Gift Ideas for Children with Sensory Disorders

Gift Ideas

Until a few months ago I knew nothing about sensory disorders.  I had come into contact with a few people on the Autism spectrum before but I had no idea what that meant or how it affected them.

When my brother called to tell me that his 2 year old daughter was being evaluated for sensory disorders I was confused and scared.  What was wrong with her?  What happened?  Could it be fixed?  Oh, naive Anna.  Nothing was wrong with her.  Nothing happened.  She didn’t need “fixing”.  She needed to be understood.  She needed to be surrounded with love and support and an environment that made it easier for her to thrive.

gift ideas for children with sensory disorders
My niece, just being adorable.

Unfortunately I live 2000 miles away from this sweet niece of mine.  I have tried to educate myself more about her world and how she operates.  Since I can’t be the hands-on aunt from across the country, I have found that my responsibility is simply to learn and to share what I have learned.  It isn’t much, but what I can share now is a collaboration of gift ideas that are educational and therapeutic. So here are a wide variety of gift ideas for children with sensory disorders:

Less than $10

  • Liquid Motion Bubbler – A visual stimulant.  You turn it over to watch the colorful bubbles float around (looks like a lava lamp).
  • Stress Balls – There are smooth ones as well as spiny ones or other textures.  Some kids may have a strong dislike for a certain texture so be aware of this.
  • Pop Tubes – Colorful tubes that connect together and make popping sounds while being bent and connected.

$10-20

  • Funbites food cutters– Many children with sensory processing issues enjoy order and organizing.  The square food cutter is great for this as it makes their bites all the same size and shape.  There are a few options for other shapes as well.
  • Sensory bins (so easy to make your own!)– Create themes for the child’s current interest or reinforce school curriculum/units.
  • Bubble Machine– My niece loves to watch things fall!

 

$21-50

  • Button Art – Matches colors and patterns to make pictures.  Another great one for kids who are orderly.
  • Weighted Lizard – Many children are comforted by heavier objects, weight, and pressure.
  • Rody horse – Bouncing is fun.  For anyone.
  • Joint Co Motion –  These are suits designed to comfort and help the child understand where they are in space.

Over $50

gift ideas for children with sensory disordersgift ideas for children with sensory disorders

I hope you find this list helpful for the exceptional children in your life!

What would you add to the list?

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Anna Rhodes
Anna is an Oklahoma transplant originally from Washington state. While here for college she fell in love with OKC as well as her husband Mike. They have been married for 6 years and have 2 hilarious children- Bauer (4) and Davee (18 months). Anna enjoys hairstyling, working out, indoor soccer, Netflix marathons, and eating terrible things while her kids are asleep. Anna adores several parts of the metro but especially The Village, where she calls home, and the Mid-town area.

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