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