Christmas Gift Guide For Children and Adults with ADHD and Autism
Experts in neurodivergence share their ultimate present ideas
With Christmas fast approaching, a group of leading experts specialising in neurodevelopmental conditions including Clinical Psychologists Dr Selina Warlow – founder of The Nook Clinic – and Dr Eleanor Burch, Speech and Language Therapists Emma Ahern and Harriet Hunter and Occupational Therapist Sacha Clark, have come up with the ultimate gift list for children and adults ADHD and autism.
When it comes to choosing a thoughtful present, Dr Warlow says: “My advice would be to understand their sensory and communication preferences and pick something to match their personal needs. For example, to support with time management a watch or timer could be incredibly useful to help them countdown during a particular task.’
‘For someone who is hyperactive they may find something which helps them physically, like a trampoline or a piece of exercise equipment. On the other hand, if the person you are gifting has recently been diagnosed, a book which helps them to understand and learn about their diagnosis would make a beautifully considerate gift.”
Gifts for Children with ADHD
- Mood flip book to identify feelings
Start conversations about emotions with The Mood Flip book, a useful tool to help children with emotional regulation strategies, including asking for help, deep breathing and talking about feelings. Facial expressions depict a range of feelings and moods that can be matched to the child’s state of being.
The MoodFlip Book, £10.26 from Wordery.com
- Sensory timer to help focus
Some people with ADHD may have difficulties with time management, procrastination, and may be disorganised. A Spiral Liquid Tube Timer is a fun way to help focus their attention and show time as a visual concept so they can focus on tasks in five-minute bursts.
Spiral Liquid Tube Timer, £6.99 from TinknStink.co.uk
- Journal to promote happiness
Children with ADHD can struggle with low self-esteem, so a journal where they can map their feelings and develop positive habits makes an incredibly thoughtful gift. The Happyself Journal, which has a junior version for those aged 6-12, and one for teens aged 12+ helps young people to develop life skills including mindfulness, self-belief, and emotional awareness.
The Happyself Journal, £24.90 from HappySelfJournal.com
- Book that promotes the positivity of ADHD
ADHD is our Superpower is a fantastic book which helps children to see the strengths in having ADHD and building confidence. It also gives guidance to parents, recommending tasks to help support their little ones. It introduces characters who display different ADHD traits, allowing children to relate to them and recognise similarities in their own behaviours.
ADHD is our Superpower, £10.99 from SENBooks.co.uk
- Sensory toy to help calm the mind
Kinetic sand is great for children with ADHD as it helps to calm the nervous system, mind, and body. The sand has a unique consistency, so children who prefer sensory stimulation can squeeze it to help increase focus during challenging tasks. It also doesn’t create a mess… an added bonus for adults too!
Kinetic sand, 13.99 from SmythsToys.com
Gifts for Children with Autism
- Vibrating massage toy to promote calm
The Vibrating Snake offers therapeutic vibrations and proprioceptive stimulation, helping children with autism with emotional regulation and sensory feedback. It can be wrapped around the body and clipped to help hold the snake in shape.
The Vibrating Snake, £30.54 from RhinoUK.com
- Weighted cuddle toy to soothe anxiety
Weighted toys are great for people with autism as they promote Deep Pressure Touch (DPT), which can help with emotional regulation and can be calming by applying pressure to the body. The Weighted Soothing Sloth is perfect for children and can also be personalised for that extra special touch.
Weighted Soothing Sloth, start at £37.99 from SensoryHugs.co.uk
- An emotional support toy to banish worries
The Worry Yummy is a cute little monster with a zipper mouth where children can write down or draw a picture of what is upsetting them and then put it in the toy’s mouth, meaning the monster eats their worries away. This is great for children with autism who can struggle with emotional regulation. There is also a keyring version meaning they can be clipped to a bag and taken anywhere.
