Therapeutic activities, playground, travel, summer camps, art projects, puzzles, board games, indoor/outdoor games.
An occupational therapist shares valuable information about sensory games and toys. Children with autism are children first and foremost. They may have wonderfully rich imaginations, a standard (and sometimes additional) set of needs, yet there is much they can learn through play. Every child gravitates towards certain types of toys and types of play. What
A mom shares the reasons why she encourages her autistic son to take part in a wide range of activities. I tell people often how tired I am from pushing. Sometimes the weight becomes too much for me, and I collapse. I’m so exhausted. Who or what am I pushing? I’m pushing my kid to
One of the keyways I have been supporting learners during my time as a special needs school teaching assistant and as an LSA at a local college, and now with my own daughter, who I am home educating, is by providing learning that is interest based. This means that the activities and tasks I provide
Many children with ADHD struggle to stay focused on chores, homework, or daily routines, which can lead to frustration, meltdowns, or feeling overwhelmed. Games for ADHD can be a powerful way to support focus, teach new skills, and turn difficult tasks into more enjoyable experiences. Whether it’s learning to follow directions, practicing patience, or building
Rhythm or percussion instruments are any instruments that you can shake, hit or scrape to make a noise. These instruments require force, eye-hand coordination, and motor skills, which is why investing in kids’ rhythm instruments is so important. Playing musical instruments is perfect for developing fine motor skills and developing gross motor skills. For those
I looked up at my grandmother from my place on the floor. I had been sitting next to a small table near the landing of the staircase that was covered in elephant figurines. “Where did you get all these elephants?” She smiled at me: “My friends gave them to me. One day I mentioned that
The traditional summer camp experience is something a lot of people look forward to attending, but what about a summer camp for autism? There are plenty of questions to ask and qualifications to check out when considering a camp for your child on the spectrum. When the school year ends, how do you know if
In Russia, a camp specifically designed for individuals with autism helps provide the support and resources they often lack. On the banks of Russia’s scenic Vuoksi River, between St. Petersburg and the border of Finland, is a camp for Russian children and adults with autism. Every summer, campers (and a handful of volunteers) gather to
A profile feature about Panathlon, a UK charity that gives young people with special needs the opportunity to engage in competitive sport. Children with autism have flourished in and out of the sporting arena as a result of Panathlon’s competitions for pupils with disabilities and special educational needs. Pre-Covid, over 20,000 young people from more
Summer is full of memorable moments such as family vacations to the beach, day trips to the zoo, or going to a certified autism center theme park, such as Sesame Place. But as a mother of a child with autism, I’ve learned the season also involves careful and strategic planning, like any activity that is
Some people believe they are not ‘good’ at playing with Lego® blocks, others prefer other toys or activities, but very few people really dislike it. Traditionally Lego has been seen as a toy, however, this is not necessarily the case anymore. Lego is increasingly being used as a tool to encourage and develop creativity, improve
The experience of expressing through art has widely been practiced as a form of therapy. It’s no surprise that art brings a sense of calmness and serenity. But what about art and autism? What kind of benefits does this form of expression have for those on the spectrum? For children with an autism spectrum disorder
Video games, social media, and technology are becoming an increasingly large part of our children’s lives. Digital play is now the most common type of play engaged in by younger children. Recent studies suggest that kids under the age of eight spend about 2.5 hours per day with screen media. For kids five and under,
Once upon a time, there was a guy who didn’t like to go outside. That guy was me. Being outside scared me, not in the literal sense of the phrase, but I did feel uneasy when I wasn’t in my house. I had a good time once in a while, but there were times when
We all need holidays at least once a year. Traveling by plane is pretty exciting for many of us, but for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), air travel can be particularly stressful. Here are eight tips to help make traveling by plane an easier, more positive experience for the whole family: If it is
Whether it’s raining cats and dogs or just too cold to go outside, it’s important that parents know how to entertain and keep their special needs kids busy when they’re stuck inside. Next time you and your kids are looking for a way to beat cabin fever, try one of these fun activities: 1. Bake
Does your child with autism become overstimulated or bored easily? With the school year coming to an end, are you looking for sensory play ideas for your child? This guide will provide a variety of ideas for fun sensory play activities for children with autism. How do sensory issues affect children with autism? For
On a cold, rainy day, there’s nothing better than board games. But for your child on the spectrum, which autism board games are best? Studies have shown that board games can benefit children with autism as they help develop skills they would otherwise find hard to master. Below is a list of seven of the
There’s a reason children are encouraged to draw and paint at a young age. One of the most important reasons for this is to develop the critical motor skills. Interestingly, studies have also shown that exposure to art at a young age can help children develop socially and emotionally and it teaches them analytical and
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) benefit from direct instruction regarding leisure skills and the language that is embedded throughout these activities. Dr. Mark and Cindy Sundberg recently presented on this topic and noted play provides a comfortable and natural way for parents and children to interact. In addition, children with autism and other language
I am the mother of a beautiful daughter who has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and by sheer coincidence, I own a puzzle company. I clearly remember the light bulb moment when I was working on my hobby, which is jigsaw puzzles, and my daughter came over to the table where I was assembling the pieces
When you first hear that a computer game or a video game is trying to teach someone about the social or emotional world, you can’t be blamed if your first thought is, “Are you kidding?” If you want to learn how to shoot a lot of monsters or jump over an onslaught of obstacles, sure,
It’s hard to find a child who doesn’t love video games. However, for many kids on the autism spectrum, digital play has an especially strong draw. This is mainly because of the visual nature of screen-based technology, the structure, and the immediate feedback gaming provides. Autism and video games bring many benefits. These include flexible
Working as a pediatric occupational therapist for 45 years and almost exclusively with children on the spectrum for the last 20 years, I’ve learned an important fact: children on the spectrum like deep touch. This isn’t news and it’s why parents hear about the benefits of a child wearing a tight vest, playing squishy games
Video games were a sore point in my house for many years because my son and I could not agree on age appropriate titles. Sebastian’s choices revolved around what are often called “First Person Shooters,” war-themed adventures riddled with ferocious violence, whereas I was hoping for him to play Super Mario Brothers or some other
It All Comes Down to Play: Autism Play Therapy Play is an important activity of childhood and is understood to contribute to healthy development1. It is so important that the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights has identified play as the right of every child2. Through play, children have opportunities to move, be curious
Every child learns through play; it is an innate and natural part of their development. For this reason, autism sensory activities help kids on the spectrum engage in play and interact with the environment to improve their sensory experiences. With this in mind, I’ll share some fun sensory activities I’ve tried with my kids that
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