A lot has been talked about gifts for children with Autism. So I’m going to turn the tables and talk about gifting for parents of these kids, the often ignored piece of this picture. Let’s dive in –

Respite

If you’ve been around parents of kids with autism, you must have noticed that they can use some break. With the challenges that Autism throws at a family it can get exhausting sometimes and overwhelming most of the days.This could be your chance to show some support. How about giving them a few hours of respite. While you take care of the kids, they get to catch up with life or just take a nap !

Chores

Another practical gift could be helping with the chores. Some families find it hard to leave their child with someone else because of all the challenges that the child might have. Respite might not be the best idea then but helping the family with the chores can be. Offer to help with groceries, laundry, meals, and other chores is going to make you an instant hit with the family.

Spa gift cards

If the parents are lucky to find a respite already before you can offer it to them, maybe it’s the perfect time to give them a spa gift card. I don’t remember the last time I had an un-smudged nail paint on me. So, this could be the pampering that they would really appreciate. A massage, a facial , hair treatment or a simple mani-pedi could go a long way in making them feel uplifted and relaxed.

GPS Tracker

A lot of the kids on autism spectrum tend to wander off and this is a constant worry that most parents of kids with autism have on their mind. A GPS tracker can take this worry off, if not completely then definitely to a great extent. There are many in the market to choose from. You can actually ask them for their preference based on the features that they need the most and gift accordingly.

Money

Friends and family can contribute to any savings account or a STABLE account that the family might have set up for the child. You’re also offered tax deduction upto a certain amount for your contributions to a STABLE account. Some states also allow unlimited carry forward until all your contribution has been fully deducted. This might not be the most sensational gift but it’s definitely one of the most useful one.

Other Gifts

Clothes, blankets, electronics, cosmetics, jewelry, restaurant or store gift cards and other usual holiday gifts are always a great gift. Not every gift has to be about their challenges. Anything that brings a smile on someone’s face is a worthy gift.

Nothing beats a good old handwritten letter about how much you care for the family and what you think about them and their child. Your support, your acceptance and your faith in them and their child is the biggest gift that you can give to a family of a child with special needs. As long as you have that in good measures, you will always find yourself in their friend’s list.

Happy Holidays!