Are you searching for that perfect holiday or birthday gift for a little one that has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder? The possibilities are endless! First, think about the child you are buying for. Each child is so unique including those with autism; their needs, wants and preferences are all very individualized. Hopefully, some of these ideas will seem like a good fit for that special child on your list:
Sensory Toys
Sensory toys are toys that are designed to stimulate a child’s five senses: sight, sound, taste, touch and taste. Sensory toys can help children who are seeking sensory input (e.g., providing lights, texture or movement), help them regulate themselves or calm down. Often, sensory toys help children explore and develop fine or gross motor skills at the same time.
Play Doh and slime are great for children to develop fine motor skills. Additionally, Play Doh and slime toys can help a child self-regulate or calm down. Other toys that can be calming include squishy balls, liquid sensory viewing jars, rain sticks, and toys that provide calming lights and/or music.
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[ux_html label=”Amazon.com: Play-Doh Fun Factory Deluxe Set: Toys & Games”]
Amazon.com: Play-Doh Fun Factory Deluxe Set: Toys & Games
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[ux_html label=”Sensory Slime at Lakeshore Learning”]
Sensory Slime at Lakeshore Learning
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[ux_image id=”24994″ link=”https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/products/ca/p/PP511/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=PLA&msclkid=fffeb8ceafc11020609ce7196d3cd2fb” target=”_blank”]
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[ux_image id=”24995″ link=”https://www.amazon.com/Power-Your-Fun-Stress-Adults/dp/B089ZNBXTD/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=squishy%2Bballs&qid=1607975778&sr=8-5&th=1″ target=”_blank”]
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[ux_html label=”Amazon.com: Power Your Fun Arggh Mini Stress Balls for Adults and Kids – 3pk Squishy Stress Ball Fidget Toys, Anti Stress Sensory Ball Squeeze Toys (Yellow, Pink, Blue): Toys & Games”]
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[ux_html label=”Rainbow Liquid Sensory Viewers at Lakeshore Learning”]
Rainbow Liquid Sensory Viewers at Lakeshore Learning
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[ux_image id=”24996″ link=”https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/products/sensory-exploration/sensory-play/rainbow-liquid-sensory-viewers/p/SE581″ target=”_blank”]
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[ux_html label=”Pretend Play Toys”]
Pretend Play Toys
Some children with autism have difficulty learning how to participate in pretend play. Pretend play provides many opportunities to develop language, spontaneous speech and teach children about their environment as well as daily living skills. Additionally, pretend play can help a child develop social skills through role play and acting out various real-life scenarios. Toys such as Little People and puppets can be used to teach children how to pretend to be doctors, farmers and even animals. They provide opportunities for parents to narrate what is happening (e.g., language building and modeling appropriate behaviors) as well as help the child vocalize different scenarios.
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[ux_html label=”Caring for Animals Farm Playset | Smart Stages| Fisher Price (fisher-price.com)”]
Caring for Animals Farm Playset | Smart Stages| Fisher Price (fisher-price.com)
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[ux_html label=”Jolly Helpers Hand Puppets | Melissa & Doug (melissaanddoug.com)”]
Jolly Helpers Hand Puppets | Melissa & Doug (melissaanddoug.com)
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[ux_image id=”25002″ link=”https://www.melissaanddoug.com/slice-and-toss-salad-set/9310.html” target=”_blank”]
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[ux_html label=”Slice & Toss Salad Set | Play Salad Set (melissaanddoug.com)”]
Slice & Toss Salad Set | Play Salad Set (melissaanddoug.com)
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[ux_html label=”Deluxe Mobile Medical Station – Young Explorers Creative Educational Products”]
Deluxe Mobile Medical Station – Young Explorers Creative Educational Products
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[ux_image id=”25003″ link=”https://www.youngexplorers.com/itemdy00.aspx?ID=10,792&T1=Y181465″ target=”_blank”]
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[ux_html label=”Educational Toys”]
Educational Toys
The list of terrific educational toys is endless. Puzzles are always a great option to develop visual and spatial skills as well as teach problem solving. There are also many great toys that teach language, spelling and math. Leap Frog brand toys bring together education, vocalization opportunities and pretend play. The have so many offerings. Below are a few favorites:
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[ux_html label=”Amazon.com: Boogem 115Pcs Counting Bears Toys Set, Rainbow Counting Bears with Color Matching Sorting Cups, Educational Toys 30 Large and 60 Small Teddy Bear Counters with Activity Cards for Toddlers and Kids: Toys & Games”]
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[ux_html label=”Amazon.com: Ravensburger Busy Airport – 35 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle for Kids – Every Piece is Unique, Pieces Fit Together Perfectly: Toys & Games”]
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[ux_image id=”25007″ link=”https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Voyage-Wooden-Jigsaw/dp/B001E6DIYY/ref=sr_1_18?dchild=1&keywords=36+piece+puzzle&qid=1607085172&s=toys-and-games&sr=1-18″ target=”_blank”]
