Are Fidget Toys Good for Autism? 7 Surprising Benefits Every Parent Should Know

As a parent or caregiver of a child with autism, you’ve likely explored countless ways to help them navigate daily challenges. From managing sensory overload to staying focused during tasks, the right tools can make all the difference. But what about fidget toys? Maybe you’ve wondered, are fidget toys good for autism or are they just another passing trend?

The answer lies in their ability to provide sensory input, promote focus, and support emotional regulation. Fidget toys have become a trusted resource for many families, helping children with autism feel more grounded and in control.

In this post, we’ll explore how fidget toys can make a meaningful impact, offering insights and practical tips for incorporating them into your child’s routine.

What Are Fidget Toys?

Fidget toys are small handheld devices designed to provide sensory stimulation and help individuals focus their attention. These days, they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials (and sometimes even different textures) and they have become a staple for many, whether it’s in the office, classroom, or at home.

History of Fidget Toys

It seems like fidget toys have been a popular topic within the neurodiversity space in the last decade or so, but you may be surprised to learn about where and how fidget toys got their start.

They’ve been around for centuries, dating back to ancient civilizations like China and Greece. Similarly, ancient Greeks would use small discs or stones as worry stones. Rubbing these stones between their fingers during moments of stress or anxiety was believed to have a calming effect on both the mind and body.

In the 1980s, stress balls gained popularity as a way to promote relaxation, but it wasn’t until recently that fidget toys truly captured the attention of the masses. In the early 2000s, a Japanese inventor named Catherine Hettinger introduced one of the first modern fidget toys (which is called a fidget spinner), which was a significant milestone in the evolution of fidget toys.

What Makes Fidget Toys Good for Autism?

Sensory overload is a real thing, especially in 2025. Between jobs, kids, and media, life is faster paced than it has ever been before. With the rise of technology, attention spans have become shorter and children of all ages are constantly bombarded with information and distractions. At some point during the day, most of us engage in some sort of fidgeting behavior, typically as a result of being overloaded by all of the things that we encounter. Fidget toys (which you may also know as stim toys) are designed to provide sensory stimulation and help individuals channel their energy in a positive way. While these toys can benefit people of all ages, they hold particular relevance for children with autism.

Like many of us, children with autism often struggle with sensory processing issues but to a higher degree, making it challenging for them to process and respond to different stimuli. This can manifest in various ways like overstimulation from bright lights or loud noises, difficulty with direction of attention, and a need for physical activity to regulate their senses.

Fidget toys offer a safe and appropriate outlet for kids to fulfill their sensory needs. For special needs children, fidget toys can serve as comfort items that help them cope with the challenges of their condition. They can also serve as a helpful tool for therapists and teachers (and parents) to engage these children in activities and improve their overall well-being.

How Do Fidget Toys Help Children with Autism?

Children with autism often experience difficulty in focusing their attention due to sensory overload. Fidget toys provide a way for them to channel their excess energy and help them focus on the task at hand. The constant movement and tactile feedback from fidget toys can also have a calming effect, making it easier for children with autism to regulate their emotions and manage stress.

Fidget toys can also act as a distraction from potentially disruptive behaviors caused by sensory overload. Instead of engaging in repetitive behaviors or stimming, children with autism can use fidget toys as a more socially acceptable outlet for their sensory needs.

How Fidget Toys Support Autism: Key Benefits for Focus and Self-Regulation

According to research conducted by Dr. Julie Schweitzer, director of the UC Davis MIND Institute, fidget toys can help improve attention and reduce hyperactivity in children with autism. This is especially important since many children with autism struggle with staying focused and regulating their movements. The repetitive movement and tactile feedback from fidget toys can have a calming effect, making it easier for them to engage in activities and tasks.

Dr. Schweitzer also found that these toys can improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination in children with autism. As they manipulate small objects, they are strengthening the muscles in their hands and fingers, which can have a positive impact on their overall dexterity.

One of the most significant advantages of fidget toys is their ability to provide a sense of control and independence for children. As they explore different ways of using the toys, they can find what works best for them and feel empowered in their choices. This can boost their confidence and self-esteem, which are vital for children with autism who may struggle with social interaction and communication, and therein lies our link to whole child development. Learning and behavior are almost always related!

