Buying B-day Present for Autistic Boy

Hi A., as the mom of an autistic son, I would suggest not getting him anything that spins, that would be supporting some of the behaviors that are not beneficial to him. What things does he like? Animals, books etc. My son loves animals. They were highly motivating for him when he was younger. Does he like the computer? There could be some computer games he might enjoy. I understand the sound sensitivity and such...ask the mom what motivates him (other than turning wheels or anything repetitive). At 3 there wasn't a lot that grabbed his attention away from the self stemming behaviors. He was interested in animals and books though at that time.
I have to ask...do you know if the parents are getting interventions for him? If you feel comfortable, you could ask her if she knows of TACA (Talk About Curing Autism), kids are recovering and there is help for her son. I am really happy to speak with her and help her find answers if she is open to seeking. My heart is centered on helping other families navigate through this journey. It pains me to see families not getting help when their child can benefit so greatly from interventions available today. Another option is give the mom "Matthew's Box". It is a children's story about autism, and there is Jenny McCarthy's book "Louder than Words" Those are both great things for the mom...she really need support. That might be the best present you can give her son.

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Hi A.,
This is my cup of tea! I work with students with autism and write children's books to introduce typical peers to autism. You are probably right on target with the spinning toys. Best bets are the ones like Disneyland or DisneyStore offers. However, that boy might also like basic puzzles with fun age-appropriate graphics. Also, water twirling toys attract some interest for kids with autism. Find out if there is a specific passion he enjoys (trains, dinosaurs, Disney) and buy some related flash cards, books or figurines that would shift interest to other items. Also, those plastic boards with dull pins sticking out where you can put your face or hand on them are fun. Or squishy gooey or pointy textured soft balls are good. Target sells all this stuff. On my website are links to information about kids with autism, written for kids. www.AisForAutism.net

Another fun idea would be tickets to a local Discovery Science Center or Kids Museum. It's great for kids with autism to also get out into the community and learn through hands on visually oriented activities.

Obviously, all children are unique individuals as are all children with autism. I would suggest asking his parents what his interests are and go in that direction.

As for autism, with April's Autism Awareness just around the corner, here are some items that I like to share about autism:

Here are some useful suggestions to consider when relating to someone who has autism:

• Individuals with autism tend to experience their senses more extremely than a typical person and may be unable to filter their senses as we do without thought. Provide a quiet area for breaks.
 Sounds may be too loud
 May avoid physical touch or itchy fabrics
 Smells may be potent and also affect their sense of taste

• Sensory Overload (meltdown or tantrum) may occur if the individual becomes overly stressed by juggling too many senses at once.

• They may avoid eye contact. It can make them feel insecure, but don’t worry; they are listening even if not keeping eye contact!

• Visual thinkers – provide material in form of pictures. Avoid idioms and symbolism which can be confusing when thought about visually.

• Use direct statements. Say, “Please take out the trash” as opposed to “The trash sure is full.”

• Understand that strange-looking behavior (hand flapping and rocking) helps them cope and makes them feel more comfortable.

• Encourage them in their strengths and passions. Support them in areas that are challenging.

• Social interaction can be tricky for these individuals – help initiate and foster this. These unique friendships are well worth the extra effort.

The following items were summarized from an online article by Lisa Jo Rudy. Many times those with autism are not concerned with what they wear, how they look and what they say. They tend to live for the moment and rarely judge others. They are inclined to be less materialistic and rarely have hidden agendas. And lastly, sometimes they open new doors for us, neuro-typicals, to view life from a different perspective.

Thank you for allowing me to share this information about autism.

J. K-V
www.AisForAutism.net

2 moms found this helpful

Try this!
www.myspace.com/theconductorsusa

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

HI A.

Discovery Toys is an AWESOME place to find the right gift for autism children. They have educational toys & are geared towards autism. I can't explain it but check out the website it's grat
My nephew is Autism & I recently bought him something from there & he absolutely LOVED it. one of our Mamsource members is a consultant for them she can answer any question you may have her name is Tamara

This a link directly to her profile.
http://www.mamasource.com/profile/8889554809103843329

And this one is a link to her website.
http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/esuite/home/nkt

She is absolutly wonderful.
Good luck.

L. M

1 mom found this helpful

Hi A.,
I received a four pack of boxes for my son's one year bday that was from a family that has one autistic little boy. Each box is a different primary color with a fruit, crayon, ball and animal of that same color. To this day my son still loves those non-noise making toys! I also googled autism toys and found a wealth of websites. One was www.kidscopetoys.com Good Luck!
M.

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A friend has a son who is autistic and he loves K-NEX. They are like Legos but more fun.

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My friend has a son that's Autistic. He really LOVED Magnetix and my son loved them too. They now make them in bigger pieces for preschoolers. I have seen them at Target and I think I saw them at Babies R Us. My husband liked them too!

