time - receiving, perhaps, too many gifts of clothing and other practical items.

Help is available from Lekotek in the form of a special "Top Ten" list that serves as a primer on successful toy-buying. Here are the questions that Lekotek play experts ask when choosing developmentally appropriate toys.

1)  Multi-sensory 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?

3)  Places the 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 a wheelchair tray?

4)  Opportunities for success: Can play be open-ended with no
    definite right or wrong way to use? 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 making choices? Will it give the child experience with a 
    variety of media?

7)  Adjustability: Does it have adjustable height, sound volume,
    speed and level of difficulty?

8)  Child's individual abilities: Does the toy provide activities
    that reflect both developmental and chronological ages? Does it
    reflect the child's interests and ages?

9)  Safety and durability: Does the toy fit with the child's size
    and strength? Is it moisture resistant? Are the toy and its parts
    sized appropriately? Can it 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?

Lekotek offers other additional no-cost resources to provide toy-selection assistance. Annually, in conjunction with retailer Toys R Us, it produces a Toy Guide for Differently Abled Kids, available at Toys R Us locations. Visit Lekotek's Web site at www.lekotek.org for more information about additional services. Lekotek is a division of Anixter Center, a not-for-profit organization in Chicago that assists individuals with disabilities to live and work successfully in the community. Lekotek is the U.S. headquarters and the administrative and training center for the network of 42 Lekotek centers in 11 states.

For more information contact:
National Lekotek Center / Anixter Center
Betsy Storm
(773) 973-7900 x243
bstorm@anixter.org