Have you been wondering what gifts your child will love this holiday season that is also going to promote their development?

I have placed my top gift recommendations into 4 categories:

1. Sensory tools and toys
2. STEM projects
3. tablet/cell phone applications
4. Fun activities to do at home.

Recommendations

Sensory Tools and Toys 

1. Weighted Blanket (should be about 10% of child’s body weight)
   1. Provides deep pressure stimulation
   2. helps with sleep, calming, and self-regulation.
   3. https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/make-and-decorate/crafts/how-to-make-a-weighted-blanket
2. Water Beads
   1. https://www.amazon.com/Kinetic-Sand-Sandtastic-Playset-Tools/dp/B07M5TPM8Q/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2ZWOYFSRYRHUP&keywords=kinetic%2Bsand&qid=1637875314&qsid=146-1346417-0430338&s=toys-and-games&sprefix=kinet%2Ctoys-and-games%2C237&sr=1-5&sres=B084BNW2PW%2CB07M5TPM8Q%2CB07GTB3H8T%2CB08S75BPRY%2CB08S7LDZ84%2CB08FCR35QB%2CB084BTPVFQ%2CB07PGTLGK1%2CB08T6DVTZ6%2CB084BNRGCZ%2CB08LZN7LFR%2CB084PTWQ91%2CB0886RL2F7%2CB075Y9G5JV%2CB081VVNWKN%2CB08S71687H%2CB08LZJGHDV%2CB08S75JPFB%2CB01K16G83A%2CB07R9N35FR&srpt=ART_CRAFT_KIT&th=1
3. Kinetic sandhttps://www.amazon.com/Kinetic-Sand-Sandtastic-Playset-Tools/dp/B07M5TPM8Q/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=kinetic+sand&qid=1638604650&sr=8-10
4. Fidget/sensory toys
   1. https://autismcommunitystore.com/collections/sensory-toys
   2. Pop its
   3. Fidget spinners

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) projects

STEM toys make for a great gift idea because they promote so many functional life and developmental skills.

STEM TOYS (learning/creativity)

• Amazon
  • Coding starter kit
  • Woodworking kits
  • Science projects
• https://stemgeek.com/diy-stem-activities-kids/
  • Rubber band fan powered car
  • Catapult
  • Make slime or playdough
  • Raft
  • Paper paper airplanes.

Tablet/Cell phone applications

1. AAC/language/communication apps
   1. Proloquo2go  (iphone)
      1. For nonverbal children
      2. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/proloquo2go-symbol-based-aac/id308368164
   2. OTSIMO
      1. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/otsimo-special-education-aba/id1084723774
      2. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.otsimo.app
   3. MITA (Mental Imagery Therapy for Autism)
      1. helps supports language development
      2. Available in various language
      3. Researched
2. Routines  & Schedules
   1. I create- social stories
      1. social learning tool that supports the safe and meaningful exchange of information
      2. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/i-create-social-skills/id513666306
      3. add images, record voice and organize a schedule
      4. Cause and effect learning
3. First then visual Schedule
   1. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/first-then-visual-schedule/id355527801
   2. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ru.ausoft.firstthen&hl=en_US

3. Sensory light box

1. Cause and effect sensory light box (android)
2. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=air.com.cognable.lightbox

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sensory-light-box/id533976433

Experience/memory together your kids want to bond with you

1. Cooking /baking
   1. Decorative/holiday Cookies
   2. Cake
   3. Play around with colors and dye
2. House themes
   1. Lights
   2. Make shirts
   3. Holiday Decorating
3. Get Outdoors
   1. Make snowman if its snowing
   2. Play catch
   3. Run around and play tag
   4. Go to the playground

Recap: 

1. Sensory based
   1. Water beads
   2. Weighted blanket
   3. Fidget toys
2. STEM Activities
   1. Crafts
   2. Science projects
   3. Woodworking kits
   4. Slime
   5. Coding
3. Cellphone/Tablet applications
   1. Proloque2go
   2. MITA
   3. I create
   4. First then schedule
   5. Sensory light box
4. Experiences/Memories
   1. Cooking/baking
   2. Decorating
   3. Outdoors

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