As with any kid, there’s no magical way to know if a child with an autism spectrum disorder will love a particular item, but you can improve your chances by putting a little extra thought into your gift choice.
The first thing to note is that buying for a child with autism doesn’t have to be all that different from buying for a child who doesn’t have autism, says licensed mental health counselor Maria Davis-Pierre, whose practice specializes in providing support to parents with children on the autism spectrum. Davis-Pierre also has a daughter with autism.
“Many children on the spectrum like most of the toys neurotypical children enjoy,” she tells SheKnows. “I would simply advise getting a toy that matches their developmental age/stage.”
While chronological and cognitive appropriateness is important, a key factor is the child’s personality and interests, says Ahren Hoffman, director of education and training at the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association. “All kids should get toys that fit their personality,” she tells SheKnows. “Don’t overthink your shopping trip. Just consider the child’s needs and interests. And if in doubt, ask their parents or caregivers for advice.”
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Nuts & Bolts Fidget Rod
Image Credit: Fun and Function "Sensory-related toys like fidget spinners can be a great coping mechanism, but they're fun at the same time," says Davis-Pierre. For a twist on the fidget spinner, try the Nuts and Bolts Fidget Rod. It's the perfect on-the-go sensory tool with bright, engaging colors.
Nuts and Bolts Fidget Rod, $9.99 at Fun and Function
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Peanut Ball
Image Credit: Amazon The peanut ball, ideal for ages 5 to 8, was designed to help kids build a healthy posture and improve balance. But it's also a great way to "get the wiggles out," and its unique cradling shape provides more stability than a traditional balance ball. The constant ball movement increases blood flow and helps children get back to a place of better focus.
Gaiam kids peanut balance ball, Available on Amazon
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Edushape Rainbow Soft Ball
Image Credit: Amazon Learning to catch and throw can be more difficult for children with autism due to having difficulty with sustained attention, says pediatric occupational therapist Helen Sadovsky. The added auditory component in this ball (little beads that shake inside) makes the activity more engaging and rewarding and draws children’s attention to play.
Edushape Rainbow Soft Ball, Available on Amazon
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50 Counting Bears With Cups
Image Credit: Amazon The avid sorter will go crazy for this set, which includes 50 counting bears and five cups.
50 Counting Bears with Cups, Available on Amazon
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Playhut Mega Fun Play Tent
Image Credit: Amazon With 48 balls and four play zones that can be configured in different ways, the opportunities are endless. While the Playhut Mega Fun play tent addresses sensory issues like providing a snug, safe place for a child, it also encourages social skills — it's bound to be a playdate favorite.
Playhut Mega Fun play tent, Available on Amazon
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Mesh Therapy Swing
Image Credit: Fun and Function Kids with autism often highly benefit from movement activities and toys that expose them to the senses of movement and pressure, such as swings, rock walls and hammocks, says Sadovsky. This ultralight mesh therapy swing will be a favorite refuge for a child who wants to feel snug, enjoys spinning and swinging or loves to let their imagination take over.
Mesh therapy swing, $79.99 at Fun and Function
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Kinetic Sand
Image Credit: Amazon Kinetic sand offers the sensory benefits of playing at the beach without the travel or mess, letting a child's creativity flow.
Wackytivities Kinetic Sand, Available on Amazon
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Weighted Disc Blanket
Image Credit: Fun and Function A fun, colorful twist on the typical weighted blanket, this one is easy to clean and highly versatile. It's great for kids with autism, ADHD and sensory integration disorder who benefit from items that have a grounding effect.
Weighted disc blanket, $215.99 at Fun and Function
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Kullerbu Windmill Track Set
Image Credit: Haba Not only is the wooden Kullerbu windmill track set beautifully made, it encourages pretend play and promotes fine motor skills.
Kullerby windmill track set, $106.99 at Haba
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Conga Band Set
Image Credit: Amazon This band set is great for teaching cause and effect and encouraging auditory processing and can be helpful in getting children’s attention," says Sadovsky. The drum can also be used to teach rhythm and imitation.
Conga band set, $39.49 at Amazon
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Click n’ Play Foam Pogo Jumper
Image Credit: Amazon The Click n' Play Foam Pogo Jumper with flashing lights and sound effects is perfect for kids who just can't sit still.
Click n' Play Foam Pogo Jumper, Available on Amazon
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Color Rings Sorting Board
Image Credit: Lakeshore The easy-to-grasp, colorful rings help children learn their colors while appealing to the need for a sense of order.
Color rings sorting board, $19.99 at Lakeshore
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Sensory Gel Maze
Image Credit: Fun and Function Manipulating the marble along the twisting path on this sensory gel maze is a fun, comforting activity that helps a child develop hand-eye coordination, strengthens their fingers and improves attention and focus.
Sensory gel maze, $30.99 at Fun and Function
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Bead Sequences Set
Image Credit: Autism-Products.com This Melissa & Doug set of over 45 brilliant-color beads, five dowels and 10 patterns builds complex reasoning and fine motor skills and improves sorting and coordination.
Bead sequences set, $30.33 at Autism-Products.com
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Edushape Travel Brix Building Kit
Image Credit: Amazon According to Sadovsky, the texture in the Travel Brix building kit provides kids with tactile sensory input, which children with autism often crave. "It’s also simple enough for them to build with on their own, and pushing the pieces together and pulling them apart works on strength and bilateral coordination (using both hands together)," she says.
Edushape Travel Brix building kit, $12.99 at Amazon
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Sensory Pea Pod
Image Credit: Autism-Products.com This gentle, velvety sensory pea pod provides a calming cocoon for kids to read, play on a tablet or do other activities.
Sensory pea pod, $67.99 at Autism-Products.com
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Musical Instruments Sounds Puzzle
Image Credit: Autism-Products.com Realistic sounds are played when the puzzle pieces are properly placed on the board, making this Melissa & Doug toy a fun and unique way to reinforce cause and effect and improve vocabulary and matching skills.
Musical instruments sound puzzle, $13.36 at Autism-Products.com
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Giant Vibrating Turtle
Image Credit: Autism-Products.com Activated by both sound and touch, vibrating toys like this giant vibrating turtle encourage touch awareness, speech and stimuli input.
Giant vibrating turtle, $57.99 at Autism-Products.com
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Dragon’s Breath Collecting Game
Image Credit: Amazon Hoffman recommends a collecting game like Dragon's Breath to promote fine motor skills, encourage attention and concentration and support sequential thought processing. (And it's perfect for any kid who's obsessed with dragons, of course.)
Dragon's Breath, $19.99 at Amazon
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Gifts for Kids With Autism
Image Credit: Terese Condella/SheKnows Don't know what to buy a child with autism? We've got you covered.
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Gift Card
Image Credit: Target If all else fails — or you need a gift fast — don't write off a gift card. The safest gift is the never-fail gift card. "It's the safest gift choice," says Davis-Pierre. "It removes the disappointment that can come with getting a gift they don't like, and it helps with independence skills because the child can go to the store and pick out their own toy within the budget of the gift card."
Gift card, $5 – $1,000 at Target
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