Or “No leap frog in this house”
Being real, I am trying to type this blog while Juji is demanding cuddles. đŸ˜€
It’s November, which means that minds and hearts are starting to turn toward the upcoming winter holidays. Holidays can be great times for building family bonds and creating wonderful memories. They can also be the hardest time of the year for children with neuro-diversities such as autism specturm disoder, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, anxiety, and attachment challenges. I will write more about how we survive the holidays in a later post, but for now I would love to share some of our family’s favorite gift ideas that will actually make life with high-needs kiddos easier, calmer, and more fun.
Disclaimer – I do not have any official association with any of these products or companies. They are simply products we have used and have found fun and useful.
The first place we go for sensory-friendly gifts is www.funandfunction.com . This company is dedicated to providing quality products that actually make sense for children with special needs of all kinds.
Here are some of our family’s favorites from Fun and Function –
#1 Inflatable Ball Pit – This ball pit has lasted us for over 5 years, which is saying something for an inflatable pit. It’s velvet coating makes it super cozy, but it’s still very washable. It’s big enough for two small children to use at once, and still plenty big for one tween.
#2 Space Explorer stretchy sack – Got a kid who always seems to be bouncing off of things, hiding under pillows/cushions, or putting their arms and legs in their shirts? This stretchy garment sack is great for sensory seekers. Consider getting a size smaller than you think is necessary for kids that need a lot of feedback.
#3 Hopper Ball – Got kids who never stop moving? Even when they are relaxing? These hopper balls are a lifesaver. Mr. E and Mr. D never, ever stop moving unless they are asleep. Sometimes not even then. These hopper balls are great for sitting on during TV time when they just need to bounce. They are also great for bouncing races across the living room that will leave them momentarily exhausted.
#4 – Putty – Putty is great for building hand strength and providing deep sensory input. We have a variety of putty in our collection, but this is a good price and comes in a variety of colors and features.
#5 Figets! Here I linked to the entire fidget category. Just look. There are some awesome, non-annoying options.
Okay, so how about some other favorites. Busy kids need to move! One of my favorite places for equipment and toys that encourage movement and creativity is Hearthsong.
#1 Swing! These tear-drop swings are our absolute favorites. They are beautiful and WASHABLE! They don’t need a lot of clearance space around them, but they are very effective at providing input and calming stimulation.
They have all kinds of products that I gush over. Things for climbing, riding, swinging, and jumping. Also, they have incredible craft kits, room decor, and just all kinds of fun things. Yeah, I like HearthSong a wee bit.
Before I leave the subject, I wanted to touch upon a TuiMama special needs family tip. This stuff, especially quality therapy stuff, can get super expensive, right? Absolutely. So how can a family afford quality toys and equipment for their kiddos? Remember, I am just a mama, not an insurance professional, BUT we have successfully used our FSA to pay for each one of these products by getting them signed off by our occupational therapist and our pediatrician. We had overage, so we used it the best way we could to give our kids an environment that fits their needs.
Also, when well-meaning family wants to buy your child something for a holiday or birthday, you can kindly remind them that you have a wish list of items that would help your child and your family. You can also remind them that certain gifts are off-limits. In our home, we don’t do noisy toys. The beeps, boops, and bright flashing lights only add to chaos and over-stimulation. Thankfully, our family has been very supportive of that boundary. Just make it known.
That’s it for now! Next week will be a post dedicated to board games gifts for the whole family. Stay tuned!
