Activities for Your Autistic Child

Finding games to play that are appropriate and fun for a child with autism can be a bit tricky. There needs to be some form of structure and rules they can follow, and the game or activity still has to be something they can do. 

Many experts and institutions, from Europe to the Indiana center for ABA, all agree that structured play is a great way to not only entertain your child but also help them grow and improve. 

Art

Art is one of the best activities for children with and without autism due to the fact that it stimulates not only the mind but also a child’s creativity. Art is also something that doesn’t require many rules, and kids can create something as complicated or straightforward as they want. 

If you want something that is more structured, you can add materials such as ice cream sticks and construct a basic building with your child using the sticks and glue. Clay is also a very easy medium for both kids and parents to work with, and no matter what you do with it, you will end up with a creation. 

Card Games

Card games, especially Uno, are not only fun for the whole family, but create an environment where your child needs to focus and pay attention to what is going on. Focusing can be a serious struggle for children with autism, and combining it with a game is a great solution. 

If your child is a bit older and begins to have a grasp on card games, a game like solitaire is easy to learn and can be fun. It also encourages your child to focus, pay attention to patterns, and can work towards speeding up how quickly they can finish a game.

Baking

Baking is a brilliant activity to do with your child that is not only incredibly fun, but it is something “adult” that your child can join in with. Allowing them to measure ingredients, stir the mixture, and even supervise as they turn on the oven are all aspects that are both fun and a learning moment. 

Baking also has rules and a structure that needs to be followed; it requires concentration and discipline without feeling like work. 

Board Games

Board games are one of the best activities that you can do with your child and the rest of the family. It is another type of game with rules that need to be followed, and your child must not only concentrate but also learn to play in a group. 

Games of chance, such as Snakes and Ladders, which have very simple rules, are great for kids of all ages. There are also multiple templates online that let you and your child create your own game. 

Origami

Origami is not only soothing, but it has multiple levels of difficulty that can be changed depending on what you want to achieve. Origami improves your child’s problem-solving skills, as well as dexterity. 

If Origami doesn’t work, making necklaces or bracelets with beads is a relaxing activity that allows your child to create something or simply work with a medium that relaxes their minds and bodies. 

LEGO

There’s a reason why LEGO is not only one of the biggest toy brands on the planet but has been one of the most popular for decades. With hundreds, if not thousands of different bricks, LEGO was created for both children and adults to build whatever they want. 

It also doesn’t require you to buy a set to enjoy it thoroughly; buying your child a selection of bricks is more than enough to get their building and creative juices flowing. You can also challenge them to build a house or a car, whatever it may be. 

Outdoor Sports

Outdoor sports and games should be a regular activity whether your child is on the spectrum or not. Not only does it break a regular indoor routine, but it also allows them to get some much-needed fresh air and exercise a bit. 

Running about and tiring themselves out can also be a way to deal with emotions, as children on the spectrum tend to struggle to express themselves with words. Therefore, getting it out while playing a sport is a way for them to deal with any inner conflicts in a way they know how to do.