As the parent of two children in special education aged 3 and 6, I know how difficult shopping for kids with special needs can be.  Remember, every kid is different.  The gifts on this page are things I know at least one of my kids would enjoy receiving on Christmas.  Best to check with the parents to see if a particular gift would be welcome in the house.  Kids have allergies, special diets, behavior modifications, and fears that may make certain gifts unacceptable.  The cost of these gifts run anywhere from $1.00 to $100 dollars. 

1. A Therapeutic Horse Riding Lesson:  Cost-Usually between $35.00-$75.00,  http://www.winslow.org/ is one place that explains the program.  Simply Google “horseriding, autism, and your state” to find places nearby.  Unlike a simple pony ride, these places are used to dealing with autistic kids.  Horses bring out amazing changes in children.  One of my sons hates petting zoos, but the second you put him up on a horse he is concentrating and focused.  Hardest part is putting on the helmet.  Not that anything is wrong with pony rides either.  They are great, but are too short and the handler has no training or experience with autistic children.  If you aren’t sure how your child would react around horses, a pony ride might be worth trying first.

2. I-TOP: Cost – usually between $1.00-$3.00 + shipping on E-bay.  One of my sons loves to spin things.  If your child engages in such self-stimulating behavior, then they will enjoy this top.  It’s small and folds up, making it a great travel gift.  Press the button to turn it on, and it spells out phrases and numbers when you spin it.  My son doesn’t care about the included games, he just loves how it lights up.  I like it too and often ask to take a turn.  Sometimes he gets creative and sees if he can spin it on different places and surfaces.  Inside are 2 watch batteries that are easily replaceable. 

3.  HoMedics SS-4000 Sound Spa Classic Deluxe Clock Radio & Sound Machine: Cost – about $30.00.  My son loves this clock.  At first I thought this might have been a Christmas dud, one of those presents children put down immediately before opening the next box.  Turns out he only likes it at night.  The clock has become part of his evening and morning routine.  It features various nature sounds like crickets, waterfalls, rainforests, thunder, and the ocean.  My son cycles through the various choices before picking the sound he likes to sleep to.  The projection part is also excellent, making the time easily readable on the ceiling.  In the morning, my son turns the clock off, unplugs it, and puts it away.  Usually he tells me he is “saving energy”.

4. LeapFrog My First LeapPad® : Cost – About $13.00.  Both my kids love these books and always fight over them.  There is the LeapFrog Quantum Pad Learning System for older kids.  You can decide which is more appropriate by seeing which titles are available for each system.  Pro’s - Lot’s of titles to choose from, kids learn so many things ranging from music, planets, shapes, colors, reading, and numbers.  The repetitive nature really appeals to certain kids who like to anticipate the answer.  Cons – The pen kids touch to the book often breaks after a while making the game useless.  Books suffer wear and tear, and the cartridges get lost.  Even with those cons, you can often fine used books and cartridges at garage sales.  Many times relatives will ask you what to buy.  Give them a checklist of what cartridges your child doesn’t have and would like.

5.  Play Doh- Cost – Between $1.00 and $30.00 depending on the size, what’s included, and whether or not the dough is name brand Play-doh or not.  Pro’s - Kids enjoy squishing it and putting it through the various machines.  Good practice using scissors and other tools in a play setting.  Allows children to use their imagination, all while getting used to the sensory input of the dough.  Cons – Dough dries out if cans are left open and colors blend together after a while.  Difficult to get out of carpet until it dries.  Still, good old fashioned all around rainy day fun.

6.  Doodle Pro Pixar Cars : Cost – Around $10.00.  The kids like it because they can erase it and start again. Even if they just scribble, the stencils will allow them to create a picture.  Doesn’t matter if they ever saw the movie CARS, there are many of these types of toys that you can match to their current interests like Dora or dinosaurs.

There are lots of other gifts that all children enjoy.  Computers, easy video game consoles like the v-smile or keyboards that attach to the tv, bicycles with training wheels, day trips to amusement parks and water slides.  If all else fails take them to Disney World.  Feel free to post any favorite gifts your children have received.