Gifts for Autistic Adults, Because We Deserve Gifts for Autism Awareness Month

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Let's get this out of the way first: this gifts for autistic adults gift guide was written by me, Cat Bowen, an autistic person and a mother of an autistic teen. And while my choices and particular flavor of the 'tism are obviously not universal (we are the very best spectrum, after all), I do have a ton of experience with many an autistic style, and I've now text-messaged my group of tism-tastic friends, and other parents of autistic kids for loads of good ideas.

This gifts for autistic people list is definitely going to look strange to many neurotypicals — and that's totally OK (we can't all be this cool). I decided to present you with a range of gifts and price points sure to make your Au-tastic person delighted. Because remember, April is Autism Awareness Month, which means that you should be especially aware of how groovy we are and shower us with the best unique gifts. Also, just be aware of us in general. We could be anywhere your school, your workplace, reflected back at you in the mirror... oh look! Here's one right now, giving you a list of gifts for autistic adults.

Peshtemal Turkish Towel

Do you know what most terrycloth feels like on my skin? Like Satan is giving me a tongue bath. There are some exceptions to this, but generally? Nope. Enter Turkish towels. They lack that fibrous, sandpaper texture, dry in a hurry, and they are light as air.

Related: The 8 Most Absorbent, Stylish, and Affordable Towels on the Market

Neurospicy, Neurodiversity Mug

I don't know why no one in my life has bought this for me, yet. This is surely the best gift for autistic adults. I mean, does no one love me? The lack of this mug as a gift is going to have me spiraling the rest of the day.

Restore 2 Sunrise Alarm Clock

So many of us on the spectrum struggle with our circadian rhythm, which is why this incredible alarm clock is one of the best gifts for autistic adults. Especially those like my son and I, who also have ADHD. The Restore 2 is a sound machine and alarm clock with a built-in sun lamp made to slowly wake you and put you back to sleep.

Related: The Hatch Restore Alarm Clock: Simulating the Best Sleep I’ve Ever Gotten

Life Q30 Wireless Headphones

These aren't just one of our picks for the best noise-canceling headphones, they're an entire ecosystem for your brain.

One of our editors, Stefan Vazharov notes that one of his favorite bits of the gear is that "The Life Q30 headphones also have a companion app packed with tools to customize their sound and noise cancellation and additional features to help you focus or unwind."

Flower Bouquet

Zoning out into a chill brain space is so much better when you're building Lego sets. This one just happens to be particularly beautiful, and at the end, you get an entire bouquet of flowers.

Related: This Lego Icons Bonsai Tree Set Is The Cutest Way to Welcome Spring Into Your Home

Echo Dot with Sengled Smart Color Bulb

One of the best gifts for autistic people that's come out in the past decade is the whole-home light and sound kit with Echo. Having the ability to use your voice — or a device — to control what your home sounds and looks like is so comforting.

Mini Air Purifier

You know what was recommended to me by other autistic people more than just about anything else? A pretty air purifier.

"Something that doesn't look hideous, but still gets rid of the smell seeping into my house from my neighbor who I think eats only onions," said a friend.

This one is small, but mighty, cleaning an entire room of any untoward fragrances.

Good Aura Body Oil

Lotion can feel weird and stay on your skin too long. It can also stink. Hanni Good Aura oil dries down really fast, and the smell is pretty mild, making it aces for people who don't like to be dry, but don't want to be greasy, either.

Rizz Em With The Tism Meme Autistic Raccoon T-Shirt

OK, this one is just really funny. I honestly just ordered it, and I might even wear it to work under my Dungeons and Dragons cardigan. I can't see anyone not loving this.

ProSeries Sewing Kits with Sewing Tools

This is how I removed the aforementioned evil tag of doom. With these tiny seam scissors. The other scissors and seam rippers are great for an audie toolkit as well.

iPad with A13 Bionic chip

Apple has spectacular accessibility features built-in to their devices. That includes text-to-speech, speech-to-text, reading the screen out loud, and more. It can change the life of someone on the spectrum. (It's also just really fun.)

55 Can Beverage Refrigerator

I like my cold beverages nearly frozen, and my hot beverages hot-adjacent. My son likes his cold beverages "meh" cold, and hates hot beverages. Having something like a beverage cooler allows us to each have drinks at temps that don't give us the ick.

Touch Screen Winter Gloves

There's a lot I can't touch or do without wearing gloves — I wear them inside while folding clothes with textures I can't stand (microfiber). This pair of gloves is one of the best gifts for autistic adults who experience sensory overload at home. It's the most seamless, most grippy, and easiest to use that I've found. They're light and they work on the touchscreen.

Amtrak Gift Card

Listen, it's a stereotype for a reason, and because I am a train-loving audie with a train-loving audie kid, I can tell you that there are whole Reddit groups dedicated to autistic people who freaking love trains. Make it more affordable for us!

Men's Running Quarter Sock

These are truly seamless socks. They're my favorite to run in, to wear under boots, and go to the store. I wear the plain versions under my work shoes, as well. They don't ride, they don't itch, and they compress just enough that you can feel it.

Rincon 3

Many autistic people have very heavy steps. It's a part of the sensory-feedback loop that feels differently for us than you. This can be really hard on your back, especially as you get older. Hokas, I have found, can take the damage from me for the longest period of time without turning to insole dust.

Cotton Seed Stitch Cardigan

One of my biggest pet peeves is that I want to look fashionable, but clothes can be really hard because of how they feel. I bought this cardigan a few weeks ago, and I am happy to report that it's cute, the fabric isn't weird, and the tag is mostly inoffensive. I say this as someone who only moments ago ripped off their button down to cut off a tag.

Tarot Cards with Guide Book & Linen Carry Bag

So, you might think we're all very much too literal to indulge in anything like tarot, but that's a misconception I want to bury. We do sometimes have a harder time grasping the concepts, though. That's why a tarot deck like this, with the meanings on the deck themselves, can be so much fun.

Cantilevered Pergola

I am very light and temperature-sensitive, but I still love being outside. If you're buying a gift for your autistic partner or child, perhaps as a housewarming gift, you cannot do better than this pergola that has a cantilevered roof that allows you to choose how much light to let in.

FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Straw

Whoever invented leakproof straw bottles is my BFF. At home, I'm a die-hard Stanley girly, but when I'm out? I'm team Owala all the way, because it doesn't make a mess everywhere, and it keeps things cold. This is one of the best gifts for autistic adults who can't stand when their drinks vary in temp — or spill out the sides.

Related: Stanley, Who? Score These TikTok-Loved Owala Water Bottles for Up to 28% Off

The Appreciation Sugarwish

Sweets are often a safe food, and sending a sweet treat is a fun way to tell us how amazing we are. This gift also lets us choose which ones we want for ourselves.

DIY 3D Dragon Painting

Detail work is relaxing. I'm terrible at it, but I love it, and I'm actually a part of a Reddit community for audies who paint figurines. This is an entire set ready for your giftee, and they're so cool.

The Detangle Kit

I love to have my hair brushed and my scalp massaged, but I hate the detangling process, especially on my curly hair. Brushes for detangling can often be too needle-y. This set is more blunted, making it a much more comfortable experience.

10-Mode Shower Head with Hose

Washcloths can be a lot. However, so can the feeling of being dirty. A handheld shower hose can help get audie folks squeaky clean without needing the dreaded cloth of the wash.

Solid Brass Bolt Action Pen

This is one of those gifts for autistic adults they may not even know they need. It's a weighted pen. Not only does it give great sensory input, it also helps keep our hands steady while writing, which can be tricky in a public setting.

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