Each year Autism Live curates a list of top toys and gifts in a wide range of categories and developmental levels to help you find the perfect gift to delight the children, teens and adults in your life who are on the Autism Spectrum. This year we have chosen toys and gifts for caregivers. Some of these items are designed to create connection with our kids on the spectrum, some are designed to make life easier and others are just good for a caregiver’s soul. We hope you find something just right for the caregiver in your life.
Top Toy Winner
Vidalia Chop Wizard
Vidalia
Description
Say goodbye to dangerous and messy food prep! It’s the versatile, time-saving kitchen tool you’ll want to use again and again. Chop Wizard is dishwasher safe and clean up is a breeze!
Stir-Fry faster than ever! Chop peppers, carrots, and zucchini to prepare a meal in minutes. The catch container even doubles as a measuring cup.
Autism Live Says:
This brilliant little tool makes chopping healthy veggies a breeze so you can feed your family healthy food without being stuck in the kitchen all day! The first time you make soup with it, you will never want to use anything else ever again.
Therapist Recommendation Toy Winner
The Out of Sync Family
By Carol Stock Kranowitz, MA
Description
The Out of Sync Family is a delightfully illustrated chapter book geared for ages 8 to 12 and tells the tale of five family members and their naughty dog (each with a different sensory processing challenge), and how they got in sync after a tough day. Each family member explains what they do to function successfully and how readers, too, can enjoy sensory-motor activities at home or school.
Autism Live Says:
This is a great book for parents to read with their children to learn about the sensory differences everyone has and how to cope. The book is easy to read and fun to share with your whole family, not just your child on the spectrum.
STEM Toy Winner
Make Bug 3D Puzzles
Make Bug
Description
This is a great interactive toy for all kids who like to engage in STEM learning with the best interactive materials available. Watch each unique creature come to life as you build them in 10 minutes. . Each puzzle comes with easy-to-punch-out pieces from paper sheets with easy-to-follow step by step assembly instructions.
Autism Live Says:
These puzzles require no tools or glue so they are perfect STEM activity to take on trips. We love working on these puzzles together to create gorgeous works of art and nature.
Speech Builder Toy Winner
WOWmazing Giant Bubble Concentrate Kit
South Beach Bubbles
Description
These giant bubble wands create long, GIANT bubbles thanks to a 2-handle design, which has been used to set every big bubble world record in the last 30 years. Passers-by will be sure to say “WOW… Amazing”! WOWmazing Giant Bubble Concentrate is proudly made in the USA. It is safe, environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and biodegradable! The 4-piece WOWmazing Kit: giant bubble maker, 2 bubble pouches, and Tip & Tricks booklet to help you become a master bubble creator!
Autism Live Says:
Bubbles are an amazing toy to foster language. Giant bubbles just up the game. Make your house the coolest on the block by creating huge bubbles. Encourage your child to request more bubbles and support them in taking part in the process.
Social Skills Builder Toy Winner
Social Skills Training
Dr. Jed Baker
Description
Social Skills Training is the complete package: whether learning how long to look at somebody; how to shift topics, despite a desire to stick with that all-consuming special interest; how to say no to peer pressure; or dealing with sensitive topics—it’s all here. In this comprehensive and user-friendly book, the author translates years of experience working with students with autism and social communication differences.
Autism Live Says:
We love this 20th anniversary edition of Dr. Baker’s classic book. It’s filled with new things to help your child/teen/adult learn and develop meaningful social skills.
Sensory Toy Winner
Calmer Soft
Flare
Description
Worn comfortably in the ear, Calmer Soft is an alternative to traditional earplugs. They reduce your stress response to annoying noises without blocking sound. Calmer Soft features a unique technology that reduces stressful frequencies without blocking sound. Calmer Soft will make trigger sounds such as busy places, eating and chewing, electric buzz, traffic, cutlery, ticking/tapping and children less annoying and much more manageable.
Autism Live Says:
We are hearing from so many adults that these earbuds allow them to hear what they have been missing but not hear so much that they get overwhelmed. For some this is a real game changer. Think of all the things that are missed by noise canceling headphones and conversely all the moments lost due to emotional meltdowns from overstimulation. These earbuds could be an alternative solution.
Parents Recommendation Toy Winner
Almond Cow
Almond Cow
Description
The Almond Cow Machine is an economical, planet-friendly alternative to buying cartons of plant-based milk. Ensure quality ingredients and know exactly what’s in your milk when you use this nut milk machine. No Mess, No Fuss, and Easy Cleanup. Use your preferred nut, seed, or grain to make pure, homemade plant-based milk in moments.
Autism Live Says:
This little machine is a game changer if any member of your family needs a traditional milk alternative. It’s fast, it’s easy, and it makes a delicious milk alternative that is healthy, high in protein, and not filled with additives!
Oldie but Goodie Toy Winner
Simon
Hasbro
Description
Get ready to look, remember and repeat! Simon’s game is an exciting electronic game of lights and sounds in which players have to repeat random sequences of lights by pressing the colored lenses in the right order. It is a fast action game, with lights and sounds, that becomes a real challenge for players. Hit big while repeating the sequences and you go over the level.
Autism Live Says:
We love this classic game as it helps to build short term memory as well as visual, auditory, and fine motor skills. We especially love when you play it together with loved ones.
Motor Play Toy Winner
Surfloor Liquid Tile
Spooner Inc.
Description
Witness the beauty of flowing colors that move with every step, jump, dance, or hop! These mats are non-toxic and safety tested. They are super durable for everyday traffic and have anti slip back and side padding. They are ideal for sensory play mats, classrooms, therapy rooms, kid’s rooms and more!
