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Original poster

What to get... how much to spend... ASD DS

33 replies

thederkinsdame · 02/12/2009 11:48

Hi, I wondered how much you are getting your kids for Christmas? DS (ASD) likes toys, but we are reluctant to spend loads, as it's so hit or miss as to whether something will be played with. I feel mean not getting much, but also don't want o buy him some old tat just for the sake of it IYSWIM.
Any ideas? He's 3 BTW

OP posts:
TheDevilWearsPrimark · 02/12/2009 11:53

DS is 4.

I'm getting him a toy kitchen which a local carpenter is building (cheaper than you'd think)

This is because he's had three which he's managed to destroy but it's his favourite toy - the only 'make believe' play he ever does- so I think a nice solid one is a good investment.

Other than that I've bought loads and loads of cars from poundland - he's bound to like them and it won't matter that he takes them apart.

Plus some lego, train track and giant magnetix.

Oh and loads of triangle shaped colouring pencils / felt tips/ painting brushesas he can't grip 'normal' ones and gets frustrated.

What doesyour DS normally like to play with?

pagwatch · 02/12/2009 11:54

I have three children and I always buy for my son who has ASD exactly the same as I do for my others.

I have had a couple of presents which he has instantly put to one side but it has been far out-weighed by the presents I have bought for him that he absoloutely loves.
But I always try and chose a present that will make him happy rather than something age appropriate. He still likes toys aimed at younger children butthat is fine with me.

If you buy something and he does not like it you could always sell it on on Amazon or Ebay

TheDevilWearsPrimark · 02/12/2009 11:58

Oh yes pagwatch I agree about the age appropriate thing.

I got DS a shape sorter that makes funny noises and a rainmaker for his birthday because they were his favourite things at SALT.

He plays with them all the time.

Original poster
thederkinsdame · 02/12/2009 11:59

Thedevilwearsprimark - he loves kitchens, too and it is aboiut the only make believe play he does! He loves the one at nursery, but sadly we don't have room for one at home but he does have a mini cooker thing. He also loves cars and trains, but only plays briefly and flits from one to another. Where did you buy your triangular pencils etc? DS has hypermobility and struggles to grip pens too.

pagwatch - you are right. It's hard though,a s I don't really feel that he's into much. I might get him a toy kettle, as he covets them, and maybe a hoover. I find I always end up buying him loads of cheap small presents, and stupidly I feel that I should get him a 'big ticket' gift. Also, DH wants to limit the amount he has to open, as he was overwhelmed last year.

OP posts:
TheDevilWearsPrimark · 02/12/2009 12:08

If space is limited this might be good?

www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3840164/Trail/searchtext%3ETOY+KITCHEN.htm

Depends if your DS is destructive like mine though as it's pretty flimsy.

As for pens etc (ooh how angry I am at the term 'immature grip' that comes on all reports)
I have some handhuggers ones, some from ELC and the rest were from a local toy shop.

On birthdays/ xmas I always open the presents steadily, even over a couple of days. My mum was stunned when my DC still had unwrapped presents last new year but I think it's better.

Original poster
thederkinsdame · 02/12/2009 12:11

Thanks for the links and tips. He's not too destructive, but as he has trouble with his hands, things do tend to break if they are flimsy. Oh - I'm going to go and have a look for the pens and stuff - they will go down really well! I knwo what you mean about unopened presents. We were the same last year!

OP posts:
jasdox · 02/12/2009 12:14

going to get ds2 this: Playskool Busy Ball Popper (a review:They still are amazed by the fact that they can push a bright red button and it starts off a little fan inside, which then pushes the balls out of the top and into the slide again.) or Busy Ball Choo Choo,
but also know it because ds1 asd will also love it.

also at nursery it's v. popular - Playskool busy gears - It's electronic gears go round and round with flashing lights and happy songs
Gears are interchangeable and can also be stacked, sorted and re-arranged.

jasdox · 02/12/2009 12:15

can get also sorts of pens a sensetoys

TheDevilWearsPrimark · 02/12/2009 12:15

Oh the busygears sounds perfect for my Ds thanks for the tip.

TheDevilWearsPrimark · 02/12/2009 12:18

www.amazon.co.uk/Plan-Toys-55231-Water-Blocks/dp/B0000663QL/ref=pd_sim_k_h_b_cs_3

This looks brilliant too. DS likes to get right down on the floor/ table and follow movement with his eyes so he will love it.

Peachy · 02/12/2009 12:26

I think its hardest at 3 - 4, I struggle now a bit stillwith ds3 (6) but know that he adores computer games and I can usually steer him towards something- it's adinosaur robot this year.

