Favorite Play for Kids with Autism

Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized
16 Sep 2013

“Children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) choose to engage in play that provided strong sensory feedback, cause-and-effect results, and repetitive motions,” said Doody the assistant professor of exceptional education at SUNY Buffalo State.

In a research conducted by Doody and Mertz, the most popular activity was “climbing stairs”. Children would through the ball and observe the effect.

Playing with windmills is another interesting activity.

The third ranked favorite activity was a table filled with rice.

Activities engaging vestebular and proprioceptive senses were the most popular. Vestibular senses are related to the balance of the body in the space. Proprioceptive is related to the way our joints responds to pressure and movements.

In general children with autism love repetitive motions like: pacing, swinging, spinning, rocking…And if they can’t do it, they like to watch it. Feeling and seeing the grains of rice pouring out between the fingers or out of a container satisfies the sensory integration issues.

Tip

If a child is exhibiting a repetitive movement, like flapping hands, flailing arms,… that means that she needs some sensory stimulation. Some toys with motion, sound or light response can be very helpful.

Windmills when pushed produces a certain rotary movement, which is great to watch for children with ASD.

Tip

Children with autism love that kind of activities (repetitive movements), they can play by themselves and satisfy their sensory needs. That kind of play helps them become independent. On the other hand, this play can be used as a positive reinforcement.

Read the full article here.

nadia shanab

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