I had a friend ask for some advice when it came to shopping for a kiddo with ASD. She wanted to make sure she was getting something useful, helpful and not just a generic "here's a pair of pajamas" gift. It made me think about how many times my friends/family have asked for guidance in shopping for Nate.
Now, we are lucky when it comes to Nate, because things like clothing tags, noises, bright lights, etc do not bother him, so he'll be "fine" with anything. The key is finding those things that he'll be DRAWN to.
MOVEMENT TOYS:
Toys like cars (racetracks), marble tracks, trains, etc are AWESOME for ASD kiddos. These toys allow them to figure out HOW they work and move, and are easy for them to organize.
LEAPFROG PRODUCTS:
I love this brand. Their toys tend to be educational, bright, loud, and easy to navigate. We recently bought Nate a Leapfrog Easel for his birthday, and it has been a great learning tool. Not to mention the typical go-to's like his Leap Pad, his learning books and the learning tablet.
BUILDING MATERIALS:
Things like MegaBlocks are also an amazing tool for ASD kids. MegaBlocks allow them to build logically, but can also encourage them to use imaginative play - which is not a strong suit of ASD kids. MegaBlocks have been great in our household, because our neurotypical kiddo can build whatever his imagination allows, and Nate can participate in the logical part of putting pieces that fit together.
TV/MOVIE PRODUCTS:
I know, I know. Products that are based off TV shows and movies are overpriced and gimmicky (they're also super easy to find, thankfully). I've had tons of luck getting Nate to read, play, and interact when the products/characters are what he's used to interacting with on TV. For example, I bought him Wild Kratts books for his birthday, and he LOVES them. I have more luck getting him to sit and read, when he understands the characters he's seeing on the pages.
FIDGET ITEMS: For parents, these are way better stocking stuffers than the chocolate/toothbrushes/etc you normally get (in my opinion). You can buy fidget kits on Amazon that come with multiple items, or even raid the small toy section at Indigo! Near the cash register in the Kids Section, they normally have bins of pop-its and other fidget/sensory items.
SQUISHMALLOWS:
I have a personal love for Squishmallows, but so does Nate. Something about the stuffing ratio/fabric that's used, is really soothing and comforting for him when it comes to calming down. Indigo has Squishmallows, so does Wal-Mart, but they can be hard-pressed to find.
Overall, the best piece of advice I can give anyone looking to shop for an ASD kid (birthdays, Christmas, etc) is to try and make it personal. Ask the parents what TV show or movie their kiddo loves, and try to tailor the above suggestions to that character (Nate loves Sonic, PJ Masks, Minions, Thomas the Train, Wild Kratts, How to Train Your Dragon). Even something as basic as a fleece blanket with their favourite character on it will make them happy, and provide a beneficial use of being a comfort item.
XO The Spectrum Mom
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