The Surprising Benefits of Fidget Toys for Children with Autism and Beyond

As mentioned before, fidget toys can also be incredibly useful for children who do not have sensory challenges but have difficulties with sustaining attention, such as those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as children with sensory processing disorder (SPD) and anxiety.

In short, ADHD is characterized by difficulties with sustained attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Children with ADHD often struggle with sitting still and paying attention in class or during other activities, which can impact their learning and behavioral development. Fidget toys  provide a physical outlet for restlessness and allow children to channel their excess energy in a productive and calming way. By keeping their hands busy with fidget toys, these children can better focus on the task at hand.

Similarly, children with SPD (or sensory sensitivities/sensory disorders/related disorders) may have difficulty processing sensory information and regulating their responses to it. This can lead to overstimulation and behavioral issues. Fidget toys can act as a sensory tool for these children, providing them with visual supports that helps to regulate their sensory input and calm their nervous system. This enables them to better cope with their surroundings and participate in daily activities without feeling overwhelmed.

For children with anxiety, fidget tools can serve as a coping mechanism in stressful situations. The act of fidgeting can help to distract and redirect their racing thoughts, allowing them to calm down and refocus. Additionally, the repetitive motions of using fidget toys can have a soothing effect on anxious children, helping them to feel more grounded and in control.

The Impact of Fidget Toys on Child Development

Fidget toys not only have a link to child development, but they can also have a positive impact on brain development. Research has shown that fidgeting can help stimulate certain areas of the brain, leading to improved cognitive functioning. When kids use fidget toys, they engage in small movements that activate the sensory-motor cortex and increase blood flow to the prefrontal cortex, responsible for executive functions such as planning and decision-making.

Moreover, fidgeting has been linked to the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in motivation and attention. By providing a continuous outlet for fidgeting, these toys can help children with ADHD or other attention disorders to channel their excess energy and focus on tasks at hand.

Types of Fidget Toys

Now, let’s dive into some of the specific types of toys that exist. There is an incredible variety of options out there, each with its own unique features and benefits. Let me introduce you to some great fidget tools:

• Fidget spinners: These nifty little devices fit right in the palm of your hand and offer a smooth spinning motion that’s oh-so-satisfying.
• Fidget cubes: Picture a cube with different buttons, switches, and dials on each side. These cubes are perfect for tactile play and keeping your hands busy.
• Tangle toys: Imagine a series of interconnected curved pieces that you can twist, turn, and bend into all sorts of shapes. It’s like having a stress-relieving puzzle right at your fingertips.
• Worry stones: These smooth, polished stones are made for rubbing with your fingers, providing relaxation and stress relief whenever you need it.

Top 10 Fidget Toys for Children at Home: Enhancing Focus and Social Skills

Many different types of sensory toys have become increasingly popular as tools to improve focus, reduce anxiety, and develop fine motor skills in children. While commonly used in a classroom setting, these toys can also be beneficial for younger children in various settings, including at home. With so many different options available on the market, choosing the right fidget toy can be overwhelming. To help you decide, I’ve put together a short list of the top 10 choices for fidget toys that I recommend to parents as a school psychologist:

1. Fidget Spinners: These handheld toys consist of a central ball bearing surrounded by spinning prongs, promoting focus and hand-eye coordination.
2. Tangle Toys: Made up of interconnected plastic pieces, Tangle toys can be twisted and manipulated into different shapes, aiding in fine motor skill development and hand strength.
3. Stress Balls: These squishy balls provide a sensory experience, perfect for children who need something to fidget with in their hands. Squeezing, rolling, or bouncing them can help relieve stress and improve focus.
4. Fidget Cubes: Similar to fidget spinners, fidget cubes have various functions on each side, offering multiple options for fidgeting.
5. Fuzzy Balls: Soft and pleasing to touch, these fuzzy sensory balls or pom-poms can be rolled, tossed, or squeezed to relieve stress while promoting sensory engagement.
6. Pop Tubes: Plastic tubes that expand and contract when pulled and pushed, pop tubes offer both auditory and tactile stimulation as well as tactile awareness, providing extra sensory input.
7. Wacky Tracks: Comprised of interconnected pieces that can be twisted and turned into different shapes, wacky tracks promote creativity and fine motor skills while satisfying the urge to fidget.
8. Chewelry: Designed as safe and non-toxic jewelry for kids to chew on, chewelry can be beneficial for children who require oral sensory stimulation.
9. Fidget Pads: These small pads are filled with different textured materials, allowing for a variety of tactile experiences through squeezing, rubbing, or pressing.
10. Kinetic Sand: This moldable sand is perfect for sensory play and can also be used as a fidget tool by squeezing or shaping it in your hands.

