One of our readers wrote asking about gift ideas for her eight month old grandchild with Down syndrome.
We have a number of gift ideas listed for special needs children and tweens.
- Sensory Integration Toys and Gifts
- Sign Language Books
- Ability / Disability Awareness Gifts
- Cookbooks for Kids
- Language-building Games
- Puzzles
What if the child is an infant? Here are some features to keep in mind when buying those holiday gifts.
Gross Motor Movement is the movement of the big muscles like arms and legs. Infants use these muscles when they reach, kick, or crawl. (More on gross motor movement.)
- Kick-and-play or reach-and-play type baby gyms
- Colorful, moving, musical toys that baby will want to crawl to
- Booties with bells (other sounds)
Fine Motor Movement involves functions of the hands such as grasping, holding, pinching, and pulling. (More on fine motor movement.)
- Rattles
- Pop beads
Visual Attention and Tracking is focusing on something by watching it either when it is in one place or as it moves from side to side. (More on visual attention and tracking.)
- Mobiles
- Infant mirrors
- Light-up toys
Auditory Attention and Tracking means being aware of sounds around and turning in the direction of a sound or voice. (More on auditory attention and tracking.)
- Musical CDs for infants
- Musical / moving crib aquarium
Cognitive Skills are figuring something out like how to fit something together. Often the baby will have to use fine motor skills with cognitive skills. In other words, he will have to grasp the shape and turn it to fit into the correct hole. (More on cognitive skills.)
- Shape sorters
- Ring stackers
Verbal Skills are first making sounds and then attempts at words and later phrases. (Read what theNational Institute on Deafness and Other Communiction Disorders says about verbal skills.)
- Dolls / toys that say one word or simple phrases
Sensory Integration is the processing of sensory input so that the baby is not overwhelmed with the sights, sounds, and movements of his world. (More on sensory integration.)
- Infant swings (indoor or outdoor)
- Bouncing seats
- Blankets or toys with a variety of textures
- Teethers
Where can you get toys for special needs infants? Certainly there are companies (such as ableplay) that specialize in such products. However, with the checklist above many toys from your local toy store are just as good.
How can you know more specifically which toys are appropriate? Check with the teacher, developmental therapist, occupational therapist, or physical therapist who works with the child. She will have a wealth of ideas tailored to the child.
More things to consider when choosing toys.
