I have a Downe Syndrome BIL who is 53 years old! And that is amazing. His syndrome characteristics are pretty severe so he has always been our "baby" and still is. I did not know him as a toddler of course - been in the family for 41 years. His interests and likes are almost obsessive. He has always loved red socks (men, women, or kids) and I, along with the other sister-in-laws and sisters have been known to take our red socks off and give them to him on the spot, just to pacify him. That was back in the 70's and 80'2 when we all wore colored socks.:) Of course he loves red shirts, new shoes (has to be velcro closure), doesn't read but has a total obsession with collecting TV guides, the local county newspaper that comes out on Friday (yeah, we are very small town). He collects decks of playing cards, flashlights, and caps. The caps have to be a certain style - you know the "old man" advertising caps with mesh in the back and the adjustable closure. He has been know to beg for peoples caps. All the guys in our small town/community bring him caps. He HATES STUFFED ANIMALS! I learned that the hard way - put one in his Christmas bag years ago. Enough about BIL though - I could write a book about his little quirks.

In your conversations with the father, have you learned whether she has developed certain interests - probably would not be noticeable at 18 months, but perhaps. I bet she has a favorite color!

It is hard to make recommendation on toys, not knowing her development levels - it is not going to be the normal 18 month level of course. If you can find out if she likes dolls, look for a floppy, soft rag type doll that is cuddly. Most Downe's children love bright colored clothing.

I probably haven't helped you a lot, because Downe personalities are so unique, their interests can be so off-the-wall, but they are the most lovable children in the world. I can assure you the parents will appreciate your thoughtfulness more than you can imagine.

Hope others can come up with more specific suggestions for you.

My neighbor's son is 9 now. I've known him since he was about 5, past the toddler stage. Since they live 2 doors down he liked to escape the house and come visit me, I was usually home while other neighbors were at work. Got to be his mother would automatically call me when she couldn't find him. Anyway, what I observed is that he was very destructive. His mother is a saint, I don't know how she dealt with that on a daily basis.

He had this obsession with brooms and kept grabbing mine to sweep the sidewalk, driveway, even lawn. Sometimes I'd hear a racket outside my door, when I opened it there he was, with his mother's broom sweeping my front stoop! Once I saw him pushing his toddler sister's corn popper pull toy. He really seemed to like things that could power himself (and help expell all his energy).

The other thing I noticed was that he loved to organize my gardening buckets! One day I was outside digging up all of the dwarf hedge plants so I needed every bucket I had to put them into. By the time he showed up I was done with the process and had just finishing washing up all the buckets and they were all on the driveway drying out. Well he had a field day with those things. He lined them all up by size and then started putting smaller buckets into larger buckets. So maybe a simple stacking toy might be something a down syndrome child will like to play with. Perhaps you can find a toy where smaller ones fit into larger ones like the buckets, so it stores easily. I don't know if that might be too advanced for a toddler but it's simple which I think is the key. Perhaps start him out with a toy with only a few to the set so he doesn't get overwhelmed and frustrated by sheer number of objects. At his age I might go for soft stacking blocks because he'll likely throw them. Plastic buckets could end up on his head like a hat, you never know!

oops, I meant to say HER, I forgot you said the toddler is a girl.

I found the following Toys R Us link that might be helpful.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tips for Buying Differently Abled Children's Toys

This is of course depends on the abilities of the child but here is a present I really like for that age group period. It is a squishy, earth pillow ball. The squishy-ness makes it easier to hold onto, grab etc. It is a nice, safe sensory sensation. I first bought one for my autistic son but love it for neuro-typical children as well. Because it does not bounce, it "may" not cause as much damage when thrown and it is easier to catch.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hugg-a-planet earth pillow ball

Books!! Down Syndrome kids can learn anything, just at a slower pace. She needs stimulation like any other child. Books with good pictures that help her learn to identify things are great. "Where is the truck, ball, puppy," type of book. I think board books are appropriate at this age.

The usual toddler things like filling and emptying containers with"stuff", simple shape puzzles with large pieces and knobs on them. Things that are easy to hold with tiny hands that may have low muscle tone. A drawstring bag or small purse full of colorful silky scarves, which could be pulled out one at a time, stuffed back in and used for lots of other fun purposes. Koosh balls and a bucket to throw them in. Those are things my son with DS loved at that age...he's 22 now! Second the idea of books. Many children with DS can learn to sight read at a very young age.
Judy, coming out of lurkdom to comment

You guys, thank you SO MUCH. I feel much more confident now that I've made up a list to take shopping gleaned from your replies. I'm very grateful!

I work with toddlers with Down Syndrome and have for years...here are some suggestions for a toddler around 18 months old...

they are learning cause vs effect...that they can make things happen by their actions, so a toy that has buttons that you push and it lights up or plays music...

a ball that is brightly colored and about the same size as say a soccer ball...these are at Target or Walmart..

a board book that has REAL pictures with one picture per page...like a FIRST WORDS book...

a very easy shape sorter (with a circle, square, triangle...nothing more)

a little set of noise makers/musical instruments...drum, maracas, bell, etc.

a set of large blocks (Hobby Lobby has had a great set that are foam blocks)...those are great as they begin to learn to stack

a riding toy that they can sit in and push along with their feet. Most children who are 18 months with Down's Syndrome are sitting up independently and are working toward walking...so a push walker could be a good toy provided it has a wide base. A narrow push walker would not be a good choice because they tend to lean forward on the handle and it slips out from under them...

Kids with Down's Syndrome are such a delight! Have fun!

Hope that helps...
Capegirl

I agree. Down's syndrome kids are Earth's Angels. Worked with this population for 13 years. Tried to adopt a Down's baby or child but they weren't available. So I went with what was, pleased by the fact that more people were embracing them. After that request, the child we got instead was even more challenging.

I recently lost a good friend who had Down's. I was honored to know him for 30 years; and to celebrate our joint birthdays together each year. I was even honored to be called to his Hospice bed by his family. They invited me to join them in his last days and I took them up on their offer.

I loved that man just as he loved me. I was blessed by his presence in my life.

If I had to keep only one "toy" for my children, it would be play silks. I bought them for my oldest daughter when she was a toddler, and now that she is almost 10, she and her other sisters continue to use them just about every day.

I think this little girl would love the feeling of the silks, as well as the colors. Her parents could help her dress up with them, play peek-a-boo with them, wrap up stuffed animals, use them as a sling, etc. I recommend the 36" size. You can get them at any toy story selling natural products (by Sarah's Silks) but I think the ones made by people on Etsy have better color-depth.

The link below is where I got mine years ago (they've gone up in price at this place . . .guess it's because now they've sold silks to Shakira???) but it gives you an idea. I'd pick a few vibrant colors, not pastels.

Here is a link that might be useful: Playsilks/ Play Silks