Gift Ideas and Toys for Children with Autism and ASD
Author: Autism Classroom
Published: 2010/11/23 - Updated: 2026/02/16
Publication Type: Instructive / Helpful
Category Topic: Accessible Gaming - Related Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This information provides practical gift and toy recommendations for children with autism and related special needs, drawing on expert guidance from S. B. Linton, author of Lesson Ideas and Activities for Young Children with Autism and Related Special Needs. The article breaks down toy selections by the individual characteristics of each child - from high-energy kids who benefit from trampolines and therapy balls, to sensory seekers who respond well to tactile products like clay and water tables, to sensory avoiders who need gradual desensitization through art supplies and textured materials. It also covers educational products for pre-readers, classic toys like shape sorters and play-dough for fine motor development, and social skill-building DVDs and group games. For parents, grandparents, educators, and caregivers of children with disabilities, this guide offers a thoughtful framework for choosing meaningful gifts that encourage connection, communication, and skill development rather than simply filling a box - Disabled World (DW).
- Definition: Autism Friendly Toys and Gifts
Autism-friendly toys and gifts are products specifically chosen or designed to match the sensory, motor, cognitive, and social development needs of children on the autism spectrum. Because autism spectrum disorder affects how children process sensory input, communicate, and engage in play, standard toy recommendations often miss the mark entirely. Autism-appropriate gifts generally fall into several functional categories: cause and effect toys that teach predictable responses and build engagement, sensory products that provide tactile, visual, or auditory stimulation for sensory-seeking children, gross motor items like trampolines and therapy balls for children who need physical output, fine motor tools like clay and play-dough that strengthen hand coordination, and structured games that teach turn-taking, social interaction, and following directions. The right selection depends heavily on the individual child's sensory profile, whether they are a sensory seeker or a sensory avoider, their communication level, and their current developmental goals. When chosen thoughtfully, these gifts serve a dual purpose by providing genuine enjoyment while also reinforcing therapeutic objectives that support daily skill building at home and in the classroom.
Introduction
Holiday Toys and Gift Ideas for Children with Autism
Buying the perfect gift for children with autism and special needs can be accomplished by using a little imagination and some tips from an expert.
Main Content
The holiday season often brings stress to families in general and families of children with autism often see this stress double as parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles struggle to find gifts that would be meaningful and fun for the child with autism in their lives. But good finds are all around you if you know what to look for.
"Find toys that help the child and their family to connect, communicate and work on skills that are known to be problems areas for children with autism," says S. B. Linton, author of Lesson Ideas and Activities for Young Children with Autism and Related Special Needs, the new book that gives parents and teachers over 350 activities that encourage joint attention, play skills, fine motor skills and more.
Linton recommends that for younger kids, one should look for toys that have a clear cause and effect component such as spinning tops or an electronic toys that speak when activated. The choice of gift will depend on the characteristics or personality of the child you have in mind. For the child that appears to be "climbing the walls," try a trampoline, an indoor climber or a swing. Additionally, large therapy balls or exercise balls are fun for many kids and are now available in many retail stores. For the child who is into touching, feeling and exploring, buying sensory products that promote tactile sensation like a Koosh Ball, clay, moon sand, Theraputty, a water or sand table, or items from a sensory catalog like Integrations or Beyond Play, may work for that child.
For those learning to read or at pre-reading stages, LeapFrog Educational Products offer terrific phonics basics and reading skills through fun play. A basket of sensory input items will be a treasure for some children, their parents and teachers. Sensory toys that light up, make noise or are sticky and gooey are great for some kids. Finger paint and art supplies can encourage sensory involvement which is beneficial to kids who love touching and for sensory touch avoiders.
"Avoiders of sensory input need to be exposed to touching the sensory input often, but it should not be forced. The goal would be to try to desensitize them and get them used to touching thing like water, lotion, or shaving cream so that when it comes time to pick up crayons, pencils and markers, the child will be used to having things touch their hands," adds Linton.
When shopping for those great finds, don't forget the good old classics that almost every kid can't get enough of. For example, a Slinky can provide hours of fun, Mr. Potato Head can emphasize body parts and independent play, a shape sorter can teach shapes and visual spatial processing, and play-dough can be used to build fine motor skills.
Scented varieties and gluten-free varieties of play-dough are available by doing a quick internet search.
Parents and family members looking to teach group skills, turn-taking and follow directions might find the newer Cat in the Hat games to be fun family activities as parents will also enjoy all the interactive and communication building elements of the games.
Videos are often fun sources of entertainment during the holiday season. However, they can also be educational and very important in teaching life lessons.
"There are many DVDs out there like Watch Me Learn and Model Me Kids that teach social skills to young children with autism," says Linton.
Regardless of the toys or gifts purchased for the child, the key to remember is to help the child to connect and communicate with others through meaningful activities.
"This is what I strive to do in the Lesson Ideas and Activities for Young Children with Autism book. Each chapter provides activity ideas specific to Joint Attention, Imitation Skills, Communication, Self-Help Skills, Independent Skills, Pre-Vocational Skills, Social Skills, Play Skills, Sensory Involvement, Basic Concept Mastery, Vocabulary/Literacy, Fine Motor, and Gross Motor. The hope is that families and educators will see that fun, meaningful activities are right with in their reach and in most cases, right in the same room."