Children with autism need a variety of daily activities just like other children do. Developing activities for autistic children should be for fun and for developmental needs. Read on for a guideline to creating fun and educational activities for children with autism.
Schedule My Day
Children with autism respond strongly to a well-scheduled day. Make schedule creation into a game with these ideas:
-- Cut out pictures (from magazines or the Internet) of daily activities, such as brushing teeth and eating lunch. Have your child create a schedule for his day by pasting these activities onto a poster in the order he will do them. Guide him through this process by making sure that he remembers which activities go together (such as bath time and pajama time) and the proper time of day for each activity (breakfast in the morning, dinner time at night).
-- Keep a checklist on a dry erase board. Then as your child completes his daily routine, he can check off the activities he has finished and check to see which activities are next. This type of routine will be soothing and reliable for him.
Physical Activity
The development of gross motor skills is essential for autistic children. Try these fun playtime ideas:
-- Play in the pool. Let your daughter splash around, or sing for her while she swims to the music. Make sure to keep an eye on her to keep her safe.
-- Create an obstacle course. Arrange play equipment, hula hoops and chairs outside. Have your child run through the course, practicing a variety of movements (hop over the rope, run in a circle around the hula hoop, etc.).
-- Have a dance party. Play a variety of music styles and let your child move with the music. Dance with her, so she can see what to do and not feel alone during the activity.
Mind Games
Try these activities to keep your child thinking and growing:
-- Get a larger plastic container, and put a small toy inside. Then fill the container with rice or beans, and have your child dig for the toy. He might make a bit of a mess, but he will enjoy himself.
-- Get sculpting. Make play clay at home or purchase it at the store, and let your child smash and shape it however he chooses.
-- Explore your world. Take your child for a walk and let him see the world around him. Visit a museum where he might find something that catches his eye, or walk through nature and inspect all the creatures and plants you find.
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