With Christmas just around the corner, you may be looking for ideas for gifts for children with intellectual disability … for a friend’s child or even your own. No need to stress. Buying gifts for children with disabilities isn’t all that
different from buying for any other child.
By Little Eden
You need to consider the child’s abilities, personality and interests. If you don’t know the child well, check with the parents before buying a gift that might be unsuitable. Children with intellectual disability may be delayed developmentally, so make sure the gift aligns with the child’s developmental stage rather than their chronological age.
When buying gifts for children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, remember that many of today’s popular toys require fine motor skills, and may cause frustration rather than enjoyment. As a general rule, avoid toys or games
with small or flimsy parts. It’s probably wise to also avoid toys that make a loud noise, as this could be disturbing to a child who has a sensory processing disorder.
Most educational toys – building blocks, shape sorters, chunky wooden puzzles, threading games, etc are popular. So too are soft toys and dolls, picture books and musical instruments. Here is a round up of our top 10 gift ideas for children with intellectual disability.
1. Dimple fidget toy
If you’ve ever spent time popping bubble wrap, you’ll understand the allure of these toys. Literally hundreds of variations are available from markets and toy shops everywhere. Basically they comprise rows of silicone bubbles which can be ‘popped’ backwards and forwards as often as you like. Children with intellectual disability may find the repetitive movement soothing and calming.
2. Reusable water painting books (Melissa & Doug)
Comprising sturdy, spiral bound cardboard ‘pages’ and a refillable water pen, these books are great for kids with limited hand/eye coordination. There’s no need to colour between the lines. Different colours automatically appear in the right place when water is applied to the picture.
3. Magnetic building tiles
Ideal for kids who sit at a table or in a wheelchair to play, these magnetic tiles cling together, so they’re less likely to fall or be dropped on the floor. They come in a range of shapes – small and large squares, triangles, quarter circles – for imaginative building play.
4. Xylophone
This is one of the easiest musical instruments to play, ideal for children who lack motion control or muscle coordination. Even a soft tap on the keys produces a pleasing chime. As does simply running the mallet the length of the xylophone. Music therapy is an important aspect of the holistic development programme at LITTLE EDEN.
5. Chunky wooden peg puzzle
These puzzles comprise different shapes which fit into corresponding spaces on the base board. Pieces come with pegs for gripping, making them easier to place correctly. Some puzzles also come with sound effects that reward the child when a puzzle piece is fitted correctly.
6. Moving bubble timer
Some children affected by Cerebral Palsy and other conditions may not be able to use their hands to grasp toys. A moving bubble timer (or an old fashioned lava lamp) could provide them with hours of entertainment, watching bubbles form and gently rise to the surface.
7. Soft toys, large cushions and fluffy rugs
These ‘comfort’ gifts are perfect for a child with limited movement, creating a safe and comfortable place to play and
relax. For the more adventurous, ball ponds offer a fun alternative.
8. Grip Aid
Not a toy, but a useful assistive device that allows a child to securely grip objects such as a crayon, toy or spoon. Works well with toys like the xylophone, for children who have difficulty grasping the mallet firmly.
9. An ‘experience’ gift
Not all gifts come wrapped in shiny paper under the Christmas tree. Experience gifts offer hours of fun for children of all ages. From a visit to an animal farm, fun fair or aquarium, to special horse riding or swimming lessons for people with disabilities, the gift of a new or fun experience is sure to be appreciated.
10. Gift of Time
Don’t undervalue the gift of your time. Although the child may love a new picture book, by far the best part of the gift is the time you spend reading them the story, or naming the objects shown in the pictures. The same goes for helping them fit together the pieces of the new jigsaw puzzle you bought, or showing them how to stack the building blocks.
Where to buy these gifts
Most of these suggestions are available at toy shops, markets or online stores like Amazon.com and Takealot – and come in a range of prices. If you find other options you love, please share with us!
