by Perry Trice

Created on: November 02, 2010

Shopping for kids isn't easy be they neuro-typical or otherwise. To be honest I found it much easier to shop for my autistic son when he was younger as it wasn't hard to pin down his interests. As was often the case his interests were usually related to sticks (every autistic kid has a "thing" and once you recognize it your usually set) so for several holidays he was given gifts of dowel rods, toy golf clubs, drum sticks, wizard wands and during one especially spare x-mas several plastic fly swatters and spatulas of his very own (which he loved by the way). But now we're 12 and that’s not a fun age regardless of who you are. This year we're working on life skills, so gifts may include an alarm clock, and electric razor and possible a detachable shower nozzle so we can begin bathing alone.

But what about the fun stuff you say. One of the first things you are going to find about autistic kids is that although it is in their nature to want to be left alone, this is more often only a symptom of over stimulation brought on from the larger world. (Ever been in a crowded parade? Same thing.) All kids want the same things and that generally includes wanting to be out and about and doing what everyone else is doing. From an early age we began asking for memberships to places in town we liked to visit. At one point we held yearly memberships at an aquarium, a zoo, two childrens museums and a botanical garden. All of these places were fun; they included both activities (to give us parents a break from having to be the entertainment) and lots of exhibits and other kids to interact with. Best of all, rather then paying a high admission price only to find out we were in for a tantrum (it happens), rather then sucking it up and begging for a refund, we simply left and did something else or better yet took a drive around the neighborhood and came back later.  Do not be held hostage to your good time. Memberships are cheap if used frequently over the course of the year and best of all you can take lots of pictures to share with the folks who give them to you to prove how much you are enjoying them.

Every kid is different and there is no such thing as a typical autistic kid. Before you go shopping, look around at the toys your kids have found on their own and build off that. If you’re shopping for a kid that has trouble with role playing, don’t be surprised if the dress up costumes or the action figures aren’t a big hit. But, if you find your kitchen utensils keep ending up in the toy chest, you may be on to something. Got a kid with “bathroom issues”? Try playdough or finger paint.

I only have one rule when I do my shopping: nothing that makes loud noises. Believe me when I say you will only ever regret spending money on the toy that makes noise. Regardless of how cute you think it is, anything that makes noise is a bad decision.

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