Getting a little one with autism, or if you look after other children who are, you really should embrace sensory activities! Why? Children with autism usually do not process the senses like neurotypical causes do, and they do not incorporate the senses to become one. This will then lead them to become overloaded. This leads to frustration and anxiety. This is where sensory play comes in place.
In sensory activities, autistic children have an opportunity to safely familiarize themselves with multiple sensations in a regulated fashion. They learn about the world through the smell, touch, taste, and sound of things. The activities socialize them, allow them to concentrate, and, in the long run, help them learn new skills.
Below are some benefits of sensory play activities through this guide. Continue reading.
1. Play-Dough
From developing motor skills to exploring senses, playdough helps autistic children interact with their feelings. It also helps them to play with others around them. Made of nontoxic ingredients, playdough provides tactile stimulation. This means it has helped your kids to interact with the surrounding environment and boost their focus. It is also calming and helps to take away anxiety. It further gives autistic children a chance to explore different hues and textures.
Another advantage of play-dough? Don't have any at home? Do it yourself!
Most likely, you have most of the ingredients in the pantry for this simple recipe. Combine half a cup of salt, four cups of flour, half a cup of coconut oil, and two to three cups of boiling water. The other ingredients you add would be food coloring—cinnamon, cocoa, turmeric—and essential oils. This, therefore, is a perfect example of social stories for kids with autism.
2. Water Play
Another good activity that kids with autism should adopt is water play! Pools form a sensory-friendly environment for kids with autism. The water movement presents a soothing environment. You do not necessarily have to head to a public pool to participate in water play; you can also purchase a paddling pool. Or you could make use of the bathtub!
Something to consider? Not all autistic kids love to get wet and would prefer to stay on land to utilize the calming effect of water instead.
3. Sand Play
Sand is another versatile material. It is bound to entertain and keep your kids and students active.
The textures are very different and range from silky-soft to hard-packed. Besides the touching part, children can dig or make objects. You can even add water to the sand for other textures. Sand play helps to decrease stress. This makes it a perfect play activity for children with anxiety.
Find a beach. If that's not doable, purchase some sand from the garden store and either fill a bowl or place an inflatable swimming pool in your backyard and fill it with sand and water. Let them use their toes, fingers, and toys to dig and discover buried treasure.
4. Sensory Bin Play
Aimed at autistic children, this activity allows them to reach out to the surrounding environment, trying their best to express themselves in every creation and exploration. Your kid can explore shapes, textures, sizes, and colors by matching or putting them in order. And the result? Your children will develop fine motor coordination and visual discrimination skills.
Sensory bin play gives a chance for self-expression within a safe environment. Through the manipulation of objects, your children can increase their confidence in their abilities while building on creativity and imagination.
Get a large tub or plastic bin and fill it with sensory materials like rice, dried beans, foam figures, sand, stones, marbles, and shells. Allow the child to explore the unique smells of objects. In addition, the feels, and colors of the items.
5. Painting With Feathers
Painting with unique objects gives a sense of different shapes and textures when creating art with autistic children. Feathers can be of various forms and hues. The result? A visually stimulating design. This project fine-tunes motor skills, helps increase creativity, is therapeutic, and boosts focus. All while letting your child learn how to use those fingers. The result: better manual dexterity.
To enjoy this activity, invest in feathers, paper, and water-based paint.
6. Music And Movement
Music and movement are two activities beneficial to autistic kids.
Embracing both assists in expressing themselves, developing physical coordination, and building connections. This activity helps your kids to creatively interact. How? It allows them to communicate without having to use words. Instead, they can sing, clap, or play an instrument to express their feelings.
This helps to complement any pent-up frustration and urges them to answer rhythms and sounds with their bodies, boosting coordination skills. You can enroll them in music classes, or you can opt to buy one or several musical instruments, such as tambourines, drums, and maracas.
7. Bubble Play
Bubble play, another fun sensory activity for autistic children, is conducted by blowing bubbles and playing with bubble machines. Not only does this encourage fun and exploration, but it is also done in a manner that heightens problem-solving ability. It also helps in the area of sensory integration through shape and color.
The Bottom Line
In the U.S., about four boys out of every 100 and one girl in 100 have an autism spectrum disorder. Sensory play works wonderfully when working with autistic children. As there are so many different activities there will be an activity to suit all. Many can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home.
Whether DIY play dough or paddling pools, the key is to ensure your child is creatively using his senses. This helps them feel more relaxed, less anxious, and more prepared for whatever life may throw their way.
One point to note? Now, more than ever, early identification, treatment, and support matter! Early diagnosis and correct treatment will significantly improve the lives of those with autism.
