Autistic children can participate in many activities done both indoors and outdoors. Inside the classroom, special education teachers often inject some fun and games when teaching lessons to make learning more enjoyable and to keep the children’s attention. All activities for autistic children should stimulate a child’s senses, encourage him to use his motor abilities, or improve his communication and social skills.
“I Spy” is an activity that autistic children can enjoy. The parent can start the game by saying “I spy,” then describe in detail the object he is “spying.” This activity can enhance an autistic child’s observation and concentration skills. It can also be a way to let a child use his imagination, especially when it is his turn to describe an object. The game can also be a way to enhance his ability to communicate and express himself.
Many craft activities for autistic children can also be enjoyable and stimulating. Autistic children can be very skilled with their hands, and making things out of scraps can be very exciting for them. Collage, paper mache, clay molding, and even origami can help a child think outside the box and create figures, while improving her dexterity with her hands. Autistic children can also learn how to be logical and organized, as some art activities require following steps to make the finished product.
Reading can be one of the most important and fulfilling activities for autistic children because it lets them explore so many worlds and people out of their reach. Parents can set aside a reading time for their autistic children in which both of them read aloud a book or even memorize some portions of it. Children can even act out some scenes in a book for a livelier experience. Reading can encourage a child to be imaginative and expressive. It can also help a child be in tune with his emotions, as a reader can sometimes empathize with the characters in the story.
Autistic children can also participate in group activities. Sports provide a range of activities for autistic children to use and improve both their motor and mental skills; they can also help a “special” child be more sociable. Parents can teach them fun sports such as basketball, baseball, and swimming. Sports not only cater to developing brains, but also teach a child to be disciplined and focused. In choosing activities for autistic children, parents and guardians should consider the noise and participation level, as some autistic children are easily irritated by loud noises and sometimes do not like physical touch.
