Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which affected individuals experience difficulty interacting with others and are not very active socially. In some cases, such individuals don't speak, they rely on non-verbal communications. Some individuals also exhibit repetitive behavior. Sign and symptoms of autism can be usually detected in the first two years of a child's life. Be it their birthday or Christmas, selecting an appropriate gift for an autistic individual―be it a boy, girl, teenager or adult―can be difficult. When selecting a gift, keep in mind the individual's developmental ability rather than his/her age. For example, if a child lacks social skills, buy him a gift which will help stimulate his/her ability and prompt growth in the social sphere. Another point to remember is to gift them something which calms them. Stress, tension, and mood swings are common among autistic individuals. Hence, getting them a gift that relaxes them will make it easier for them to interact with you. Below is the list of 14 great gifts for 5-year-old boys, girls, toddlers, teenagers, and, adults suffering from autism. A combination of a DVD and cool-looking puppets, this toy mostly focuses on improving their social skills. Plus, it has colorful puppets, which is an added advantage, as it will help to gain the kid's attention. It works on teaching social skills and emotions. Kids love this product as they get to play with the puppets. Parents have observed that when their kids become anxious, they start nibbling on their clothes. To solve this issue and to somewhat calm them, chewable jewelry can be the solution. It is specially designed for individuals who love to chew, specially kids. So you can give your kids this toy, and you don't have to worry about their clothes being chewed when anxious. It is made of friendly products, so you won't have to worry about any health hazard. Special children possess a highly creative side, they use their creativity to express themselves more openly. In such a case, it is highly recommended to gift them something which brings out the best in them. Finger paints is one such gift, Everybody loves to paint, and get all messy. Finger paints makes it easier for your child to color or express himself or herself through art. However, stick to non-toxic paint colors. Puzzles are among the favorite toys of children with special needs. They are attracted to its bright colors, puzzles can help develop logic and also provide a sense of creation. Nowadays, you sound puzzles are also available on the market. For example, if there is a dog puzzle, a barking sound will be heard when the puzzle is complete. Parents vouch for this product. Advancements in technology have given us apps for almost everything of every age group. iPads are pretty popular among individuals suffering from autism, as they help kids to learn and communicate, which can be quite challenging for some individuals. Also, the touchscreen keeps them engrossed for longer periods of time. You just need to download few applications, their favorite games, and watch him/her smile. Definitely stunning to look at, this 8-inch ball is filled with inert gases, which you can apparently feel when you move your fingertips on the glass. It has great visual appeal and a number of tricks can be performed by just moving one's hands around the ball. However, it has certain health hazards associated with excess use. Also, this gift may not be suitable for small kids. Another point to remember is to refrain from using any flammable item near the globe. It is a great product for kids who are slightly older than 5. It is made of ABS plastic, beaded with latex-free rubberized material. There are 18 inter-connected pieces, but you can manipulate these pieces according to your liking. It does not emit any noise, so your child can fidget with it, without disturbing anybody. It will keep your special kid busy, and stress free. It is multicolored and is superb for developing dexterity skill. Books help increase and fuel our imagination. Children love it when their parents read to them, mostly before going to bed. It's the same for children suffering from autism. These children enjoy many of the features found in children's books like repetition of certain words or rhyming words. You can invest in Dr. Seuss books, which use a typical pattern of rhyme and repetition. Such special children sometimes have an astounding ability to remember details. A Lego set can be a brilliant gift as it helps to develop their creative side. Many kids are not comfortable while expressing themselves through words, Lego might stimulate them to express themselves using figurines and blocks in a better way. It also helps develop logic and improve motor skills. This product uses laser lights and holographic technology to create your own personal light show. We all would love to fall asleep under the stars. This product has two glass lenses, which runs on both small or large ceilings. It requires no setup, and can be easily accommodated in any room size. Turn on the laser stars light, watch stars float across your room's ceiling. You can even change your light show by including cloud formations. Sometimes, even shooting stars glide by. It is a good device to calm your kid's nerves and pacify his/her restlessness. This gift is like a night lamp shaped like a turtle or starfish. The light effects of it are simply mesmerizing. It projects an underwater light effect on any ceiling. There are many options in this lamp; firstly, you can choose to hear soothing music or the calm sound of waves. There is a lightning effect option, wherein you can select the lightning to move or, to stay still. The brightness option allows you to adjust the brightness according to your preference. It is helpful, and proven to put kids to sleep. It automatically stops after 20 minutes, so you don't have to worry about switching it off. It runs on three AA batteries, good to go for any age, but don't leave your infants unattended with this product. One of the good things about this product is that its pressure activated. You don't have to switch it on, it starts vibrating, the moment you squeeze it. There is no cords or remote too. Adults and children will enjoy leaning on it, sitting on it, or even cuddle it while sleeping. Users simply adore this product because of its calming and soothing vibrations. If you want to turn it off, just stop exerting pressure and it automatically stops. It is available in a variety of colors and made of skin-friendly corduroy material cover, the pillow is filled with foam. A plasma car or bike is apt for those individuals who have yet to gain complete control over their motor skills or the coordination required to balance themselves while riding. It is not a typical battery operated toy car, even adults can take a spin on it. It supports a weight of around 220 pounds. It is easy to operate, and the best part is, it has low center of gravity which ensure stability while riding, and you don't have to worry about getting injured in case of a fall. It is made of high quality plastic and available in a wide range of colors, you don't need to pedal, change batteries or gears, making it an ideal gift. Children affected by autism may find it difficult to comprehend their own and other people's emotions too. They may find it challenging to recognize and name their emotions. This gift can help introduce various emotions to such individuals. It is a great learning game which helps develop their social skills too. In the end, what can be a better gift than spending quality time with them? Family time is not only free but also a simple and desired gift for autistic children. Anybody who knows an individual with special needs can vouch that a smile from him or her in appreciation of a gift is truly priceless.