Autism Live Says:
We love these tiles for sensory and motor play. They squish, they morph, they make shapes and color. They are hours of fun and play, with no clean up.
Kids Choice Toy Winner
Kids VS Parents
Kids VS Parents
Description
The ultimate family card game for kids and adults! This fun game for families is perfect for those that want to have a fun game night while getting to know each other better. Laugh until your sides hurt with this hysterical card game for families that puts kids against their parents in a fun and entertaining experience.
Autism Live Says:
This version of the game doesn’t require players ti know trivia, it asks questions about how well you know your family!. We love the perspective taking this game builds while having hilarious fun! What a great way to bond with your family while working on important skills.
Empowering Employment Skills Toy Winner
Executive Functioning Workbook for Kids
By Sharon Grant
Description
Executive functioning is the name for the skills we use to pay attention, complete tasks, and remember important things. But that’s a lot for a brain to do every day—especially for kids. The Executive Functioning Workbook for Kids helps them train their brain to improve their memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. Kids will explore 40 hands-on activities to help them conquer executive functioning skills at home, at school, and out in the world.
Autism Live Says:
This workbook is designed for kids, but we think it is the perfect tool for parents to be able to work on these important skills WITH their kids! These skills will help with life and employment.
Educational Toy Winner
Parenting Toolbox
By Lisa Phifer
Description
Written from the bestselling author of CBT Toolbox for Children and Adolescents comes the all-in-one resource you need to start dealing with problem behaviors at home. The Parenting Toolbox is filled with easy-to-use strategies, backed by science, to overcome challenges and strengthen parent-child interaction – one worksheet, activity and exercise at a time. Help kids cope with their stressful moments and anxious thoughts. Improve social skills with siblings, friends and peers at school. Reduce tantrums and meltdowns to create a more peaceful home
Diminish the daily fight over screen time.
Autism Live Says:
We love 125 strategies to help your child cope and self-regulate. This is indeed a great toolbox to empower every parent. Best of all these strategies are science based.
Best Card/Board Game Winner
Deblockle
Project Genius
Description
Deblockle is a casual strategy game of tips and turns for two players. Take turns tipping your blocks into adjacent squares and then moving them across the board. Be the first player to successfully remove all of your blocks and you win!
Autism Live Says:
This is a beautiful game that develops problem solving, spatial reasoning, perspective taking and much more. We love that the game play can be adjusted for the players skill level, allowing you to play in easy, or more challenging modes.
Boredom Buster Toy Winner
Sticky Ceiling Balls
Skylety
Description
Parents and children play together throwing 8 sticky flourescent balls on a clean and flat surface, such as walls, ceilings, desktops, tiles, etc. Wait for the balls to fall slowly, and then catch them. Have the whole family play together to relieve physical and mental stress. It’s fun and relaxing.
Autism Live Says:
These sticky balls are a hoot. They are the perfect size fun for rainy days to chase away boredom. Big disclaimer: These are meant to be used only with parent supervision and only in a space that is conducive to throwing things at a wall of ceiling. We recommend doing this in a garage!
Best Video Game Winner
Mario Cart 8 Deluxe
Nintendo
Description
Hit the road with the definitive version of Mario Kart 8 and play anytime, anywhere. Race your friends or battle them in a revised battle mode for new and returning battle courses. Play up to 4-player multiplayer in 1080p while playing in TV Mode. Players can choose a new Smart Steering feature which makes driving and staying on the track easy for novice players and kids even at 200cc.
Autism Live Says:
This is a ridiculously fun game the whole family can play together. It can acutally help develope hand-eye coordination, critical thinking and even early driving skills. Enjoy it.
Best Puzzle Winner
Starry Night Pixel Puzzle
Pix Brix®
Description
Build a pixel version of Vincent Van Gogh’s famous Starry Night painting and hang it on your wall! The Starry Night Pixel puzzle comes with 2,408pcs of Pix Brix, Color Coded Template, and PB Tool for easy building.
Autism Live Says:
This beautiful puzzle is wonderful project to complete as a team or solo. There is something deeply meditative and restorative about working on this puzzle, it excellent for soothing stress and nerves. The end result is a beautiful work of art!
Best Book Winner
Autism and Eduction
The Way I See It
By Dr. Temple Grandin
Description
Dr. Temple Grandin discusses the real issues that parents, teachers, and kids face every day. Here is a concise handbook that illustrates what Temple has found to work in the field of education. Topics include: The importance of early intervention, Teaching for different types of thinking, Developing talent, Motivating students, Keeping high expectations, and much more!
Autism Live Says:
This is a pivotal book for parents and educators, written by a famous educator, who happens to be on the Autism Spectrum. Dr. Grandin provides easy to understand guidance that is essential for best educational outcomes.
Best Art/Craft Winner
Paint Your Own Moon Lamp Kit
Pix Brix®
Description
Create your own star, galaxy, space or any other style of lava lamp you can imagine. The painting process is simple and delightful, parents can make with their children to enhance their relationships. The decorating tools included in the kid’s crafts are safe and non-toxic, for your boys or girls to play with.
Autism Live Says:
This is a super fun craft project to do with your child while creating a functional light. There are additional space figures to paint making this craft even more fun!
Don’t forget to check out all the fabulous toy and gift winners in other categories.
You might find exactly what you are looking for there!
We at AUTISM Live
wish you the
Happiest of Holidays!
After all of your shopping is done, if you find that you have more to give, please join us in making a donation of any size to Autism Care Today (ACT). This wonderful organization gives grants to families for things like iPads, insurance co-pays, sensory equipment, GPS devices and more. Your donation could make another family’s holiday wishes come true.