Christmas presents for a severely autistic boy

[MirrorLake]

I have a 11 year old boy who is severely autistic. Hes non verbal with a learning disability and I’m really struggling with what to get him for Christmas. Hes just this last year understood the concept of opening a present and there is something inside he might like!

He can’t read/write or draw, he can’t use an iPad and doesn’t play video games.

Does anyone have any ideas of any sensory/light things that they have come across?

He has had a lot over the years and has most things already so I’m looking for some something I may not have seen before.

Already have stuff such as a black out tent, ceiling light, different types of sensory balls etc.

So far I have already got him his fav sweets, smellies, bath bombs, fluffy socks, a few sensory bits, infinity wall light.

Thanks.

We have a family friend of 14 who is severely autistic and also blind. We recently bought him a cuddly toy that tells stories when you press it's paw and he likes to listen to it at night, there are about 10 stories included and you can also add more via a website, I found it on Amazon if that helps at all?

Is this the sort of thing? If not it's worth looking on the site.
http://www.sensorywise.co.uk/glitter-squidgy-sparkle-disc-red

A Tonie box or Yoto player?
LED infinity mirror
Ceiling projector (astronaut etc)
Cosy blanket/onesie etc.

I used to work in a school for children with SEN and one lad loved roller skating. It really helped to calm him when he was high and bouncy.

Peanut ball? Great if he's a bouncy child and also helps core movement.

Have a look at the tts group they have some fantastic light up things building bricks/spheres and cylinders, I really like their giant light up spin top which plays music.

If you have an ot that can fill in a form for you you can also look at the sensory packages through cauldwell children we have just ordered my daughter a tactile light up wall thing which also plays music ... I'm sorry I can't describe this better. But I do not mean the small sensory packs from them.

Also infinity mirror, tonies box and we have brought the light up ice cubes that you normally put in drinks but we put them in the bath :) also look at crackle baff for additional stocking filler

The dancing cactus was a big hit in our house last year and musical books.

Bubble tube, there are some reasonably priced ones out there now

How about a cd player and some cds of his favourite music? He might not be able to work the player himself yet but will hopefully enjoy the listening.

Does he have a favourite character/show/thing? How about some bedding or a hoodie with that on.

My kids (one ND, one NT) both love a lava lamp and think they’re the coolest thing ever!

Jelly fish lamp?

Would a weighted blanket or duvet be appropriate?

If not, agree with yoto as there is a wide range of stuff he could listen to (Tonies may be more limiting as they are aimed at a younger age group), along with free podcasts, radio stations etc. They are also virtually unbreakable.

Bubble machine
Hula hoop
Basket ball hoops for soft balls, type that goes over doors.

One of the disco ball things that you put in the bath? Lights up the water and the walls around him?

https://www.brightminds.co.uk/products/disco-bath-lights-set-of-2?variant=9282368831530&country=GB&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA3ZC6BhBaEiwAeqfvynteYetGcauSV5kdQGkQZvd5wE9b1l2v5YJ0wRrxkxUM5b5gPN5hQBoC108QAvD_BwE

Does he like cause and effect toys DS used to love them.

Deal: Joyreal Wooden Busy Board 2 Year Old, Montessori Sensory Toys for Toddlers, Fidget Board with 19 LED Lights, Educational Toys Travel Toys Activity Board for Boys Girls 2 3 4 Year Olds amzn.eu/d/ajnQXJy

My brother sounds similar to your son and gifts that have gone down well with him are a bubble machine and a trampoline.

Yes he does, he goes through stages of liking different things.
He went for a stage of posting things too 🤣

Thank you everyone. Some great ideas on here that I will look into

We had something from cauldwell about 5 years ago. It’s a huge sensory light station/table thing.

We had the slim baff stuff for him before and his face was horrified when he got in the bath and realised it wasn’t normal water. Bless him💕

I have a close family member who has similar needs and we always get him a fidget toy advent calendar which goes down well. Also second the Tonie, and bubble tube. Also a star light projector was well received one year.

Thanks for starting this thread. I’m tearing my hair out over finding suitable gifts for my severely autistic child.