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You could get a hand size truck, car or airplane. Boys love them and they carry them around. The spinning wheels are of special interest to autistics. I know my daughter grew up with cars and planes and she still shows spectrum indicators. Be certain to go for some special sturdy types like TONKA brand for the safety and sturdiness. It is a major upset if it breaks for any 3 year old. Another possibility would be a truck pillow for the bed or comfy times. There are all kinds around now and not too expensive. I hope this is helpful.

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You remind me of our HOOLA HOOPS in the fiftes in eastberlin !
A HoolaHooP is a groovy thing , even if a child cannot or does not wanna have it tumble around himself - it can be turned around in circles by itself aswell and is so much fun !

Check out Toys R Us - they have flier I just saw this past weekend that shows/lists toys that'Speak Autism'. The mega blocks are good for fine motor and depending on what characters/toys the boy might like (trains, cars, planes, etc.) there are a lot of different building sets out there.

Toys that aren't too complicated that involve some easy fine motor manipulation skills are always good because they often have some fine motor difficulties.

My daughter is autistic and just turned 4. She has a twin brother who is a typical boy. Many friends have had so much trouble buying gifts for her. She has the same problems as your little friend. She is not really terribly interested in toys and is easily frightened by loud, high-pitched noises and loud environments.

One thing her OT turned us on to is a vibrating pen (Squiggle Writer?) You can remove the pen tips so the child doesn't poke themself. The pen is a big fat pen (about 2 inches around and 6 inches long. I found them at Big Lots for $4.00. She loves it. The vibration is good for them. With mom's help, they can write and draw silly things, too. Books are a good idea, too. How about a spinning Top?

there are little toys that that dont make any very loud noises and sometimes none at all that spin when you push a button or flip a swich and they spin and sometimes light upi i dont think i do but i hope i helped and best of luck

Hi A., I am a mom of a 9-year-old boy who has autism. I can suggest a couple of ideas. You could try one of those toys that has balls that you put in at the top and they go around and come out at the bottom. SOme of these have cars instead. Or the toys that you have to pound on balls to get them through a hole, then they disappear and reappear at the other side, down several ramps. Good luck.

T.

Hi A.,
I am Discovey Toys rep. we have lots of toys geared for children with Atusim. Let me know if you would like to see some toys or a catalog.

Thanks, D. ###-###-####

My nephew has a similar condition, and he loved anything mechanical -- anything they can take apart and put back together, it was even better if it came with moving parts.

Try a bedroom hug swing that attachs to the bedroom ceiling. It resembles an enclosed canopy cacoon in which he can crawl inside and feel safe as it suspends in the air to allow comfort and security as he may watch his favorite t.v. shows and or read a book in.

Also think about the olden spin tops or a sit & spin too! Good luck!

Hi A.,
I am a speech-language pathologist who works with many children on the autism spectrum. Please, please, please DO NOT buy him a toy that spins. That is a form of self-stimulation that you do not want to encourage. How about buying him some visually simple board books...like with one or two pictures on a page. Some books that worked well with my clients are Brown Bear, Brown Bear and The Very Busy Spider (Eric Carle) and Dear Zoo (Rod Campbell). This way, you will be encouraging social interaction in a fun and non-threatening way when someone reads him the books. Hope that helps! A.

A.,

I have a 4.5 year old child with autism. It would help if you can figure out if the boy has anything he's particularly into. My son loves playdough but lots of kids with sensory issues hate it. He'll play with those "extruder" things where you push playdough in one side and it comes out the other side shaped like something - he will spend hours doing that. My son also loves sharks so shark toys or dvds are a hit. My son is also really active and we give him a "sensory diet" (which has nothing to do with food) to help him deal with his sensory issues. So he has a little mini-trampoline with a handle to hold onto and he loves it. He also likes cars that he can sit in - so we have a Little Tikes Cozy coupe and other various ride on toys. Since you know he likes things that spin, you might be able to find a top or other toy that spins. My son loves those "light wand" things they sell in the toy store where you push the button and lights whirl around in a plastic globe. The main thing to remember is that a child with autism is still a child. Getting things that he's interested in is good. If you need specific ideas, ask his mom. She'll know what he likes or what he needs. Another cool idea (depending on the child) would be a gift certificate to PumpItUp. My son LOVES PumpItUp.

T.

Toys R us has a special section online and a catalog in store that have suggestions for special needs kids. Check there.

Try a book that has different textures on each page. (slippery snakes, fluffy chicks, slimy frogs, etc)

I would ask his mom. Find out what he is into and what she thinks would be the best for him. That way you know what you are getting is what he will like and what will be good for him.

