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Birthdays with autistic child

8 replies

TikkaJam · 27/09/2026 09:10

Sons 5th birthday is approaching and eldest son who is 6.5 yrs old is autistic and struggles with needing everything to be the same. This causes quite a lot of issues with toys and belongings. He has to have what his brother has but it could even be a button he found on the floor! He is then relentless in his pursuit of it being equal and receiving the same/being treated the same. I want my 5 year old to feel special and important on his birthday but I’m dreading giving him his gifts because I already know what we’re in for. Any tips? Practical advice? Thanks

OP posts:
Brendayouknowthatyouremuchtoolazy · 27/09/2026 09:25

Have you always made sure that they do have the same? If sameness a reasonable expectation for him?
You could try social stories with him. Depending on his level of understanding, you could get him involved in choosing the presents. And if you do tend to give them the same, maybe start doing it a bit differently going forward, eg same item different colour to start with.

24Dogcuddler · 27/09/2026 09:44

You have recognised the issue and are rightly looking for strategies to deal with it. It’s hard without knowing anything about your autistic son.

Your younger son deserves a lovely birthday where he feels special. He may grow up resenting his brother. Years of “ let him have it” “ let him win” etc.
It’s not good preparation for life or building resilience.

I taught a child with very complex needs and autism in special school. His siblings attended the mainstream next door and Mum would collect him with them in tow ( most were on transport home)
So we witnessed cakes made by siblings proudly shown to Mum snatched and eaten, toys taken and pictures destroyed.
Mum did nothing and we understood why as our pupil would have had a meltdown and she couldn’t have got him home.
We saw this but I know it will have gone on in lots of homes.

Strategies will depend on his understanding and ability. If they have 2 toys the same would he still want both?
Social stories may help as PP says

Turn taking, sharing and waiting are best taught with an adult first using timers and a WAIT symbol

Name ownership of items verbally and visually smaller items can be put in zippy wallets named e.g.Ben or with a colour if he can’t read

When playing alongside use coloured hula hoops 2 different colours everything inside the red is Ben’s blue yours etc just to teach.

Colour coded toy boxes again while learning to teach ownership and possession, one colour each.

Use books about turn taking, sharing, being kind etc. Even if he learns some skills in school he won’t necessarily transfer them to home.

Have somewhere secure for your young DS for toys. Do they have their own rooms?

For his birthday could the birthday boy have a trip out somewhere with you or Grandparents for some special time away.
Can he open presents away from his brother ( not forever) just til things improve.

Things should get better over time especially as you are looking to address it. Good luck.

Floppyearedlab · 27/09/2026 09:59

Can he be looked after by someone else at least for part of it so that your lovely 5 year old can at least open his presents without needing body armour or having the experience totally ruined?

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ExplodingSmittens · 27/09/2026 11:32

I think you’ve had some really positive advice already. Is his birthday on a school day or at the weekend?

vodkacran · 27/09/2026 12:57

Floppyearedlab · 27/09/2026 09:59

Can he be looked after by someone else at least for part of it so that your lovely 5 year old can at least open his presents without needing body armour or having the experience totally ruined?

This. Can dad not take the sibling out? The birthday boy deserves to feel special and also shouldn't feel obligated to celebrate his birthday with his brother also getting gifts or it being made about him too.

TikkaJam · 27/09/2026 13:42

Thank you I really appreciate the advice. I should have given more context, he is very happy for his brother to have his moment and is always involved in making it special, although on occasion he has an unrelated meltdown but we’ve managed that well until now, overall his enthusiasm for others is lovely. It’s literally just the gifts, he doesn’t ruin it in the moment, it’s always after…. My 5 year old has been asking for those mini electric wiggle cars for about 18 months and has not budged or asked for anything else, so I was just a bit mindful that my eldest ASD son would just not accept that he isn’t getting one but we won’t be buying two. I wouldn’t have my youngest feel as though he doesn’t get his special moment. We have family that come for their birthdays and they always bring a gift each but we do hold back the gift that is for the non birthday child and give it later or the next day. It’s been a real challenge in our house despite playing practicing turn taking by playing lots of board games etc, separating and labelling their stuff, mainly because my youngest has the biggest heart and is his brothers biggest advocate! So he almost argues against himself!

OP posts:
Overthebow · 27/09/2026 13:50

What happens at Christmas? Is he ok with them both having gifts but the gifts are different? If so, I’d make sure he has a small gift to open at the same time. Then in his birthday his brother can get a small gift too.

Floppyearedlab · 27/09/2026 19:16

Giving gifts to the non birthday child is just wrong and a terrible example to set

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