No idea if any of this will be any good to you but…
someone up tnread suggested a Yoto. These are great and there’s currently a Black Friday sale.

vibrating cushion?

smyths toys do lovely glitter colour changing globe type things for £10. They are quite durable too.

litebrite touch?

stepping stones/wobble board/swing/trampoline

magnetic maze

I will look further into these tonies and yotos. I’m not 100% sure he will like them but I will do some more research as Iv never looked into them properly.

We already have things such as light projectors, trampolines, swing etc
We have had a couple of bubble machines but they have broke as he chucked them so I could get a new one.

He does like to watch tv shows and we already have tons of teddies and clothing.

Thank you for everyone who has made suggestions. It’s appreciated.

DN has a beautiful wobble board with a lovely soft cord pad on it. It can fit a grown up and he lays and rocks on it as he watches to or is read to. Just checked with Dsis and it’s from Babipur (spelling?!) and she said they offer 10% off if you sign up to a news letter.

I have two severely autistic sons, these are some of my eleven year old's birthday and Christmas presents

Spinning seat with a large size and a high weigh capacity
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0D6Z2FJXJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Ball shooting toy, although these are a pain to get hold of right now
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0C21LRH2K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Yoto mini and cards
Stomp rocket
Magnatiles. He has normal ones already, I ordered some Very Hungry Caterpillar ones from Amazon US as the book is a favourite. They also do Sesame Street
Learning Resources shining stars projector
Learning Resources toy ice creams
Cosmic Glow Change lamp from Smyths. A bit risky as it's glass but we will see how it goes
A 'fanimation' toy, a plastic fan where the light up picture appears on the blades of the fan
Tobar Neon Noodles sensory toy
Wooshies Rocket sensory toy from Smyths

Previous hits include:
A Didicar, these look small but adults can actually ride them. They are a huge hit at a SEN session we go to
Screwball Scramble (if it wouldn't be a choking hazard). He doesn't really understand the game but loves messing around with it.
Marble run
Anything from the brand Learning Resources, they are strong well made toys that will survive better than most
PlayDoh sets with cutters, he doesn't like the complicated sets he just wants to cut out lines of the same shape
Paint pens, easier the felt tips but no mess
Brio trainsets with battery trains. He doesn't do imaginary play but likes to watch a train go round
An adult rebounder exercise trampoline
Spinning tops
Bowling sets, he has loads of them
Leapfrog drum. My older son (also autistic) got it at age two, they have both loved it ever since
Portable DVD player with kids DVDs
Playmobil swimming pool. He chose this, I had no idea why he wanted this but he was obsessed. He likes to drop the figures in the water and shout 'spash'
Penguin race toy where they penguins go up the stairs and down the slide while it plays terrible music. He loves these things
This plasma ball from Smyths, it's plastic not glass and doesn't get hot
https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/arts-crafts-and-music/musical-instruments-and-karaoke/party-lights/15cm-plasma-ball-with-adaptor/p/221345

Little parachute guys you throw in the air https://www.amazon.co.uk/FUNVCE-Parachute-Throw-Outdoor-Children/dp/B082HC2DQY/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=12M3554RHXHZQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.b2VRF9jNup7X7QjvxfddO7vRv63rHmhb-DgEsi9EygzPnoKHM57vh_7TH5KWzmdv9ZqoA53c-EDO6kb0NY76FIt5o0ioHNyIFA9m6z7S9-1sVHEdLbSsDI3aNqA7F2DKPMvOzpqzaOoXJHoUlXoQfg9Wxxjsxsls29YOqaQUSl9WCXHA18lyHw8u8x9Vv2XYXQn9R8KdIvg7T4pAWl783Nf1lmas5_Eg6GHJD9AEz-LwgFcZZSfZ-5rcyOQvYFczhPeEj7tzyTD3oZZ8_1EZs_3IH0HcBKrylnVe20hJjKk.ukd11ses-40VMrUJcdSeTt3arVCKoWBnleJOG86a7PM&dib_tag=se&keywords=parachute%2Btoy&qid=1732571818&s=kids&sprefix=parachute%2Btoy%2Ctoys%2C87&sr=1-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

Space hopper?
Lava lamp?
Disco ball?
Slime? Ingredients to make different textures of slime?
Fleecy beanbag?