Birthday present for an autistic 7yr old boy

moleymoo

Hello lovely peeps!!

I have recently made another circle of friends and there's one couple I've grown particularly close to (I've been adopted so to speak) and their son is going to be 7 at the beginning of October and I'd like to get him a little present. He's severely autistic and I'm a little bit stuck for ideas - so I figured, where will I be able to get some inspiration? MSE of course!!!!

So, anyone out there got some ideas for me? I'll be ever so grateful!

MM x

shortdog

What is he into? My son is 6, and autistic (not severely) and has a huuuuge collection of tractors, as that is his thing. He also loves jigsaws, we have loads of floor jigsaws that he loves to do over and over again.
A little MP3 player for stressful situations? A big bottle of bubbles and bubble blowers?
Some "twiddlers" - little things to be fiddled with, keyrings, kiddy stress balls, squeezy toys, that sort of thing? Theres a lady on facebook sells packs of twiddlers, but you could make up a selection fairly cheaply yourself. Pop them in a bag, and you have instant entertainment and stress relief - my sons twiddler bag goes all over the place with us, and we use it when he's starting to get stressed out, waiting for appointments and things.

easy

moleymoo, I'm sorry, but I don't think anyone but the child's parents/family will be able to help you out with this.

In my experience - quite a bit, including my stepson who is quite profoundly autistic - every child with autism is different (a bit like those who don't have autism), and he is likely to have his own particular 'obsessions', and fears. You may buy something that we would all think is just perfect, simply to find that he is phobic about that particular thing e.g. mp3 player is no good if he can't bear to have anything in or touching his ears, which is quite possible.

My son - who has slight aspergers syndrome, nothing like profound autism, was bought a book about spiders by someone when he was 7. He can't bear spiders even now (nearly 13), and couldn't even look at the cover of the book. I was just sorry that my friend had wasted her money, and wished she had run the idea by me before buying.

Really, ask the boy's mum/dad before buying, it's the best way.

stiltwalker

I'd second easy on this - the best thing would be to ask the parents if he has any special interests/aversions. I would also take a look at this site - http://www.cheapdisabilityaids.co.uk/ - as it has some great sensory toys at very competetive prices.

bedpotato_2

easy wrote: »

every child with autism is different (a bit like those who don't have autism),

Agreed, with one correction: every child with autism is different, EXACTLY like those who don't have autism.

All people are unique, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. It is nice that you want to get the boy a nice present and be kind, but it's sad and offensive that so many people seem to think that autistic people are clones.

bedpotato_2

stiltwalker wrote: »

I'd second easy on this - the best thing would be to ask the parents if he has any special interests/aversions. I would also take a look at this site - http://www.cheapdisabilityaids.co.uk/ - as it has some great sensory toys at very competetive prices.

I'd check with the parents before buying anything on that site - I am autistic, and personally a lot of the toys on that website would terrify me and freak me out due to light sensitivities. There is no such thing as a universal toy that will appeal to all autistic children, and there is no such thing as an autistic "clone." No two people are the same, so you need to find out what he likes.

Try asking the parents of this individual boy what he likes, instead of asking a bunch of strangers who don't even know the boy in question. It really makes no sense to ask people who do not know him.

spendaholic66

woah, how harsh are some of these replies?! The poor OP was only asking some advice on something nice she wanted to do. If she has no experience of autism (as I don't) then don't assume she would know that each autistic child has their own individual likes and dislikes and that there aren't generic presents that would suit everyone.

OP, suggest to the parents that you would like to get him a little something and is there anything they can suggest that he would particularly like. Not only will they be very touched that you want to bless their son, but they will appreciate all the more you being considerate enough to ask what he would enjoy. Good luck. x

Fire_Fox

Definitely ask the parents.

shebangs

I would say ask his mum and dad as others have said he may be into buses but hate tractors. Its lovely you want to buy him a present and its hard enough buying for someone else's child without having to factor in autism so I am sure his mum & dad wont mind being asked you could just say is there anything in particular that little one is into at the moment that way it inst about is autism its about what he likes the same way it would be if you were asking a relative what their child was into at the moment as a lot of us do at birthdays and xmas. On another note I have yet to find a kid that didnt love a tangle (Fidget) autistic or not they are inexpensive a distraction and most kids dont mind them on a sensory level as they are plastic and smooth you can pick them up cheaply on fleabay

lamplady

At our autistic club, Lego is very popular if you are looking for a simple present.