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Original poster

Birthday Presents for ASD child

28 replies

Davros · 13/07/2003 00:02

My typically autistic, non-verbal son's 8th birthday is coming up. He is an adored darling who is a lot of hard work! Every year I try to get him something for his birthday and Xmas but most things are of no interest to him. Typical of ASD, play is one of his worst areas of development. Its too mean not bothering to get him something but I just can't think of anything and don't want to get yet another toy/video etc that means nothing or something "practical" like headphones for home SIT etc. I've got a reasonable list of bits and pieces relatives etc can get him but what can mummy and daddy get? We've got a god bike, computer stuff, not sure about things like playstation or game boy, probably not appropriate.

OP posts:
janh · 13/07/2003 16:15

Something musical, like a keyboard or a set of percussion instruments? A scooter? Could he work a remote control car? Does he have any interest at all in ball games? A tent?

Probably all hopeless suggestions but I'm trying to think of things to do which aren't exactly play - I can see how hard it must be for you - is there no help from websites? What sorts of things does he actually do all day?

doormat · 13/07/2003 16:20

what about some outdoor play items ie swing, slide, cubbyhouse.Does he play outside much.
I know how you feel though, we have the same prob with our ds.He likes lights so we buy him different ones ie bubble, lava etc.

Jimjams · 13/07/2003 17:06

We've gone down the lights and bike path in the past. ELC used to sell these musical block things that he loves. You turn the blocks and get different sound- kind of hard to explain.

Any obsessions? I always go for trains if stuck....

Jimjams · 13/07/2003 17:12

We've gone down the lights and bike path in the past. ELC used to sell these musical block things that he loves. You turn the blocks and get different sound- kind of hard to explain.

Any obsessions? I always go for trains if stuck....

ScummyMummy · 13/07/2003 17:30

How about some really nice new clothes? You could try and take any sensory issues/colour preferences into account- eg if he likes snuggling and red you could buy a red fleece hoodie. At least he'd look gorgeous for his mum which is always nice!

tamum · 13/07/2003 17:34

I may be way off beam here, as I have no real concept of what he might enjoy, but what about electronic games like Bop-it? Doe he have good co-ordination? It would have the lights/sound appeal, at least, but maybe too frustrating?

Jimjams · 13/07/2003 18:56

trampoline? maybe expensive though.....

Eulalia · 13/07/2003 20:22

It's my son's 4th birthday on Saturday and he also doesn't play with his toys much (he is also autistic). We are having a party and I've asked people to get him craft things like paints, crayons, playdough etc or a kit to make something or even colouring in books as he'll happily do that for ages.

Dh and I have got him a space hopper (remember those?) a toy trumpet and some books and jigsaws and a video. He's got plenty trains, cars etc already. His grandparents are getting him some Lego. Will your ds play with this?

My ds likes helping me to cook - does your son like to do these things? He's about old enough to manage simple things. What about a baking kit with cutters?

Original poster
Davros · 15/07/2003 22:45

Thanks everyone for the great ideas. Unfortunately, at the grand old age of 8, we've already gone through quite a lot, including the trampoline which I think is essential for an ASD child (only little ELC one so far). I've got quite a list of bits and pieces but wanted to come up with an original and special pressie from mummy and daddy.................. Maybe a better keyboard than the toy one he likes..? This year we're going to be away for his birthday for the first time (first hol in 6 years) and we normally have a big party with everyone we know invited, especially those with ASD kids as I know what its like to go to parties full of "perfect" kids (or so it seems to us) [see other threads of feeling down?]. I also always invite all siblings. Everyone thinks we're so marvellous for inviting everyone and it does give lots of people new to ASD an early and fairly pleasant experience of the special needs "scene" but I know that at least half of those I invite will be away on holiday anyway!! Sorry to drone on, just thinking aloud after a school "day trip" to Southend which I insisted on accompanying so my son could have loo stops on the journey and then I got a flat tyre and had to let him go home in the coach!!!

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Jimjams · 16/07/2003 11:15

oooh your birthday parties sound like ours!!!

