Teens and adults with autism can be so hard to buy for! This post was crowd-sourced from my friends, the Facebook Page, and what I could pull from Twitter.
Please note this list has now been split into two lists:
- Gift Ideas for Autistic Adults and Teens (the list you’re reading right now)
- Gift Ideas for Intellectually Disabled Adults
While there are similarities, I felt it was important to separate them out.
Gift for Autistic Teens and Adults
If you are buying a gift for autistic adults or an autistic teenager, here are many tried and true ideas. Remember that many of these items will appeal to all kids, not just autistic teens or adults.
Gift Ideas for Autistic Teenager
Last year, Yogibo was our splurge gift for Kevin. I am trying to buy one larger, more valuable, and nicer gift instead of a ton of inexpensive junk.
We just love these. Honestly, someone in our house uses them every day. We all love the sensory input and comfort. They are amazing. They’re not at all like the bean bag chairs from the 1980s.
Both boys have reading nooks in their bedrooms that include one. Here is Kevin in his. Yes, we have the ottoman too.
- ELEVATE YOUR RELAXATION: Moon Pod has completely reinvented the beanbag experience and transformed it into a full body, personalized support…
- ON MOON POD, YOU DON’T SINK, YOU FLOAT: Filled with customized, high friction micro-beads, Moon Pod mimics the sensations of Floatation Therapy…
- MOON POD’S NEW BEST FRIEND: Take the Crescent zero-gravity backrest anywhere in your home to elevate your relaxation experience. In combination…
- ON MOON POD, YOU DON’T SINK, YOU FLOAT: Filled with customized, high friction micro-beads, Moon Pod products mimic the sensations of Flotation…
- BETTER SLEEP IN 4 DIMENSIONS: Meet the Moon Pod 4D Sensory Pillow. Moon Pod relaxation technology is now in pillow form for the deepest sleep…
- THOUSANDS OF MICRO BEADS: Experience enhanced neck support, high flow cooling properties, and zero pressure points thanks to Moon Pod Micro…
- Multi-Positional – Bean bag chair and crash pad for adults or children. The Cocoon accommodates 2 positions; lay it down flat like a giant bean…
- Supportive Comfort & Modern Style – Provides pressure-relieving support while remaining soft and comfortable. Perfect for home theater, game…
The other gift idea I have that is a bit more spendy would be a light table. They don’t have to be babyish or toddlerish. It’s all about how you use it.
- Light Box: A color-changing light box set for shape learning and sensory play!
- 79-Piece Set: Includes a sensory bin (can be filled with water, sand, or rice), fine motor tools, geometric shapes, colorful bugs, a measuring…
- EASY CARRYING — Light weight super slim light pad, thickness only 0.2’’, about 5mm. Overall dimension including black frame is…
- ADJUSTABLE BRIGHTNESS — Simply keep pressing the touch switch for several seconds until you get the desired brightness you want. It’s gradual…
- Sturdy plywood frame with protective plastic edges
- Energy-efficient LEDs provide a bright, evenly lit surface
You can now get transparent Lego-type bricks, Magformers, and other accessories that are more mature.
- Endless building adventures: Make building fun and rewarding with our tile magnets for kids. This geometric-shaped 30-piece set includes 18…
- Perfect for growing minds: Watch young minds flourish as they explore, create, and experiment with possibilities. These magnetic building tiles…
- Set includes XL cruiser car pieces and 8 different geometric shapes with die piece accessories.
- 144 pieces : 46 Triangles; 44 Squares; 12 Pentagons; 6 Rectangles; 4 Hexagons; 6 Isosceles Triangles; 4 Super Triangles; 6 Super Squares and 16…
- Car set with carnival boy and actual sized cards for independent play.
- 8 triangle pieces, 5 square pieces, and 2 axle/wheel pieces.
On to the rest of the list.
Gift Ideas for Autistic Adults
For most of these, just click on the highlighted links, and you will be taken to see more options in that category.
1. ASK THEM. Many times, people are more alike than different. We may communicate differently and learn differently, but we all have likes, dislikes, and wishes inside. So whatever is hot and trendy with all teens, whether it be a book, movie, video game, or music, chances are a teen with autism may enjoy it too. Just ask them. Like many other things, you can adapt. So, if a girl wants to read the Twilight series but struggles with reading, get the book on CD or audio. Get a gift card for clothing at their favorite store, or take them shopping.
2. Amazon Echo Dot-I am adding this new this year. I just heard from so many parents that this is a perfect gift for teens. And every holiday season, they offer one model for under $30! There are so many uses for this, especially in a disability household. We use ours all the time.
- Our best sounding echo dot yet – Enjoy an improved audio experience compared to any previous Echo Dot with Alexa for clearer vocals, deeper…
- Your favorite music and content – Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth…
- Echo Pop – This compact smart speaker with Alexa features full sound that’s great for bedrooms and small spaces. Small enough to blend in and…
- Control music with your voice – Ask Alexa to play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from your favorite providers like Amazon Music, Apple Music,…
- Alexa can show you more – Echo Show 5 includes a 5.5” display so you can see news and weather at a glance, make video calls, view compatible…
- Small size, bigger sound – Stream your favorite music, shows, podcasts, and more from providers like Amazon Music, Spotify, and Prime…
3. Fun Sensory stuff: How about a lava lamp, bubble lamp, and those items? Now, you can even get them as speakers with Bluetooth to hook up to other items.
