Mumsnet Talk

Am struggling again to think of a good present for DBIL who has severe learning difficulties. He is very outgoing, but has viirtually no speech and just a few signs. He is probably functioning at about the level of a 3yo. He used to be quite active, but his body seems to be wasting and he is now only just able to feed himself.

We usually get him clothes, and sometimes do a DVD of video we have taken of our holidays, etc as he seems to enjoy watching people he knows (not interested in the TV), but it would be lovely to get him something different.

Any ideas?

i may be totally off track but what about something sensory. a prism mobile/ windchime to hang in his window. (sight and hearing) and perhaps something that is really soft he can hold/wear. (touch)

Oooh, I love the idea of the prism mobile - will look out for one at the craft market tomorrow! Thanks

microwaveable wheat bags, music/talking book CD, large piece jigsaw puzzles, perpetual motion 'toys'?

hth

Oooh thanks! What are microwaveable wheat bags and why would he like them? Not meaning to be rude - just don't know anything about them

I think the large piece jigsaw could be a good idea, but I guess you only get them for young children?

My cousin who is 40 and has severe LDs likes to get CDs - she has a very simple on/off player and likes things with lots of bass.

Something else he might like is a photobook of your family - I make one on Snapfish for my mum (who has dementia) every year with lots of pictures of what has happened each month and she spends ages looking through. If you put in simple captions (and a table of people at the back that says BigTilly is X's sister in law etc) , he can share it with his carers

Yes, a photobook would be good too - might have to be for his birthday now though!

Thank you all so much

hi there bigTilly

this is the sort of thing i meant by microwaveable wheat bag

and large piece jigsaws

hth

what about somethign like www.talkingproducts.com/recordable-cards-gifts/talking-photo-albums-gifts/talking-photo-albums.html?

they are usually easy enough to record, and so the photos could be updated regularly with talking captions.

Thanks santa - I've no idea what he would be like at doing a jigsaw - don't think he's ever given anything "educational" to do at home! I think it might have to be one of the 10 piece-type ones at least to start with.

Silverfrog, the talking photo album looks cool - another one to get organised with for the future

I'm glad you have got some helpful ideas, bigTilly

It can be really hard to buy presents when you have no idea whether they are appropriate/wanted/useful/whatever.

I find it hard enough sometimes to get things for my dd1 (severe ASD), and I live with her, and know exactly what is/isn't appropriate/useful/whatever!