My post, Choosing a Gift for a Special Needs Child, received a lot of positive feedback. Some of you had additional questions about what to buy, so I decided to go into more detail about gift ideas.

I created this list for children with autism, but it may also be helpful for children with other special needs.I am providing links for some of the items listed below so that you can get more information.  However, please don’t take it as an endorsement of the company that sells the item.

Items That Will Help With Learning

• An iPad.  Any version will do.  Just make sure that there is enough hard drive space on it to run the apps you desire to have. I recommend 32GB at a minimum.
• An iTunes card to purchase apps.  There are many apps designed to help children with special needs.  Here’s a link to a post that I wrote: iPad Apps for Children with Autism.  Apps can be used on an iPad or iPhone.
• Flash cards for alphabets, numbers, sight words, colors, and math
• A book about shoe tying with multi-colored strings attached for learning
• Building blocks and/or Legos
• Any game that encourages turn-taking
• Puzzles
• Matching games
• Shape sorters
• Wood Bead Sequencing Set
• Visual Timers – Helps with anxiety and predictability

Items That Will Help With Sensory Issues

• Play-Doh or therapy putty
• Weighted blanket
• Weighted Vest
• Headphones for therapeutic listening
• A ball pit
• Paint and paint brushes
• A swing 
• A sit and spin
• Textured balls
• Koosh Ball
• Crash Pad
• Wiggle Cushion
• Therapy Brush

Items That Will Help With Motor Skills

• Trampoline with bars or safety protections
• A bicycle or tricycle
• Jump Rope
• A play tunnel or tent
• Bubbles
• Whistles
• Musical instruments

I hope that these ideas are helpful to you!  What gift ideas do you have for children with Autism?