The Ultimate Autism Holiday Gift Guide
Thoughtful Ideas That Celebrate Sensory Joy for All Ages
When it comes to giving the perfect gift to Autistic children, teens, and adults for birthdays or holidays, it’s very important to remember their interests and preferences. But, it’s just as important to note their sensory needs and sensory sensitivities.
Fortunately, in the past several years, there has been an explosion of sensory toys, tools, and items that are easy to purchase in regular stores and online and are so affordable. In the not-too-distant past, these things were hard to find outside of specialty shops and were quite expensive.
Many families and would-be gift-givers were challenged because Autistic individuals don’t necessarily like the same kinds of gifts that are popular with the general population. This gift guide will help you find presents based on the recipient’s sensory profiles and needs. Don’t forget: some people may be one of these profiles while others could be a combination.
There are other holiday gift guides for Autistic and neurodivergent individuals, but most do not give guidance based on sensory types and sensory profiles. Please pay special attention to the age suggestions for some of the gifts on the lists below to avoid potential safety hazards. Take special note of weights for weighted presents to be sure they are age-appropriate.
If you don’t know your recipient’s sensory preferences and sensitivities, feel free to ask them or a parent or caregiver for input. Happy gift-giving!
(1) For the Sensory Seeker: Gift & Stocking Stuffer Ideas
These individuals may enjoy sensory items that provide sensory exploration and stimulation via tactile, visual, or auditory input.
Video or tablet games: Provide visual and auditory stimulation that helps develop motor skills as well as social skills in some cases.
Weighted blanket, neck pad, or lap pad: These can offer a calming, grounding sensation.
Textured fidget toys: Toys with different textures, like squishy, spiky, or stretchy, can be both engaging and soothing.
Sensory swing: Cocoon swings or pod swings are popular gifts that give sensory seekers the chance to spin and/or swing while feeling deep pressure.
Noise-canceling headphones (with music): Great for kids, teens, or adults who enjoy rhythmic auditory input but find unpredictable noise overwhelming, comfortable headphones with calming or energizing music can be a perfect gift.
Liquid motion bubbler or liquid artificial aquarium: Provides visual and kinetic stimulation that is relaxing to watch.
Slime: Provides kinetic stimulation that is refreshing to touch.
(2) Gift Ideas for the Sensory Avoider
Not everyone seeks out sensory input. Sensory avoiders are often more sensory sensitive and may prefer a calming gift idea for a quieter, more controlled environment.
A pair of noise-canceling or muffling headphones: Helps block out background noise, allowing for focused or quiet moments to avoid sensory overload.
Soft, tag-free clothing: Clothing that is seamless, tagless, and made of soft materials to avoid irritation. Look for seamless socks too.
Dimmable lamp or mood light: Adjustable lighting can help prevent overstimulation.
Personalized weighted vest or shoulder wrap: Offers calming pressure without being too overwhelming.
Compression or pressure vest, shirt, or onesie: Offers calming pressure.
Therapeutic putty: Allows sensory avoiders to engage in sensory activities in a way that’s gentle, controlled, and not messy like slime.
Sensory swing: Cocoon or pod swings are also popular gifts for sensory avoiders. They may feel they can “get away” from the sensory environment by blocking out the light and sounds around them while getting in some soft, calming motion.
Bean bag chair: As Autistic people are known to need more flexible seating, these bean bags are great since they form to the body instead of being hard or oddly shaped. A good place to get all kinds of bean bag furniture is Yogibo. This type of furniture is perfect for all ages.
(3) For the Visual Learner
Visual learners or those who find visual inputs more engaging can benefit from toys and tools that offer bright, organized, or creative visuals.
Visual timer: Helps keep track of time. Useful for routines or transitions.
Night or galaxy light projector: These lights project images on walls or ceilings, creating a cool, comforting visual experience. They can project many different scenes and images and usually come with a remote control.
Interactive learning tablet: Tablets with educational apps can be helpful for those who prefer structured visual input. If you’re looking for a more restricted option with just a few apps, there are options for that too.
LED sensory tube: Light tubes filled with bubbles, glitter, or changing colors can be engaging and soothing. Some even make cool sounds to go along with the visuals.
Magnetic blocks or puzzles: These allow for hands-on creativity and spatial organization. The organization and patterns of these types of toys are naturally satisfying to the brain and calming at the same time.
(4) For the Tactile (Touch) Sensitive: Gifts
Some individuals may be more sensitive to touch and prefer specific textures, often opting for soft and gentle materials.
Weighted stuffed animals: These can provide a comforting, calming weight with soft textures.
Silk or satin bedding: Smooth textures can be comforting for tactile-sensitive individuals and can help with sleep comfort.
Soft bean bags: A place to relax with soft, gentle material. These are nice to throw or toss as well without being too hard or causing destruction. Bonus: you can find some with shapes, letters, and numbers, to facilitate learning.
Calming sensory bottles: These can provide visual engagement without any physical contact.
