Autism Gift Ideas for Presents
Finding a great autism gift can be confusing and challenging.
Many families wonder what to buy their children and teachers are often searching for the perfect addition to their sensory areas.
I once shared with a family that their son was really digging the weighted blankets in the classroom.
This showed me that he was a person seeking deep pressure.
The family that I shared this information with was like, “Huh. Is that why he doesn’t like the super soft, fuzzy blanket we got him? We just couldn’t figure out why he never uses it.”
Yep, that’s exactly why. Those amazing fun blankets just aren’t heavy enough.
For years, my school staff and I had been using the bizarre but amazing trick of rolling a student into the classroom rug.
Don’t panic! They LOVE it! Here’s how it works:
- Have a heavy blanket or rug spread out.
- Ask the child to lie on the edge of the rug.
- Roll the rug up burrito style with the child in the middle.
- Quickly unroll the rug showing the child how to get out by themself.
- Monitor closely making sure the student can self “unroll.”
Expert Tips on Rug Rolling
First of all, I always start with the child’s head being outside of the rug. Almost all of my students will wiggle away from this edge with their heads disappearing from view.
It makes sense because it’s the best way to get the weight and pressure from the rug on your head.
But as the caregiver, it can make me a bit nervous.
Next, always ask if the student wants rolled. Even if your student has difficulty expressing their needs verbally, watch their body language.
One of my students would go and lie on the rug waiting for us to roll him up. If we weren’t fast enough, he’d start rolling himself.
He actually got really good at this but when we would come over to check on him he’d almost always unroll because we could get the rug rolled tighter than he could alone.
Sensory Room Large Motor Autism Gift Ideas
Body Sock Sensory Sox – Deep Pressure Stimulation for Children and Adults with Sensory Processing Disorders or Autism -Autism Gift
The body sock is like a really stretchy large pillowcase and a great autism gift.
There is a slot in the front for the person to climb into and to stick their head out.
Body socks are great for those who need lots of hugs, deep pressure, or who like to hide.
Also, I love that the body sock’s material allows the students to see through it.
Many of my students like to walk around the sensory room wearing the body sock.
They don’t often like having their head peering out of the hole.
This leaves them watching the world through the fabric.
It works well and I’ve never seen any disasters happen from this!
Also, they are machine washable and easy to store.
Free Alternative: Rolling your student in a heavy blanket or rug.
Harkla Sensory Swing for Kids Indoor
The BEST swing for kids is a 360 rotational swing.
My students with autism love this set up.
Install it in your sensory room and I can almost guarantee that parents will ask about it.
It’s one drawback is that it does need to be installed to a ceiling joist.
When I tell you that this was the most popular item in my sensory room, I’m not exaggerating.
For instance, we always had a timer going and a list of who was next.
This swing is an amazing autism gift for getting out energy and helping kids calm down.
Oftentimes, kids need a calming place to go to either prevent a meltdown or de-escalate one.
This swing has a magic touch with meltdowns.
If you have a child with autism who is having frequent meltdowns with no progress in changing this trend, I highly recommend trying a swing.
In my humble opinion, they are worth EVERY PENNY.
Crash Pad, Sensory Pad with Foam Blocks (5 feet x 5 feet) – Autism Gift
Oh, the crash pad.
I’ve seen many a belly flop, spinning dive, somersault launch, and back fall on the crash pad.
If you have the room for a crash pad, get one!
They take a lot of beating that other furniture just can’t handle.
Also, kids will use them to crawl under to get extra deep pressure.
If you have a student who loves jumping, flopping, and deep pressure, then they need this.
The crash pad is a decent up front cost but makes the perfect autism gift as they last forever.
I’m talking 20+ years and the one in our sensory room is still going strong.
In fact, it’s been used heavily 5 days a week multiple times a day.
Free alternative: Pull the couch cushions off and lay them out on the floor for jumping.
ABS Inflatable Exercise Ball, 105cm Diameter (42″)
There are yoga balls and then there are ginormous yoga balls.
Once you find the biggest one you can (this is it!) purchase it.
Belly bouncing into them, body surfing (yes, really), and having an adult roll the ball on top of their body are favorites of my students with autism.
The smaller balls are easy to find but the bigger ones take a bit of work.
Indeed, these massive yoga balls are a highlight in the sensory room.
I was so surprised to see what little interest my students had in the smaller ones over this supersized one.
While these do last for years, I have seen them get popped.
Watch out for sharp corners that can quickly ruin all the fun.
If you have a child who struggles with regular bowel movements, rolling their bellies on the large yoga ball can help.
Full disclaimer though, I’m not a doctor.
Also, it’s not going to fix their bowel issues just help a bit.
Wobble Balance Board – Yes4All
The wobble balance board is deceptively looking simple piece of wood that allows the user to stand and move.
