Christmas present ideas for an autistic 6yr old girl

[shopafrolic]

Hello. My friend needs to buy a gift for her autistic granddaughter. She loves the outdoors, but can't read or write and struggles to interact with people. She loves dogs and talks to dogs at the park without any fear. Because she lives far away we don't know much more about likes and dislikes. I just wondered if anyone had any suggestions? Budget £40 max. Thanks in advance.

ds2 (also asd) has had several of these over the years - he used to love how they ran across the floor barking

That looks great - thanks. I've passed the link onto my friend.

My dd (age 6 with ASD) loves her Bilibo not dog realated but great for spinning or hiding under (dd puts her head under it). My dd cant tolarate anything that makes a loud noise so a noisy dog toy would make her cover her ears but all kids are different.

What about a pair of binoculars and books on outdoors things.

My dd enjoyed a mini trampoline at that age.

What about a puppet dog or a nice soft toy dog with some bits like a bowl and a lead?

Have you seen those my keepon robot toys? Apparently they were initially designed with autistic children in mind. I don't know what it will be like but am buying one for an autistic adult for Christmas as she loves things like that-virtual pets etc. might be worth having a look.

I'd second the mini trampoline too an absolute Godsend here, bounce off some of the energy and give sensory feedback brilliant.

Yes trampoline or maybe a space hopper? ds2 is 16 and still has his daily bounce when he gets home from school which he says helps his brain get "unbusy".

My DD is 4 and autistic. She has certain books she loves and will 'read' to herself, one is the very hungry caterpillar so SIL is getting her a VHC magnet playset - does your friend's GD have a favourite story like that?

A lava or bubble lamp? Those strings like fairy lights for round her bed?, MIL recently bought DD some with butterflies on
I saw some new lamps in toysrus recently, part of a range of stuff with some kind of gel beads but couldn't look too closely as DC were with us!

A dog hand puppet, or colouring set?

Thank you so much everyone - fabulous ideas - I am passing them all on. V grateful.