Sensory issues are often a problem among children with autism. Because of these, kids with autism either become hypersensitive (over-responsive) or hyposensitive (under-responsive). This affects how they respond to a wide range of stimuli that other children respond to on a daily basis.
These sensory issues often affect their social skills. This is the reason why it’s it’s hard for a kid with autism to interact with other people. To some, the lack of desire to interact with other kids makes children with autism look like they prefer to play alone. Others mistake a child with autism’s need for more stimulation as ADHD.
While it depends on a case to case basis, a lot of kids with autism actually want to form friendship with others. The problem? They just don’t know how.
But there’s one good news. Like everything else in life, social skills can be learned.
With that in mind, we put up a list of the Top 10 activities you can teach your child to help them build a “map” of social skills.
1. Staring contest
Kids with autism are known for having difficulty maintaining eye contact. The reason? They find it stressful or uncomfortable.
To help your child with this sensory issue, you can start a staring contest. Let your child stare at your eyes for at least 5-10 seconds and gradually increase the time. If your child is able to keep their eyes on you after the agreed time, you can reward him or her with positive reinforcement. Praise them or give them a token for doing great.
However, it might be that your child won’t be able to stare at you for long. Don’t stress your kid any more than what they’re feeling right now by forcing them to stare at you. Instead, try to place a pair of sticker eyes on your forehead and encourage your child to look there instead.
The eye stickers on your forehead may not be the same as looking at your eyes. But it removes the awkwardness that people find when kids with autism refuse to look at them.
It’s also a good training for your child to look at a person’s face especially if someone’s talking to them.
To reinforce this behavior on your child, don’t forget to compliment them on how it was nice of them to look at your eyes. Tell them how happy you are that they’re doing great. If you’re in for a bigger compromise, you can treat them later for doing the activity well.
2. Face games
Children with autism are still kids looking for fun.
One of the great ways to teach your kids social skills are face games. Like an acting class, you can make faces and let your kid mimic your face.
Start with easy to copy actions. Touch your nose. Cup your face. Roll your eyes. Stick out your tongue. Once your child is able to copy you, move on to making funny faces. Because kids with autism find it hard to read emotions, you can help them become familiar with it by showing it. Model how the different facial expressions look at a person’s face and have them imitate you.
3. Name game
This is social activity will help your child introduce themselves. At the same time, it will help them learn the name of others around them. You can start this game with your kid and your whole family.
To play this activity, gather every one of your family members in a circle. Just so all of you can see each other. Start by saying your name while pointing at yourself. Move to the next person on your right to do the same until everyone else is done.
This way, your child will be able to remember names faster and give them a head start when they start making new friends.
4. Play the game etiquette
This social skill activity is very simple but is an effective way to teach manners to kids with autism. It’s also a game that emphasizes the importance of being polite. The mechanics are also very easy.
To do this activity, you need to pick any game that you or your child likes, for example a board game. Before the game starts, there are three things that your child needs to do before playing.
1. Shake hands with their opponent.
2. Look into their opponent’s eyes (or their face if they feel uncomfortable).
3. Say the words, “Good luck.”
Once the game ends, the players will do the same thing. But instead of saying “Good luck,” they should say the words, “Good game.”
If your kid fails to do this with their opponent, the game will be considered null or void. It might not be easy the first few times. But the more you do it, the more your kid can learn the game until it becomes a natural social skill for them. Your child will also learn sportsmanship early on and earn the respect of their peers even if they have autism.
5. Print and play emotion cards
Reading emotions properly is another sensory issue among children with autism. It’s no wonder kids like them find it hard to recognize emotions.
With this activity, you can help your child recognize different expressions using emotion cards.
All you have to do is printout the emotion cards. Show your kids a picture of an emotion and tell them what it is.
Here are some of the emotions that your child must learn how to identify:
happy,
sad,
excited,
angry,
afraid,
surprised,
tired,
embarrassed,
worried,
shy,
lonely,
sorry,
curious,
bored, etc.
You can also incorporate the Face Game activity when you do this social skill game.
It’s alright if your kid gets stuck on a certain type of emotion because they can’t remember. Help them by giving them a context of what that certain emotion means.
For example, you could explain that “excited” means “feeling very happy and eager for something. Like with an upcoming trip.”
Your child may not get it the first time, but take heart. Don’t give up. Do this activity several times a week to help them get familiar with different emotions.
6. Role play
There are times when your kid with autism is not yet ready to interact with others outside.
