How to play with an autistic child

People (parents, family, friends, guardians) who live with autistic children every day often wonder how to interact with them and especially how to play. It is important to promote communication and the feeling of dependence, since it is one of the biggest behaviors and behavior problems they present. The empathy and social link are very important work it from small well, and the game is the best way to promote it. For all this, at this article, we give you some tips and games so that you know how to play with an autistic child.

Index

1. Must take into account
2. For children from 0 to 3 years old:
3. For children over three years:

Must take into account

It is convenient to point out before continuing that each child is a world, but the most common characteristics are produced by deviation from normal development patterns. Above all, in three fundamental areas: social relations and interaction, language and communication, and activities and interests.

Knowing this, how can we play with an autistic child? What are the most suitable games? As in all boys and girls, games depend on their age and evolutionary development, so this is also very important to take into account. The goal is to establish a good connection with the autistic child.

For children from 0 to 3 years old:

• Around seven or eight months of age, play the game of lifting the baby in the air, picking it up, and lifting it up in small jumps. Movements that the baby will anticipate with joy.
• “Los lobitosy las palmitas” are suitable songs that are made with the hands of the mother or close people. It is good for autistic children because sometimes they feel reluctant to use their own hands so we motivate them to use them and not hide them.
• Skirt games, establishing a framework of intimacy, creativity and closeness helping to improve language.

For children over three years:

• Pillar game. It gives a lot of vitality and they are often one of the first games that motivate the child to continue playing since the “escape” is promoted and the relationship is strengthened when the child improves in his social ties, thus improving confidence.
• The hiding place is very beneficial because what works are the anxieties of separation, of loss, but most importantly, the joy of the meeting.
• Watch and read stories. Approach, thought and language are enhanced, helping the child to pay attention little by little.
• Ball game. Passing the ball is not easy for a child who has communication and relationship problems. That is why it is very important to play this game, because it starts the exchange of glances, being attentive when receiving the ball and when throwing it, eye-hand coordination, dexterity in the hands, and most importantly, the interaction with the other.
• It is an activity that serves as a game, they entertain themselves, promote skill and also promote a certain maturity because they have to force themselves to pedal, maintain balance, etc.
• Video games console or computer. It provides them with “mental gymnastics”, enjoying and maintaining a certain equality with other children.
• Competitive games. Often children with autism do not understand winning and losing, being more sensitive to the sensory and leaving aside instructions, values ​​or meaning. They serve to create an opening to the playful relationship.

This article is merely informative, we do not have the power to prescribe any medical treatment or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.