CHLSS

  • Donate
  • Contact Us
Menu
  • Adoption
    • Infant Adoption
    • A father and son created through foster care adoption embrace.Foster Care Adoption
    • Young girl from China smiles at the camera.International Adoption
    • Close
  • Foster Care
    • Three siblings in foster care smile in the part with their arms wrapped around each other's shoulders.Foster Care
    • An African American single woman wraps her arms around two brothers she adopted from foster care.Foster Care Adoption
    • Close
  • Pregnancy Services
    • Birth parents and adoptive parents smile with son.Open Adoption
    • Parenting
    • A father holds a football for his infant child.Birth Fathers
    • Happy woman and man waiting to adopt a child.Waiting Family Profiles
    • Close
  • Post Adoption
    • Domestic Post Adoption
    • International Post Adoption
    • Post Adoption Resources
    • A teen boy who was adopted from Korea as an infant smiles against a stone wall.Post Placement Reports
    • Close
  • Education & Events
    • An Ethiopian adoptee and her sister smile and hug.Education & Events Calendar
    • A woman attends a webinar.Recorded Webinars
    • Close
  • About Us
    • Mission & History
    • Leadership
    • Employment
    • Volunteer
    • Close
  • Blog
  • Donate
  • Contact Us
  • Login
Home / Blog / Parenting / Choosing The Perfect Gift For A Child With Special Needs

Choosing The Perfect Gift For A Child With Special Needs

December 21, 2020 by Guest Contributor

The holidays are here, and it’s the time of year when parents are scrambling to find the perfect gift for their little ones. Finding a present that a child will appreciate and enjoy can be quite a struggle, and it’s even more of a challenge if a child has special needs. Fortunately, there are a lot of new products out there that are age-appropriate and fit for different levels of ability. If you need to find a gift for a child with special needs, here are some basic guidelines to make the right pick.

Choose toys that can boost a child’s self-worth

For a child with a disability, it’s important that there is inclusivity and representation in play to develop their self-esteem, and gender-neutral toys are a good way to achieve this. An example of a plaything that encourages inclusive play is a doll. Not only is it a good, gender-neutral toy, but certain dolls allow children to process their own experiences in a positive and healthy way. Children who use a wheelchair may like the Barbie Fashionista Doll #132, which comes with a wheelchair, or the Marvel Education Friends With Diverse Abilities Figure Set. Those who love to build things out of blocks may love the Lego City Set that comes with figures that use wheelchairs, as well as an accessible bus. For children who are hard of hearing, Build A Bear offers accessories such as hearing aids for existing dolls and stuffed animals, while the Lottie Doll Wildlife Photographer Doll comes with a cochlear implant.

“The best toys for kids with special needs are ones that give them a positive and enjoyable play experience, whether they’re playing by themselves or with a friend.”

Look for toys that offer sensory stimulation

Kids with autism spectrum disorder often enjoy simple toys that offer sensory stimulation, such as puzzles, blocks, and modeling clay sets. When choosing a gift for a child with autism, avoid anything that can cause overstimulation, such as toys with a lot of moving parts or flashing lights. Instead of a remote-controlled car, opt for a simple train set that they can take apart and push on the tracks, or give them hand-painted wooden toy cars. For tactile stimulation, there are Play-Doh sets, or for a non-sticky alternative, there’s Educational Insights Playfoam Go, which is a type of modeling foam that can be molded into any shape or form. For a fun stocking stuffer, bubbles are always a hit, as well as small stuffed dolls.

The best toys for kids with special needs are ones that give them a positive and enjoyable play experience, whether they’re playing by themselves or with a friend. Consider these tips to choose the perfect gift and make the playtime even more special for the little ones.

This article was written by guest contributor Karoline Gore.

Filed Under: News, Parenting

Meet Waiting Children

View Children

Help a Child Thrive

Contribute Today

Main Office

1605 Eustis Street
Saint Paul, MN 55108
651.646.7771
800.952.9302
[email protected]

Maryland Office

15800 Crabbs Branch Way Suite 300
Rockville, MD 20855
301.562.6500
[email protected]

Virginia Office

4101 Chain Bridge Road Suite 301
Fairfax, VA 22030
703.214.5533
[email protected]

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
Charities Review Council
Standards_Seal_BLACK_WEB
Charities Review Council Seal 2022
coa-logo
NCFA Member Seal_
IAAME
Intercountry Adoption Accreditation and Approval
Human Rights Campaign seal

© 2023 Children's Home Society and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. All Rights Reserved.

Terms & Conditions Privacy policy Developed by Vivid Image Staff Login