They might still get irritated or uncomfortable having others around them. Or you and the family may be the only people your child feels comfortable with. If this is the case, you can teach your child the necessary social skills they need to learn by means of a role play.
To do this, act out a familiar scene or re-enact situations that already happened. Discuss with your child the many different ways they can handle the given situations especially if they occur in the future.
The key to doing this social skill activity is to be consistent. You need to practice often with your child so that the ideas and principles will stick to them. You can also walk through the different things they can do in a single situation. Even better, ask them what they would say during such a situation. This activity helps your child sharpen his or her social skills. It also reinforces their relationship with others.
7. Sharing time
In an elementary school setup, sharing time is a classic staple among students.
But for kids with autism, sharing time could be awkward. But it’s a social activity that you can do to help your child practice active listening. Sharing also allows them to discuss their interests especially to others.
To avoid overwhelming your child, start this activity at home.
Set a time and let your child share something that they find interesting. To teach them active listening, share something as well. Let your family members pitch in, too to make this social skill activity a success.
8. Video modelling
You can also use videos to teach social skills to your kid with autism. This activity is a good way to introduce them to new things or give them an idea of different social situations.
For example, if you want to bring your child for a haircut and they feel uncomfortable about it, find a video of the same situation and show it to them. Let them observe what happens. Ask your child about what they see. Point out the facial expressions of the people. This way, you can help your child become familiar with the same situation. You also give them an idea on how to behave accordingly.
Of course, you might need to give them cues on what to say or what to do when they are in a given situation. Just let your child know what to expect and be patient enough to teach them what they must do.
9. Tell them social stories
Social stories are a therapy-based activity to improve your child’s understanding of proper behavior. It also involves learning proper responses in a social setting.
Social stories, or social scripts, teach children with autism the proper behavior expected of them in specific settings. Settings can be varied like the playground, the doctor’s office, the supermarket, the school, etc.
Social stories usually point out details about a certain setting. Like a usual story, you point out what happens there and the behavior or action expected from them.
This type of activity helps your child pick up social clues that they won’t normally notice by themselves. It’s also a way to reduce difficult behavior among children with autism who are introduced to a new environment.
For example, you can read a story of what to do in the school playground before your child goes out to play with others. This will give them an idea on what to do.
10. Set an example
This might not sound like an activity at all. But when it comes to teaching your child social skills, nothing beats you becoming the role model and example.
Children with autism do not know the norms of social skills. Which is why it’s good to show them what appropriate socialization looks like. As a parent (or guardian), it’s important that you do your best to model positive behavior to your kids – autism or not – especially when you interact with others.
Be an example.
Engage people with small talk. Talk to them with a friendly smile from time to time. Look at people’s eyes. Be polite. Over time, you’d notice that your child will mimic what you do, too.
Also, you should take the time to explain to your child what you are doing and why. You might have to repeat yourself a few times. But the more you do this, the more your kid will become familiar with the appropriate social skills they need. You’d help them find a way to be friends and make connections with others.
Just a reminder…
Take note that children with autism have sensory issues that you need to be aware of to choose the right type of social skill activities for them.
Sensory issues and social skills activities for autism
Kids with hypersensitivity or over-responsiveness to sensory information avoid sensory experiences. You might see them covering their ears when the noise is too loud or wear only loose-fitting clothes. Others resist doing things like brushing their teeth, having haircuts or eating certain types of food.
On the other hand, children with hyposensitivity or under-responsiveness eagerly seek out sensory experience. Most of the time, they are the ones who always look for things to touch. In turn, they constantly move to rub their arms or legs against things. They also sometimes like to tear tight-fit clothes.
It’s true that children outgrow sensory issues or sensitivities over time. But children with autism take a longer time to do so. These sensitivities can also worsen when a child gets uncomfortable, anxious or stressed.
Sensory issues cannot be helped with children with autism. That’s why it’s important for you to know the teaching strategies that would work best for them as you teach them social skills.
Read more: Sensory Workouts for People with Autism
How to teach social skills to children with autism
If your child is easily overwhelmed, give them extra time to take in what you’re teaching. Introduce them to new things gradually and give them a ‘quiet space’ to avoid overwhelm.
If your child needs more stimulation, make sure that they get more time to play outside. Give them plenty of physical activities that stimulate their mind and body. Let them bounce on a trampoline, play dough or listen to music.
