Christmas gift ideas for a 3yo autistic child

[lovechoc]

Can someone please tell me what kind of toys to get for a 3yo who suffers from autism?? Don't want to end up buying a toy that he can't play with.

TIA :)

I seem to remeber my nophew liking Thomas stuff. My sister read somewhere that Thomas stuff is popular with children who have autism because their features are always the same.

But it could also be that he as an individual likes trains :)

Purpleduck is right, Thomas is very popular with autistic children so anything Thomas related would be good imo and ime.

My ds's big "enthusiasm" (we're not allowed to say obsession!!) is cars, trains in fact anything wheeled!! Maybe you could ask the parent/s what he likes?

What does he like?

What's your budget?

'suffers from autism' is not a good way of phrasing this.

Just thought bubbles may be good too?

Disco ball?

Agree about Thomas. DS also LOVES Thunderbirds.

Also stuff here:

www.sensetoys.com

Things with lights are often quite good, though depends on what sort of things they like. Each child is an individual.

Some things I've brought children on the autistic spectrum:

Fibre Optic table lamp - these are battery operated, so safe ish for children.

Some short 1m ish long plastic pipes from a DIY shop. Various diameter. They are used in the bath to syphon water from one bottle to another. Hand operated Water pump if you can find one.

Tomy Big Loader (often on ebay)

Be careful with Thomas things, as they may already have quite a large collection and may well know exactly which one's they require.

Actually thats a good point about the Thomas stuff, DS used to get really stroppy if people bought the wrong things. And I have to admit, as an adult with Aspergers, I'd rather know what presents I am getting, rather than be surprised with the "wrong" thing. I don't mind being surprised with something that I know I'd have picked if only I'd thought of it . Of course, even if its not what I want, I've learned to smile sweetly and say thank you, but as a child it was a different matter!

What about a giant egg timer? Have just got one from ebay for my dd and I noticed on the blurb that its good for children on the spectrum as well.

apologies for wording the OP the way I did. Should have started a thread when I wasn't so knackered.

Think I may well go for an egg timer. Thomas stuff is probably in abundance at their house because he has an older brother.

Thanks for all your suggestions!:)

Don't worry about the wording OP, seems fairly obvious you weren't trying to upset people!

I opened the thread to suggest Thomas as well. A friend of mine has an autistic son and he loves the whole collection. I'm told it's because their faces have happy and consistent expressions.

They were about ten pounds and came in different colours for different times, we got the 5 minutes (yellow).

Not sure why the child would want an egg timer. Sand timers are often used to help establish routine during the day but it's more a present for the adult, than the child... isn't it?

Sorry, realise you weren't trying to upset people. Many positive aspects of autism and it's not an illness or disease, that's why I don't like people saying ;suffers from.' Was also knackered when I posted!

Possible ideas he may like
Bubbles, ribbons on sticks, torches, silly putty, bells (if he tolerates those noises), water toys, moon sand, pull along toys, fans, rain shaker, fibre optic lamp, stacking cups

egg timer sounds good though

Spinning tops

Wind spinners

Physio ball

The wooden puzzles which you insert the pieces in to the holes

Cheap and FABULOUS light up toys - -

www.hawkin.com/20670-09205/light-up-kinetic-wheel

www.hawkin.com/20670-09205/light-up-kinetic-wheel

www.hawkin.com/20670-10858--2/thunder-stick

thanks everyone.:)

pinguwings I've had a nosey at hawkin's page and some of those toys are now a possibility too. There's also a shop in town so likelihood is greater buying him a toy from there. Prefer to see and feel the toys myself rather than shopping for them online.

we bought a christmas present last year that he didn't end up playing with because he can't- I felt like crap.His parents don't really talk so we don't actually know what he likes - they aren't forthcoming.

My DS although quite a bit older now loved little things that he could fiddle with in his hands and anything he could turn into a collection.

He was never that bothered by Thomas but dinosaurs were his thing. He hated and still hates puzzles. Things that he could twirlwith his fingers and he used to make windmills out of Meccano. Spinning tops were good.

Nowadays it's collections of Bakugan and Pokemon cards.

How about a solar powered crystal rainbow maker that you stick on the window and it makes little "rainbows" round the room? There are two sorts, one is not as good as the other so check out reviews, here's one www.glow.co.uk/solar-rainbow-maker.htm

My 3 year old has ASD and he loves his egg timer, spinning tops and anything that flashes. He loves Hawkins Bazaar too - just be careful what you buy as my DS manages to destroy the stuff we buy from there quite quickly.

How about a torch?

My DS loved his click clack track too but mainly cars, especially cars that make noises!

How much do you want to spend?

I made a friend's ds a picture book of photos of familar people and places :)

My dd has one for piano practice. However, I can see the appeal of an egg timer for a younger child, they are predictable. Loving the rainbow maker!

spoke to the parents at last - turns out they don't even know what their son likes :(

So we've went down the cash gift route which wasn't what I wanted to do, but at least the money is there when they do realise what he likes.