I do wholeheartedly agree with the get what they want not what they should like thing. I don't think I've ever yet had to track down a toy-of-the-year and thank goodness for that (well,I did for DH but thats another story LOL)

Usually in a year or two tehre will be pronounced favouriotes- lego, dinosaurs, history, sponge bob, Iggle Piggle..... the list is endless. By which time you'll be screaming as you throw the umpteenth ITNG toy into the trolley (or is that just me?Both ds3 and ds4 are into it and ds3 does not share).

pagwatch · 02/12/2009 12:56

I think the point about avoiding overload is an important one to thederlinsdame.

We do presents at stages through christmas day and boxing day. It helps DS2 to process what is happening and restore a little calm for a while.
It also allows me to get a drink, DH to start getting us something to eat, and DD and DS1 go away and play withtheir new things for gods sake....

TDWP
rainmaker! I love them and we have not had one of those in the house for ages. Thanks

2ChildrenPlusLA · 02/12/2009 17:19

I'm not getting ds anything. He doesn't understand Christmas and we are going away anyway. I'm spending a fortune lately on reinforcers for his ABA programme and I think he is saturated with novelty as it is. He won't miss it this year, and I won't miss having more plastic tat in my living room.

BTW, I LOVE the idea of a two day christmas. So much less pressure and you can actually enjoy yourself. Thanks Pagwatch

Marne · 02/12/2009 18:03

I have spent too much on dd2 this year, last year all she would play with was puzzles but now she has started imaginative play there is more i can buy her. I have got her:

A large wheely bug - we had a small one which i got 2nd hand and she loved it so i know this will get some use.

A microphone - She loves singing.

Waybuloo toys - she has seen them in the shops and refuses to move away from them.

A shape sorting bus from ELC - she loves sorting shapes and it can just be used as a toy bus for imaginative play.

Last year she didn't really understand x-mas, was non-verbal and almost no understanding at all, this year she keeps saying 'christmas mummy' and singing x-mas songs, she's also pointing out father x-mas when she spots him in the shops.

We will be having a 2 day x-mas, we are out for lunch x-mas day so they wont get much time to open things, we have the step children on boxing day so we can all open some presents together on boxing day.

Dd1 (AS) likes the look of gears gears gears. she's also getting a globe from her grandad (hopefully one with animals on it) as she is obsessed with the world, countries and animals.

sarah876 · 02/12/2009 19:32

Its funny because I didnt know my son had ASD until recently but I have always instinctively bought him construction toys...such as magnetics , k-nex, lego that sort of thing. He has never had imagination play and all these years I just thought 'well every kids different' When he was small it was lego and then the toys got my complicated as he got older.

5inthesleighbed · 02/12/2009 19:39

I've bought DS2 a tv/dvd combi as he is very in to dvd's and its the only thing that keeps his attention for longer than 3 seconds. Its a traditional (old style) one which will be easier for him to use (harder for him to break) and didn't cost an arm and a leg.

Also agree with the non-age appropriate stuff. DS2 is 4, but would still happily play with ITNG stuff. Bought him some Little Einsteins stuff as he loves the programme. SO he will also be getting that on dvd.

He is obsessed with fairgrounds and funfairs and we've also bought him one of those sweety grabbing machines.

Marne · 02/12/2009 19:49

Both dd's (5.9 & 3.8) love construction toys, we have loads of lego and dd1 loves knex at school.

Dd1 also likes playmobil but i think its become an obsession (more of a collection than something she plays with).

Marne · 02/12/2009 19:51

5inthebed- dd1 had a thing about sweety grabbing machines and the coin machines (that you keep putting pennies in until they fall out the bottom).

5inthesleighbed · 02/12/2009 20:03

He has a whole montage of fairground pictures along his bed . He loves them, yet won't ride on one

Also, I tend to get ds2 a few spinny toys as he loves anything that spins. Tesco have a fab musical drum that plays music the faster you spin it. It is great fun and only about £8ish.

Marne · 02/12/2009 20:09

I like the look of colour me a song and magical melody maker.

2ChildrenPlusLA · 02/12/2009 20:14

Wow Marne, they are brilliant.

5inthesleighbed · 02/12/2009 20:19

They do look really cool! Me and my sister were playing with looking at the colour me a song ones in Tesco yesterday.

Marne · 02/12/2009 20:36

just found this on Amazon, dd1 would love one of these in her room, i also like the moon in my room.

5inthesleighbed · 02/12/2009 21:00

That solar system looks amazing! Does it just plug into the lightbulb bit? Ds would love that.

allaboutme · 02/12/2009 21:08

we are gettin ds1 a junior scalextric set as he really loves cars