Last Minute Gift Ideas for Kids with Special Needs!
Beth Rosenberg is an Education Consultant for Special Needs, Art and Technology
With the holiday rush here, Savvy Aunties may be feeling a bit overwhelmed about ideas for gifts for a niece or nephew or other kid with special needs (KWSN). Stores are shining with tons of plastic jingley things that seem to promise fun and entertainment. So, after the KWSN's long day at school or with therapists, what in the world might they enjoy which is practical, educational, on budget and gives hours of pleasure and fun? Here are some of my favorites:
Elementary Kids
Playmobile brand toys give KWSN the opportunity to act out a specific scenario with little figures. They can be on the farm, in the doctor's office, or in a house acting and practicing real-life everyday situations.
Maze books, coloring books, stencils may seem old-fashioned, but they are fun and help little hands with writing and perception challenges and its something fun a Savvy Auntie can join in too.
Tweens
If your niece or nephew with special needs doesn't have a PSP, DS, Wii or some other electronic handheld game, now's the time to indulge! Games are part of the culture of teendom and KWSN are no exception! The Nintendo DS has the ability to connect to your friends DS, so KWSN can interact via technology as they are multi-playing together.
Trivia games based on favorite popular television shows like Seinfeld, The Simpsons or The Office are great ways to practice reading via the game cards which must be answered in order to score points.
Bananagrams and Apples to Apples are also two great word games which makes the KWSN form words with letters as they try to beat their component.
General tip
When shopping, remember their favorite things and characters! From
trains to television shows, today's toy companies are merchandising
everything - and sometimes a boxed game of Spongebob Connect Four can
do the trick of engaging a KWSN because their favorite character is
featured.
Pet project
Lastly, one of the best gifts for a KWSN is a pet. From dogs or cats to turtles or fish, pets teach responsibility because they have to be cared for and nurtured even if mean just throwing some food into a fish tank. Pets provide unconditional love and strength to many kids and can become a source of pride and encouragement for KWSN as they learn more about their friendly creature. Of course, giving a pet is a huge family decision and must be discussed with all caregivers involved.
Last but not least...
Maybe its corny, but another great gift is just a consistent gift of time together where the KWSN knows a regular time, day or week that his or her Savvy Auntie will walk through the door and for one-on-one time together. That's probably the best gift - and of course, it's free!