Share your ideas for toy and book gifts for kids with special needs

A reader emailed the other day, asking for present suggestions for her son, who's 18 months old. I have a bunch of ideas, based on my experiences buying a kajillion toys for Max when he was younger as well as current recommendations from therapists. But I thought that together, all of us could come up with a super-comprehensive list.

So, would you guys email me about the toys and books your kids have loved—and that have helped them in some way, either developmentally, intellectually, whatever-ly? It would help if you let me know:

• Your child's age and his/her special needs/powers.
• Why the toy/book has been great. Please share details—for example, did it encourage your child to better use his/her hands? To cruise? To really focus?
• An email link for where to buy the toy or book (but if you don't have time, I'll find one).

Email suggestions to lovethatmax [at] gmail.com. Please put "My gift ideas for kids with special needs" in the subject line, if you can remember, and try to respond within the next week or so. I'll put them all together into a list, with photos.

I know we're headed into hyper-busy season, but this could really benefit all of us. Especially because I hear Santa's online these days, though I have yet to see him on Twitter.

Update: WOW, great response! I'm not going to be able to email everyone back personally to say thanks, so let me just say it in advance: Thank you, thank you, thank you for sending in ideas.