If your child has autism, you can consolidate the lessons learned at therapy by playing practicing at home. These tailored activities from the Kids First team are designed to help your child navigate the complexities of social interactions, enhancing your child’s ability to connect with other kids and feel a sense of inclusion. Practice makes perfect and exposure to successful play can be a game-changer in your child’s social and emotional development.
Role-Playing Games
Role-playing is an excellent way for your child to safely learn about social interactions. You can create real-life scenarios such as sharing toys, asking for help, or responding to invitations to play. Using dolls or action figures, or even role-playing as a character yourself, can make the experience more relatable and engaging for your child.
Ideas to try at home:
- Characters and Scenarios: Create roles like a teacher, a friend, or a family member. Simulate common situations, like joining a game or reacting to a new situation in school.
- Props and Settings: Utilise everyday items to create realistic settings, aiding in the immersion of the role-play.
- Guidance: Act out both appropriate and less ideal responses, discussing with your child the reasons behind each behaviour’s effectiveness.
Social Stories and Video Modelling
Group activities can be tricky for kid with autism, but they also offer so many opportunities for your child to learn about child about teamwork, sharing, and communication in a fun and interactive way. Whether it’s through games or creative projects, these experiences are invaluable for social learning.
Ideas to try at home:
- Story Ideas: Write stories about situations like attending a birthday party or adjusting to changes in routine.
- Video Modelling: Use your phone to record, or search online for, videos that demonstrate positive interactions, such as polite conversation or sharing, and discuss these with your child.
- Discussion Points: Focus on the subtleties of body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice to enhance your child’s social skills understanding.
Group Activities with a Focus on Collaboration
Group activities can be tricky for kid with autism, but they also offer so many opportunities for your child to learn about child about teamwork, sharing, and communication in a fun and interactive way. Whether it’s through games or creative projects, these experiences are invaluable for social learning.
Ideas to try at home:
- Potential Playmates: Involve siblings, cousins, neighbours, or even therapy assistants in these activities.
- Activity Ideas: Consider teamwork-focused games or projects, like a treasure hunt or group crafts, which encourage collaboration and turn-taking.
- Roles and Responsibilities: At home, assign specific roles to foster a sense of responsibility and teamwork. You may decide to allocate your children into ‘teams’ that initially have a grown-up as a ‘captain’. When the idea has bedded in, you can then rotate the responsibility for leadership, giving your child with autism the chance to practice their negotiation, social, and problem-solving skills.
Guided Peer Interaction Sessions
Structured play sessions with peers allow your child to practice social skills in a controlled, supportive setting. These sessions are opportunities for your child to interact, share, and engage in activities with others under gentle guidance. Some ideas for peers include supportive neighbours, cousins or trusted young adults who know your child well.
Ideas to try at home:
- Specific Activities: Organise collaborative activities, such as group art projects, cooking sessions, or building something together from Lego. Outside projects such as erecting a tent or organising a small garden can also work well for two or three peers.
- Structure and Supervision: Peer interaction sessions rarely end well when grown-ups leave the scene and expect their child with autism to go with the flow! Ensure that your child has been well-prepared for these sessions, with clear instructions and objectives to facilitate positive social interaction. You may find that the use of familiar tools such as a visual schedule or time timer help everyone stay on track
Structured Playdates
Structured playdates are a wonderful way for your child with autism to apply their social skills in a more natural setting. By planning and structuring these playdates, you can create a comfortable environment for your child to interact and form friendships.
Ideas to try at home:
- Setting Up for Success: Choose a familiar and comfortable setting and use tools like a visual schedule or a time timer for structure.
- Activities: Select enjoyable and familiar activities, which can range from simple crafts to interactive games.
- Before the playdate, work with your child to decide which of their toys and games will be shared
- Remove any ‘special’ items about which your child might be protective or possessive from view. Arguments over these treasured items can easily derail a fledgling friendship.
- Prepare your child beforehand with a discussion about what to expect.
- Use visual aids to outline the playdate’s activities.
- Resist the temptation to step in and direct the children’s play. Allow natural interaction, while staying within sight so that you are available to help if you are needed.
- Review the playdate with your child later to discover what they learned.
Adapt these strategies to meet your child’s needs
As a parent, guiding your child with autism through the development of social skills is a journey filled with both challenges and triumphs. These activities provide a foundation for enhancing your child’s ability to interact and form meaningful connections. Remember, every child is unique, and these strategies can be adapted to suit your child’s individual needs.
Does your child need Social Skills help?
For more personalised support and guidance, Kids First’s experienced multi-disciplinary team is here to help. We offer a range of Social Skills and School Holiday programs tailored for children with NDIS funding, providing practical support every step of the way.
Reach out to us for further advice or assistance in nurturing your child’s social development.
