OT: Help w/gifts for 7 y.o. with MD

[SalandJeff]

Help please! We've adopted a needy family for Christmas. There are 2 children. The girl is 3, so I'm okay with what to get her because my dd is 3. The little boy is 7. I am not very experienced with shopping for boys. He has muscular dystrophy, but I do not know anything more than that, so I am not sure how limited he might be for sport type gifts.

What are some good gifts for a 7 y.o. boy? (on a limited budget)

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I have a 7 year old boy without special needs. Some things I'd think he might like that don't involve a lot of gross motor skills -- a portable CD player, with a couple of CD (my son loves books on CD which he can check out of the library). Star wars action figures. Art supplies. Last Christmas he got a slot car set which he LOVED -- you can get those a low as $9.99 for a small set.

I hope that helps.

 

[SueM in MN]

Without knowing anything else, it's hard to know what sorts of limitations the boy might have. I think the suggestions Mickey'snewestfan gave were very good.
This site, the National Lekotek Center, has some links to helpful guides for choosing toys for children with disabilities. One of the links is to a special ToysRUS toy catalog that they prepare each year. Many of the things in there are for younger kids or are more expensive, but they might give you some ideas.

 

[SalandJeff]

... -- a portable CD player, with a couple of CD (my son loves books on CD which he can check out of the library)....

I really like the CD player idea. Can you tell me what type of music or books your 7 y.o. enjoys?

Thanks for these great suggestions.

 

[shoegirl1020]

Along the lines of the CD player a Video Now might be a good idea. I was able to get 2 at Toys R Us last year for about $15.00 each during one of their sales.

Also, play-doh might be a great gift. My ds7 likes YuGiO (spelling ) cards, but that might be difficult for someone with disabilities.

I know in th epast when I've adopted a family the families prepare a list of things the kids want/need along with their likes/dislikes.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

As far as CD's -- my son's absolute favorites have been the Bunnicula series by James Howe, the book Dragonrider by Cornelia Funke or anything by Bill Harley (funny short stories). His favorite CD's to listen to are the Radio Disney ones.

In my very limited experience with MD children have more problems with strength and gross motor than with fine motor -- so something that needs to be manipulated with the hands (like YugiOh cards, or action figures, or a remote controller) would be fine, whereas something like a ball or a scooter wouldn't be a good choice.

 

[Brightsy]

Awhile back I had to buy a pressie for a boy w/ CP. I looked and looked and found a magnetic building set. Kind like the "Magnetix" line but WAY bigger. Easily big enough for someone w/ motor skill problems to pick up and use. The magnetics were strong enough to hold their form but weak enough to be pulled apart w/out much effort. I can't remember the name of the kit, but I got it an educational toy store.

Sara

 

[SueM in MN]

Awhile back I had to buy a pressie for a boy w/ CP. I looked and looked and found a magnetic building set. Kind like the "Magnetix" line but WAY bigger. Easily big enough for someone w/ motor skill problems to pick up and use. The magnetics were strong enough to hold their form but weak enough to be pulled apart w/out much effort. I can't remember the name of the kit, but I got it an educational toy store.

Sara

I think that's a good suggestion. I thought of it, but couldn't think if the name or how to describe it. You did a good job describing it, even without a name.

 

[Brightsy]

I think that's a good suggestion. I thought of it, but couldn't think if the name or how to describe it. You did a good job describing it, even without a name.

LOL! Thanks! I've been looking around for it, and I'll post the name of it when/if I find it!

Sara

 

[Linda Bell]

He has muscular dystrophy, but I do not know anything more than that, so I am not sure how limited he might be for sport type gifts.

What are some good gifts for a 7 y.o. boy? (on a limited budget)

Might try Snap Circuits Junior. It is very coooool EASY electronics projects set.

I would keep with things he can do sitting down just in case.

As far as CDs there is always Disney and Radio Disney. Disney has read along ones that my daughter loved when she was that age. (She has MD too.)

Linda