Christmas Gift Ideas?

[Eyelet]

If you any of you kind mamas want to help me brainstorm, I'd really appreciate it! I'm trying to think of an awesome Christmas gift for my 13 year old DS who has autism. He's *loves* sensory toys, toys that make music and/or is animated, and any kind of water toys. He already has quite a bit of sensory things. He currently has an indoor swing, weighted blankets, body sox, large bouncy ball, trampoline, rocking chair, and a vibrating 'snake'.

I'm running out of new ideas at the moment. Has anyone had good success with a particular item or gift?

TIA!

[SpottedFoxx]

Are you crafty? Maybe make a weighted pillow (my son loves his). It's very simple, sew two pieces of super soft snuggly material together, leave opening, fill with about 4-5lbs of polly pellets (it's what's in beanie babies) and then sew closed.

Balance boards are great. Music box or musical snow globe (my DS is fascinated with snow globes), music lessons at a local school (if offered for children with special needs).

[Eyelet]

Very neat ideas, thank you SpottedFoxx!

I'm not really that crafty, but the pillow sounds super easy to make. My son would absolutely love that. My son also loves snow globes, as well. Our last one got knocked over by our cat and broke. He's definitely due for a new one.

My son gets music therapy at school and really enjoys it. I'll ask his therapist if she can recommend anyone for lessons.

[Linda on the move]

Does he have a special interest?

[Eyelet]

Well, DS really likes animals and horses, in particular. He likes puzzles and mazes (the kind you do on paper). He also likes to help me cook. He loves planets and space 'stuff' in general, as well. He enjoys simple computer games, too.

My son has a short attention span, so he will most likely become frustrated with toys or projects that require long concentration.

[NightOwlwithowlet]

An Ipod or Mp3 player with music he likes? My cousin and his wife got one for their son. He has autism and is 10 or 11. They wanted to move him away from "little kid" toys and toward more typical interests. They got him an Mp3 and once he showed he could be responsible with it, the got him an Ipod Touch with games and music. Obviously the price in prohibitive for a lot of people, but he loves it and he loves that he looks more like his brothers and other kids. He quite knowledgable about pop music and old jazz hits, he is the one who taught me to down load music to my Ipod.

[hadleys_mom]

Maybe therapeutic horseback riding?