Do you have a child with special needs on your holiday list? Sometimes off-the-shelf gifts just aren’t quite designed for inclusion. Don’t despair! Check out the full assortment to find the best, budget-friendly solutions from the online store. From our fidget and oral motor tool classics like the Tangle Therapy and Chewlery to our Twiddle series you are sure to find that just right gift for that special someone that lights up your life.
Choosing the Right Gift for a Child with Special Needs
Here are some other considerations when choosing a gift for a child with special needs:
How will the toy be accessed?
For example, battery operated plush animals are cute but require isolated finger pinch and strength to turn on the switch. We carry toys that have been modified to allow switch access like this Puppy Dog paired with a Gumball Switch.
Is it multi-sensory?
Many standard toys depend on good vision or auditory senses (seeing and hearing). Children with special needs often need and/or would benefit from additional input in the form of vestibular (movement), proprioceptive (deep touch pressure) tactile (touch) or olfactory (smell input). Here are a few of our sensory favorites:
Visual Input: The FingerLight Balls have just a bit of extra float time when tossed so allow practice with slow visual tracking skills. And they are so lightweight that they will bounce off any body part to stay in play so don’t require precise eye hand coordination.
Auditory Input: The SuperSafe Bell Ball has small bells built inside which help provide gentle and melodic sound feedback.
Vestibular/Proprioceptive: The SqUoosh Chair provides deep pressure squeeze to help provide spatial boundary definition and it rocks gently for calming!
Tactile: The Playtivity Sensory Disks offer different textures including fuzzy, squishy and scaly for both visual and touch exploration.
Olfactory: Our Weighted and Scented Sensory Plush Elephant combines the deep touch pressure of a 2 lb. stuffed animal with a gentle lavender scent.
Where will the toy be used?
Children with special needs often benefit from a transition tool to ease the stress/anxiety during car rides, sitting at the pediatrician’s office etc. where larger cumbersome toys or small parts (that could get lost!) are not an option. GumFun is a portable fidget that can help with visual sequencing while building fine motor pinch strength. Lightweight and fun to use and perfect to use on the go!
Be sure to visit our Abilitations Special Needs online store to find hundreds of products for kids of all ages.
More Gift Giving Ideas and Suggestions for Students
If you’re looking for a special gift or an educational activity for one of the learners in your life, be sure to stop by the holiday shops online. The products listed offer great skill-building and educational options to fit students of all ages and that won’t break the budget.
Read More: Learning Holiday Gift Ideas for Elementary Students
