Therapeutic activities, playground, travel, summer camps, art projects, puzzles, board games, indoor/outdoor games.
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
in Autism Activities for Kids by Rachel Hawkins, BA
Owen had been holding it together all day. Great day at school, amazing time at aftercare, and baseball practice? Nailed it! He was exhausted mentally, emotionally, and physically. All he wanted to do was eat dinner and play on his phone. Mom’s plan for doing chores was met with as much resistance as he could
in Autism Activities for Kids by Rachel Andersen
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
in Autism Activities for Kids by Erin Bergman, BA
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
in Autism Activities for Kids by Rachel Andersen
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 Autism Activities for Kids by Donnesa McPherson, AAS
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
in Autism Activities for Kids by Svetlana Bulatova
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
in Autism Activities for Kids by Mike Dale
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
in Autism Activities for Kids by Dana Reinhardt, MEd
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
in Autism Activities for Kids by Amy Eleftheriades, PGCE, MEd
The experience of expressing one’s self through art has widely been practiced as a form of therapy, as it’s no surprise that art brings a sense of calmness and serenity. This type of therapy is known as ‘art therapy,’ and it is a treatment widely used by therapists in meeting the challenges often faced by
in Autism Activities for Kids by Nur Amalina Zulkifli
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,
in Autism Activities for Kids by Randy Kulman, PhD
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
in Autism Activities for Kids by Alan DD
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
in Autism Activities for Kids by Martina Riepen, MA
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
in Autism Activities for Kids by Felicity Dryer
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 activities for children with autism. How do sensory issues affect children with autism? The study found
in Autism Activities for Kids by Katherine G. Hobbs, AA
For a parent, it can seem overwhelming when a child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). There are a myriad of conditions that affect children in so many different ways — some children have trouble with communication and concentration while others struggle with repetitive behavior and can be extremely sensitive to touch, certain sounds,
in Autism Activities for Kids by Aradhana Pandey
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
in Autism Activities for Kids by Aradhana Pandey
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
in Autism Activities for Kids by Rosemarie Griffin, CCC-SLP, BCBA
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
in Autism Activities for Kids by Beverly Nance
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,
in Autism Activities for Kids by Casey Wimsatt
It’s hard to find a child these days who doesn’t love video games, but for many kids on the autism spectrum, digital play has an especially strong draw. Children affected by autism appear to be particularly attracted to video games because of the visual nature of screen-based technology, the structure, and immediate feedback gaming provides.
in Autism Activities for Kids by Randy Kulman, PhD
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
in Autism Activities for Kids by Barbara Sher
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
in Autism Activities for Kids by Colin Rhodes
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
in Autism Activities for Kids by Amy Wagenfeld, PhD, OTR/L, SCEM, FAOTA
Every child learns through play, it is an innate and natural part of their development. For this reason, the use of sensory activities help kids to engage in play and interact with the environment to improve their sensory experiences. Benefits of sensory activities for children with autism According to Little, et al. (2015), one benefit
in Autism Activities for Kids by Leslie Burby
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