Christmas???
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Christmas???
| Thu, 12-22-2005 - 6:03pm |
What on earth do you guys get your kids for presents?
My son just doesn't play with anything. At 3yo---we bought him that huge train table/set from Costco. He played with it on Christmas Day. Hasn't touched it since----2 years later. Last year--it was the big Costco Hot Wheels set. Played with it for maybe 2-3 times. Thats it. Never touched it again. I feel like I can't buy him anything---he doesn't play with anything. He has enough Legos. I didn't want to buy him those anymore.
So what did you guys buy your kids?
Holly
Jacob--5yo---bipolar, HFA, anxiety
Lithium
Tegretol
Risperdal
Melatonin
ProEFA

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There is actually an article on this on the apov e-magazine written by our own Paula. http://www.asdrendrewolf.org/artlsure/gifts4auties.htm
What are his interests? I tend to go with interests, not try to make them play with toys they don't like anymore.
My SIL had this problem big time with her ASD son. For his birthday they got him a hamster. For christmas it is going to be a plane ride for an hour or so up to a place to take a train ride with his dad and then back home. His interests are animals and anything that flies. He likes to go on the rides too.
Mike it has always been legos and electronics so those are a good bet for him.
Cait likes animals so some good gifts for her are stuffed animals, magazine subscriptions for animal things, enclyopedia of animal information, etc.
Check out that article. It has alot of good ideas.
Renee
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Holly,
I used to have this problem with Nathan too. He started showing interest in toys about the age of 5, I think. Now he has every toy imaginable, because we spent so much time trying to figure out what he wanted!! LOL
What I've done the last couple of years is take him to the toy store. I let him look around and I watch and see what he takes an interest in. Even if it's a little interest....it gives me some idea what he's in to.
Right now he's into Star Wars....but after taking him to the store, I realized that there were other things he was interested in, as well.
Nathan bounces from toy to toy. So I know what you mean. It can be real difficult trying to figure out what to get them.
Does he like doing things with his hands? Does he like music? blocks or legos? Perhaps even playdoh? I also would buy learning toys too....it always helps with his speech. And I like buying them new books...like the ones with pop out windows...it helps keep their hands busy and sparks interesting conversations too. Sometimes the simpliest of gifts makes them happy!
michelle
Thanks!! That article is great!! But-----with the article I found that those are gifts----that can't go under a tree!! Not fun for a little kid!!
It's really hard! He always says he wants something. The Costco train table/set at 3yo----we couldn't get him out of Costco. He had a major tantrum after playing with it for 30 min. and we drug him out of the store. At home---he just didn't have the interest. Legos were a big thing. But lately---nope. Not for about 6 mo. No interest in anything!!! All he does is run around and get into trouble. Throws things. Hits everyone. Destroys things. He is in a hyper cycle right now. I just spent my entire day cleaning--hours and hours. And now---by 8pm----it is trashed. Christmas bows thrown everywhere. Food on the floor. Tree needles around the room. Of course the tree is tipped from him crashing into it everyday.
Is he bored? What's going on??? I had him sit down with the girls and play a board game--memory. That lasted 5 min.
Holly
Jacob--5yo Bipolar, HFA, anxiety
I agree with the others.
Just a quick idea -- what about a sit-n-spin? My DD LOVES hers. It gives her an "active" outlet but it's safe to have in the house. Just a thought...
And I think many of our kids are going crazy right about now. It's *so* overwhelming and exciting -- the tree -- the decorations -- the lights everywhere... Plus I know my DD can sense my own holiday stress, and she certainly feeds off that. I've resigned myself to riding it out for another few days, and then getting rid of the tree and decorations as soon as possible so that things will go back to "normal", lol!
Jennifer :)
Holly,
Wow!!! He seems pretty active!!! I would have to agree with Jenny, I would find something to help all that activity he has built up!! I did buy my little guy a mini trampoline a couple years ago. He loves that!! I have it in the playroom, so whenever he feels the urge he jumps. I originally had to direct him to the trampoline, but after awhile he was able to go there on his own. I was also thinking about the sit-n-spin as well for Nathan, because he loves to spin too.
Nathan isn't as active, only when he's stimming. Anxiety and stress bring this out. But it certainly helps to have an outlet for him. We just moved into a new home this summer....now we have stairs! Nathan goes up and down the stairs all day!!! He's even developed "different" ways to move his feet from step to step!! LOL
michelle
Chiming in late: (the NYC transit strike killed my week :( )
Hmmm. "under the tree" gifts:
Sensory things (I don't know what his sensory needs are, but I like these:)
fisherprice roll2pro scooter, or a razor scooter if his balance is good.
a bike or skateboard
safety gear for all of the above...
the sit'n'spin is a brilliant idea
am mini-trampolene (it had better be a big tree)
a soccer ball or a star kicker
Actually, any kind of balls: -oversized playground ones, for sitting on while watching TV, the huge therapeutic ones, squeezy ones for fine motor
other stuff:
craft or drawing sets
jigsaw puzzles geared toward the obsession.
legos, k-nex etc etc
Magz! Love em! and great for fine motor...
a model solar system /similar geeky stuff
Those video games which plug into the TV, -many of them are reasonably priced. Peter has te star wars one where you fight the bad guys with a light saber, and he loves it (and is hilarious to watch). -that one wasn't cheap. tho.
A game cube /toys accessories for same.
books
Interactive "running around" games such as tektag/laser tag are perfect for those hyper/vestibular kids. Also 'egg and spoon race", "twister", -stuff like that.
board games
science sets, not too advanced. Thing like exploring magnets, would be good.
I hope that helps. I indulge the obsession, usually. My DD's obsession is cameras . I bought her a digital camera last year (she was 4 -it was what she wanted!)
-Paula
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
oh, for sensory stuff don't forget to check out IKEA. A little late to get things delivered for now but if you have one around or for in the future. They have a great suspended swing that has an aircushion inside and is completely enclosed. I am watching Mike in ours right now. Best $30 I have ever spent.
There is also the punching bag, therapy balls, sockem boppers are great, hippity hops, and passes to favored places like zoo, etc.
If he likes "light up" kind of stuff and you want to promote music we just got Dave a electronic drum set for about $50 that lights up and I can turn down when it is annoying. But will teach him music.
Renee
Hi!
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