How Can I Get My Child with Autism to Play? Working on Autism Play Skills

8 Tips to Encourage Play in Young Children with Autism- Autism Play Skills

Ok I'll admit it. I used to hate targeting play skills in therapy. I'm not sure why because I actually love playing WITH children but there was something so nebulous about trying to understand how to TEACH a child to play or more importantly enjoy playing when they do not naturally do so. I think it is because most of us were never taught explicitly or encouraged to play, we just felt driven to do so. But what happens when it doesn’t happen naturally?

Play seems like a peculiar thing to “teach” but there are some really important reasons to teach it. Play is the primary means that most children practice skills and learn new skills. As they pretend play they unknowingly work on fine motor skills, gross motor skills, social skills, speech and language skills, and more.

Autism presents unique challenges in engaging young children in play, but with the right strategies, caregivers can create enriching and enjoyable experiences. By focusing on each child’s preferences and sensitivities, you can help them understand the fun of play.

Here are 8 ways to encourage play in your young child with autism.

Tip #1 - Follow Your Child's Lead

Understanding and embracing a child's unique interests and preferences are crucial when engaging with a child with autism. Each child has their own special world of fascination, and by following their lead, we enter that world with them. When we observe what captures their attention, whether it's a particular toy, topic, or activity, and then incorporate those elements into play, we show them that their choices matter. This builds a foundation of trust and comfort, essential for any meaningful interaction.

The key here is flexibility. We must be open to adapting our approach according to the child's pace and preferred activities. By meeting them where they are, we create a safe space for them to explore, communicate, and express themselves. This approach not only enhances their engagement but also encourages them to initiate interactions, which is a significant milestone in their social development journey.

Initially, this flexibility is paramount. While other children might naturally coordinate their interests with others, children with autism may need extra support and time to navigate these social intricacies. By showing them that their interests are valued and respected, we pave the way for them to eventually connect their world with others'. Patience, understanding, and a willingness to embrace their unique perspectives are the cornerstones of building meaningful play skills for children with autism.

Tip #2 - Visual Supports to Enhance Autism Play Skills

Visual aids can be an excellent way to both expand the variety of toys or activities or activities a child enjoys playing with or give them ideas for what to do with individual toys. Autistic children often respond well to pictures when they might not be ready to imitate or follow verbal cues. Visual schedules can make playing more concrete, breaking down intricate activities into manageable parts.

Autism often comes with a strong inclination to stick to familiar routines and activities, creating a sense of stability and security for children. However, in my personal experience as a teacher and parent, I've observed that gently guiding a child into trying new activities or playing in different ways with familiar toys can lead to surprising outcomes. While it's natural for children, especially those with autism, to be hesitant about deviating from their comfort zones due to anxiety, I believe part of our role as educators and parents involves providing a gentle nudge towards new experiences.

By encouraging children in a supportive and patient manner, we open doors to unexplored territories and using picture schedules is one of my favorite ways to encourage children to play with toys in different ways or engage in different activities. Many times, I've witnessed children initially reluctant to venture into new activities eventually finding immense satisfaction and joy in the process.

If you are interested in learning more about using visual supports in play you can check out my blog post on using a visual schedule to improve play skills. You can purchase a play schedule in my TPT store here.

“The most important thing people did for me was to expose me to new things.” – Temple Grandin

Tip #3 - Use Timers

Transitions can be challenging for children with autism. Timers can be a visual cue that hel children with autism understand how much time is left. Many children will complain much less if they have a visual representation of how long an activity will last or how long they have until it will be time to stop a preferred activity to begin play. You can employ a timer accompanied by a visual representation, such as a diminishing circle, to indicate the remaining time for an activity. As the circle decreases in size, it visually represents the passage of time, preparing the child for the upcoming transition. Additionally, you can have a visual schedule displaying the next activity, so the child knows what to expect. This preparation minimizes anxiety, making transitions smoother and more manageable.

Tip #4- Create Structured Play Routines

Consistency and predictability are key for children with autism. Establishing structured play routines provides a sense of security and familiarity. What may seem boring or monotonous to us often feels comforting and familiar to an autistic child. For many autistic children, the ever-changing nature of play can be disconcerting. Unlike the structured environments they often prefer, play offers no hard and fast rules, no clear boundaries, and no distinct beginning or end. This lack of clarity can lead to discomfort and reluctance, making the introduction of structured routines an important step. Structured play routines serve as the scaffolding upon which children with autism build their confidence, countering the challenges they often face in the dynamic world of play.

