Celebrating World Autism Acceptance Week with our tonies® families

Did you know that around 700,000 people in the UK have autism? It’s a lifelong developmental condition that affects how people communicate and react to the world around them.

Just like all little ones, no two brains are the same, and there’s no ‘correct’ way for the brain to work. There are lots of ways that autistic people can respond to the world. For some, routines can be super important to make life seem less overwhelming, and others may easily experience sensory overload and need something they can rely on to help ground them again. We’ve heard over and over again from our lovely tonies® families that they’ve found the Toniebox to be immensely helpful with these two things in particular. So, we’ll hand it over to them to tell you more, because they really are the experts. 

Meet Hettie

Hettie is 11 years old, autistic and nonspeaking. Her favourite Tonie is Peppa Pig.

Her Toniebox and Tonies also help her to feel regulated. As she’s able to control the box herself, fast forwarding to particular songs or tapping through to parts of the stories that make her feel safe and relaxed. 

Hettie attends music therapy and her music therapist works with her Toniebox. They incorporate it alongside instruments. She used her George Pig Tonie to play the piano! 

She’s always loved Peppa Pig (and always will as it’s her special interest), Ben and Holly and Frozen. But she’s using her own words to ask for her ‘Moana’ Tonie, and actively seeks out listening to other Tonies now too. 

I actually have a video of her singing along to Frozen songs on her Toniebox. For a nonspeaking, severely autistic child - this is just incredible! I can’t imagine a time when Hettie will tire of wanting her Toniebox. It goes everywhere with her, from morning to night.” 

Meet Callie

Callie is 5 years old and autistic. Her favourite Tonie is Peppa Pig.

Meet Teddy

Teddy is 3 years old and autistic. His favourite Tonie is Yakka Dee. 

We also use the Toniebox to regulate Teddy's emotions, we'll put on a calming Tonie such as Bedtime and Lullabies to help Teddy feel relaxed or he'll pick a favourite which at the moment is Mickey Mouse, Peter Rabbit or Yakka Dee.

Our Toniebox is very much part of our everyday routine. It's amazing to be able to offer a screen free alternative of his favourite characters. He loves to sit and listen to the stories and will repeat some of the words along the way!

Collecting all the different characters is so much fun, we love a new Tonies day."

We’ve been honoured to share these stories by parents who’ve found solace and support through the Toniebox. From calmer bedtime routines to speech development, it’s humbling to be the helping hand these families need. Here’s to embracing differences, spreading love and making every week, Autism Acceptance Week.