This is perfect for kids who like to pace, rock, or wiggle.
Also, many find it to be quite relaxing.
The wobble balance board is great for kids who are always moving in their chairs.
If you have a student who is regularly included in general education but has a little too much energy to be in a typical work area, try this tool.
I love how it provides movement but is small, portable, and so close to the ground.
Accidents and falls are possible in any position but the closer one is to the ground, the less distance to fall!
Free alternative: If you have a child who needs to move but doesn’t always control themselves, use tape to make a rectangle on the floor. Then, allow the child to walk back and forth and move as needed in this area. This is great for inclusion students.
There is something magical about hiding in a safe place.
For the record, my least favorite game is hide and go seek.
I need to know where all of my students are at all times.
My anxiety does not want to go looking for my students while they are hiding.
While this is obviously a me issue, I need to give my students with autism a safe place to “hide.”
This super large tunnel (3′ wide x 12′ long) lets all of my students enjoy crawling or relaxing in it.
So many of the tunnels out there are made for little bodies.
A large tunnel has accommodated all of my students’ bodies no matter the size.
Also it’s not made out of tent material which tears easily.
This one is like the crash mat and lasts forever. I also love how easy it is to accordion up and store in a nook.
Mini Trampoline for Autism Gift
Truly, I would have a large trampoline in the sensory room if I could fit it in (I can’t) and if I could get the approval (again, I can’t).
Jumping and spinning and flopping have been shown to be helpful for brain growth.
Also, I love big trampolines. So much fun!
An alternative autism gift is the mini trampoline.
These are great for kids who pace, flap, fidget, or rock.
Additionally, this trampoline holds up to 330 pounds making it perfect for almost all users.
I find that the “safety bar” causes more problems then it negates but use your own discretion.
Sensory Room Small Motor Autism Gift Ideas
TANGLE Fidget Toys – Autism Gift
If you’ve never used a tangle, you’ve not been living!
Okay, they probably aren’t that awesome but they are oh so fun.
These are toxic free therapy tools are excellent for busy hands and minds.
They also happen to be my FAVORITE fidget and one of the cheaper autism gifts I recommend.
Tangle can be hours of fun and are quite durable.
Use Tangles to stimulate or relax the mind or during those times when we need people autism focused away from something.
Basically, all sizes are great and they are durable enough to last for years.
Also, since they are made of hard plastic, they are super easy to sanitize.
Sensory Liquid Motion Bubbler
Bubblers are mesmerizing liquid tubes that are often relaxing and entertaining.
If you need an on-the-go relaxation tool, this is your guy!
I love that these come in different colors as many of my students have a very favorite color.
Sensory bubblers can be great for calming down before, during, or after an autism meltdown.
These are a loved autism gift for all ages and abilities.
Free alternative: First, fill an empty clear plastic bottle up, add cooking oil and food coloring. Next super glue the lid shut. These just as fun, but not quite as durable. They also make crinkling noises when squeezed which is a positive or a negative depending on the child with autism.
Sensory Table – Autism Gift
Sensory tables have stood the test of time in early childhood and special education classrooms.
They are great to be used as a wet or dry sensory tub.
The best sensory tables have wheels and a lid which are must haves for cleaning, storing, and daily use.
This is a kid favorite and can have so many different materials in it.
The top 10 items I place in it are
- Water, water tools, and sponges
- Sand
- Flour and baby oil
- Playdough with tools
- Nature items
- Snow
- Pumpkin and gourd guts
- Spaghetti
- Liquid marbles
- Gack
Puffer Ball – Autism Gift
A huge (9 inches!) stress ball is hours of fun!
These are perfect for relaxing and exercising small muscles.
Also, they help with movement and have a soft, enjoyable feel to the material.
If you are giving an autism gift to a person you don’t know well, this is an easy pick.
Puffer balls of all sizes are prone to popping so teaching your student how to use these is key.
But don’t toss out stress balls that have popped!
In this case, cut them in half and use them in a different but equally fun way.
I love ways to keep an autism gift serving my students for the greatest length of time.
Jelly Bead Balls
Jelly bead balls are a visually attractive fidget that almost feels like a massage.
They are great for hand fidgeting along with sock feet fidgeting. (Seriously, try it.)
Using Globbies is so much fun you might want to add some to your cart for just you on top of the autism gift set.
These beauties are a sneaky way to add in OT practice.
But, keep in mind that these can pop just like the stress balls.
However, when (not if) they pop, save the beads and put them in the sensory table.
Almost free alternative: Fill up a balloon with sand and knot the end. For extra protection, use 2 balloons.
What autism gift or gifts have you given loved ones or classrooms? Check out all of these items by clicking here.
To see all the items Caroline has to help kids with autism, visit her TPT store here.
