Gift Ideas for Neurodivergents

Gift-giving holidays are here!

I believe that gifts should improve lives and not add stress, chaos, or clutter.

Ideas for gifts.

Your time is my favorite gift but makes it more special by allowing the recipient to an activity they enjoy doing. Maybe some they don’t get to do often.
An experience is my second favorite gift. This gift can range from extremely expensive to free. The experience should be something you don’t do regularly. I know it is hard during COVID to come up with ideas but, it can do something that is postponed a bit like an IOU one concert of your favorite band, a trip to Disney World. If money is an issue, have a backyard picnic with lights all over and all their favorite foods. The thought and preparation is the real gift here.
Something they have talked about wanting. You know for sure that they will enjoy this gift.
Driving lessons are an excellent gift for you and the recipient if a family member is starting to learn to drive. I know generation have taught their children to drive, but it just isn’t a great idea for some relationships. Call around to schools to be sure that you find someone understanding and patient.
Games that help with executive function skills is a good way to have fun and learn something. Some ideas are Blurt Card game for self-control, metacognition, Scrabble for planning and organization, Pictionary for flexibility and time management, Jenga for self-control, flexibility, and planning, Puzzles for attention and working memory, Chess for planning, flexibility, and working memory, soduku for perseverance and working memory, Apples to Apples for self-control, complex thinking and flexibility and Catan for planning, organizing, flexibility, working memory and attention.
Weighted blankets can lessen anxiety, improves sleep, relieve pain, improves mood, and improves focus. Bearaby blankets are consistently rated as one of the best. My daughter loves her weighted blanket and it helps her get a good nights sleep which is so important for brain functioning.
Earbuds or noise-canceling earphones can be significant. Depending on who you are shopping for, one of these may be a great gift. My daughter loves to listen to music and audiobooks, so earbuds for her since other sounds don’t distract her. But one of my clients, in particular, doesn’t want to hear the world when he is trying to work, so noise-canceling earphones for him. Wireless earbuds with Bluetooth allow flexibility and can be inexpensive. Our family likes these by Anker; three out of five of us have a pair. They are magnetic, and the earpiece sticks together when they aren’t being used, preventing them from getting lost. These Cowin noise-canceling earphones are affordable and come in a selection of colors.
Grown-up fidgets might be appreciated. These fidgets are obvious to others, but those who need to fidget to focus do so. Fuut is a hammock for your feet, so your recipient can fidget under the desk as much as they need to. Need something hand handle? An Ono Roller might be more the thing you want to give. It is sleek and well designed allowing the recipient to be calmer and more focused.
Reminders from phones are useful, but only if you follow through but often dismissed without follow-through. I know phone reminders don’t work for most of my clients. Klikkit was designed for seniors living alone, but it would be great for easily distracted people, forgetful, and don’t like to be nagged. Here is how they work. A small button is attached to your medication (or keys, etc.), and then your phone or tablet reminds you to do something but the button chimes are well until you do have done that task and push the button.