Present for 3 year old autistic boy

[musica]

Hi - just wanted to pick your brains a bit - I'm doing my christmas shopping and need to get something for a friend's boy who is 3 year old and autistic. I really want to get him something that he will enjoy - what sort of things would you have liked for your children at that age?

(Please don't think I'm lumping all autistic children together here - I know that all children are different, but if you could give me some ideas of what YOUR child would like then I can think if this boy would like something like that. )

Does he have an 'obsession'? My 3yr old is really into helicopters and aeroplanes and loves to spin the rotors and propellors. Thomas the tank engine is also fairly popular.

Jigsaws can also be good, though it would depend on whether or not he has good coordination and fine motor skills. Ds1 loves anything with wheels, things that light up, and anything to do with numbers and counting.

depends whether he's verbal or not etc etc. Any more info? Music blocks were a great hit with ds1- still are (ds2 loves them as well) but they are expensive (30 quidish- too much for a friend I'm guessing?). Obsessions are good. I bought ds1 a washing machine game today. Friend's dd is getting dogs dogs and more dogs!

Agree about thomas and helicopters etc.

that's a good idea- ds1 got one last year

Best thing I ever bought, but maybe too expensive as present, is ELC trampoline (c.£40). Agree with lava lamps, fibre optic lamps etc. You can get some nice jigsaw books or etch-a-sketch. Anything cause and effect. My son LOVES his vile electric guitar from ELC whcih does riffs and wild heavy metal guitar solos at the touch of a button......

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll have a think about the light idea. A bit more info about him - his talking is relatively good, but his understanding isn't - he tends to echo things or use 'learned' phrases. He definitely likes music and physical activity.

Thanks again!