Choosing games and play for children with autism

Once again AblePlay has joined us today to share ideas on how to think about play and games for children with autism.  I want to thank them for sharing their expertise with us.  Mara
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Like everyone else, children with autism have both skills they can advance, and struggles they need to overcome to reach their highest potential. Games and play are great ways to build a child's strength and also work on those skills they need a little help with

Here are seven areas to keep in mind when choosing games, toys and play products for children with autism.

1. Visual Thinkers. Many of these children simply see the world from another perspective - the visual one. They think in pictures instead of words.

Games and Play
Art is often both an enjoyable activity for kids with autism and a way to relieve the stress and strain of a busy school schedule. Drawing, painting, working with clay, are all great creative outlets.

2. Detail Orientated. If you ask a child to visualize a car, often a child with autism does not see just the general outline, but rather very specific components of one particular car including the buttons, fabric pattern, chrome design and other details.

Games and Play
The more details a play product has, the better some kids with autism will relate to it. When choosing toys, think realistic, for instance a memory-matching game with real photographs.

3. Design and Pattern Aptitude. Visual thinking has a whole lot of positive aspects and the ability to design is one of them. Often included in this characteristic is the ability to visualize in three dimensions.

Games and Play
Children with visual preferences often really enjoy working with small detailed play products like LEGOs, small blocks and three-dimensional building projects.

4. Concrete Thinker. Many kids with autism interpret language literally.

Games and Play
Look for games that offer very clear instructions. But also work with these children to introduce more pretend play to help them develop the ability to abandon reality and learn to interact with other children who are using their imagination.

5. Sensory Sensitivity. Because of visual orientation, kids with autism can be especially vulnerable to over-stimulation. Florescent lights may pulsate and may even hurt their eyes. Glare from windows, the movement of ceiling fans or ambient noises may penetrate these children in frustrating or even hostile ways.

Games and Play
Before buying a toy or play product, give it a once over on a sensory scale. Determine if the volume can be turned down, the lights dimmed and whether it could cause a child to become distracted, disoriented or provoke anxiety.

6. Show Rather than Tell Preference. Because language is sometimes a struggle, telling a child with autism what to do is often the hard way to reach him or her. Showing works better for many of these hands-on learners.

Games and Play
Before playing a new game or exploring a new play product, do a test run with the child. Show him through actions how to play such as slide down the slide yourself, build a block house or take a few turns on the game board before you start to really play the game.

7. Social Interaction Struggles. Kids with autism can need help navigating social interactions. To an outsider, they may look like they don't want to play. Often they are do not know how to ask appropriately to enter the play situation and need coaching on the interactive potential that is around them.

It is helpful to think about learning the social aspects of play like teaching a child how to be an actor or actress. Role play the right words to be included in an activity, and show him or her the polite and appropriate way to ask. Then rehearse these approaches just like learning the words to a play.

Games are a great way for kids with autism to tap into their strengths and explore the areas they need a little help with. Play is an easy, fun and fast way to accomplish both.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Macy Kaiser is the Director of Business Development for the National Lekotek Center, a division of the nonprofit Anixter, creators of the social enterprise AblePlay. Their organization is the leading authority on toys and play for children with disabilities and special needs. For further information, please contact them at 773.528.5766 or visit online at www.ableplay.org.