Helping Children Meet Their Full Potential Faster
Each of us is a unique person and especially those children who are afflicted by some form of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Children of all ages enjoy fun activities and those suffering from ASD are no less. In this article, let’s look at some fun activities in which we can get children who suffer from ASD involved and have fun at the same time.
Finding hidden toys – This is quite simple and involves taking a bucket/container and filling it with colorful beads or PVC pellets used in stuffing bean bags. Here you hide or stuff some toys into the bucket. Then you ask the child to dig out the toys one by one by feeling for them.
Finger painting – Who does not like finger painting? Every child does. It’s fun and it’s messy. For children with ASD, it leads to lowering stressful senses as well as enables them to feel the different textures. You begin by talking large art sheets and placing tiny blobs of painting color on them. Ask your child then to mix the colors and let his/her imagination run riot. This fun activity is also a good way to introduce them to the beautiful world of colors.
Music – Even if your child is not adept at speaking, they might be humming or interested in music or musical instruments. Encourage the child to hum along while you sing or try playing the instrument and compose their own tune. This activity is a great way to stimulate the senses.
Arts and crafts – There are many simple items which can be created by you and your child together using a few items, which are easy and fun to make as well as great to look.
Hide and seek – We have all loved this fun outdoor game as children and it continues to enthrall generations. This game involves counting numbers, use of the sense of sight and social skills.
Riding on wheels – If you have a bicycle or a skateboard lying around in your garage, use them for your child. Riding encourages children's motor skills and balance. Do make sure that they are adequately protected with helmets, knee and elbow pads. Be with them throughout this journey to avoid any mishaps and allay their fears
Neighborhood playgrounds- Take your child to the nearby park and encourage him/her to try out the various slides and swings. Do not force the child to do anything but let them make their own way on this path. Playgrounds are great to teach social skills, balance, motor skills and confidence. You never know, they might end up making new friends for life.
Water therapy – If you have a bathtub or a pool in your backyard, let them splash about in it. You can float some bobbing toys like rubber ducks for them to play with. Water is great therapy for some; it could be fun for your kid too.
Identify the fragrances – Stimulate their sense of smell by putting in various fragrant items such as coffee beans, cinnamon sticks into empty jars and cover them with thin pieces of cloth. Then get your child to identify the item in the bottle by inhaling the aromas which waft out.
