Thoughtful autism gifts: find the perfect present

Choosing the perfect gift is hard. You want to find the perfect present that takes into account their unique preferences and interests. And it’s exactly the same when you’re buying a gift for someone with autism.

Every autistic person is different, so it’s important to think about their specific needs and sensory sensitivities. Whether they’re sensitive to sounds, or find particular textures difficult to deal with, a thoughtful gift that takes their particular preferences into account will show that you’ve taken the time to select something unique to them.

So, if you’re looking for the perfect autism gifts, look no further. No matter if you’re buying for a friend or family member, these sensory-friendly gifts will show that you care.

What makes a good gift for someone with autism?

There’s no one-size-fits all gift for autism. But there are some things you might want to keep in mind when choosing gifts for individuals with autism.

People with autism often have heightened sensory sensitivities. These are different for everyone – some people dislike loud noises, while others have trouble with strong scents, and others still might find bright lights disturbing.

When choosing a gift, be aware of these sensory sensitivities  – avoid buying perfume for someone who’s sensitive to smell, for example. But you can lean into their sensory sensitivities with gifts that help them to deal with their symptoms. Sensory-friendly items with soft textures, soothing colors and calming sounds can be a great choice. Another great idea is tools like fidget toys and earplugs that can help individuals to take control when they feel overwhelmed.

Many people with autism also have special interests. If you know your loved one has a particular interest in a character, activity or hobby, then choosing a gift that’s related to their special interest can show how much you care about their individual likes and dislikes.

Often, the most meaningful gifts are personalized ones. From a blanket engraved with their name to a customized photo album, choosing something with a personal touch shows you’ve put a lot of thought into choosing the perfect gift.

But if you do need a little extra help, we’ve picked out the best gifts for people with autism, no matter their age or your budget.

Gift ideas for individuals with autism

The key to choosing gifts for adults with autism is to tailor it to the individual’s specific needs and interests. With that in mind, here are our top picks for autism gifts:

  • Sensory toys: Stress balls, kinetic sand and squishy toys are all useful tools for helping people with autism regulate their emotions, reduce sensory overwhelm and reduce anxiety.
  • Weighted blanket: These blankets add a gentle pressure, which can be calming. They’re good for helping improve sleep and promote relaxation.
  • Noise-canceling headphones: Blocking out overwhelming or distracting sounds can help create a quieter, calmer environment for people with auditory sensitivities.
  • Art supplies: For creative individuals, painting, drawing and doodling are all great ways to encourage creativity and self-expression.
  • Puzzles: Puzzles and jigsaws can be relaxing and therapeutic.
  • Fidget tools: Fidget spinners, chewable necklaces and worry stones can all help autistic individuals to cope when faced with sensory overload or stressful situations.
  • Earplugs: For people with noise sensitivity, earplugs can help to take the edge off loud or distracting noises, without completely blocking out sounds.

Why Loop Earplugs are the best gift for autistic individuals?

Traditional foam earplugs and ear defenders block out noise. That can be beneficial in some situations, but often, autistic people would prefer to stay engaged with the world around them.

Loop Engage earplugs are designed to help you stay connected, by filtering sound waves instead of blocking them out. They’re made to limit the occlusion effect, which is that echoey, head-underwater feeling that you sometimes get with earplugs, so that the wearer’s own voice sounds more natural when speaking. And they offer up to 16 decibels (SNR) and 10 decibels (NRR) of noise reduction, to reduce sounds to a more tolerable level.

That means when someone’s wearing Loop Earplugs, they’re better able to stay connected to their environment. Important sounds like conversations, alarms and traffic noise are still audible, helping autistic children and adults to stay engaged with social interactions and stay aware of their surroundings – without feeling isolated.

Loop Earplugs also come with a choice of ear tip sizes, helping wearers to get a perfectly snug fit, whatever their ear size. This is particularly important for people with autism, who might have heightened tactile sensitivities – but Loop ensures the earplugs can be worn for extended periods of time without causing irritation or discomfort.

Earplugs for autism can make a big difference to an individual’s quality of life. Don’t just take our word for it though – there are lots of happy Loopers out there who have found earplugs make a big difference to their autism symptoms.

  • I tend to get anxious in crowded and loud places because of autism. I've tried these in crowded places and I've never felt more at ease. You can perfectly hear everyone around you, but the background noise is reduced significantly.

    - Alessio B.
  • I have autism and having a lot of loud noise can be really overstimulating for me. I wore these and it really helped to prevent that while still being able to talk to my friends and my partner.

    - Rae S.
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Our earplugs for autism

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Gifts for autistic children

When choosing gifts for autistic kids, it’s important to consider their unique sensory preferences and needs. There’s no one-size-fits-all gift for autistic children, but thoughtful gifts that take into account their specific interests and sensitivities can enhance their comfort, reduce anxiety and support their developmental and sensory needs. Here are some autism gift ideas for children:

  • Sensory toys: Sensory toys like fidget spinners, stress balls and chew necklaces can help autistic kids to manage stress and regulate their sensory needs.
  • Weighted blankets: Weighted blankets are calming and can help to reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality.
  • Hobby-related gifts: Many people with autism have strong interests or hobbies. Some gift ideas for an autistic teenager include art supplies, musical instruments, books, collectors’ items and gadgets – or any other gifts that align with their passions.
  • Noise-reducing earplugs: Loop Engage Kids 2 combines a patented acoustic channel and engineered filter, providing up to 16 dB noise reduction so kids can focus on being kids. They help to manage and control anxiety, improving their focus in class and keeping them engaged during playtime and beyond.

Gifts for autistic adults

When choosing autism gifts for adults, you should consider their sensory preferences, special interests and any daily challenges they face. Consider choosing a gift that’ll provide comfort, help them to relax, deepen their interest in their hobbies. Some ideas include:

  • Hobby-related gifts: Many people with autism have special interests. Whatever it is, consider choosing a gift related to a hobby they love – they’re sure to appreciate the thought.
  • Subscription boxes: Go one step further with a monthly box related to their hobby. Whether they’re interested in art, science, cooking or comics, they’ll love a subscription box tailored to their specific interests.
  • Puzzles and brain games: Stimulate cognitive skills with jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku, crossword puzzles or logic games, all of which can be both relaxing and mentally engaging.

Noise-reducing earplugs: Loop Earplugs have a discreet design, making them suitable for work, home and social events. By filtering out distracting background noise, Loop Earplugs can help to reduce the overwhelm often associated with noise, helping autistic adults focus better and engage more in social situations, without the stress of sensory overload.

Live life at your volume

Restore some calm to the chaos of everyday life. Take the edge off the noise of the world with our earplugs, perfect for autistic users managing sensory overload.

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Frequently asked questions

What type of present to buy for an autistic child?

There are lots of options when it comes to buying a gift for an autistic child, so it’s important to consider their sensory preferences and interests. Some options include sensory toys, weighted blankets, noise-canceling headphones, art supplies, educational games and noise-reducing earplugs.

How do Loop Earplugs help with sensory sensitivity in autistic individuals?

Loop Engage earplugs help to reduce background noise, which can help to offer relief or people with noise sensitivity. This creates a quieter, calmer environment, which can make autistic individuals feel calmer, less anxious and less overwhelmed.

Can earplugs be used alongside other sensory tools and therapies?

Yes, earplugs are often used alongside other sensory tools and therapies, helping to provide a well-rounded way of managing autism.

How can gifting earplugs show support and understanding for someone with autism?

Gifting earplugs to someone with autism shows that you recognize and respect their individual sensory sensitivities. You know that noise can be distressing for them, but earplugs offer a practical solution to help them take control of their own sensory environment.