Christmas Gift Guide for Kids with Autism and Sensory Special Needs
Anyone who loves a child with autism or sensory special needs knows that “conventional” is not often a word we use to describe them. Some of the popular toys and games are simply too loud, too distracting, too bright, and just too much for our kiddos to handle. If you’re shopping for kids or teens with these kind of special needs this Christmas, I hope you’ll find this list helpful! They are products we’ve personally used (or would like to!) in our own family.
{I have included my affiliate links to Amazon and National Autism Resources.}
Toys for Kids and Teens with Autism
Games are an amazing way to not only have fun, but to help kids and teens with Autism focus, learn and communicate better. Here are 5 great gift options you can give to help make their holidays a bit merrier!
Reverse Charades
Reverse Charades is a team version of the classic charades game. Each team is given 60 seconds to act out as many words as one person can guess. This set includes 720 humorous words for hours of fun. Great for kids who need a team to work with as they explore pretend play and nonverbal cues. Current Amazon price is only $9.99, so it’s affordable!
Original Tangle with Texture
Poppin Peepers
The Blunders Game
Have fun teaching positive social skills with the Blunders Game. Children 5 and up will learn about honesty, responsibility, table manners, school etiquette, telephone manners, respectfulness, kindness, how to give confident introductions and how a party guest and host should act. Children learn these skills and more as they help Bobby, Brenda, Billy, and Becky Blunder improve their manners and navigate different social situations.
The Fidget Set
We think this set is pretty great! It has a little bit of everything for sensory stimulation and calming fidgets. Squish, squeeze, shape, and mold your way to better concentration and appropriate textural stimulation and play.
Social Skills Bingo for Teens
For Homeschool
Concentrating on schoolwork can have additional challenges that come with autism and sensory special needs. Here are some things we’ve found that help!
Chewable Pencil Toppers
My daughter will chew and eat the erasers off pencils. These are a safe alternative for her!
Pencil Grips
Weighted Lap Pad
These help restless kids sit still while listening read-alouds or other schoolwork. This type of counter-pressure also helps my daughter when she’s having a bad day and just needs some comfort of deep muscle pressure.
Weighted Vests
Adjustable Time Timer
Sleep
Nighttime can be a nightmare, that’s why there are some great products that help promote falling asleep. Let your little ones rest easy with these gifts designed to help promote a calm atmosphere and a good night’s rest. Lil Sis absolutely requires white noise and a nightlight (well, several different nightlights) to be able to sleep.
Laser Stars
Tranquil Turtle
Sleep Sheep
This is more than just a cuddly toy to sleep with, it actually plays comforting white noise sounds!
Weighted Blanket
This is genius! We don’t have one, but I bet Lil Sis would really like it!
Jellyfish Lamp
We have a butterfly lamp instead of these jellyfish, but I know Lil Sis would be totally fascinated by this. She loved the real jellyfish exhibit at the aquarium!
Stocking Stuffers
These are some fun, smaller items that would make great stocking stuffers. We have variants of all of these. Her neurotypical sisters enjoy these fun diversions, too.
Ooey Gooey Octopus
Koosh balls
Theraputty
Suddenly Snow
Liquid Timers
Ooze Tubes
Bonus Ideas
Here are 5 more gift ideas that could be great for any kid or teen across the spectrum.
Finger Paint Sensations Kit
Glow Cuddles Bear
Cyclone Pinwheel Lightshow
Flowing Sand Panel
Strobotop
I hope this list helps you find gifts for the special kids on your list this year!
- Homeschooling Through the Holidays: The Relaxed Approach - November 18, 2024
- Thanksgiving Mad Libs for Kids - November 15, 2024
- How Can Music and Movement Be Used in OT to Engage Kids? - November 14, 2024
Some great suggestions! Sharing to a Facebook group that I feel may benefit..
Thank you! I hope it helps others. It’s hard to know sometimes when you’re buying for someone else, but from my own experience these would be great gifts. 🙂
What a great idea for a post. I would include what not to get too. My son hates almost all socks so we gently tell grandparents no to any clothing.
That’s a good idea! I should write another post on that topic. 🙂 My daughter also hates socks. It was a struggle just to get her to wear shoes for a long time. Now she will wear shoes and socks when we go places, but immediately takes them off in the car.
This is great! Thanks for sharing. Good ideas here!
Amanda
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Thanks, glad it was helpful. Thanks for stopping by!