Meaningful Gifts
Grandparents and other family members often ask for gift ideas at this time of year. Some of our friends with autism are rather attached to familiar items and do not seem interested in anything new. Others have difficulty formulating a wish list. Santa whispered a few ideas to consider when making your shopping list.
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Gift selections depend, of course, on the age and interests of each individual with autism. These suggestions might get your creative juices flowing and trigger an idea for a special present for someone you know.
MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION. This is a gift that truly “keeps on giving.” There are so many educational magazines for people of all ages and interests. Your friend with autism will probably be amazed when a magazine with his name on it appears every month in the mailbox.
PERSONALIZED TRIP. Even if our youngsters don’t appear to notice other people, the most valuable gift we can give them is time. So grandparents or siblings can give a youngster a coupon for an afternoon at the zoo or a fishing expedition or a tour of the local fire station. The box on Christmas morning could contain a brochure from the zoo and plastic zoo animals or it could contain a fishing lure or a fire hat.
THERAPY TOYS. Check with your youngster’s music therapist about appropriate musical gifts or as his physical therapist or occupational therapist about textured balls, sturdy toys that light up, or other sensory toys that are safe and fun.
PERSONAL RECLINER. One teenager always liked sitting in my husband’s rocking recliner when he came to my home for music therapy. So his parents moved some stuff out of his room at home and purchased him his own recliner. Over the years, he has worn out that recliner and wants another one this Christmas. Another youngster enjoyed getting her own desk so she could organize all her books and folders and toys in all the drawers.
NESTING OBJECTS. Nearly every person I’ve known with autism loves the nesting dolls that I have in my music room. You can find a large selection at a puzzle company www.bitsandpieces.com
VELCRO. Nearly all my friends with autism love Velcro. Scout around for anything that has Velcro – books, toys, small camping accessory bags.
SHAKE FLASHLIGHT. The new flashlights that shake for power rather than using batteries are popular with my friends with autism.
TIP FOR THE DAY. The key to successful gift-giving is to think out of the box when shopping for meaningful presents for individuals with autism.
NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com
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