So, how can we create play routines? There are as many approaches as there are children. You will just want to think about a way you can add consistency to their play. Here are some easy ideas:

1.Have a set time where you play each day, such as after breakfast or before bed

2. Play in the same location each day, maybe at coffee table in the living room or a corner of the bedroom

3. Have a routine for beginning play each time, such as taking down the bin and lining up the play pieces

4. Using the same visual supports each time

5. Always beginning with the same toy or activity or ending with the same toy or activity

6. Beginning each play period with the same phrase or short song, “You know what? It’s time for fun!” etc.

As the child becomes comfortable within this structured framework, it's time to encourage flexibility. Gradually introduce new activities or toys, expanding their play repertoire. Allow for spontaneous moments within the routine, fostering a naturalistic approach to play. The ultimate goal is to transition from structured routines to a more fluid, natural play style, where the child independently engages with their surroundings, equipped with the skills nurtured through these structured beginnings. Although starting here might seem repetitive, it serves as a foundation, allowing for gradual expansion. Remember, our approach should always begin by meeting a child where they are.

Tip #5 - Foster Sensory Friendly Play

Children with autism may experience sensory sensitivities but they are also often especially drawn to sensory experiences. I’ve worked with so many children that were initially only interested in sensory play and this is ok. Begin with this and gradually add things to enrich this play. Provide a variety of materials such as a bin of rice or sand and gradually add elements such as small toys or objects to take out of the bin and count. Some fun ideas for sensory bins:

1. corn starch

2. dry beans

3. dry rice

4. crinkly paper

5. pom poms of different colors

6. kinetic sand

7. paper to snip with safety scissors

Tip #6 - Social Stories

Social skill stories, or social stories, can serve as a great tool to help children, especially those with autism, comprehend the complexities of social interactions and play routines. These personalized narratives provide a clear and structured way to introduce children to the concept of a daily play routine or explain essential social rules in the context of play.

By breaking down the sequence of activities or explaining the reasons behind certain play rules, these stories offer a visual and narrative guide, helping children grasp the expected behaviors and routines. For instance, a social story can gently explain why it's important to engage with different toys or activities, fostering understanding and acceptance. Through relatable characters and familiar settings, these stories create a safe space for children to explore and understand social nuances.

Tip #7 - Video Modelling

Video modeling is often an effective teaching method for children with autism. It involves showing a child a video demonstration of a particular behavior or skill. In the context of teaching play skills, video modeling would be a child watching a video clip of someone playing out a simple play scenario with a toy. These videos can be purchased or created easily using a smartphone.

If you want to make your own, you can use a phone to video tape yourself playing with a toy. Make sure you make it brief and make the play steps easy for the child to understand. You can include talking or keep the sound off.

The child then watches the video repeatedly, observing the actions, interactions, and social cues involved in the play activity. By repeatedly viewing the video, the child comprehends the sequence of actions and the expected behaviors. Through this repetition, they internalize the play skills, gaining a deeper understanding.

This visual learning approach provides a concrete and accessible way for children to learn and mimic play behaviors. As they watch the video at their own pace, they can gradually build confidence. Eventually, when they feel ready, they can re-enact the play scenario independently, applying the skills they've learned through the video modeling process.

Tip #8 - Incorporate Special Interests

Lastly, and perhaps the most effective tool, incorporating special interests. For children with autism, special interests aren't just hobbies; they're passions that ignite their curiosity and fuel their imagination. By weaving their favorite subjects into play, we create a powerful magnet, drawing them into a world where their interests are respected, and they can begin to expand on these interests in order to grow. Imagine a child engrossed in the world of dinosaurs or fascinated by the details of trains. These aren't mere topics; they're gateways to engagement. When we incorporate these special interests into play, we bridge the gap between the child's world and the play activity. By embracing their special interests, we aren't just accommodating preferences; we're tapping into their natural motivators. Their passions become the guides to show us where to begin for meaningful play. Increasing engagement through special interests is just the beginning. Once a child is immersed in their chosen topic, you can begin to introduce subtle challenges and unexpected twists. Imagine a child enthralled by lining up block. As their engagement deepens, you can gently introduce new elements. A car that weaves between each block, a character sitting on top of each block as a house, etc. This add layers of complexity to what may initially be a rather limited play repertoire. Through this gradual expansion of play, children not only continue to enjoy their special interests but also learn to adapt and innovate, making the play experience even more enriching.

Embracing Playfulness

Cultivating a fulfilling play experience for autistic children requires patience, creativity, and understanding. By embracing diverse strategies like utilizing visual aids, gently encouraging new activities, employing social skill stories, or incorporating video modeling, we open pathways for these remarkable individuals to learn and thrive in their own unique ways. Remember, each child is an individual, and what works wonders for one might require adaptation for another. As parents and educators, our role is to adapt, understand, and celebrate the small victories. Through these 8 ways to encourage your autistic child to play, we're not just nurturing their play skills but also fostering their confidence, independence, and overall well-being.