Holiday Gift Ideas for Children with Autism

Gift

Finding the perfect gift for a child with autism can be a joyful experience when you focus on items that cater to their unique interests and sensory needs. Here’s a list of specific products to consider this holiday season:

1. Sensory Toys

These toys can provide soothing or stimulating experiences for children with different sensory preferences.

  • Squishmallows: Soft, squishy stuffed animals that are perfect for sensory seekers.
  • Tangle Jr. Fidget Toy: A quiet, portable toy for calming and focus.
  • Kinetic Sand by Spin Master: A tactile, mess-free toy for creative play.
  • Calm Strips: Textured strips that stick to surfaces for discreet sensory input.
  • Chewigem Chewelry: Stylish chewable jewelry for kids who need oral sensory input.

2. Educational and Developmental Toys

Encourage learning and development with these engaging toys.

  • Melissa & Doug Jumbo Knob Puzzles: Easy-to-grasp puzzles for younger children.
  • LEGO Duplo Sets: Larger blocks that are easier to manipulate for younger or sensory-sensitive kids.
  • Osmo Genius Starter Kit: An interactive learning tool that combines physical play with digital learning.
  • ThinkFun’s Rush Hour Game: A logic game perfect for problem-solving and focus.
  • Magna-Tiles: Magnetic building tiles that foster creativity and spatial awareness.

3. Communication and Social Skill Tools

Support social and emotional growth with these tools.

  • Emotion-Detective Card Game: A fun way to learn about emotions and facial expressions.Gift
  • Feelings Flashcards: Simple cards to help kids recognize and express their emotions.
  • Big Life Journal: A guided journal to encourage self-reflection and growth mindset skills.
  • Learning Resources’ All About Me Feelings Activity Set: Hands-on tools for exploring emotions and social scenarios.
  • Talk Tools Bubble Kit: Great for building oral motor skills while having fun.

4. Creative Play Items

Let their imagination run wild with these items:

  • Crayola Inspiration Art Case: A full set of crayons, markers, and paper in an organized case.
  • Melissa & Doug Ice Cream Counter: A pretend play set perfect for role-playing and creativity.
  • Ukulele for Kids: A small instrument that’s easy to learn and fun to play.
  • Play-Doh Kitchen Creations: Encourage sensory and imaginative play.
  • Boogie Board LCD Writing Tablet: A reusable drawing pad for kids who love to doodle.

5. Outdoor and Physical Play Toys

Encourage movement and active play with these gifts:

  • Gonge Riverstones: Stepping stones that improve balance and coordination.
  • Little Tikes Trampoline: A small, indoor trampoline perfect for sensory seekers.
  • HearthSong Nest Swing: A cozy swing that’s great for calming or fun.
  • PlasmaCar Ride-On Toy: A self-propelled car for endless active fun.
  • Hopper Ball: A bouncy ball with handles for jumping fun.

6. Comfort and Calming Gifts

Help kids relax and self-regulate with these comforting items.

  • SensaCalm Weighted Blanket: Provides deep pressure for calming effects.
  • CozyPhones Headband Headphones: Comfortable headphones in fun designs, perfect for listening to music or audiobooks.
  • LAVA The Original Lava Lamp: A calming visual sensory experience.
  • Bubbly Ball Bubble Lamp: A soothing, color-changing lamp with floating bubbles.
  • SnugPlay Sensory Tunnel: A soft, cozy place to crawl into and feel secure.

7. Interest-Based Gifts

Celebrate their passions with gifts tailored to their favorite topics.

  • National Geographic Kids Science Kits: Perfect for little explorers.
  • Melissa & Doug Farm Animals Sound Puzzle: Great for animal lovers.
  • Hot Wheels Mega Garage Playset: For kids who love cars and racing.
  • Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Globe: Fun for kids interested in geography and travel.
  • Dinosaurs Unleashed Book Set: A collection of books for budding paleontologists.

Tips for Choosing the Right Gift

  1. Focus on Their Interests: What does the child love? Dinosaurs, trains, art, music? Use this as a guide.
  2. Consider Sensory Needs: For a child sensitive to noise, avoid loud toys. For a sensory seeker, pick tactile or movement toys.
  3. Think Long-Term: Choose gifts that can grow with the child or serve as ongoing tools.

Make the Holidays Special

The joy of the holidays comes from seeing a child’s face light up with excitement. With these thoughtful gift ideas, you can ensure your present not only brings happiness but also supports the child’s unique needs and personality.

Happy shopping and happy holidays! 🎁

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

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