The Ultimate Gift Guide 2020

The holiday season is finally upon us! We made it! Each year we get many requests from friends and families to share ideas for holiday season gifts! So this year we decided to round up our top picks and share our ultimate gift guide with you! This list has been curated by our BCBAs and therapists who spend day in and day out PLAYING!! There is a little bit for everyone in this list, but if you still don’t see what you need, be sure to reach out to your therapist or BCBA- we are always happy to share new toy ideas that support learning in fun way!

So go ahead, let’s make your holiday shopping a little easier. Click the links to go directly to the order page of each toy! And don’t worry we aren’t breaking the bank on this list! Almost all of these picks are under $30!

Discover Talking Pen/Books

Gravity Maze

Stackable Waterfalls

Spot It

Stacking Game

5-Second Rule Junior

Smack It

Latches and Doors Busy Board

Egg Toy (At least that’s what we call it around the office!)

Slide Puzzle

Light Up Race Track

Magnetic Blocks

Bubble Sheep

Stacking Tower

We have been a family blessed with the help of the team at The Helm. Our son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when he was 2.5 and The Helm was one of the places recommended by our developmental psychologist. I am a physician and still found it hard navigating this new medical problem and knowing what to do next. I called many places and from step one Lee Ann was the most helpful explaining the process with paperwork, assessment, available services, insurance, etc. we were able to start therapy quite soon after diagnosis and had sessions at home daily for 3 hours. The quality of staff, the system they have in place for the therapists, the coordination by the BCBA supervising therapist and early response put us at ease that we were on the right path. Ultimately the steady positive changes we saw with our son overcame any fears we had about autism holding our son back for the rest of his life.

We used many forms of intervention that we felt were individually tailored for our family – for potty training, anger management, dietary intervention and even let them know when we could not maintain something suggested in family training, and they would just take our request and implement another plan. Our son has now graduated/transitioned out of therapy and is currently in pre-K in a regular classroom with him on par with his class in academics, has friends and no behavior issues. Most important of all we have a happy son who loves to play with his big sister.

I know that I will always read all there is on autism and watch my son for any features. But I hope my review adds to positive aspects that I wish someone would have told me when I started the journey – start early, don’t put off your suspicions, get your child evaluated now! The label does not hinder, in fact it falls to the side once you have the diagnosis to facilitate therapy. ABA intervention, especially done with the right people, makes a big difference. It does not pressure or upset the child at all, and you are not stuck in therapy for life! I know if any behavioral issues come up in the future I have The Helm, and they will help us and the outcome is going to be positive. Said with heartfelt thanks.

– Former Helm ABA Family