Looking for the best options for gifts for autistic children? Do you want to buy your child products that will engage and stimulate him or her, while helping them thrive? Autistic children commonly have sensory processing issues. Well, look no further. My sensory gift guide is here! It’s everything you need to help your autistic child. This post contains my Amazon affiliate links.
If you follow me, you know that my daughter has been through a rough year. She is dealing with a gut issue and this has brought forth all kinds of sensory issues for her. On top of that, she is dealing with a ton of stressful changes in school that have had a “trigger” effect, including:
- an aide that quit early on, followed by an interim aide until a permanent person was found
- not just a new classroom for 5th grade but a new building she’s not used to
- a super large, super-bright double classroom (last year we had blankets over the fluorescent lighting, this year we have windows without blinds)
- the train going by the room every so often – close enough that you can see the tracks
- no sister with her on the bus or in the morning (she’s gone by the time Zoe gets up)
- her former aide is there in a different capacity, so while she has a familiar face, she is not one of her teachers, which may confuse Zoe
And, here are the symptoms we’ve been seeing:
- raised and worsening arm rash
- other gut issues and *possibly* infrequent pain (hard to tell)
- increased clothing sensitivity
- her handwriting fell back in the crapper
- her gifted level math skills disappeared
- she has far more behaviors than she’s had in a while
- stimming is off the charts
- increased echolalia
- sleep is optional
As much as we try to address underlying issues with diet and homeopathy, these things take time to work. Plus, Zoe has a delicate system so we cannot rush it. That’s why I’m so happy that there are other options that can physically help her focus when she needs it the most – and a great resource to buy those items.
Top Gifts for Autistic Children
For Sensory Issues
If you are shopping for a child with autism and/or sensory and behavioral issues, here are some of the tools we have used from their shop:
Pressure Clothing: Compression Shirts
We got Zoe this cute shirt – we picked a sale item because we didn’t know if she’d wear it, but it is super girly – right up her alley.
If your child is still sensitive to sleeves, you can do something like the SmartKnitKIDS Compresso-T Deep Pressure Sensory Compression Undershirt (White, Small)
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Pressure Clothing: Compression Vests
Another great idea is compression vests. These are some of my favorites:
Fun and Function’s Blue Weighted Compression Vest
Stretch Denim Weighted Vest to reduce Wiggles, Fidgets, Anxiety
Sensory Gifts For Autistic Children
When the school told us they got great response from Zoe from using a sensory sack, we knew we had to pick one up to give her that same level of comfort when she had important tasks to do like homework or reading. However, she also likes to use it for dress up! #fashionista
Another favorite is the Sensory Sock
Or you might something a little more intense, like the Shake and Move Sensory Sack
Gifts for Calm & Focus
We had a Fidget Lap Pad which is one of the best gifts for autistic kids:
Handwriting Help
When your child is struggling to write properly like this Handwriting Glove, which is a therapist’s pick.