- Beautiful Motion Lamp: Bring the relaxing colors of the Aurora Borealis into your life. Watch the colorful purple lava drift to the top of the…
- Easy to Operate: After plugging in your lamp, wait 2-3 hours for your wax to begin flowing. For optimal performance, run your lamp no more than…
- Soothing Motion Lamp: Watch the bubbling ‘lava’ as the red wax bubbles to the top of the lamp and drifts back down through the vibrant orange…
- Easy to Operate: After plugging in your lamp, wait 2-3 hours for your wax to begin flowing. For optimal performance, run your lamp no more than…
- Fascinating Motion Lamp: Watch the bubbling ‘lava’ as the yellow wax bubbles to the top of the lamp and drifts back down through the vibrant…
- Easy to Operate: After plugging in your lamp, wait 2-3 hours for your wax to begin flowing. For optimal performance, run your lamp no more than…
4. Clock that is a Phone Charger–I like this clock! We have one. And for many reasons, it is a great gift idea for teens with autism or other disabilities. First, it is a clock (duh!), and you can set multiple alarms on it. I like this for the kid who struggles with executive functioning skills such as time management in the morning. You can set one clock for a wake-up time and another for a “you should be out of the shower and dressed” time. Then it’s also a charging dock. For the kid who likes to take his device to bed with him at night, no more struggles of where to keep it while they are sleeping.
- 10W Fast Wireless Charger: this wireless charing alarm clock support fast charging and charges universal cellphones with wireless charging in…
- Wood Alarm Clock with Large Numbers: the 1.8 inches big digits on the 6.5 inches electric clock are easy to see without glasses. Two steps…
- ⏰【Stable Wireless Charging Station】- This wireless charging alarm clock supports wireless charging for universal cellphones in a stable and…
- ⏰【5 Level Brightness Adjustable alarm clock】- Compared with the alarm clocks on the market that only have three levels of brightness…
5. Age-Appropriate Puzzles: Puzzles are so popular for all ages. And hey, some kids may still do the chunky wooden puzzles, and that’s fine, too. But there are things out there for all ages and abilities.
- Size: 27.5*19.7 in / 70*50 cm .National parks jigsaw puzzle with exquisite packing box and a double-sided poster. The front of poster helps you…
- Meaningful Travel Puzzles for Adults: 1000 piece puzzles landscape features 63 national parks posters, such as rocky mountain, olympic national…
- Tip:This puzzle features a unique mosaic design style, showcasing rich colors and intricate textures. Please note that it is not a true stained…
- 1000 piece puzzle for adults Tree of Life: Finished Size: 27.5*19.7* in / 70*50 cm.. The packing box is sturdy and exquisite with a…
- Crisp Clear Painting: Using unique surface film technology, the HUADADA puzzle allows vibrant and beautiful color remains freshness long time,…
- Pieces Connect Well: The starfish puzzles are made of recycled cardboard, and precisely cut for the perfect interlock without swollen edges, not…
6. Another mom said that her autistic teenager loves to watch Sand Art.
- Relaxing & Calming Moving Sand Artistic – Turn the dynamic sand picture frame, you will get a different image each time. Watching the sand slowly…
- Nice Art Décor – Beautiful and relaxing piece of art that would be perfect for home and office decoration.The sand art picture meant to be…
- 【HIGH QUALITY】: Lead-free high transparency glass as clear crystal as the water drop allows you to fully enjoy the beauty of quicksand….
- 【PRODUCT FETURES】: Moving Sand Art, Every time you turn the Dynamic Sand Picture Frame, you get a different image. Looking at the falling…
- QUALITY LIFE- Away form the complex vision, the soul ofthe living room between the lines. Continuous flow of sand painting, can alleviate…
- CREATIVE DECORATION – Excellent design gives this sand painting more meaning. It can be rotated 360°, every time it rotates, the sand starts to…
7. Squeeze Reliever or Hand Massager–We got one of these to try, and we’re all loving it! Do you have a kid who loves deep pressure and sensory of that sort? You put your hand into it and the compression massager massages to give your autistic teen the sensory input that they love. If you have an autistic adult relative who loves sensory input on their hands, this is a great gift idea.
- 🎁【Multiple Functions】 Hand massager offers 6 modes, 6 massage intensities, 2 heating levels, and 3 timers(15/20/30min), allowing you to…
- 🎁【Long-lasting and Portable】 The cordless hand massager with a built-in 3000mAh lithium battery offering 120min(with…
- Hand Massager with Heat: CINCOM hand therapy massager provides different acupuncture points and offers a kneading massage with 4 massage heads….
- Give Your Hands A Break: This electric hand massager relieves arthritis or carpal tunnel pain and relaxes your hand after a long day of work….
8. Pokemon: New this year, Pokemon! A few moms saw this list and couldn’t believe that I didn’t have Pokemon on it. I’m told that Goo Jit Zu is the hot thing for some kids.
- The Pokémon TCG: Charizard ex Super-Premium Collection includes 1 foil promo card featuring Charizard ex and 2 foil cards featuring Charmander…
- This also comes with a 1 card-display figure featuring Charizard and 10 Pokémon TCG booster packs.
- 3 Pokemon booster packs from various sets
- The Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Surging Sparks Elite Trainer Box includes 9 Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Surging Sparks booster packs, 1…
- The Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Surging Sparks Elite Trainer Box also comes with 45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards, a player’s guide to the…
9. Personalized Krazy Straws-Personalized stuff is so hot right now. So, how about a personalized Krazy Straw? They’re fun and inexpensive. And hey, if you have feeding issues, it might make getting liquids easier. All kids will love this, but I love the personalized aspect of it for kids with autism and just the fun factor.
10. Pinch Me Dough-Pinch Me Dough is a therapeutic putty or dough with many uses. From strengthening hands for fine motor tasks to reducing anxiety, having a fidget something or sensory input…makes a great stocking stuffer. This is a great gift idea for teens with autism. The aromatherapy aspect of the therapy dough makes it multi-sensory, which I love!
