Choosing Gifts And Toys For Autistic Children

Copyright (c) 2012 Shining Abilities

What are the best gifts and toys for Autistic Children?

Many parents, friends, and grandparents are often unsure of how to select the best toys for Autistic children. They tend to want to buy something that will provide both enjoyment and an educational experience for the child, but don't know where to start. Here are some tips that will help you to choose a great gift!

-Target the child's interests - Instead of choosing a gift that may be age appropriate or the current fad gift of the year, choose one that targets the child's interests. If you are unsure of the child's interests, ask the parents. Some questions to ask may include: Does the child have any in depth interests? What movie or characters does the child like? What sensory toys does the child prefer to play with? Does the child like toys that light up or make noise? What toys or items does the child like to carry around with them? Are there any items that the child's teacher or therapist recommends?

-Consider the sensory needs of the child - Many parents and grandparents wonder how sensory integration toys help children with Autism. Many children with Autism have difficulty managing their sensory input. They may over or under react to visual, tactile, auditory, proprioceptive, olfactory, or vestibular input. Sensory integration therapy by a trained therapist can engage children in playful activities designed to help them process the information in a correct manner. Using fun and motivating sensory integration therapy activities and games for Autistic children can provide the necessary input in a fun and educational way.

If the child enjoys tactile stimulation, such as touching, rubbing and feeling different textures, you could consider getting them a large, fluffy, animal-shaped pillow or a game that involves feeling textured items and sensory integration, such as 'Ruff's House'. If the child enjoys watching items as they fall and often knocks things over, consider a game that involves throwing objects, such as 'Happy Giddy Bowling' or 'Smart Toss'.

-Skill Selection - Think about which skills the child is currently working on learning. Autism toys are fun for children to play with, but also focus on select skills. Are they working on Speech-Language therapy and expanding their vocabulary? If so, 'I See Visual Books' or 'Language Builder Cards' may be good options to consider. Is the child working on developing their social skills? If so, 'Emotion Cards' and 'My Community' would be good products to consider.

Lastly, be creative and think outside of the box compared to the gifts that you might buy for a neurotypical child. Instead, try to learn about the child's interests to best understand what they would enjoy. Following these tips will help make your gift selection that much easier and the child receiving it that much happier. Good luck!

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