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[ux_html label=”Amazon.com: Melissa & Doug 48pc Space Voyage Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle: Melissa & Doug: Toys & Games”]
Amazon.com: Melissa & Doug 48pc Space Voyage Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle: Melissa & Doug: Toys & Games
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[ux_html label=”Amazon.com: Melissa & Doug Pattern Blocks and Boards: Melissa & Doug: Toys & Games”]
Amazon.com: Melissa & Doug Pattern Blocks and Boards: Melissa & Doug: Toys & Games
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[ux_image id=”25009″ link=”https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Pattern-Developmental-Double-Sided/dp/B00006JZCG/ref=sr_1_12?dchild=1&keywords=magnetic%2Btangrams&qid=1607629856&s=toys-and-games&sr=1-12&th=1″ target=”_blank”]
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[ux_image id=”25011″ link=”https://www.amazon.com/LeapFrog-My-Own-Leaptop-Green/dp/B0038AJYSS/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?dchild=1&hvadid=78202896649537&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=leapfrog+toys&qid=1608059364&sr=8-2-spons&tag=mh0b-20&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExUEpVWkpGUEhFMjNWJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDI1NzMwSDY5TDhJNTk0UDkmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDU2NzEwOTFLT1VQMTZKRTRLMTUmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl” target=”_blank”]
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[ux_html label=”Amazon.com: LeapFrog My Own Leaptop, green: Toys & Games”]
Amazon.com: LeapFrog My Own Leaptop, green: Toys & Games
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[ux_html label=”Amazon.com: LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Set, Pink: Toys & Games”]
Amazon.com: LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Set, Pink: Toys & Games
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[ux_html label=”Books”]
Books
One can never go wrong with a good book. For early learners and children who are just developing vocal speech, books that offer rhythmic repetition can be great. Some children with autism tend to favor nonfiction and fact-based books. Additionally, picture books and I Spy Books offer opportunities for caregivers to describe, narrate and ask questions thus further developing language and reading comprehension.
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[ux_image id=”25025″ link=”https://www.amazon.com/Little-Green-Bright-Early-Board/dp/0525648143/ref=sr_1_3?crid=CYOK9W7DSR00&dchild=1&keywords=dr+suess+beginner+books&qid=1608059518&sprefix=dr+suess%2Caps%2C191&sr=8-3″ target=”_blank”]
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[ux_html label=”Amazon.com: Little Green Box of Bright and Early Board Books (Bright & Early Board Books(TM)) (9780525648147): Dr. Seuss: Books”]
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[ux_html label=”Amazon.com: What Should Danny Do? (The Power to Choose Series) (9780692848388): Levy, Adir: Books”]
Amazon.com: What Should Danny Do? (The Power to Choose Series) (9780692848388): Levy, Adir: Books
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[ux_image id=”25027″ link=”https://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Easy-Elephant-Piggie-Book/dp/142319957X/ref=sxin_9_fly_sptw_srch_rwt_r_142319957X_2_booksfor3yearolds?cv_ct_cx=books+for+3+year+olds&dchild=1&hvadid=77721780830937&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=books+for+3+year+olds&pd_rd_i=142319957X&pd_rd_r=c65b9899-5078-443d-b3f6-1471c0a17026&pd_rd_w=wbZZS&pd_rd_wg=WFxhp&pf_rd_p=5faded56-e77e-4110-975f-79a6dafb52ff&pf_rd_r=XJ5Q619VWTA513Y4N6GF&qid=1608059741&sr=1-3-4bc3c9d2-f008-461a-b91a-522747382045&tag=mh0b-20″ target=”_blank”]
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[ux_html label=”Waiting Is Not Easy! (An Elephant and Piggie Book): Willems, Mo, Willems, Mo: 8601416358765: Amazon.com: Books”]
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[ux_html label=”Cause and Effect Toys”]
Cause and Effect Toys
Cause and effect toys can spark the interest of early learners. Often, they make fun sounds and provide sensory stimulation as well as develop fine and gross motor skills.
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[ux_image id=”25029″ link=”https://www.walmart.com/ip/Battat-Pop-Up-Pals-Cause-Effect-Learning-Toy-for-Babies/807315152?wmlspartner=wmtlabs&adid=22222222222130349269&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=74973063508761&wl4=pla-4578572614011213&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=&%20wl10=Walmart&wl12=807315152_10001043318&wl14=cause%20eeffect%20toys&veh=sem&msclkid=00ba633ad12412a39e283ce3dd7e9af4″ target=”_blank”]
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[ux_html label=”Battat – Pop-Up Pals – Cause & Effect Learning Toy for Babies – Walmart.com – Walmart.com”]
Battat – Pop-Up Pals – Cause & Effect Learning Toy for Babies – Walmart.com – Walmart.com
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[ux_html label=”Amazon.com: B. toys by Battat B. Symphony Musical Toy Orchestra for Kids – 13 Musical Instruments for Classical Music for Babies and Toddlers – Interactive Kids Music Toys with Lights and 15 Songs: Toys & Games” class=”top-margin”]
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[ux_html label=”We hope this list sparks some helpful gift ideas for a special child in your life. Happy gift giving!”]
We hope this list sparks some helpful gift ideas for a special child in your life. Happy gift giving!
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