Worry Yummy, £12.99 from WorryYummy.co.uk
- Multi sensory gel to explore feelings
Happy Senso Gel stimulates multiple senses. You can hear, feel, smell, and see it, and there is also a cooling effect on the skin. This sensory product is great for children with autism who can explore the different textures, consistencies, and temperatures of the gel using their hands, fingers, or feet and gives great sensory feedback.
Happy Senso Gel, £34.00 for a set of four from Southpaw.co.uk
- Rocking chair to help regulate emotions
The rhythmic motion of rocking provides can be comforting to those with autism, helping to ground and regulate emotions. Rocking chairs provide a sanctuary for children where they can find comfort, balance, and calm. They can also be used in therapy sessions and during the bedtime routine.
Rainbow rocking chair, £49.99 from TheRange.co.uk
For Adults with ADHD
- Fidget toys to provide therapeutic relief
The twisty Tangle fidget toy is recommended by experts in neurodivergence for the variety of ways they can help people with ADHD. They are great stress busters – they are calming, reduce anxiety and stress, and can help to keep the hands busy supporting focus in meetings.
Tangle, from £2.50 from TinknStink.co.uk
- Compact exercise cube to burn excess energy
Exercise is essential to help with ADHD management. It helps to release energy, mood, and concentration enhancing endorphins. The FITT Cube is a multi-functional fitness tool with more than 10 pieces of workout equipment in one, and its compact size makes it perfect for homes or offices.
FITT Cube, £119.99 from Amazon.co.uk
- Permanent markers to help with organisation
Some people with ADHD can have difficulties with organisation but also may be forgetful. A set of Sharpie permanent marker pens make a great way to label everything and keep belongings organised for example using sharpies to colour categorise work and belongings to support organisation.
Sharpie Special Edition Permanent Markers, £12.49 from WHsmith.co.uk
- Mindful colouring book to soothe anxiety
What used to be known as a simple activity to keep children busy is now acknowledged as a fantastic tool for practising good mental health. The Complete Mindfulness Colouring Book offers a quiet respite for busy minds and provides a soothing activity for fidgety fingers.
The Complete Mindfulness Colouring Book, £9.39 from www.WHSmith.co.uk
For Adults with Autism
- Conversation cards to build confidence with communication
Really Good Conversations is a card game which is designed to give people the confidence to share and listen to one another. Each card gives thought-provoking conversation starters, making it a helpful tool for those with autism where communication can be challenging. There is also a kid’s version of the game, which would make a lovely gift for a child with autism and the whole family.
Really Good Conversations, £14.99 from ReallyGoodConversations.com
- Aromatherapy oils to manage symptoms
Many people with Autism have sensitivities to smell and can find certain smells aversive. Frankincense helps with focus while boosting the immune system, vetiver is great for those who struggle to concentrate, are easily distracted or impatient while cedarwood supports peaceful and restorative sleep.
Essential oils, start at £6 from Tisserand.com
- Therapeutic hammock for relaxation
Hammocks have many benefits for neurodiverse people. The swinging action promotes calm which helps alleviate anxiety and de-escalate situations of sensory overload, while helping people to fall asleep easier. The fabric also provides deep pressure and gives the feeling of a safe environment, which can build confidence.
Sensory Autism Therapy Swing Indoor and Outdoor Hammock, £24.99 form Little-Dreams.co.uk
- Pin art toy for tactile sensory fun
First making an appearance in the 80s, pin art toys make a great gift for people with autism and ADHD as they feel interesting to touch making them a fantastic no mess tactile sensory activity. They can also be used as an interesting positive enforcement tool, or fidget aid.
Pin art toy, £13 from Argos.co.uk
- Emotive book to support with a recent diagnosis
Author Naoki Higashida wrote The Reason I Jump when he was only thirteen years old. Both autistic and non-verbal, Naoki learnt to communicate by using a ‘cardboard keyboard’ – and what he has to say gives a rare insight into his experiences.
The Reason I Jump, £8.75 from Amazon.co.uk
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