Local parenting blogger, Jackie Davidson, a parent of an autistic child and a professional educator, shares her insights on choosing the perfect Christmas gift for kids with autism.
Why It’s Hard to Shop For Autistic Individuals
Buying gifts for autistic kids can be difficult. The main reason is that they might have a non-traditional special interest such as fans or shoes or just not be developmentally ready for toys typical for their age. Autistic kids do not abide by the rules society puts on them, therefore toys are not always played with in the usual ways.
Create An Amazon Gift List/ Registry
After a few years of receiving toys that my autistic child, Lydia, never had an interest in, we decided to help people learn who she is. One way we helped with this was by creating an Amazon gift list for Lydia. This way I could send them the link if they weren’t sure of what to get her. The list had many things that only someone who really sees her day-to-day would understand how she would play with them! We have found this very helpful to validate Lydia’s special interests and it also makes the gift-givers feel as if they added joy to her life.
Don’t be Afraid to Ask the Parents
If you’re the one buying for someone else’s child, the first thing to do is ask the parents what interests their child has! Then refrain from judgment and love that kid for all they are and lean into their interests. Next, research things to fit into that interest or ask for links from their parents. We do not mind! We love it when people ask first!
Gift Guide
Chewy: These are teethers that are tougher and look more like a toy to be more socially acceptable. These are good for kids who need more oral sensory input like chewing or sucking.
Nest Toys: Many autistic people love the feeling of being enclosed or surrounded by things. Some call this nesting.
Fine Motor Toys: These toys are good for fine motor practice but also can double as toys that can be collected, organized, or grouped.
Beginner Lego (remember autistic children are often delayed in fine motor, so these blocks might be good for older kids too.)
NeeDoh (best for older kids and not for chewers)
Lightbright Touch (fan favorite in this house!)
Gross Motor Toys: These toys are great for our sensory seekers who like to jump, play, and swing.
Art Supplies: Fine motor is difficult for many so art helps with fine motor. Sometimes having directions is helpful so they can just focus on one skill.
Velvet Color Pages (bonus points if you can find some in their special interest like dolls or dinosaurs)
Easel (writing on a vertical surface helps kids strengthen their fine motor muscles)
Washable Markers (many autistic kids have a hard time holding thin writing utensils and prefer markers for both the width and the vibrancy of color)
Collecting toys: Many kids, especially those with AuDHD (autism and ADHD) are collectors of favorite things. Toys like the following are awesome for this.
Send us a message at BlueWaterParent.com if any of these links were helpful or if you have any questions. events@bluewaterparent.com.
Story by Jackie Davidson for BlueWaterParent.com
All content of BlueWaterParent.com is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
