Buying Gifts for Autistic Kids Isn’t as Hard as You Think — Trust Me, I’m Autistic

I get it. Buying gifts for autistic kids and adults is hard. I mean, we’re awesome, and sometimes — oftentimes — picky. Kids? Even more so. And the fact that there’s so many flavors of autism makes things that much trickier. Sensory seekers, like me, want things that give us feedback, and gifts that cater to that like spiky footrests and spicy pickles, are well-received. Autistic kids with more sensory sensitivities tend to shy away from things that provide too much input.

In fact, the only common denominator I have ever found with autistic kids and adults is that we all hate the seam in our socks, tags in our clothes, having our shoulders trapped in a too-tight jacket, and anything other than luxe, soft fabrics. OK, and social situations. Those are also unfun in the extreme.

Curating a list of great gifts for autistic kids was obviously challenging, but with help from my autistic son, my autistic friends, and parents of autistic kids, I think you'll find something for amazing autistic kid in your life.