Gifts for People with Autism and the Folks Who Love Them
The truth is, though, that I don't want autism jewelry... and my son doesn't really need a weighted blanket. Though he's autistic, and I'm an "autism parent," those facts don't really seem to matter when it comes to giving and receiving holiday gifts.
Tommy loves Thomas engines. He's crazy about Star Wars figurines, and wants some from his favorite movies. There are some videos he's asked for, and some books. His dad bought him his very own candlepin bowling ball - and I know that's something he'll enjoy. He hasn't asked for therapeutic toys, and I really can't see any good reason to give them to him.
As for me - to be honest, while I do applaud the parents and small business people who are creating such lovely jewelry and gifts, I really don't want a pair of puzzle-piece earrings. I do want chocolate. I do want a cute sweater. And a few hours to do nothing in - that'd be awesome!
In short, we're having a small family Christmas this year, and Tommy's autism will not be a major focus of our celebration. Sure, he has this diagnosis. But quite frankly, it's not the most important thing to think about as we open the presents, share our treats, and prepare our Christmas meal.
And as for New Years, we have a great tradition. Each of the four of us gets to choose our favorite food, and one terrific video. Then we snuggle up, eat, and watch TV. When we start getting sleepy, it's time to drink to the new year from our silver goblets (my parents brought them back from Mexico, and they're very special), pop open our confetti filled "crackers," and call it a night.
What are you giving your loved one with autism this year? And what are you hoping for yourself? Share your holiday thoughts!
Comments
Jack, age 12, wants The Rescuers and The Rescuers Down Under — the books. They were not easy to find, but I did find them on Ebay and I know that those two books will make his Christmas a happy one. He has always like books. Toys don’t do anything for him. Books have pictures and words and he likes to take pictures of them with his digital camera.
For myself? I’m with you….a few hours of nothing would be fantastic. I might add that those few hours would include peace and quiet
I’m with you in a lot of ways. For the first time in years we are going away from Christmas…my choosing, just as it was to stay home and make Christmas memories in our own house with the kids for the first few years of their life. Now we are off to play in the snow, have the type of Christmas I grew up with…sleigh rides with horse-drawn sleighs, carolling, and loads of Hot Chocolate. Snowmobilling,Bon-fire in the hayfield at Midnight New Years’ Eve are also in order. It will be a treat for my husband and his family as well, as they have NO understanding of what this type of Christmas is all about. Although I’ll be 900 miles away from my hometown, it’ll be good to go home again in my heart.
Cheers
Caroline
My kids have been driving me crazy with questions about what Christmas break was like when I was a kid growing up in the country…this is my year to show them.
Well, in true Kassiane style I have a damaged foot because it’s icy.
But I am going to a friend’s house anyway. She is also autistic. We are eating gluten free food, exchanging gifts with NO PUZZLE RIBBONS THANKYOU (I hear I’m getting hats, I like hats, and she is getting a music item and another friend there is getting a Harry Potter reference). It’ll be only semi chaotic. Lots of cats but lots of FOOD.
Don’t get me wrong, I love stimmy toys and soft clothes and all that, and autism is a huge component of who I am, but I like my holidays to be days that I dont NEED to dive for the pile o’toys or point out that my different drummer has his hands over his ears on my shirt or what have you.
In an ideal world at least (ha ha).
Thanks for mentioning Discovery Toys. They are really just great toys, that were designed with kids and fun in mind. It’s coincidental that autism experts love them, too. Most importantly, parents can buy with confidence that these toys are SAFE, non-toxic, without recalls. You can read more about independent testing at www.toysofdiscovery.com
I am brand new to this, just having heard ASD and my nephew associated this week, but I seem to have fallen into a trap of shopping for puzzles for him as a Christmas gift, I thought he liked them, why do you mention them so often as if they are things you are fed up with? What is the connection? Also, generally, am looking for links to good websites — for info, not puzzles….
This is one that I’m struggling with … I have no idea what Jack wants.
