Autism is a mental condition that afflicts nearly one in six children in the United States alone. Although there is no known cure for autism, the condition can be managed with autism-friendly games and activities that help develop physical and cognitive abilities.
Sensory Activities
Autistic children often enjoy sensory-rich activities that stimulate the senses and encourage development, so choose games like these for your autistic child. One good example of such a game is "I Spy," in which you describe an object in the room using only details you can see. Have your child try to guess the object using the clues you provide and his eyesight.
To stimulate your child's sense of taste, have her close her eyes while you feed her flavor-rich foods, including watermelon, sweets, kiwi or strawberries. See if she can correctly identify each food item.
Poems and Songs
Autistic children often enjoy the sing-song way in which a poem sounds, so reading your child poetry is a great way to educate your child and have fun. Choose poems that include many rhyming words, such as books written by Dr. Seuss. You can also create your own poem that describes your child or an event that may have happened to your child. Singing these songs every day will help his cognitive skills. In addition, physical movements, such as clapping, jumping or skipping to the beat of the words can be incorporated to make the poems more fun.
Art Activities
Autistic children often enjoy the creativity and colorful nature of artwork, so encourage your child to create crafts and artwork often. Fingerpaints are particularly fun as they stimulate the eyes and fingers. Drawing and sketching may be enjoyable for older children, and others might enjoy painting with a wide variety of colors. Encourage your child to experiment with different art forms, including musical instruments and acting as well. It is important to remember that like all children, each autistic child is different and may enjoy different activities. Discovering what your child likes best is a key to keeping your child active and entertained.
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