Holiday Gifts for Autistic Children

Autistic children love to get gifts at Christmas just as any child. However, there are toys and games that particularly help them improve in their motor skills, as well as entertain. Here are some suggestions for Christmas gifts for that special autistic child on your holiday shopping list.

Memory Games---Christmas Gift for Autistic Child

When I worked as a paraprofessional for autistic children, I learned how these special kids love to work with memory games. After lying down all the cards on a desk or table, children take turns lifting up two cards at a time, trying to find a match. It's not only fun, but it enhances their memory skills.

The Socially Speaking Game---Christmas Gift for Autistic Child

Sold online for $24.99, "The Socially Speaking Game" helps children learn social skills with other children. Often autistic children struggle to relate to their peers as they live in their own little world. The game comes with a full-colored playing board and easy-to-follow steps.

Sensory and Stimulation Toys---Christmas Gift for Autistic Child

Toys and games that stimulate, as well as appeal to the senses are especially needed for children with autism. A few good selections include...

1. Small balls---Any type of small ball is excellent for stimulating an autistic child. For $2.99 you can buy 3 ¼" "Porcupine Balls", which are great for improving eye coordination, as well as gross motor skills. They come in assorted bright colors and have hard centers with soft pointed projections, For more information, visit http://www.pacificpediatricsupply.com/html/Porcupine-Ball-3-14.html.

2. Exercise balls---Not only are exercise balls great for firming flabby bodies, but they also make excellent toys for autistic kids, when they need a break from their schoolwork. Only about five minutes of rolling around on the ball, and they're more relaxed and ready to work, again.

2. "Kids Preferred Sound Ball Set"---Sold at Target.com for $16.99, this set of three plush balls engages an autistic child's sense of sight, sound, and touch, as well as improves hand-eye coordination. Each ball contains a sewn-in noisemaker.

Fine Motor Toys---Christmas Gift for Autistic Child

Playdough is an exceptionally high-quality gift for autistic children as it helps them with their fine motor hand skills. Found in most toy stores, as well as department stores, Playdough is an inexpensive toy that keeps a child content and occupied. It's also good as children learn to use the assorted tools that come with Playdough, adding to their fine motor skills.

Whiteboards---Christmas Gift for Autistic Child

Working with autistic children, I found how much they enjoy writing and drawing on whiteboards. Whiteboards can be used from everything from art lessons in drawing to practicing spelling simple words, as well as sight-reading. In addition, be sure you to include some colorful dry erase markers, and an eraser.

Other Sensory Toys for Autistic Children

Here are some examples of toys that stimulate an autistic child, and enhance his (or her) senses.

1, Music boxes

2. Kaleidoscopes

3. Pinwheels

4. Slinkies

5. Brighly colored Koosh balls

Toys for Stimulating Touch for Autistic Children

Because many autistic children are hypersensitive to touch, they love to play with their hands in sand and water. Toys such as sandboxes and bathtub rubber duckies and boats are good choices for gifts.

These are just a few suggestions for gifts for that special autistic child on your holiday shopping list. For other ideas, check with a special education teacher who works with autistic children.