Have you ever found yourself looking for a gift idea for children with special needs?

Are you tired of buying an elderly adult the same thing each year?

Everyone wants to get that perfect gift for loved ones. To help find something new, the Center for Disabilities and Development, part of University of Iowa Children's Hospital has a few suggestions.

Toy ideas for the holidays

Holiday time is exciting for all children, and children with disabilities are no different. Each year, Exceptional Parent (EP) magazine reports on games and toys that could be fun and helpful for children with special needs. A copy of this year’s EP gift guide is available for purchase in the October 2008 issue of the magazine

The National Lekotek Center also has useful information about choosing toys for specific impairments.

Toys 'R' Us offers information on its website for children with disabilities. The retailer also produces an annual toy guide called Toys 'R' Us Toy Guide for Differently-abled Kids.

Gifts for special seniors

Start by asking, "What do they want and what do they need to be more independent?" If you want your gift to be a surprise, watch them to see where they need help, so you can get them the right device.

• Are there devices that would make their daily lives safer and more independent?
• Are there changes around the house itself that would make things easier? For example, would changes in the bathroom or front door area make things easier?

If holiday celebrations involve family gatherings, take the opportunity to ask, or better yet observe, how older family members are getting along with their daily activities at home. Such observations may yield some holiday gifting ideas as alternatives to the standby stationery and magazine subscriptions. Some ideas may include one or more of the following adaptive home aids.

• If someone is having difficulty getting up and down, helpful alternatives may include: raising the height of chairs or tables with leg extenders, transfer poles or handrails, lifter seats, and bath benches and hand held showers
• Page magnifiers, large print publications, or books on tape may be helpful for someone whose vision is failing
• For someone with arthritic hands, devices such as large grip utensils, button hooks, bottle and jar openers, card holders, or handle converters for door knobs, car keys or gas caps may be useful

Companies that offer such aids include:

Sammons Preston
www.sammonspreston.com
800-343-9742

Independent Living Aids
www.independentliving.com/
800-537-2188

Buck and Buck
www.buckandbuck.com/
800-458-0600

For more information:

Center for Disabilities and Development

University of Iowa Children's Hospital

Exceptional Parent (EP)

EP gift guide

National Lekotek Center

Toys 'R' Us Toy Guide for Differently-abled Kids