Overall, developing your kid’s social skills would take much time and practice. As a parent or guardian, the best way to help your child learn is to give them love. Foster self-esteem and simplify your language to their level. Don’t forget to celebrate your child’s milestones. Praise and compliment them when appropriate to reinforce positive behavior.
There are many other activities to teach your kid with autism social skill. Hopefully, these 10 tips will give you a head start. Don’t forget – practice patience, be consistent, be a role model. Most of all, keep things fun for you and your child.
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FAQs
What are some social skills activities? ›
- Staring Contest. Many children have trouble maintaining eye contact in conversation. ...
- Roll the Ball. ...
- Virtual Playtime. ...
- Emotion Charades. ...
- Expression Mimicking Games. ...
- Topic Game. ...
- Step Into Conversation. ...
- Improvisational Stories.
- practice play.
- praise.
- role-play.
- social skills training.
- social stories.
- video-modelling.
- visual supports.
Give your child sensory toys, such as squeezy balls or buzzers, or make sure they always have their favorite blanket or stuffed animal. This can help create a sense of calm and security. Make time for physical exercise. Children with autism often spend several afternoons in therapy.
What social skills do children with autism struggle with? ›Impairment in social functioning is a central feature of ASD. Typical social skill deficits include: initiating interactions, responding to the initiations of others, maintaining eye contact, sharing enjoyment, reading the non-verbal cues of others, and taking another person's perspective.
What are 5 social activities? ›- Going out to eat. We all have to eat, and enjoying a meal with friends can be one of life's greatest pleasures. ...
- Board games. Grab your friends and host a board game night. ...
- Meeting up for coffee. ...
- Movie nights. ...
- Pick-up sports. ...
- Volunteering together as a group. ...
- Video games. ...
- Hiking.
Hobbies such as collecting stamps, playing cards or board games, drawing and photography can also provide opportunities for enjoyment, as well as increased self-confidence and motivation individuals on the spectrum.
What is social skills training for autism? ›Social Skills Training (SST) represents one evidence-based method for helping individuals with ASD better understand social interactions and how to engage with others socially.
What are 5 strategies used to work with a child with autism? ›- Support Routines and Transitions. Most children with autism are sensitive to abrupt changes in routine and will learn best in routine situations. ...
- Use Visual Cues. ...
- Use Special Interests as a Gateway to Teaching Skills. ...
- Incorporate Sensory Tools. ...
- Support social skills practice.
Here are some strategies to support social skill development in your students with autism: Reinforce what the student does well socially - use behavior-specific praise (and concrete reinforcement if needed) to shape pro-social behavior. Model social interaction, turn taking and reciprocity.
What are sensory strategies? ›A sensory support or sensory strategy is any equipment or technique that increases or decreases sensory input to help a student to focus and learn. It could be something simple like a privacy screen to allow the student to concentrate when they are writing.
How do autistics deal with sensory overload? ›
Asking what would help them feel calm, such as a change of environment or even a nap. Consider getting a weighted vest or blanket that may provide a sense of calm and security. Even a favorite stuffed toy or pillow can help. Making time for regular exercise to help burn off pent-up energy or stress.
How do you improve sensory issues? ›Indoor or outdoor trampolines, swings, ride-on or rocking toys and seesaws are all helpful. The Wilbarger Brushing Protocol also known as DPPT is a very specific technique used for tactile defensiveness and sometimes other sensory processing challenges.
How do you do social skills training? ›- Behavioral rehearsal: Role play which involves practicing new skills during therapy in simulated situations.
- Corrective feedback: Used to help improve social skills during practice.
- Instruction: The educational component of SST that involves the modeling of appropriate social behaviors.
Social stories explain social situations to autistic children and help them learn ways of behaving in these situations. These stories are sometimes called social scripts, social narratives or story-based interventions. Social Story™ and Social Stories™ are trademarks originated and owned by Carol Gray.
How do you teach social skills to special education students? ›- Teach your child how to ask others questions in a conversation.
- Use flashcards to teach facial expressions and body language.
- Ask the teacher who your child connects with and set up a playdate.
Fantasy, or dress-up play, is an important part of learning to socialize. During this kind of play, children make sense of their world and the people around them by role-playing. This is how they “practise” being an adult, behaving and interacting as an adult would. They also act out their own social customs and norms.
What are social activities for students? ›Examples include clubs, school newspapers, music groups, student councils, debate teams, theater, volunteering programs, sports, and youth groups; programs sometimes include academic components.
