Christmas suggestions

[Guest guest]

Autistic children

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1347/children.html> love

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1369/love_is_in_the_air.html> to

get gifts <http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1360/gifts.html> at

Christmas

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1307/christmas_2007.html> just

as any child. However, there are toys

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1410/toys.html> and games

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1479/games.html> that

particularly help them improve in their motor skills, as well as

entertain. Here are some suggestions for Christmas gifts

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1326/christmas_gifts_2007.html>

for that special autistic child

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1500/child.html> on your holiday

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1348/holiday.html> shopping

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1388/secrets_of_top_shoppers.html>

list.

Memory Games---Christmas Gift

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1355/gift.html> for Autistic Child

When I worked as a paraprofessional for autistic children, I learned how

these special kids

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1353/kids.html> love

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1369/love_is_in_the_air.html> to

work <http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1427/how_to_love_work.html>

with memory games. After lying down all the cards

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1588/cards.html> on a desk or

table, children

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1347/children.html> take turns

lifting up two cards

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1588/cards.html> at a time,

trying to find a match. It's not only fun, but it enhances their memory

skills.

The Socially Speaking Game---Christmas Gift

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1355/gift.html> for Autistic

Child <http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1500/child.html>

Sold online <http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1351/online.html>

for $24.99, " The Socially Speaking Game " helps children

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1347/children.html> learn social

skills with other children. Often autistic children

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1347/children.html> struggle to

relate to their peers as they live in their own little world. The game

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1383/games.html> comes with a

full-colored playing board and easy-to-follow steps.

Sensory and Stimulation Toys---Christmas Gift

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1355/gift.html> for Autistic Child

Toys and games <http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1479/games.html>

that stimulate, as well as appeal to the senses are especially needed

for children <http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1347/children.html>

with autism. A few good selections include...

1. Small balls---Any type of small ball is excellent for stimulating an

autistic child. For $2.99 you can buy

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1442/buy.html> 3 ¼ " " Porcupine

Balls " , which are great for improving eye coordination, as well as gross

motor skills. They come in assorted bright colors

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1543/colors.html> and have hard

centers with soft pointed projections, For more information, visit

http://www.pacificpediatricsupply.com/html/Porcupine-Ball-3-14.html.

2. Exercise <http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1387/excercise.html>

balls---Not only are exercise

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1387/excercise.html> balls great

for firming flabby bodies, but they also make excellent toys

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1410/toys.html> for autistic

kids, when they need a break from their schoolwork. Only about five

minutes of rolling around on the ball, and they're more relaxed and

ready to work, again.

2. " Kids Preferred Sound Ball Set " ---Sold at Target.com for $16.99, this

set of three plush balls engages an autistic child's sense of sight,

sound, and touch, as well as improves hand-eye coordination. Each ball

contains a sewn-in noisemaker.

Fine Motor Toys---Christmas Gift

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1355/gift.html> for Autistic Child

Playdough is an exceptionally high-quality gift

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1355/gift.html> for autistic

children <http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1347/children.html> as

it helps them with their fine motor hand skills. Found in most toy

stores, as well as department stores, Playdough is an inexpensive

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1616/inexpensive.html> toy that

keeps a child <http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1500/child.html>

content and occupied. It's also good as children

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1347/children.html> learn to use

the assorted tools that come with Playdough, adding to their fine motor

skills.

Whiteboards---Christmas Gift

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1355/gift.html> for Autistic Child

Working with autistic children, I found how much they enjoy writing

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1424/writing_freelancing_landing_jobs_ho\

ning.html>

and drawing on whiteboards. Whiteboards can be used from everything from

art <http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1525/art.html> lessons in

drawing to practicing spelling simple words, as well as sight-reading.

In addition, be sure you to include some colorful dry erase markers, and

an eraser.

Other Sensory Toys

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1410/toys.html> for Autistic

Children

Here are some examples of toys

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1410/toys.html> that stimulate

an autistic child, and enhance his (or her) senses.

1, Music

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1367/music_we_love_to_listen_to.html>

boxes

2. Kaleidoscopes

3. Pinwheels

4. Slinkies

5. Brighly colored Koosh balls

Toys for Stimulating Touch for Autistic Children

Because many autistic children

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1347/children.html> are

hypersensitive to touch, they love

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1369/love_is_in_the_air.html> to

play <http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1609/play.html> with their

hands in sand <http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/618/sand.html> and

water. Toys <http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1410/toys.html>boats

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/863/boats.html> are good choices

for gifts.

These are just a few suggestions for gifts

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1360/gifts.html> for that

special autistic child

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1500/child.html> on your holiday

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1348/holiday.html> shopping

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1388/secrets_of_top_shoppers.html>

list. For other ideas, check with a special education

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1399/education.html> teacher

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1639/teacher.html> who works

with autistic children such as sandboxes and bathtub rubber duckies and .

[Guest guest]

I have another Christmas idea.

http://www.tomy-usa.com/products.php?c=13 & p=21

Tomy " Constructables Vehicles " is a great toy set for kids who are

interested in and ready for building but are not dexterous enough for Legos,

etc. My 5 kids (girls and boys) have all loved this toy for many years...

it has been around for a long time (used to be called Tomy Motor Blocks).

There are different components that can be put together to make a

helicopter, train, race car or plane.

You can look it up on Amazon.com or just Google it. There used to be some

other sets (dinosaur and police car?) but I don't know if those are still

made. I have noticed them on eBay, though.

I have never seen this toy in typical toy departments... only in high end

toy stores. The price is actually very reasonable, though.

Just thought some of you might be interested. So many of our kids don't

play with toys in a typical way... I remember struggling greatly to find

something one of my sons would like when he was little. In fact, he's still

the toughest one on our list. For some reason the above toy appealed to

him. Maybe it was because he wasn't ready for using much imagination yet

(too inflexible), but being able to create something by looking at a simple

picture and see it " go " was a huge thrill to him.

Caroline

P.S. It makes sort of a loud ratcheting and clicking noise as it " goes " , so

if you have a child who is sound sensitive they might not love it so much.