Agree about the trampoline. On Friday ds1 threw up 3 times. Right after the third time he sat up and said "da dee deen" and started trying to pull dh to the trampoline- we were like "no!!!"

I wish I could remember the name of the musical brick things in the ELC- They were about 55 pounds. It comes with a Mozart tune, but you can buy cartidges of other tunes. I think its a great thing for an auti kid- ds1 loves his.

2under2 · 16/07/2003 11:50

ooh yes jimjams - they're called Musicblocks and made by Neurosmith. We've got some and they're fab! You can get a Cybercartridge too and download tunes from the Neurosmith web site.
My children don't play with them much (too little still I think) but I do.

Original poster
Davros · 16/07/2003 13:14

Love the sound of musicblocks, I've never heard of them! I'll motor myself to ELC and see if I can get some or check the website. Thanks so much.

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Original poster
Davros · 16/07/2003 13:30

Any more info on musicblocks? Not shown on ELC website and local ELC shop says they have never heard of them! Can only see on Neurosmith website place to order in Colorado! Thanks.

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Original poster
Davros · 16/07/2003 13:30

Any more info on musicblocks? Not shown on ELC website and local ELC shop says they have never heard of them! Can only see on Neurosmith website place to order in Colorado! Thanks.

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Original poster
Davros · 16/07/2003 13:30

Any more info on musicblocks? Not shown on ELC website and local ELC shop says they have never heard of them! Can only see on Neurosmith website place to order in Colorado! Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
Davros · 16/07/2003 13:32

Any more info on musicblocks? Not shown on ELC website and local ELC shop says they have never heard of them! Can only see on Neurosmith website place to order in Colorado! Thanks.

OP posts:
tamum · 16/07/2003 13:44

Davros, I can't resist a challenge, so have just spent 20 minutes googling, and come up with pretty negative results. Mailorderexpress have them in the catalogue, but are listed as out of stock. I also found a message on Nick Jr messageboards asking if anyone knew where these could be bought now that ELC don't sell them any more- there were no replies, and the message was left in February 2002! However, you can get them from American sellers in eBay here, for example . If you're not in a rush but aren't registered with eBay I could buy it for you and send it on, but that would take a good few weeks (plus I'm about to go on holiday). Just let me know though, it can be done!
I did find that searching on "neurosmith" was more helpful, as music blocks seems to mostly be used as two words.

Original poster
Davros · 16/07/2003 18:54

Hi Tamum - thanks so much, how very kind of you to do my donkey work for me! My hubbie is an ebay addict so I'll get him onto it. Hope you enjoy your holiday, I think we should have a holiday with SEN thread when we all get back into the land of the "living"!

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Jimjams · 16/07/2003 19:37

aah yes that's them. ds1 loves them was playing with them today - until he had a big fight with ds2 over them. Thanks tamum- and have a good holiday!

florenceuk · 30/07/2003 20:49

Just to update this thread - I remembered the music blocks because they sounded quite cool. I saw these in my local ELC (Wimbledon) today - cost around £30 or £35, can't remember which. HTH anybody looking for them, maybe a bit late for Davros though.

Original poster
Davros · 30/07/2003 23:38

Its not too late, I still want them but haven't had time to track down. My nearest ELC (Brent X) didn't know what I was talking about.

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florenceuk · 31/07/2003 09:41

May be part of the new autumn stock. You could try ringing Wimbledon store and getting them to send them on/pass the stock code number on???

snowbird · 31/07/2003 11:45

I've just opened this months edition of Mother and Baby and there is a two page advertisement for ELC/neurosmith, featuring a jumbo music block. Not sure if its the same as jimjams but hope this helps.

hmb · 31/07/2003 11:50

I'm not sure if this would be a good idea, or a nightmare. My kids love the marble run from the Elc and will play with it for hours. I realise that the version for older children would not be a good idea, especially if the child has dyspraxia,(too easy to knock it over) but what about the larger version with more substantial tubes and balls? With help it might be a good stimulation for their fine motor skills, and the tube things do have a strange facination.

Jimjams · 31/07/2003 12:19

DS1 does love his ball run......