What are sensory activities? ›Sensory play includes any activity that stimulates your young child's senses: touch, smell, taste, movement, balance, sight and hearing. Sensory activities facilitate exploration and naturally encourage children to use scientific processes while they play, create, investigate and explore.
Why are sensory activities important for autism? ›Engaging children with autism in sensory activities is beneficial in several ways, as it can help with: Stimulating the brain, creating neutral pathways and improving sensory processing systems. Improving social skills such as communication and co-operation. Improving co-ordination, as well as fine/gross motor skills.
What do kids with autism like to play with? ›Children with autism often enjoy sensory toys because they help them feel calm and engage their senses in a positive way. 6 Sensory toys can include weighted stuffed animals, fidget toys, and putty. When looking for a toy for a child with autism, keep in mind their interests and their developmental stage.
What is a social skills program? ›
Social skills training is not a specific curriculum, but rather a collection of practices that use a behavioral approach for teaching preschool children age-appropriate social skills and competencies, including communication, problem solving, decision making, self-management, and peer relations.
How do you socialize with autism? ›- find local support groups and projects aimed at autistic people.
- search online for information about local activities, sports clubs, talks, or groups in your area.
- learn a new skill.
Best Games for Children with Autism. I Never Forget a Face Memory Game This game is great for memory and also for recognizing and recognizing faces. Feelmo Speaking Cards These are good for helping teach emotions and feelings, and learning to identify and express them.
How does an autistic child learn best? ›Children who fall in this realm of learning method benefit greatly from listening or speaking activities, such as talking, audiotapes, role playing, and saying things out loud, or repeating. These children are relying on their sense of hearing and nonvisual stimulation to learn from their environment.
What are some coping strategies for autism? ›- music.
- going for a walk.
- exercise.
- deep breathing.
- engage in a pleasant and relaxing activity.
- sensory and fidget toys.
- prayer/meditation.
- practice mindfulness.
- Help your child understand what a friend is. ...
- Visual models like social stories. ...
- Practice, practice, practice. ...
- Surround your child with kids who share her interests. ...
- Focus on long-term success. ...
- Have fun.
In theory, social skills therapy will provide people on the autism spectrum with the ability to converse, share, play, and work with typical peers. In an ideal world, such therapy will allow people on the autism spectrum to become almost indistinguishable from their typical peers.
How do you improve children's social skills and relationships with peers? ›- Encourage eye contact.
- Learn to ask questions.
- Teach them emotions.
- Practice with role playing.
- Know your child's limits.
- Prepare them for higher level social skills.
- Be a good role model.
- Learning Links Can Help.
A sensory tool kit is a portable box, bin, or bag full of sensory tools and toys that help calm or stimulate your child's nervous system. When you notice your child getting overstimulated, you can grab your handy sensory kit and pull out a calming toy like noise-reducing earmuffs or a squeezy ball.
How can you help a child with sensory issues in the classroom? ›Provide a weighted lap pad, weighted vest, wiggle cushion, or other OT-approved sensory tools. Provide earplugs or noise-muffling headphones to help with noise sensitivity. Let the student use handheld fidgets; consider using a fidget contract.
What are three ways an educator can help a child with sensory issues? ›
- Educate the teaching staff about your child. Educate school personnel about SPD. ...
- Ask the school to evaluate your child for an IEP or 504 Plan. ...
- Suggest a sensory diet and specific accommodations.
If you or your loved one needs more stimulation from the environment, try these ideas: arrange for extra time outside or keep busy doing physical activities you enjoy. use toys that are extra-stimulating, like playdough, a squishy ball or a spinning gadget.
What triggers sensory overload in autism? ›Too much information. Sometimes an autistic person may behave in a way that you wouldn't immediately link to sensory differences. A person who finds it difficult to process everyday sensory information can experience sensory overload, or information overload.
What is the best therapy for sensory processing disorder? ›Treating SPD with Therapy
SPD treatment often means working with an occupational therapist on activities that help retrain the senses. Many therapists use a sensory integration (OT-SI) approach that begins in a controlled, stimulating environment, and focuses on making SPD easier to manage in day-to-day life.
A person with autism may experience difficulties interpreting and organising input from what they see, taste, touch, hear and smell. Sensory perceptions can become frightening or even painful and can lead to high anxiety and meltdowns.
Which techniques are primarily employed in social skills training? ›- Problem identification.
- Goal setting.
- Role play and behavioural rehearsal.
