It’s that time of year when gift giving is in full swing. Families are preparing for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, Boxing Day and other wonderful traditions this time of year. Many of us like to express how much we care about others by giving them something we hope brings them joy. It’s not always easy buying things for family and friends, and sometimes buying for loved ones with special needs can be even more challenging. As a parent of a teen with autism, I do my homework each year. I came up with a really cool list of gift ideas I share with family and friends. These gifts are great for most kids of all ages. I’ve got a few creative ideas for picky loved ones too! I’m happy to share them with you!
Of course, the first thing to do is ask the intended gift recipient what they want or talk to them and learn about their interests. Asking parents, friends and family members for ideas are also great leads for gift ideas. My hope is that this post will also help you decide on what to buy for your loved ones. Many kids and adults with disabilities have specific sensory and learning needs that have to be met on a regular basis. Many of their needs involve being stimulated by one or more of their five senses (sight, smell, taste, hearing, touch). Movement or gross motor skills (spinning, jumping, rocking, pacing, etc.) are also examples of some needs that should be met regularly. Understanding sensory needs helps with gift giving ideas. Here are some of the hottest items and ideas I think could be winning gift ideas! If you find something you'd like to buy, just click on the item - I made it easy for you! Please note that if you purchase something off this post- at no additional cost to you, I get a small commission.
Fidget Toys
These cool gadgets work for children and adults with sensory issues and without! Sometimes keeping your hands busy makes it easier for many to focus, learn and relax. My son loves squeeze toys, fidget spinners, and beanie animals that are small and easy to travel with and wave. These are some of the most popular items on the market today:
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Tangle Therapy Relax for Hand and Mind Wellness
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Yoya Toys
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Visual Fun!
For kids who need visual stimulation, things that light-up, spin, make bubbles, change colors, or sand timers are perfect gifts for visual input. Over the years, family and friends have become great toy detectives when it came to buying visual gifts for Richie! Here are some of today’s best-selling items:
 
Lava Lamp
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Lightshow DJ
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Tactile (Sense of Touch) Enjoyment
While it may be touch and go when it comes to hugs and touching for some kids, many of them do have a need for tactile input. Richie loves hugs and affection, but it must be on his terms. He loves my kisses, but I have to let him know when I plan to hug him. He enjoys touching many textures like slimy or sticky toys, pins and more. These are the most popular toys in this category:
 
Pin Art
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  Water Beads |
 
Play Foam
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Learning Games
Giving educational toys, these days doesn’t spark the same reaction as unwrapping a gift-boxed sweater! Toy makers have come up with genius ideas for making learning fun! Check out these most wanted learning toys!
  Sound Puzzles |
 
Smart Talk
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Auditory Enjoyment:
Children and adults with auditory sensory issues don’t necessarily have issues with their ability to hear. Auditory sensory issues have more to do with how the brain interprets what’s being heard. In other words, certain sound patterns can either bring joy and happiness to someone – so much so that your loved one may become fixated on those sounds. They repeat specific sounds or play songs over and over again. On the other hand, some sounds may be extremely painful to your loved one. This may cause them to cup their ears or exhibit challenging behavior. These items may bring joy to your loved ones and it doesn’t hurt to know they are top sellers too!
 
Noise Canceling Headphones
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Rain Maker
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Toobaloo-Auditory Feedback
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Water Dancing Speakers
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Vestibular Motion
Vestibular input is critical for most children and adults with developmental disabilities. While movement is important for brain development, it also helps to calm, regulate, and comfort children and adults with autism and other disabilities. If you’re thinking about a gift that will bring joy to someone you care about, these gifts hold their rank as number one!
 
Indoor Trampoline
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Fun and Function Scooter
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Indoor/Outdoor Swing
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My 1st Flyer Pogo Stick
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Remember that gift certificates are perfect gestures of thoughtfulness when your goal is to make someone happy. A gift certificate to your loved one’s favorite restaurant, department store, ice-cream parlor, movie theater, or better yet – season passes to their favorite amusement park, museum, zoo, or other preferred place – and you just might be nominated as gift giver of the year! Even if you’re not this year's nominee, try to remember that children and adults with disabilities are intuitive people who sense when someone cares. The most important message you want to get across is that you care for someone and you’re thinking of them. There is no greater gift than the gift of thoughtfulness and love.
My family and I wish you and yours a joyous holiday season!
Welcome to Voices of Special Needs Blog Hop -- a monthly gathering of posts from special needs bloggers hosted by The Sensory Spectrum and The Jenny Evolution. Click on the links below to read stories from other bloggers about having a special needs kiddo -- from Sensory Processing Disorder to ADHD, from Autism to Dyslexia!
Want to join in on next month's Voices of Special Needs Hop? Click here!
Want to join in on next month's Voices of Special Needs Hop? Click here!
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