SN gifts thread

[Gentlygently]

Last year there was a very good thread (or part of thread) with requests and suggestions for gifts for children with various SN. I can't find it so I thought I would start a new one.

I am looking for ideas for DS10 who has ADHD and is dyslexic. Audiobook suggestions welcome, also anything to make spelling fun, and easy-read but interesting for his age books.
Are there any 'fiddle toys' that people recommend for older children?

Do add your own requests!

I was wondering about the Shave a Sheep. I'm not sure DS knows what Ninjagos are!

Imagiplanks look fab! Can you buy them in the U.K.?

We have quite a few of the lego games, they are quite variable.

The creator game isn't too bad, as you move round the board you collect pieces to build the model on your card. There aren't that many pieces to collect but we did have quite a lot of frustration when the dice rolls meant they kept missing the square they needed to land on. There is also a take a piece from another player square, for this reason we could only ever play it as a parent & child game. Both children = two lots of meltdown.

Shave a sheep isn;t one we have sheep but both my nephews love it. Again I think you do end up steeling either sheep or wool from other players at some points.

We've got a car race one which is quite good, the Chima and Magicus ones however are pretty boring to play, even by the standards of kids games.

@soupmode

We used to have some duplo story books, which each came with the blocks to build the characters. I think there was a page at the end with instructions, but I'm not 100% certain.

I don't think they make them anymore, but there are a few on ebay
fairy tale

caterpillar

We've found lego instructions online and printed out own instructions, we've got so many bricks I can usually sort out the ones needed into a little box for him. Time consuming but a lot cheaper than constantly buying more sets.

Have you tried the How to Train your Dragon series on audiobook? They are absolutely fantastic and there are about 10 of them I think. David Tennant reads them and the voices he does are just hilarious. We started on them when DS was 5 - he’s now 14 and they are still favourites for long car journeys with all 4 DC ranging from 8-14, and with DH and I, even though the reading level is very much at the stage of the 3 youngest kids.

No idea what we are going for this year but bought a gorilla gym last year and it was a huge hit.

I want one of those indoor swings!

Thanks for starting this op. DC is 13 has Autism, ADHD, Severe learning difficulties, Sensory processing Disorder and Developmental delay presents as @ 3_ 4 year old in most things including play.

Desperately wants a play kitchen, but is much to tall and big physically for the one's that are made for pre school children. Also cannot tolerate plastic.

Does any one have any ideas on how I could replicate/ buy a (preferably wooden) play kitchen?

TIA

There are lots of Ikea hacks online using chairs etc. Could you maybe use a table?

@gigglingHyena Thanks for the duplo book tip, they look right up DS's street :)

My 11 year old has the gorilla gym swing and loves it!

Any recommendations for DVDs? DS likes anything that involves a bit of slapstick like Sooty and Sweep, cartoons like Bing and 3rd and Bird, and lots of old programmes like Bod and Mr Benn (and think the slower pace suits him).

DD is on the ADHA spectrum. She loves squishies to relax or the good old fashion stressball.

She is also into everything soft, we drown in cuddly toys, fleece blankets, fleece or velvety pillows.

Audiobooks, we use them a lot, often for her minority language but also to break up car journey or for her to lay down and listen after lunch at the weekend . She is 11 and loves

Cornelia Funke, she has some ghost stories, may be a bit young, the Inkheart triology and Dragonriders
Harry Potter, the first three are only £25 at the BookPeople
David Walliams was a hit last year, again the BookPeople are the cheapest for the box set

Depending how often he hears them a subscribtion to ?Audible may be worth looking into.

Thanks for the audiobook suggestions - definitely something to look in to.

bugaboo we’ve had kidkraft kitchens in the past and while they’re really beautiful and quite big, I don’t think the quality was very good and definitely didn’t last rough play - the ikea play kitchen was really sturdy, but tiny.
Have you thought of making one yourself? There’s a couple of pictures here, if you convert something like a chest of drawers or a cabinet into a play kitchen then it’s likely to be bigger, and more durable.

Bugaboo, there are quite a few play kitchen ideas on Pinterest based on the IKEA Ivar shelves. With longer uprights you could make something a more appropriate height. Sounds like a fun project.

Soupmode my ds loves Mr Bean. Original more than the new cartoon version.

Thanks for the ideas regarding play kitchens . Will look on pintrest. Never thought of making one!

Oh! I love this thread. I'm also willing to give presents to kids who have ADHD.

Looking out for ideas for a 14 year old and 12 year old, both very sensory seeking. Younger one also has quite a few coordination issues so more complex lego and things frustrate him no end.

Love the sound of the how to train your dragon audio books. DS likes the films and listens to audio books in his school taxi each day, so any more suggestions also welcome.

14 year old is dragon mad.

bugaboo This company landscapes4learning.com/ was on dragons den a little while ago. The funding they got is to create a 'build at home' version of their kitchens. They look sturdy but pricy, but might be worth contacting them?

I recommend the Swallows and Amazons series on audiobook. They are around 10hours plus, so I reckon you get your money's worth!

gigglingHyena Maybe a twiddle muff for the car?

gigglingHyena my DC won’t even watch the films because they are so different to the books and because the books are just SO.MUCH.BETTER! If your DS loves dragons I can pretty much guarantee he will love the audiobooks - they are outstanding. (How to cheat a dragon’s curse is my personal favourite)

These are fab, thank you for some great ideas.

I've just bought this and it's lovely!

Playlearn SWGB Glitter Ball snow globe with LED color changing Mood Light

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LZGPOTD

Love this thread, I have 2 DD’s with ASD (now 12 and 15), I’m struggling with the 12 year old as we have had almost every toy and sensory toy known to man.

She has actually made her own fidget toy after we have tried so many and also fiddles with blue tac.

She’s asked for Pokemon cards but have no idea what else to get her as she breaks everything other than Lego.

I have just ordered a bungee chair for , Ds . A couple of sqishies