mac4 Report post Posted March 31, 2009 Hello Needs some advice, My dd is 9:9months dx with AS. We went to a friends house recently and their little boy has a spinning top, the old fashion metal type, my daughter played with this toy for most of the visit, 4hrs!!!! She has been badgering me for one of these spinning tops ever since. Should I relent and let her have one and have to deal with yet another obsession, I also know how happy it makes her. I find it really hard to work out what's best, she so often buys toys mean't for babies and I don't want her to be even more socially removed from her peer group. Most of my pals friends are listening to music and talking about pop stars and fashion. Need some advice on this one, thought this, was the place to talk about it, as could you imagine most parents wouldn't understand!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karen A Report post Posted April 1, 2009 (edited) Hi spinning things like tops are a common area of interest for children with ASD.The specialist SALT who assessed Ben had one in her bag of goodies becuase it was almost certain to facinate a child with ASD and sure enough it did.Ben liked it so much that she sent him one of his own. I don't worry too much about obsessions as long as they are harmless.I think they are part of who Ben is.So I would buy a spinning top.Ben's current big interst is indie music.He is 10.Fortunately dad understands more about the topic then myself.Karen. Edited April 1, 2009 by Karen A Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mad cat lady Report post Posted April 1, 2009 I would buy her a spinning top. I feel age is irrelevant over happiness Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tally Report post Posted April 1, 2009 If she understands that her friends may laugh at her, she might prefer to play with it in the privacy of her own home. If it brings her pleasure, I don't see any harm in it. You may even be able to use it as a reward for doing chores about the home. But if it's likely to become an obsession that will distract her from normal life, then that's a different issue, and it might be best not to get one is you think this is likely. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cmuir Report post Posted April 1, 2009 Hi I've been in a similar position and have bought the toy that's been asked for, even at the risk of it being considered far too young for my son. If they get some enjoyment out of it, why not? The fact is whilst you hope and can encourage your child to try and have age commensurate popular interests, it can't be enforced. Best wishes. Caroline. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emma_74 Report post Posted April 1, 2009 hi i would buy the spinning top, if your daughters anything like my son then there isnt much that interest them so when he see something that interest him i would but it hope this helps Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chris54 Report post Posted April 1, 2009 I would have no hesitation in getting the spinning top. Who says that they are only for younger children? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oxgirl Report post Posted April 1, 2009 What about a gyroscope, a much more sophisticated and interesting version of a spinning top? If not, I'd just go with the spinning top she wants. My lad is 15 and has no interest in music, videos, telly programmes, Wii thingies, games or anything else an 'average' 15 year old would find fascinating. All he's interested in is snails. If I found something else he could love, I'd jump at it. ~ Mel ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gavin Report post Posted April 1, 2009 Hello Needs some advice, My dd is 9:9months dx with AS. We went to a friends house recently and their little boy has a spinning top, the old fashion metal type, my daughter played with this toy for most of the visit, 4hrs!!!! She has been badgering me for one of these spinning tops ever since. Should I relent and let her have one and have to deal with yet another obsession, I also know how happy it makes her. I find it really hard to work out what's best, she so often buys toys mean't for babies and I don't want her to be even more socially removed from her peer group. Most of my pals friends are listening to music and talking about pop stars and fashion. Need some advice on this one, thought this, was the place to talk about it, as could you imagine most parents wouldn't understand!! We have something called an 'i-Top' which displays the number of spins using LEDs as it rotates, has various built in games, high score etc. They are not very expensive and can be found on Amazon, Ebay etc. This is actually quite a 'cool' toy, appeals to all age groups, and was at one time the subject of a competition in our office. My six year old son (AS, Sonic the Hedgehog and Pokemon obsessions) finds it very interesting. He also likes the more conventional wooden and plastic tops, especially the ones that turn upside down if you spin them fast enough. Hope that helps Gavin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
isme Report post Posted April 1, 2009 Id also buy the spinning top! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LizK Report post Posted April 2, 2009 I would buy it. You need to buy toys appropriate to her interests and needs not dictated upon what society deems suitable. A spinning top might also help fulfill a sensory need in her or maybe something you can use at home to calm or chill her out. My DS aged 7 has a variety of toys deigned for younger children or for girls. One of his favourites is Polly Pocket LOL! If I bought gender specific age appropriate toys he simply would not be interested Hawkins Bazaar had an perpetual motion spinning top at Christmas, battery powered with lights that just keeps going. Makes me feel sea-sick LOL but DS loves it! If you feel she might get too obsessed and insular with a spinning top then ration it for a certain length of time or use it as a reward. DS gets overly obsessed with the PC which affects his behaviour so we have to have strict rules now about how long he can go on it for. It's very hard sometimes getting that balance of going with their interests and not letting them be too consuming that it affects them adversely Lx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dawn22 Report post Posted April 2, 2009 Hi,i would buy the spinning top,some of the more old fashioned toys are very appealing to kids.I was also going to mention hawkins bizarre as they probably have the old type too if he is more likely to want the one he had seen.Also,don't forget,our kids usually have loads of toys/games that they never play with etc,how lovely to buy something that will be appreciated..and used!! Dawn. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mac4 Report post Posted April 2, 2009 Hi, Thanks for all your replies, I think you're right, all Brony plays with is the Sims game on the computer, so who cares. Spinning tops here we come loud and proud. Cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dooday24 Report post Posted April 3, 2009 id say the same if it makes her happy go for it reece still has his bob the builder and tracter tom toys which r desighned for younger children but he plays with them for hrs so who cares i also go with wat he is happy with and not wat is sociably exceptable reece is 9 this yr and plays with things for children of a much younger age level but if hes happy so am i love donnaxxxxx have fun xxxxxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted April 3, 2009 Go for it! You might start a new toy craze. K x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