Water beads, glass beads, or kinetic sand: For those who like gentle, smooth touch-based activities but may want to avoid anything rough or sharp. Note that these items may only be appropriate for Autistic teens or adults, and then only if they don’t put non-food items in their mouths, as these items can be dangerous if ingested.
(5) For the Movement Lover (Proprioceptive Seekers)
People who crave movement often seek activities involving jumping, pushing, stretching and contracting muscles, or bouncing.
Mini trampoline: Ideal for indoor bouncing. Great for those with vestibular motor skills and movement needs.
Body sock or compression clothing: Helps provide proprioceptive feedback for those who like to feel the stretch of their bodies. Note that these come in various sizes, so make sure to get the right fit.
Resistance bands or therapy balls: Great for pushing, pulling, and stretching.
Balance board or rocker: Give an outlet for movement and help with developing balance motor skills.
Hopper ball: Inflatable balls with handles, perfect for bouncing and moving around in a fun way. This also helps develop gross motor skills and provides vestibular and proprioceptive stimulation.
(6) Gift ideas for the Auditory Sensitive
Those who are sensitive to noise often find loud or unpredictable sounds scary and overwhelming, so quieter gifts with gentle sounds are best.
Noise-canceling headphones or earplugs: Essential for managing sensory-unfriendly environments and avoiding sensory overload.
Music therapy machine or white noise machine: Offers control over auditory input in a soothing manner.
Gentle musical instruments: Chimes, kalimbas, or even mini steel drums can be engaging yet not overwhelming. They also provide calming sounds that the individual can not only control, but also eventually learn to play. More complex instruments are suitable for Autistic teens and older but all ages can enjoy most music.
Audiobooks or guided meditation app: For those who enjoy gentle auditory input or calming voices. This is the perfect gift for Autistic teens and adults.
Silent fidget toys: Tactile engagement without making noise, like silicone push-pop toys.
(7) For the Taste & Smell Sensitive: Gifts and Stocking Stuffers
Individuals with strong preferences or sensitivities around taste and smell may like gifts that cater to their unique profiles.
Scented slime, putty, or essential oils: Mildly scented items can provide soothing yet not overpowering smells. Make sure the recipient doesn’t put non-food items in their mouth.
Flavored or unflavored chewable jewelry: Offers both tactile and taste stimulation, especially for oral seekers. Note that these come in different chewing strengths. A strong chewer needs a stronger strength. A softer chewer may prefer how the more flexible lower strength feels.
Herbal teas or mildly flavored drinks: Options with gentle flavors and scents. This can be great for all ages.
Aromatherapy diffuser or jewelry: For those who enjoy calming scents, a diffuser or necklace with essential oils can be a great option. Ensure the person doesn’t like to put things in their mouth if considering jewelry.
Scent-free hygiene products: For those highly sensitive to smells, unscented soaps, lotions, and other products make thoughtful gifts. These are especially great for Autistic teens and adults.
Sugar-free gum or mints: Provides strong flavors while not promoting cavities. This is appropriate for Autistic teens and adults who always need something to chew but won’t swallow.
Gifts for Autistic Children
Finding gifts and toys for Autistic kids has some unique challenges because of their young age. Addressing the kid’s sensory needs is important. But it’s also important to remember the safety issues inherent to dealing with children.
Some sensory items, from chewing gum to water beads, may present a choking hazard to young kids. Small children may also not be ready for a balance board or sensory swing without the risk of falling.
But this is also an important time in a person’s development. The right age-appropriate sensory gift could become a source of deep comfort and satisfaction for years to come. Consider giving scented slime, larger fidget toys, or weighted stuffed animals, depending on the sensory needs of the Autistic child in your life.
Gifts for Autistic Teens
Teenagers can be famously hard to shop for. Just like everyone else, communication is key. Knowing about your giftee’s sensory processing profile and favorite sensory experiences can help.
By this age, many people can handle a wider variety of things with fewer safety concerns. You don’t have to worry as much about teens hurting themselves on a mini trampoline, and they’re more likely to get something out of a musical instrument (and less likely to damage it) than a small child. Audiobooks are more likely to hold a teen’s attention than a kid’s, too.
Gifts for Autistic Adults
Most of the things on our list work well as great gift ideas for Autistic adults. While you can always go the gift card route, the thought and care put into a great gift can mean a lot to a person. And showing sensitivity to a person’s sensory processing needs can feel especially moving.
By matching gifts to an Autistic person’s sensory profile as well as age, you can create a truly supportive and meaningful holiday experience that will extend into the rest of the year.
About the Author
Tiffany "TJ" Joseph is an Autistic adult working in accessible education with teen and young adult Autistic non-speakers. TJ is also the mother of three Neurodivergent children. She herself is Hard of Hearing and utilizes many ways to communicate including ASL, mouth words, and high-tech AAC (augmentative and alternative communication). Their passion in the disability space is communication and education rights for people of all disabilities. Find TJ on social media at Nigh Functioning Autism.
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