These days nearly everyone knows a friend or family member who is touched by Autism. Perhaps it’s your own child or your sister’s child. Perhaps it’s it the child of your neighbor, your dentist, your mail carrier, or hair dresser. Does your daughter teach a special needs classroom? Is your brother a speech therapist?

With the holidays fast approaching, you will inevitably have to answer the question: what gifts are appropriate for individuals affected by autism or related developmental challenges?

Autism is a complex syndrome that affects a family in so many ways: it is emotionally draining, demanding on time, and challenging for relationships… but, perhaps above all, it is expensive! Rather than a scented candle or a box of golf balls, consider selecting gifts that will support your friend or family member’s efforts to teach their child with autism, or their students or clients with autism.

If you are a parent of a child with autism searching for a gift for your child’s teacher, consider giving educational tools and toys that he or she can use in the classroom. Teachers spend so much of their own money on supplies; they would certainly welcome a box of language cards or a set of manipulative puzzles over a crystal apple or another box of chocolates!

Children with Autism face special challenges when it comes to learning through play in the same fashion as their typically developing peers. The toys which would hold particular educational value for most children are not always appropriate for a child with autism. Perhaps the best thing you can give to that child, are tools to help him or her develop the language and skills to help them play with their siblings and peers in the future.

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”

                                                                ~Benjamin Franklin

Stages Learning Materials is offering free shippig for the holidays. Best wishes for a happy holiday and a new year filled with growing, learning and thriving.