Boxes and Bags
“I’m looking for some quick, simple ideas for capturing the attention of my students, especially those with autism,” said a teacher in an elementary classroom. “I’m also looking for ways to encourage their active participation. Since the youngsters in my class who are diagnosed with autism are either non-verbal or have very few words, I want to give them chances to participate in ways other than verbal comments.”
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One idea that usually works well with people of all ages is to pull out a box or bag containing an interesting object or book or other item related to the topic of discussion. It is amazing to watch the anticipation and interest grow as the students eagerly await the unzipping of a bag or the opening of a box that reveals an object related to a theme.
So, for example, if you are discussing the weather for the day, you can unzip a bag that contains an umbrella, mittens, and sunglasses. Or if you are telling the story “Stone Soup,” you can open a grocery bag that contains real vegetables and a large, smooth stone. If the group is getting ready to draw pictures and write sentences about their pets, you can take the lid off a shoebox that has a dog bone, a leash, and a photograph of your dog inside. Including at least two objects about a topic or theme gives the non-verbal students in your class natural opportunities to take items out of the box at your request or to point to a specific object or to follow directions such as “Give the sunglasses to your friend Ashley.”
Use boxes and bags of all sizes, shapes, and colors – even clear plastic boxes. Use boxes with lids with hinges, lids that lift off. or lids that snap shut. Use bags that zip, snap, or close with a Velcro tab. Not only do these interesting containers build the anticipation at the beginning of the lesson, but they also give youngsters – even those with very limited motor skills – opportunities to be self-sufficient by opening the container for the class or by putting objects in the bag or box and closing it.
So, this is just one idea to help capture the attention of youngsters with autism and to give them creative, enjoyable ways to participate in group activities if their verbal communication skills are limited. We welcome other ideas from teachers, therapists and parents, so please send your thoughts our way.
Note to FAQautism.com listeners and readers: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. You can click on a button to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solutions. Check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. www.FAQautism.com
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