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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

What to get ASD 5yo boy?

41 replies

addicteetopawpatrol · 09/09/2023 16:46

He doesn't hugely play with toys but he is into peppa so got him a few peppa toys

Ppl often suggest autistic toys marketed for kids on spectrum like various fidget toys or sensory etc but he isn't bothered by them

He's speech delayed which doesn't help so he can't tell me what he wants

In general he loves drinking juice, reading and being outdoors

Any ideas lol

OP posts:
Original poster
addicteetopawpatrol · 09/09/2023 16:47

Oh and he has bike and scooter already

OP posts:
Helpwhatwouldyoudonext · 09/09/2023 16:49

A magnifying glass.
A (lift the flap, Usbourne?) book about small UK garden creatures.
A fishing net.
A pond dipping trip.
A worm farm glass thing for his bedroom.

An intro to dinosaurs? (your life may never be the same...)

Original poster
addicteetopawpatrol · 09/09/2023 16:51

Sorry I should have said I'm thinking more what to get as a main gift

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Helpwhatwouldyoudonext · 09/09/2023 16:57

After a few years I realised that the idea of a 'main gift' for my ASD child was something they had no idea about and something that society/ peers / shops had invented!

Gifts are gifts. Some years mine had something bigger than others present, sometimes not. When I look back now, I realise that the years they had several small things they loved were the most successful.
Last year the standout winner was a 9.99 box of fidget toys from Amazon.

He's only 5 - but what he will play with, even if it's not much. It all works out - maybe in a few years you'll be buying 'tech' which is the equivalent of several years of 'main' present.

Original poster
addicteetopawpatrol · 09/09/2023 16:59

True true

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Helpwhatwouldyoudonext · 09/09/2023 16:59

And kids don't need lots of plastic stuff. Catalogues and adverts make us think they do - go with things he shows interest in. With a non-verbal DC you might find something crops up in Mid-March, be ready to buy it then.
Best wishes.

nicknamehelp · 09/09/2023 17:02

Days out or season tickets are presents aswell they don't need piles of presents.

Fivemoreminutes1 · 09/09/2023 17:02

Giant beanbag
FurReal cubby bear
Giant piano play mat
Lava lamp
Bubble machine
Sand pit
Pop up play tent
Water table

Original poster
addicteetopawpatrol · 09/09/2023 17:02

@nicknamehelp yes I am aware of that but in need a few presents under the tree

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Fivemoreminutes1 · 09/09/2023 17:04

Light up bottle

hilbil21 · 09/09/2023 17:07

Any sensory needs? We got my son a gonge carousel. They're not cheap and he absolutely loves it. That was his main present two years ago.

Ellemeg82 · 09/09/2023 17:23

My sister bought a swing for the garden for my autistic non verbal 5yo nephew for his birthday.

He absolutely loves it. Spends hours on it.
Could an outdoor toy like a swing, climbing frame or trampoline be an idea.

Cubic · 09/09/2023 17:24

Can you take him to smyths and see if anything spikes his interest. Let him go and grab things.

A trampoline?

One of those bouncy boro things?

A trip to paultons Park?

Sprogonthetyne · 09/09/2023 17:34

Slushy maker? Mine love it, though it is a bit of a faff

Trampoline

Original poster
addicteetopawpatrol · 09/09/2023 17:34

He's NOT non verbal he's speech delayed

Some good ideas thanks

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Ivalueloyaltyaboveallelse · 09/09/2023 18:28

How about a mud kitchen? helps with sensory and role play which also helps with speech and language. Or a supermarket stall etc. I get It’s difficult my ASD DC has never really liked toys either but at that age he was also non verbal but did enjoyed tiny figures (Batman at the time) cars and technology.

Ivalueloyaltyaboveallelse · 09/09/2023 18:29

Sorry I just saw your post that said he has speech delay not that he's non verbal, I do apologise.

WaitingfortheTardis · 09/09/2023 18:33

Maybe some sort of outdoor teepee/playhouse/den that he can go in with his books and juice and anything else he wants in there?

Original poster
addicteetopawpatrol · 09/09/2023 18:37

So far I've done the indoor or outdoor tent. So indoor for now (Xmas time) but can easily be taken outdoors when warm eyc for him to sit in, it's not too babyish is it tho?

Cos I can kinda see how a baby would like it too lol

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dressedforcomfort · 09/09/2023 19:11

What's his sensory profile - is he sensory avoiding/sensory seeking?

My kid is under-sensitive to tactile/vestibular senses and has a peanut therapy ball which he absolutely loves. Uses it as a chair, bounces on it like a space hopper, rolls over it. He has one with the tactile nodules. Like this:

https://www.sensorydirect.com/sensory-peanut-ball-with-tactile-nodules?ps=MTQwPTg1&gclid=CjwKCAjwrCnBhA0EiwAci5sitO-mXYhz5LgjPcfMdeBNfO5AB8aXhT8yCXDtk7Xt-apwnR33oKyzRoCYpEQAvDD_BwE#140=85

dressedforcomfort · 09/09/2023 19:13

This was also popular when DS was younger. He's too big for it now.

https://www.happypuzzle.co.uk/nfop/teeter-rocker-green?gclid=CjwKCAjwrCnBhA0EiwAci5sijFCjA7HWstHfctgBHsMpqTTbIqYWduvbhpjgD3eAxLrvsGGqBgNqBoC1-UQAvDD_BwE

NoStyleNel · 09/09/2023 19:16

Is there any overlap between his interests and lego? ASD DS received a lego vehicle when he was 5 and has been hooked on lego ever since. Loves following the instructions and (luckily) the things he likes have had lego versions. It's also great for him when he needs something to fiddle with and has been really good for his fine motor skill development.

Original poster
addicteetopawpatrol · 09/09/2023 19:24

Has anyone seen my latest post about the tent is it too babyish etc

OP posts:
SpaceJamtart · 09/09/2023 19:41

addicteetopawpatrol · 09/09/2023 19:24

Has anyone seen my latest post about the tent is it too babyish etc

Tent isn't babyish don't worry, lots of children like tents. Just because a baby would also like it its still okay.

Would he get use out of practical presents for the outdoors? Walking boots, those kid hiking backpacks with the water bag and the straw attached, cool helmet, a slackline, a hammock.
Does he like audiobooks as well as reading? One of those Yoto things so he can play books or music while hes doing other things?
Puzzle books like the usborne ones?

Pjmasksonrepeat · 09/09/2023 19:49

I know a few kids with tents and teepees in their bedroom or living room so I wouldn't consider it baby ish.

My ASD DS is turning 5 next year and he is obsessed with lego, especially spidey and his amazing friends.

Another hit for him last year was a remote control car that lit up and spins around.