Top 5 Fidget Toys for Children in Grades 6-12: Supporting Sensory Needs and Daily Routines

If your child is older, I have options for you too! Children, in general, have diverse sensory needs. Even within one child, these needs and interests may evolve as they grow.

Here are the top 10 best-selling fidget toys for children in grades 6-12 in the United States:

1. Puffer Balls

Squeezing, tossing, and stretching these squishy balls can provide both tactile and visual stimulation for children who are easily bored or need extra sensory input. They also come in different sizes and textures for added variety.

2. Koosh Balls

These rubber balls with stretchy tentacles are a fun and unique way to fidget. They can be squeezed, pulled, or bounced for tactile and visual stimulation, making them great for stress-relief or improving attention during tasks.

3. Thinking Putty

This malleable putty offers a variety of sensory experiences, including stretching, twisting, and shaping. It comes in different colors and scents for added fun and can help improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination while providing stress-relief.

4. Worry Stones

These smooth, polished stones are designed to be rubbed or held in the palm for relaxation and anxiety relief. They come in different shapes and sizes and are a discreet way to fidget during class or other situations where movement may be limited.

5. Busy Board

Busy boards are a customizable fidget tool that can include zippers, buttons, latches, and other sensory activities. They’re great for building fine motor skills while providing hands-on stimulation for children who struggle with sitting still or paying attention

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Considering Fidget Toys for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Professionals Who May Recommend Them

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often struggle with attention, focus, and sensory processing. This can make it challenging for them to sit still or engage in tasks that require sustained attention. As a result, they may appear fidgety or disengaged, which can often lead parents and educators to believe they have behavioral issues.

For children with ASD, fidgeting often serves a way to self-regulate and cope with sensory overload. In these situations, the use of fidget toys has been shown to be beneficial in improving attention and reducing anxiety levels. As such, occupational therapists and school psychologists may recommend their use as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for children with ASD.

Occupational therapists specialize in helping individuals develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills. For children with ASD, this can include managing sensory processing difficulties. They may recommend fidget toys to be used as self-regulation tools and occupational therapists can help you identify which types of fidget toys would be most beneficial for your child based on their specific sensory needs.

A school psychologist or clinical psychologist, on the other hand, focuses more on understanding and supporting the social-emotional and behavioral development of children. They may encounter students with ASD who struggle with sitting still or paying attention in class. In these cases, they may recommend fidget toys as a way to redirect energy and improve concentration. This can be especially helpful in reducing disruptive behaviors and improving overall classroom behavior. At home, this can extend to helping your child remain focused and grounded long enough to complete homework or household tasks.

Using fidget toys can be really helpful for children with ASD, supporting them in their daily lives. As we learn more about autism and its challenges, it’s important to consider all strategies that can make a positive impact. Fidget toys may be just one small piece of the puzzle, but they can make a big difference in the lives of those with autism.

Are Fidget Toys Good for Autism? Supporting Growth and Confidence One Tool at a Time

Fidget toys can be a game-changer for children with autism, offering a practical way to manage sensory needs, improve focus, and foster self-regulation. These tools aren’t just about keeping hands busy—they’re about creating opportunities for comfort, independence, and growth.

By understanding your child’s unique preferences and incorporating the right fidget toys into their daily routine, you can empower them to navigate their world with greater confidence and ease. Remember, every small step toward comfort and self-regulation matters in their journey.

If this post resonated with you, be sure to explore more insights on how to support your child’s development and well-being. You’re not alone on this path, and every thoughtful choice you make brings your child closer to their fullest potential. You’ve got this!