I hate that… So once again this year, it’s pure guesswork.
My Christmas wish is that one day he’ll actually be able to tell me.
Hi Aunt Jean,Caroline here.
The reason people say “no puzzle pieces” is because the Autism Ribbon is made of various colours of puzzle pieces.
If your nephew enjoys puzzles, feel free to purchase them. They really are 2 seperate things that we are talking about. The above mentions are aboutAutism Ribbon jewelry…although they can be nice, it doesn’t define who our child is or who we as parents/family members are. Some people would love to recieve these jewelry items, but others don’t.
Just wanted to clarify. Hope it helps you, and Merry Christmas!
Cheers
Caroline
I too struggled this year, for the first year what to get our one son. Finally, I took him to the mall, walked through EVERY single store, and the first thing he grabbed off the shelf, I lied to him and said I wasn’t going to get his Christmas present while he was with me, bought it after bribing my other kids to take him to the food court and bought it anyways. We normally don’t purchase Playstation games for chirstmas, but he pulled off the shelf at EB Games a 3-pack of Harry Potter Playstation games, and I wasn’t going to miss out. It’s really the first time he’s EVER asked for anything that isn’t a stimming toy, it excercises his reading abilities (he let’s the school believe he can’t read, so I gave them a computer game of Harry Potter and my son was busted…he never played that particular game before and there is a lot of reading involved to be able to play it).
It took 2 hours of walking and browsing, but I think I finally was able to get the perfect present as a result. Hope everyone else is unfortunate.
Cheers
Caroline
I still have a basement full of gifts that were given and my son still is not developmentally ‘able’ for. Surprisingly, this year people e-mailed and called for current passions. I cant tell you how many sports balls we have (who knew a kid would get one from the same people every single year?!) my son is not a sports kid, at all. A runner yes, sports, no! When my son was younger, Thomas was annoying, but one new train track was good for my son! Any other gift he got resulted in a fit, and went on to the basement due to no interest or just not his age appropriate. As my son became older, I was glad we moved away from Thomas, except his interest of cars is difficult. Unlike the Thomas years, he now has words to express (and not so nicely) why this or that car is no good or not the one.
I am no better. I always buy toys to spark an interest. Some never created a spark at all. This year I bought 4 new board games, hoping to move on from Candy Land and Hi Ho Cherry, to more fun games. One was scrabble. I’m hoping for spelling here!
Over the years, the toys that I knew my son would never grow into, I shipped to members I know on line, for their kids. Recycling toys to families with disabled kids I thought was a neat thing.
Happy Holidays my friends, may the end of this year be great, and next year be wonder- filled us all
My husband and I have not worried about what we are buying for our almost 3-year-old twins (both with ASD). When we have seen things, we thought they would like (Pirates, Trains, Cowboys, Backyardigans…….) we have picked it up and considered what and how our boys would/could play with it.
We have decided that even if they are not developmentally ready for a toy, they may have a different way of playing with it/enjoying it. If we see improper/unsafe use of it, we are going to teach them proper use or remove it for awhile.
I think the reason we have opted to not be particular about certain types of toys is that we have so much on our plates right now (we have a 10-month-old who we are being told needs to be evaluated too) that this would have been too much for us to handle.
Anyway, I wish the best of luck in everyone’s shopping. I think my husband and I are finally finished.
Careen (aka: MoB2007 - Mother of Boys 2007)
What I meant for myself
foam toys, megna toys, nurf toys, small Lego’s, toys that could easily be broken into small peices. All were of a concern where ever he went. For my child, there wasn’t enough time in the day to teach proper play when a child eats everything nor watch every single second 
For some kids, it is safer just removing the inappropriate toys from them than risk worse, and that’s ok for those who do that. If a child is two years delayed developmentally, this then would naturally affect the toys given to them.
of ‘developmentally ‘able’ is a 5 yr old who mouths and chews every non food item, many toys were of small pieces and what wouldn’t be a chocking hazzard for a 5 year old, it was for mine