Essential properties in toys for children with autism: analysis of materials and manufacturing processes

The selection of materials and manufacturing processes holds a profound influence on the sensory and perceptual experiences children derive from toys, shaping their overall interaction with the product. It is imperative for toys to not only entertain but also contribute positively to the holistic development of a child's personality. This significance becomes even more pronounced when designing toys for children with autism spectrum disorder, as their unique sensory responses diverge from those of typically developing children. The careful selection of materials and manufacturing techniques assumes a direct role in conveying specific characteristics and properties that make the product suitable, appealing, and effective for this particular group of users. The exploration in the existing scientific literature regarding the essential material properties of toys is very limited, especially those designed for children with autism. This study aims to investigate the primary material attributes to consider in the design of toys for autism. Employing a thorough bibliographical investigation, it establishes the most common materials and manufacturing processes when designing toys; it determines the main material qualities in toys for autism and carries out a material analysis for this purpose using the software Granta Edupack. The findings are later applied in a case study.