Holidays can be stressful for families with special needs, but toy buying shouldn't add to the stress. AbilityPath.org, an online resource center and social network for families of children with special needs, compiled its top list of recommended toys this holiday season. All toys may be easily purchased online at Amazon.com. Community Gatepath, a Northern California nonprofit who has been serving children and adults with disabilities for over 90 years, launched www.abilitypath.org so it may provide lists and resources for parents such as its "Top Toys for Children with Special Needs" and "Special Considerations when Buying Toys."

"We serve children with special needs and their families every day," says Community Gatepath CEO Sheryl Young. "Each year we are asked by families for the best toys to give their children or where a parent can get the toys we use in our child therapy sessions or preschool. This year, we decided that we would compile our favorite toys and offer an online sales link to those toys. In addition we also provide tips and pointers on how to use the toys with your child in ways that are fun but also helpful to their development."

Featured toys include items from Melissa & Doug, LEGO, Fisher-Price, Rhino Toys, Roger Priddy Books, Plan Toy, iplay and Early Learning Center. Toys range in price from $5.68 - $39.98 and are also available at most local retailers.

AbilityPath.org provides holiday resources ranging from surviving the holidays, travel tips and parent forums with recipe and decorating ideas. Tips on what to look for when shopping for toys and recommended books are just some of the over 250 articles and resources available on the website. Users will also find a directory of groups they can join or create that relates to their various interests and/or diagnoses.

AbilityPath.org was established by Community Gatepath, a nonprofit with over 90 years of experience serving families and children with special needs. This unique online community for families combines social networking functionality allowing families to connect and empower one another with expert content from Community Gatepath's team of special education teachers and therapists and other experts including developmental pediatricians, marriage and family therapists and psychologists.

For information or to become a member, visit www.abilitypath.org. If you are a member of the media wishing to interview one of our experts, please contact Erika Bjork at ebjork@gatepath.com.

Community Gatepath

Community Gatepath

Gatepath fosters hope, dignity and independence among children and adults with disabilities. It is the largest provider of services for people with disabilities in San Mateo County (Northern California). Over 8,300 individuals annually receive support or direct care through Community Gatepath and its comprehensive menu of services including: childhood early intervention, a Family Resource Center, inclusive preschool, transition for young adults services, employment services and social business enterprises. It also hosts a 24/7 online resource and community for parents of children with special needs (including autism) at www.abilitypath.org.

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