| Please can you offer some activity-based | | | | curb this behavior. |
| suggestions and PE/games options for autistic | | | | Autistic children often wish to be included in |
| children that they can do at home or at school. | | | | games with non-autistic peers, and so this may |
| Looking at two age groups here 7 - 10 and 11-16. | | | | help with the learning process. At home, focus on |
| Parents, teachers, and other caregivers often get | | | | games that involve closer contact with trusted |
| so caught up in educating and providing structure | | | | family members. For example, make it a game to |
| to the lives of autistic children that they forget | | | | get across the room without touching the floor. |
| that, above all, he or she is a child. Like any other | | | | Perhaps the only route in some instances is to be |
| child in his or her age group, your autistic child | | | | carried. Remember that each child is different |
| wants to have fun. While some activities may not | | | | developmentally, so stay in tune with how |
| be suitable for those suffering from autism, there | | | | challenging the activities should be. |
| are a number of fun games to play with autistic | | | | As your child matures, he or she may want to be |
| children, many of which can get them involved | | | | involved with organized sports. This should be |
| with others or help them further develop motor | | | | encouraged, but choose your sport carefully. Golf, |
| or social skills while just focusing on having a good | | | | baseball, and other sports that do not involve |
| time. | | | | strong personal sensory stimulation may be |
| Autistic children in the elementary school age | | | | better for your child than something like tackle |
| range can benefit greatly from song. Even children | | | | football. However, be open to all possibilities. Be |
| who do not verbally communicate with words can | | | | sure the team's coach understands your child's |
| learn to hum along or play simple instruments, | | | | disability and is willing to work with him or her. |
| such as tambourines or whistles. Using sounds | | | | At this later developmental stage, also continue |
| that are repetitive and with educational lyricshelps | | | | encouraging learning activities. Sensory games |
| autistic children learn school lessons but also gives | | | | work well to further teach these children, and as |
| them an outlet for some of the sensory | | | | they mature emphasize the importance of |
| stimulation they need, such as yelling. Play follow | | | | appropriate behavior as you are playing these |
| the leader with the instruments to help the | | | | games. Using things like water balloons in games |
| children focus their attention and improve | | | | your child already enjoys is often as fun for |
| socialization skills. | | | | children with autism. Also realize that an autistic |
| Depending on how mature your child is, he or she | | | | individual has trouble seeing things from another's |
| may also not only be able to participate in regular | | | | point of view. Therefore, they may be less likely |
| childhood games, but greatly benefit from them | | | | to enjoy games in which something must be kept |
| as well. These activities, including tag and other | | | | a secret from another person (like go-fish). |
| games, can be learned more easily than you think. | | | | Overall, you and your child need to grow together. |
| Stick with games in which the autistic child is not | | | | Remember that although he or she has many |
| forced to have close physical contact with other | | | | special needs, sometimes your child needs to |
| children, as this may be hurtful for autistic | | | | simply be a kid as well. Encourage play along with |
| individuals. Also, remember to play to your child's | | | | work, and realize that games and activities for |
| strengths or what he or she wishes to learn. If he | | | | autistic children may fulfil two key elements, |
| or she has a problem with yelling inappropriately, | | | | socialization skills for life and learning to enjoy |
| for example, encouraging him or her to be | | | | playing with their peers. |
| involved with a game of hide and seek may help | | | | |