PPB May 2018

F i dge t Pr oduc t s by Terry Ramsay 30 | MAY 2018 | GROW F idget products have long been useful for special needs populations such as individuals with autism or sensory processing issues. Last year, the hottest toy on the market—the fidget spinner—expanded the popularity of these types of gadgets to just about everyone. “The fidget spinner caught the industry by storm for about six months,” says Taek Sung, senior vice president of sales and marketing for supplier iClick (PPAI 254537). “iClick jumped on it quickly, but we knew it was not going to last. For as fast as it gained popularity, it lost favor just as rapidly.” The fidget spinner craze sparked an equal number of enthusiasts and detractors in the educational setting. Schools across the United States and in England banned them, blaming them for increased classroom distraction. While some teachers tout the advantages of helping students expend The market for anti-anxiety tools and toys has morphed from medical to mainstream. Fidget Widgets