Christmas Gift Ideas from an Autism Mom

By Rachelle Vaughn, Center Manager

As a parent of a child with autism, who graduated from Cornerstone in January, I always struggle with what to get my son for Christmas. He, like many children with autism, sticks to his main staples and seems uninterested or even unphased with new gifts, no matter how much thought or money I put into them.

Through the years, I’ve had success using the websites below and buying several of the gifts on this list. I’ve found that the best gifts are usually encompassing something my child likes in addition to something that will help him with growing his language, fulfilling his sensory needs or improving his motor skills.

I hope these quick ideas will help make your holiday shopping easy and successful!

Some of my favorite sites to shop from are:

Amazon.com – Amazon always has plenty of items to choose from, search lists by age and gender as well as Prime shipping!

Hearthsong.com — This has a lot of out-of-the-box ideas and well-made items. There is a nice range of categories and their Holiday Guide is always updated and fun!

FunandFunction.com — I love that this site is sensory-forward and seems to keep children with autism and other developmental disabilities in mind.

Sensory:

• Anti-Stress Sensory Toy for Kids and Adults to Promote Calm Focus
  Not only a fun, colorful sensory-toy, but can also be used as a calming down tool
• Melissa and Doug Poke-a-Dot Old MacDonald’s Farm
  This is one of my favorite sensory books, especially for kids who love playing with bubble wrap
• Push Pop Bubble Fidget Sensory Toy for Autism
  This is similar to the above item, and a great tactile toy
• Dinosaur Play Sand Kit
  During the winter months, it can be fun to bring the outside indoors
• Animal Jump Along
  For smaller kiddos, this can be a really exciting gift to wake up to on Christmas morning
• Emotions Putty
  This putty changes colors and can be used as a sensory break
• Sensory Vibrating Lap Pad
  Can be a great, calming toy for kiddos with sensory needs
• Cozy Canoe
  I bought this for my son and he enjoyed the deep pressure the canoe provided; he used it as an extra seat in his playroom

Speech:

• The Farmer Says See ‘N Say
  Classic toy for promoting early language
• Alphabet Wall  Chart
  Interactive and audible abc learning for kids
• Hide-N-Go-Moo Sensory Awareness
  Identifying animals and animal sounds

Motor Skills:

• Banana LT Balance Bike
  The balance bike promotes gross motor skills and exercise
• Melissa & Doug Musical Instruments Sound Puzzle
  Interactive puzzle for music-lovers that also helps with fine motor skills
• Jungle Animals Percussion Toys for Kids
  Build motor skills and make music simultaneously
• Letters Matching Eggs
  Fine motor, color matching and alphabet practice
• Spiral Gel Maze
  Combined as a fine motor skill and tactical sensory experience all-in-one

Top 10 Fan Favorites at all of our centers:

• Trampoline
• Indoor Slide
• Penguin Dash
• Lucky Ducks
• Crash Mat
• Bean Bag Chairs
• Sensory Swing
• Water Beads
• Kinetic Sand
• Bubbles

Stocking Stuffers:

• Pop Tubes Sensory Toys
  Promotes these benefits: auditory, tactical and motor skills
• Animal Toy Set
  Always great fidgets for animal lovers
• Spinning Light Up Rotating Wand
  This is super popular in our sensory room!
• Glo Pals Light Up Water Cubes
  Make bath time or water play exciting with these glowing cubes

Ideas for teens:

• Gift cards to purchase music and apps on their devices
• Hand-Held Fidgets
  There are many different types of fidget toys online — this is an example of a Fidget cube ball to relieve stress and anxiety
• Pottery Wheel
  If they are artistic and like creating with their hands, this would be a great gift!
• 1,001 Fact Books
  For inquisitive minds, there are a plethora of “1,001 Fact” books on all different topics
• Weighted Blanket
  Weighted blankets are much easier to find these days. I bought mine at Target, but there are many on Amazon as well.
• Young Geologists
  Fun activity your child can do with you! Promotes motor movement and auditory stimulation
• Young Scientists
  For Science lovers — Another fun activity that can be done together while expanding the mind
• Young Musicians
  For our kiddos who can’t get enough music — Extra auditory input, especially for those who have a hard time with headphones or earbuds. You can keep your head warm too!
• Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone 
  For those musically inclined kiddos — You may regret this toy after a few hours of use, but your child will have a blast with it

This year, for my children, I want to focus more on activities and experiences. I’ve learned that though these things may seem expensive up front, they are long lasting memories and skills that my children can keep in lieu of a toy or item they will outgrow. These are also great ideas for grand-parents or aunts and uncles that struggle with what to get your children each year. To make the gift more “exciting” up front, since they aren’t receiving something tangible, you can print a picture, create a social story or purchase a book that talks more about what you will be doing.

• 1:1 Lessons (Swimming, Gymnastics, Music, Dance, etc.)
• Family memberships to the Zoo, Children’s Museum, Connor Prairie, etc.
• Subscription Boxes: KiwiCo, Spectrum Surprise, Spangler Science Club, Sock Panda, Sensory TheraPlay Box, Disney Princess Enchanted Collection, Green Kid Crafts. Guide Dots, The Geeky Pick
  *I love the idea of a subscription box because not only do they receive mail frequently throughout the year, but some of these subscription boxes have activities you can do together!*

I hope this list was helpful for you and at least sparked some creative ideas to use on your own individual child’s gifts this year. Never hesitate to reach out to your BCBA for more individualized ideas of what your child enjoys around our center. Happy Holidays!

Last updated by Morgan McClellan at November 4, 2021.