Gift Ideas for Autistic kids

 

Lately I have come across one of my friend whose sister’s kid has been identified to have autism. The kid is around two years old and is socially wihdrawn. I have tried to browse the net to find something which can help the kid in his every day life, apart from the regular treatment. There are lots of toys which can be stimulate the behavioral challenges of the kid.

• Visual and Prioperceptive Challenges

  • Autistic children with proprioceptive difficulties have trouble interpreting sensations from the muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons. To help an autistic child’s visual stimulation needs, try pinwheels, pom-poms, kaleidoscopes or musical toys with lights and bright colors. Helpful gifts include bean bags, hammocks, tunnels and bendable Pop Toobs.

  Vestibular and Tactile Inputs

  • Vestibular complications involve over- or undersensitivity to balance and movement sensations. Therefore, gifts like a trampoline, swing or rocking horse could prove beneficial to autistic children. Autistic children with tactile (touch) defensiveness or hypersensitivity challenges could also get good use out of molding clay, Play-Doh, fingerpaints and squish balls.

  Auditory, Oral and Smell

  • Musical instruments, electronic toys and sing-along videos can help the autistic child’s auditory needs. Bop It, an electronic game, challenges response time to pull, twist and bop different parts of a toy.

    Oral-stimulating gifts may include whistles, wind instruments or bubbles. Autistic children with a keen sense of smell may enjoy scented putty, scented bubbles or Fur Berries.

  Motor Skills and Social Development

  • Legos are one gift that help autistic children develop their motor skills.

    Make sure you select a motivating gift to help an autistic child develop his or her motor skills. Items helpful in developing fine motor skills include blocks, Legos, stacking cups, lacing toys, puzzles, art kits and magnetic picture books. To help develop gross motor skills, give an autistic child a jump rope, hula hoop, bicycle, therapy ball or trampoline.

About Autism :

Autism (say: aw-tih-zum) causes kids to experience the world differently from the way most other kids do. It’s hard for kids with autism to talk with other people and express themselves using words. Kids who have autism usually keep to themselves and many can’t communicate without special help.

They also may react to what’s going on around them in unusual ways. Normal sounds may really bother someone with autism — so much so that the person covers his or her ears. Being touched, even in a gentle way, may feel uncomfortable.

Kids with autism often can’t make connections that other kids make easily. For example, when someone smiles, you know the smiling person is happy or being friendly. But a kid with autism may have trouble connecting that smile with the person’s happy feelings.

A kid who has autism also has trouble linking words to their meanings. Imagine trying to understand what your mom is saying if you didn’t know what her words really mean. It is doubly frustrating then if a kid can’t come up with the right words to express his or her own thoughts.

Autism causes kids to act in unusual ways. They might flap their hands, say certain words over and over, have temper tantrums, or play only with one particular toy. Most kids with autism don’t like changes in routines. They like to stay on a schedule that is always the same. They also may insist that their toys or other objects be arranged a certain way and get upset if these items are moved or disturbed.

Autistic children can improve their communication and social interaction skills by engaging in social skill board games. For ages three and up, try Bambino Dino! and The Secret Door, which teach cooperativeness and teamwork, brainstorming, and communication. For ages seven and up, DGA-TV and Let’s Go Sailing provide opportunities for team communication, decision making and cooperation.

Social skill board games can come from the classics realm, as well. Yahtzee and Boggle offer quick-thinking and problem-solving skills, while Scrabble Jr. helps children to strategize their vocabulary. Monopoly Jr. offers the chance to develop compromise, negotiating and communication skills.

Non-verbal communication tips for interviews

Nonverbal communication is as important as verbal communication during an interview. The evaluation of your nonverbal communication will start as soon as you walk into the company’s lobby and continue until the interview is finished.

Make sure you are properly dressed, neatly groomed and shoes-polished. Too much perfume or not enough deodorant won’t help either. Talking on your cell phone or listening to an IPod while waiting to be called for the interview may be your final strike..

What to Bring to an Interview

• Portfolio or pad holder with a copy of your resume and a list of references on quality paper
• Work Samples (if relevant)
• Notepad, Pen
• Breath mint (before you enter the building)

What Not to Bring to an Interview

• Cell phone
• iPod
• Gum
• Cigarettes
• Candy
• Soda or coffee

While you wait in the reception, sit quietly (do not talk over phone). To avoid sweaty palms, visit the wash-room, wash your hands and dry them. Keep your palms open rather than folded into a fist.

Nonverbal Communication During the Interview

• Take a deep breath and relax before entering the interview room.
• Make a firm shake-hand with the interviewer and maintain eye contact.
• Make eye contact with the interviewer. However, do not stare, keep the contact continuos for few mins.
• Smile and nod (at appropriate times) when the interviewer is talking, but, don’t overdo it. Don’t laugh unless the interviewer does first.
• Be polite and keep an even tone to your speech. Don’t be too loud or too quiet.
• Don’t slouch.
• Do relax and lean forward a little towards the interviewer so you appear interested and engaged.
• Don’t lean back. You will look too casual and relaxed.
• Pay attention, be attentive and interested.
• Don’t interrupt the interviewer ; await your chance to speak.
• Incase of any disagreement, do not argue with the interviewer. Stay calm and smoothly drive the point home.
• Not sure what to do with your hands? Hold a pen and your notepad or rest an arm on the chair or on your lap, so you look comfortable. Don’t let your arms fly around the room when you’re making a point.
• Do not fiddle with your dress or hair during the interview.
• Lastly, do not forget to thank the interviewer for his time.