Toddler Cars, Toddler Trains, Blocks, Buy things he can figure out how they work. My son at that age loved wheels on the cars. Toddler Safe Airplanes, Heliocopters. He loves things that go in the water. Some Autistic children I have noticed love the water. Maybe boats that float. Also, things he can ride in. Have you ever put him in a big wagon before?

My son is autistic. He is now eight. He now loves maps and studying them. Hope this helps. If you have more questions you can email me at ____@____.com in subject line put Mamasource

Building Blocks: Are excellent choices for children with autism because they offer the child stimulation from touch. Various shapes of blocks such as legos, Lincoln logs, alphabet blocks or other colored blocks with shapes offer visual stimulation and varying shapes to explore with their hands. They also get to build with these, helping them improve their motor skills.

Paints/Markers with Large Paper: Autistic children need a way to express themselves, and this is it. Select their favorite colors, if you know them, and provide them with enough variety to creat their own masterpiece. The large paper gives them plenty of space to work.

Mix & Match: The typical shape sorter is a good toy for autistic children. They enjoy grouping and organizing things. Colors, shapes uses are all ways an autistic child may group items. Additionally, a card game called "Match&Spell 3-Letter Word" is a toy designed specially for autistic children.

Books: Stories that include repetition through sound or rhyme are going to be pleasers. Dr. Seuss books, nursery rhymes and other books that feature this type of rhythmic story telling are preferred. Additionally, books with detailed pictures are going to be better stimulants for an autistic child than those with less interesting pictures.

Toys with Lights: Autistic children respond to lights. The visual stimulation provided by toys that light up appeal to children with autism.

Based on this little info, there are lots n lots of toys available for children with autism, remember this though, if you do not get the response you hoped for when he or she opens the gift, do not get discouraged, he or she will when they are ready and having something for them that will stimulate their mind is a gift give from your heart.....HOPE THIS HELPS!

Dear A.,

i worked as a volunteer for several years at a place called R.E.I.N.S. which is a therapeutic riding facility for the mentally and physically disadvantaged. We had many autistic students of all ages. The one thing that they did have in common was a fascination for texture...either they totally loved things with texture or they really disliked them. We had colorful rubber balls with bumps that we used to stimulate the kids and more often then not they really took to the balls. Manipulatives are always good for young children as throwing, catching, and or kicking is fun. Good luck and have fun! T. W

A. -
That's what I always buy for my friend's autistic son, spinning things. He loves anything colorful. I recommend something with rainbow colors that he can just hold in his hand and move back and forth, like ribbon on a stick.

Good luck, L.

how about pinwheals (the ones you blow), they are very basic and give him the control of how fast or stimulating it is

all little boys love cars and anything that has to do with trains.

Hi,

If you son doesn't like loud sounds, maybe you can buy him cars. The wheels go around and then he can push them on the floor and make his own sounds? Just a thought.

God bless.
Katie

I worked briefly with a special ed kindergarten class and many of the autistic kids loved bean bags, sensory balls, kaliedscopes, etc. Ask his mom what toys trigger his positive or negative behaviors.

Go to Discovery Toys .com They have stuff, and toys that sre great for special needs.

I have 3 boys, one of them autistic. I recommend a pull string helicopter type wheel that flies in the air. It spins as it flies.

Hi, A. -

I've worked with children with Autism and Sensory Integration Disorder. You could try a sensory ball, bubble tumbler, some interlocking rings-preferably made from pliable material--anything that can be manipulated and offers tactile stimulation of some sort.

Good luck!

B.

If he likes things that spin...what about a sit and spin?

Hello there...I'm a mom of three boys, two of which have special needs. I would recommend Lego's for you little friend. My boys love logo's. He'll be entertained for hours.

For my friend's Autistic son, who was 2 or 3 at the time, I bought a colorful, soft, nubby, "super catchable" ball. He loved it! I forget the brand name but they are widely available and Target even sells their own version in the seasonal outdoor toy section. Hope that helps!

Of course, the sit-n-spin is a good choice. Another idea is one of those sit and bounce balls -- they are big and rubber and have a handle that the kid holds onto and bounces up and down. Also, they make these fun folding tents and tunnels that are easy to set up and to store. They give an autistic child a place all his own.

Best wishes.

Hi, I just got this email from Toys R Us regarding 10 top toys for autistic children. Hope it helps. K.

http://www2.toysrus.com/our/tru/prom/2008autismspeaks/?40...

Just copy it and paste it into your address line.

Discovery Toys has some great selections for children with autism and they also support the causes for finding an answer. I'm not affiliated, but I love their products for my own children. Just go to their website to look at the catalog or find a consultant! Or even search on the internet typing toys for autistic children with an age and you can find some great options.

I saw a sign at Toys R US the other day about this very thing. Go there, they seem to have a list of toys.