- Positive and corrective feedback.
- Social modeling.
- Behavioural practice.
- Positive social reinforcement.
- Homework assignments.
Social skills training for children teaches them how to interact in a complex social world. There are many social conventions that dictate how we engage and interact with others, but sometimes these can be difficult for children to grasp.
What are the 10 social story criteria? ›They are: 1) Plan for Comprehension; 2) Plan Story Support; 3) Plan Story Review; 4) Plan a Positive Introduction; 5) Monitor; 6) Organize the Stories; 7) Mix & Match to Build Concepts; 8) Story Re-runs and Sequels to Tie Past, Present, and Future; 9) Recycle Instruction into Applause; 10) Stay Current on Social Story ...
What are social stories example? ›A Social Story may use an activity to make a point and share information. Such is the case with the “Peanut Butter Survey”. Or, an activity may be accompanied by a set of Stories, as is the case with “The Fingerprint Survey” and Stories.
What is a social script? ›A social script is a document that uses storytelling techniques to explain new experiences and environments to autistic people through simple language and images.
What are some social skills activities? ›
- Staring Contest. Many children have trouble maintaining eye contact in conversation. ...
- Roll the Ball. ...
- Virtual Playtime. ...
- Emotion Charades. ...
- Expression Mimicking Games. ...
- Topic Game. ...
- Step Into Conversation. ...
- Improvisational Stories.
Social activities that involve doing for others or providing a service in order to help. Social activities that involve imagination and the creation of different realities. Examples: watching theater, singing, painting, crocheting, learning about arts and craft, traveling and sightseeing, and bird watching.
What are social activities for students? ›Examples include clubs, school newspapers, music groups, student councils, debate teams, theater, volunteering programs, sports, and youth groups; programs sometimes include academic components.
What is a social activity? ›anything that brings members of a community together to interact like dancing, games and street parties. SOCIAL ACTIVITY: "Social activity is a event or pursuit that brings members of the community together."
What are social skills for students? ›- Anger management.
- Recognizing/understanding others' point of view.
- Social problem solving.
- Peer negotiation.
- Conflict management.
- Peer resistance skills.
- Active listening.
- Effective communication.
- Improve your emotional intelligence. Put yourself in their shoes. ...
- Look inwards. ...
- Practice effective communication skills. ...
- Fake it 'till you make it. ...
- Ask more than you speak. ...
- Give compliments. ...
- Be polite. ...
- Use open body language and non-verbal communication.
- Teach your child how to ask others questions in a conversation.
- Use flashcards to teach facial expressions and body language.
- Ask the teacher who your child connects with and set up a playdate.
- Puppets. Teachers sometimes talk with children about conflicts and help them think about solutions while using puppets and families can try this technique at home. ...
- Think out loud. ...
- Read bedtime stories. ...
- Do a job together. ...
- Play games. ...
- Prevent potential problems.
Activities that bring the people together are termed as social activities. Examples of social activities are events, parties, social gatherings etc. What are cultural activities? Cultural activities are the activities that revive the cultural aspects of society. Such as Holi is a cultural activity celebrated in India.
Why are social activities important? ›Social activities help people to build connections with others and improve their mood. Classes, lectures, and concerts are all opportunities to gather with others to make connections and get a mood boost. Socializing helps to sharpen memory skills.
What are anti social activities? ›
Antisocial behaviour is defined as 'behaviour by a person which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to persons not of the same household as the person' (Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003 and Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 ).
What is another word for social activities? ›| collective activity | communal activity |
|---|---|
| community activity | group activity |
...
Plus, take a look at tips to help you demonstrate your social skills throughout your job search.
- Empathy. ...
- Cooperation. ...
- Verbal and Written Communication. ...
- Listening. ...
- Nonverbal Communication.
- Talking too much.
- Not understanding sarcasm.
- Sharing information in inappropriate ways.
- Taking metaphorical things literally, like “I'm so mad I could scream”
- Not recognizing when people look or sound annoyed.
- Being a poor listener.
- Withdrawing from conversation with others.
If your interpersonal interactions have been altered or limited over the past year and a half, your social skills might be rusty. It's not just a joke—social isolation actually decreases cognitive function, and prolonged isolation affects memory and verbal recall.
What are socializing skills? ›Social skills are the tools that enable people to communicate, learn, ask for help, get needs met in appropriate ways, get along with others, make friends, develop healthy relationships, protect themselves, and in general, be able to interact with the society harmoniously.