Gift for 7 year old autistic child?

Question

I need a gift for my godson, whose birthday is next week. I am not able to order anything online, so I'd be looking at local stores (Target, Wal-Mart, etc.).

He is just beginning to talk, and has always liked numbers, letters, patterns, organizing things, etc. He already has a billion letter and number magnets, so I'm looking for something a little different. He's kind of a destroyer, too, loves to tear things apart, so I need something either designed to be torn apart or designed to be durable. He's a very, very smart kid. Anyone have any ideas? Remember, I can't order anything online.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Take him to walmart. . . watch this video of an autistic boy picking out his own gift for his birthday, I guarentee you will love it.

Answer 2

Basically, what you're looking for is something either creative or educational. I'd try some  Crayola ColorWonder paper and markers.

Answer 3

thats a tough age--most toys are rugged liek they are for toddlers--also there is a fine line between feeding obsessions and encouraging him to use his likes to expand on his play..

how about playdough---if you can't find a play set (i used to ahve dr fill and drill)that will interest him--also buy a placemat with numbers/letters--he canmake them with playdoh and tahn match tehm to teh placemat----or get letter/number cookie cutters/stamps to use with paly dough

craft stores have a good variety

does he have teh Chicka Chicka book--where teh letters climb up teh tree?

also look in a sportign goods store for a ball decorated with numbers or letters--if you are artistic--buy a plain soccer ball and decorate it yourself.....

Answer 4

Try puzzles, Wood ones, that have bright colors numbers or objects.

Answer 5

take him out, and let him choose what he wants...

Answer 6

You should buy a toy that provides some type of sensory experience.

Answer 7

I would look for a sensory type gift:  mini trampoline, moon sand, legos, playdoh, silly putty, books, scooter, blocks, puzzles, magna doodle, alphabet town (vtech electronic toy, about 20 dollars great toy!)  Alphabet town has large buttons to push that are the alphabet.  They light up, and talk.  There is a slide button on the left to pick from music, spelling, find the letter, counting all the lighted letters.  It is visually stimulating and there are no pieces.  My 3 year old autistic spectrum son got this when he turned 1 year old.  My nearly 8 year old autistic spectrum son still plays with this and he is at a first grade level.  I know this toy is at target.  It has been thrown around alot over the past 2 years and still works perfectly.

Answer 8

You could try something sensory like bath/water toys that can be played with during bath time or in a kiddie pool.  For example:  motorized fish or turtles, boats, water guns squirt toys etc.  As a parent, I would be weary of sending something that can be torn up without his parent's permission since they will be the ones that have to pick up the mess.  

Have fun shopping!

Answer 9

i would give him some of that really nice art paper that is like durable and some oil crayons...my reasoning is that usually autistic children and people are really creative and they express their feelings through art and creativity..

so basically anything that involves art. oil painting, watercolor etc.

Answer 10

get him something like silly putty or along thoose lines it can be torn apart he can build structures and make numbers also the stimulation will make him happy.