Weekend Adventures
The weekend is here and you are swamped. Your to-do list is very long and you are tired. But your youngster with autism is bored, and her behavior is escalating. You hesitate to park her in front of a television or to pop in her favorite DVD again. What can you do to help your youngster with autism enjoy her free time when you are busy with chores?
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MY OWN HOUSE. Cover a card table or the kitchen table with a sheet or two to create a closed personal space for a youngster. Put her favorite books, games, legos, toys, dolls, and even a blanket and pillow in her new “home.” Some kids will spend hours enjoying their space.
PHOTO MONTAGE. Many of my friends with autism are intensely interested in photos and videos of real people in their lives. Scan a bunch of photos of family, friends, and school friends into a photo program that allows you to develop slideshows. Don’t forget to include some photos of your youngster with autism. Set the photos to be viewed for a long time – at least 15 seconds – before moving to the next photos. You can even add music – either relaxing or upbeat, depending on your child’s preference.
DOMINOES. Dominoes are the ultimate toy for all ages. They click and glide around nicely on a table or wooden floor. A person can stack them up, match the patterns, or play “real” dominoes. And, most fun of all, a kid can line up five or fifty dominoes, then knock them down. FUN!
TIP FOR THE DAY: I encourage you to have a “weekend adventures” box for collecting inexpensive, fun activities for those times when you need your youngster with autism to entertain themselves while you tackle your long to-do list.
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 a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. 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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