The tireless efforts expended by teachers, therapists, friends and family should not go overlooked during the holidays. Gifts that honor their commitment to children with autism, gives that delight, even gifts that help can be a welcomed surprise and a treasured gesture. And some gift ideas we’ve assembled give back by donating a portion of the proceeds to the autism community. We hope you’ll find ideas and inspiration in this list of gifts for the parents, teachers and caregivers in your life.

Puzzle Heart Pins
http://autismshop.com/store/product.php?productid=24037&cat=270&page=1

Perfect for the mom or teacher on your list, these exclusive handmade pins (no two are the same) are a blend of colors embellished with a miracle bead and gold-plated puzzle piece charm. Proceeds benefit autism research and support.

Angels for Autism Store      

If you live in or near Palm Springs or Cathedral City, CA, you’re in luck. Go shopping for all things autism-related at Angels for Autism, a new store that opened earlier this year. The retail store offers fun and engaging developmental products for all special needs children, focusing on Educational, Sensory/Tactile, Speech, Behavior, Fine & Gross Motor, and Living Assistance. Have a question about what to give that special person with autism in your life? Ask owners Dean and LaVeda Moore, and they’ll give you plenty of suggestions! The store is located at 27765 Landau Blvd, in Cathedral City. www.Angelsforautismstore.com


Gluten Free Meals Delivered to Your Home
www.gfmeals.com

Time is a precious commodity and that’s what this gift delivers: extra time, along with tasty GFCF fare. Your Dinner Secret offers complete meal packages as well as individual entrees, sides, sauces and baked goods - all GFCF and delivered to your door ready to heat-and-eat. It's an exceptional gift for families dedicated to providing GFCF meals, or go ahead and treat yourself to GFCF meals with less time in the kitchen.


My Magnetic Responsibility Chart
http://thebeanbagstore.com/totallyresponsibilitychart.htm

A convenient, colorful and ready-made responsibility chart that comes with 134 colorful wood magnetic pieces depicting chores, behaviors and rewards, and a dry-erase surface for personalization.


Angela Moore Pendant
www.angelamoore.com/pri/mag2.asp?PRODUCT_ID=AMC40602

Beautiful pendant with a rainbow of puzzle pieces, Angela Moore also offers bracelets, necklaces and men’s silk ties. A percent of the proceeds go to the Autism Society of America.

Silk Ties for Men and Scarves for Ladies
www.mountainandsackett.com/productcart/pc/viewcategories.asp?idCategory=23

Handmade with a variety of puzzle designs, Mountain and Sackett donates 60% of the sales to Autism Speaks.

Autism Safety Kit
www.selectautismmerchandise.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1

Alert first responders using this complete kit with medical ID jewelry (necklace, bracelet, shoe tag, or zipper pull), autism ID card, “Occupant with Autism” car magnet and window decals, and autism encounter cards.

Autism Interaction Kit
www.selectautismmerchandise.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=22

Great for family, friends, your car, medical offices and first responder vehicles…these kits contain a variety of visual, auditory, tactile and oral items to help communicate, interact with, and engage children with autism. A sample of items includes picture communications symbols, motion toy, spiky puff ball and a chewy toy.

SchoolSpecialty (great for home too!)       
https://store.schoolspecialtyonline.net/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?minisite=10206&section=35573

This web site may be called School Specialty, but their special needs products and school specialty brands are also perfect for home use. This is a one-stop-shop for sensory needs and mobility products, special needs furniture and educational items for the spectrum child in your life, or for that special teacher who always works above and beyond what’s required. Some items are expensive because they’re made to withstand school wear-and-tear, but you’ll find products in all price ranges.

Sky Panels™
http://usaskypanels.com/

A beautiful and simple way to diffuse fluorescent lights in schools, offices or at home. They reduce glare and create a calming view with panels designed to recreate the outdoors. Sky Panels™ come in a variety of designs; some are simply blue sky and clouds, while others include glimpses of the great outdoors, such as a tree branch or floating kites.

Gift Certificates        

They sound uncreative and generic, but gift certificates can be a great gift if you make thoughtful, personalized choices. Does she love coffee at Starbucks? Perhaps he’s an avid reader and would love nothing more than a gift certificate to the local book store. What about a specialty store that caters to someone’s hobby, or some well-deserved pampering at a local day spa? They don’t usually advertise that gift certificates are available, but many restaurants offer them. Depending on how well you know the family, a gift certificate to a grocery store might make a difference in their holiday meal. And don’t forget that most of the GFCF stores and web sites we’ve included on our lists offer gift certificates.

This article is taken with permission from www.autismdigest.com, where readers can go online and, by signing in, can access free copies of the magazine’s eGuide, which is packed full of more information on holidays and gift giving for children on the spectrum.
Article amended to fit the present season of Valentine’s Day.