When your child’s development does not match what is typical for their chronological age, it can be challenging to find age-appropriate gifts that they will truly enjoy. That’s especially true for tweens and teens with significant disabilities.
To add some happiness and excitement back into gift shopping, look beyond toys and games to find gifts that are both age and developmentally appropriate. The best gift ideas for a teen with significant disabilities can be found in one of these areas:
- Experiences – With quarantines and shut-downs, it is challenging finding safe experiences outside of home. But, with a little creativity, you'll find ideas that are safe, fun, and often inexpensive as well. Here are some ideas to consider:
-
- Zoo pass or membership
- Drive-in movies
- Drive-thru Christmas light displays
- State park pass for trail hiking and walks
- Botanical gardens
- Room décor – What young adult doesn’t want a bedroom that reflects their personality? You can do a complete makeover that includes painting walls, setting up new organization systems, and outfitting the bed with a new comforter and sheets or a smaller scale project, such as adding a new string of lights, throw pillows or a beanbag chair. Whether it’s a total transformation or a smaller project, tweens and teens usually appreciate an update that makes their space feel more comfy and cozy.
- Personal care – Think about those little splurges that make day-to-day life a little brighter. Some ideas include: scented lotions, fuzzy socks, hair products, lip balm, massage pillows, weighted blankets, bath bombs and essential oils.
- Subscriptions – Teens and Tweens enjoy music and movies, so subscriptions to music and TV services are gifts that can be enjoyed all year round. Also growing in popularity are subscriptions to themed boxes, which can be a wonderful monthly surprise. Check out subscription boxes for items such as books, sensory kits, craft projects, and more.
