Lessons in Special Needs Parenting: Christmas Gifts!

This week in “Lesson” I have a special Christmas update.  For those of you who have children without speech or who do not direct, start or engage in conversations, Christmas shopping can be a nightmare.  What does my child want? What does my child specifically NOT want?

While some things are easy (I’ve never seen a kid turn up their nose at an iPad, for example), some things may resist defining.  What will bring your child comfort and joy this holiday, and not only that, but show that you are a thoughtful parent who “gets” them?

I was lucky to have this question answered this weekend by two things we did:

• Bring the kids to Target (or whatever store you love).
  We had errands to run and they were there, so we dropped by the toy section – which was on our to the exit.  Well, you didn’t have to be a rocket scientists to notice which toys Amelia completely snubbed – and which made her say, “Ooo, look at that!”  High on the list that made her breathless was a new bike.  Here’s where I intervened…I’m a sucker for the Barbie aisle and there was a Merida doll – with a bow and arrow this time!  I remember when the Merida doll was released at Disney she didn’t have one.  Now that we have the video, which Amelia loves, I plunked the doll down and she picked it up and put it in the cart. (Smooth, kiddo, real smooth.)  There is a Merida doll on someone’s Christmas list!
• Bring them to the hobby shop.
  If you’re a family that does train collection or enjoys remote control vehicles,  no holiday is complete without a stop by the hobby shop.  Ours has a neat toy section, where Zoe made herself comfortable at the lemonade stand, and Amelia went pointing out the coolest trains.  (She found a George Washington train, which prompted my husband to consider collecting the presidential set.)  Because these toys are unique, you can really hone in on what your child is attracted to, especially if there are displays set up. Also, these shops are way less crowded than your giant toy or Disney store this time of year.  I avoid those with kids if possible!
• Observe what they’re watching and doing.
  When Zoe curls up with the iPad (I almost wrote “her iPad”…not!), she like to watch things about cooking.  Specifically, videos of cooking toys that function especially if they are tiny.   Plus both kids have become enamored of trying to help me crack eggs (with varying results, lol) and mix batter.  Amelia is now a master with the whisk – there isn’t anything she won’t whisk.  Seriously, a bowl with batteries in it?? Time to whisk!  The upshot to this is all these clues get me targeted on some really neat items I’d like them to have so they can learn to help me!

How do you figure out what your kids want for gifts if they don’t speak? Share your tips!