| Do you remember the worst Christmas or | | | | increasing concentration skills.For the child who has |
| Chanukah gift you ever got as a kid? I do. It was | | | | fine motor issues, think about art supplies or art |
| a giant, metal, realistic looking stove that had a | | | | kits. Most kids love making projects or playing |
| real door that opened and little pots and pans, a | | | | with clay. Just make sure you emphasize the |
| spoon and a spatula. I must have been all of 7 | | | | pleasure in the process of making art, not in the |
| years old or so, and when I pulled it out of the | | | | final project.If your child has sensory issues she |
| box, I nearly burst into tears. At that time in my | | | | may tend to shun away from physical contact, |
| life, all I was interested in were realistic dolls, | | | | loud noises, and even find it painful to be in places |
| Nancy Drew books and board games. I wanted | | | | where there are too many people. Certain food |
| nothing to do with cooking even back then. I | | | | textures can be irritating, let alone those tags on |
| suppose one's personality doesn't really change | | | | the back of her clothes. Occupational therapists |
| much with age, after all!With the holiday season | | | | have long used beanbags to help children with |
| upon us, think back upon your own childhood and | | | | these sorts of problems. In particular, they seem |
| reflect on what presents you loved the | | | | to be helpful in calming the hyperactive, irritable |
| most--and which you despised. My guess is that | | | | child because of the compression it lends to them. |
| some of the ones you hated were those where | | | | You may find that your child even enjoys quiet |
| the giver had hopes of transforming you into | | | | activities, such as reading and (gasp!) doing |
| something you were not. The non-athletic would | | | | homework while resting on one.Younger children |
| get the baseball bats. The tomboys, the Barbie | | | | with sensory problems tend to enjoy all kinds of |
| dolls.In many cases, ADHD kids have already had | | | | sand play. Purchasing some large bins and filling |
| their fill of feeling they've let others--and | | | | them with sand, then hiding small items like |
| themselves--down. School is often a struggle, as | | | | marbles, miniature plastic animals, etc., can be a |
| are social situations. Many have difficulty playing | | | | great way to help kids overcome their tactile |
| quietly. Others have problems regulating their | | | | defensiveness. They'll have so much fun, they |
| emotions.When picking out gifts for your | | | | won't even know it's good for them!Another idea |
| youngsters, consider choosing things you know | | | | for your hyperactive child (if you're up for it) is a |
| they will truly like--not things you *wish* they | | | | family pet. A child who is hyperactive may find |
| would enjoy. Emphasize their strengths--heck, | | | | that owning a kitten will actually calm her down by |
| they hear about their areas of weakness all | | | | nurturing it. Show her how to handle the kitten |
| through the school year!If they love being on the | | | | carefully, and give her as many responsibilities for |
| computer, this is the time to spoil them with new | | | | its care as possible. Most children will try hard to |
| software. Does your daughter love rock music? | | | | be gentle with a small animal, and can learn to |
| Give her a subscription to a teen magazine. | | | | modulate their own activity level in order to keep |
| Consider buying your athletic child a new | | | | the kitten calm.With a little bit of forethought, |
| basketball or tennis racket.Still, you *can* | | | | you'll be able to come up with gifts that not only |
| purchase gifts that encourage them to improve in | | | | match your child's interests, but also help to |
| areas in very subtle ways. For example:For your | | | | improve his fine and gross motor skills, academic |
| sports nut who hates to read, consider buying | | | | abilities, social skills, and more. So, go fire up that |
| just one book--maybe one that highlights the life | | | | Play Station (yes, it *can* be helpful for eye/hand |
| of his favorite sports hero. Make sure you choose | | | | coordination!) and use playtime on it as a reward |
| one that is at his current reading level.For your | | | | for good behavior.All in all, match the right present |
| socially shy one, buy a packet of movie tickets | | | | with the personality of your child--not the child |
| and promise to take her a few times a month | | | | you hoped he would be--and make this his best |
| with her choice of friend. Suggest that she pick | | | | holiday ever!For some great gift ideas for children |
| someone whom she'd like to get to know better. | | | | and adults with AD/HD, visit Matlen, MSW., |
| Add a "promise" note that you'll also spoil them | | | | ACSW, is a psychotherapist and consultant |
| both with treats from the refreshment stand. | | | | specializing in AD/HD in adults. She is the director |
| Sometimes kids have trouble "figuring out" how to | | | | of and is the author of "Survival Tips for Women |
| play together, so spending time at the movies | | | | with AD/HD".A former long term board member |
| would be a great way to break the ice.Does your | | | | of the Attention Deficit Disorder Association |
| child hate sports because of poor coordination? | | | | (ADDA), Ms. Matlen is a popular presenter at local |
| Sign him up for karate or other similar | | | | and national conferences, with a passion for raising |
| self-defense class. Many ADHD kids really excel | | | | awareness of the special challenges women with |
| here because they are not expected to compete | | | | AD/HD face, and the unique issues parents face |
| in the same way as in, say, football or basketball. | | | | when both they and their children have AD/HD. |
| The self-discipline is extremely helpful, too, in | | | | |