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