Free Time
After playing with a new toy, book, DVD, or other free-time gadget for just one or two days, our eight-year-old daughter with autism loses interest in the item. Short of buying her new items every day, how can we decrease her boredom and increase her interest and enjoyment of items?
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One strategy for increasing interest in an item is to let your daughter select her own toys, DVD’s, and other free-time activities. If she is able, she can save up her allowance or chore money for a Friday afternoon shopping trip. She gets to pick out an item just once a week based on her budget.
Another proven strategy encourages on-going interest in an item by only making that item available once a week or so. Teachers and families have found they can infuse variety by dividing free-time toys and items into 5 or 6 different “Free Time” boxes that are stashed in a closet. Every morning, your daughter can pick a different box to open and enjoy during free time play. This allows her belongings to be fresh and new rather than just languishing around in her room. At the end of the day, she packs up that “Free-Time” box and can dream about what new gadgets will be revealed when she opens a different box the next day.
Contents can be tailored to the interests of your daughter. For example, the free-time boxes for a pre-teen boy with autism include items such as an age-appropriate book, a throw pillow, laminated photos of family and friends, and multi-sensory toys with lights, textures, and sounds. He also has a different music CD and DVD movie in each box. Just custom design the contents to match your youngster’s interests.
Some individuals will not show any interest in choosing a box. If that is the case, just select a box each morning and put it in the middle of the free time space. If he doesn’t eventually open the box, you might want to go in the room and start looking at some of the items to see if he will follow your lead.
Having a different free-time box each day prevents boredom with the same old toys. And as a bonus for many youngsters with autism, this strategy helps prevent extreme obsession with just one or two objects. Each toy, DVD, book, or gadget is only unearthed once every week or two, so the youngster’s interest is spread across a variety of objects and activities. We welcome your input. Just click on the comments button or send an e-mail to talk@FAQautism.com.
NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: 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. Feel free to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. Send email to talk@FAQautism.com And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com
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