Play skills and children with autism spectrum disorder
Why are play skills important for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder?
Children with autism spectrum disorder enjoy and learn through play just as typically developing children do.
There are six main types of playing skills, which develop in stages:
- Exploratory play
- Cause and effect
- Playing with toys
- Constructive play
- Motor play
- Imaginative play
Developing play skills for children with autism spectrum disorder involves learning and practicing new skills, The formation of these skills is important for the child’s overall development and includes the child’s ability to explore the environment, imitating others, sharing, exchanging roles, And communication.
Exploratory play
Exploratory play is when children explore objects and toys rather than playing with them. Example, explore dolls, Looking at the doll’s hands.
Through this type of play, Babies learn to explore different shapes, colours, sizes and textures. Through exploratory play, parents can encourage a child with autism spectrum disorder to explore things around him as part of daily activities. Example, When a child is bathing, you can encourage him to spray water, rub the soap between his fingers, and pour water from one cup to another.
Cause and effect
Cause-and-effect play is when children play with toys that require an outcome. Example, When the child presses the game play button. This type of play teaches children that all their actions have effects, which gives them a sense of control in play. This play can create the opportunity to learn imitation, take turns, and ask for help. Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder can take turns in this type of play by pressing a button on a toy to show the object and then taking turns between the child and the parent again.
Playing with toys
It is learning how to play with toys and use them in the correct way. Example, push car game, Put the phone game on the ear, Throw the ball. Depending on which toys a child likes, it can help develop thinking, problem-solving and creative skills as they figure out what to do with the toys.
Through these points, you can help a child with autism spectrum disorder how to play with toys
- Involve the child while playing. Parents can sit in front of the child so he can look at you and reach out to see what you are doing.
- Giving your child the freedom to choose between offering two or three games that the child enjoys.
- Give the child leadership while playing. Example, If the child spins the car’s wheels the parents can spin it too.
- Encourage the child to play if the child does not imitate. You can say: “It’s your turn to play with the car.” Take the child’s hand and place it on the car, then move the car together on the ground.
- Parents should reward the child through praise and verbal reinforcement. like, Look, I made the car go too fast.” wow ! I did well!
- Parents can show videos of people playing with toys and then model in front of the child.
Constructive play
Constructive play is when children build or make things. It involves working to achieve the goal of the game. like, Complete the jigsaw puzzle, Or build towers. Constructive play helps develop motor skills and practice thinking and problem-solving skills. Parents can encourage a child with autism spectrum disorder to engage in constructive play by showing them what to do. Example, You can try building a cube tower to teach your child how to do this. Or you can use pictures that show how the tower was built.
Motor play
It is playing through motor skills such as running. This type of play gives the child motor exercise and helps him develop motor skills. It may also create opportunities to interact with others through the child’s exploration of the environment.
Imaginative play
Imaginative play is when children use their imagination while playing. Example, Children pretend to feed dolls, Pretend to drive a car. Imaginative play helps children develop skills needed for social skills, language, and communication.
Here are some ways to develop imaginative play for children with autism spectrum disorder
- Parents should model some movements that the child can use in imaginative play. Like pretending to drive a car.
- Parents can break pretend play activities into small steps by using written or picture instructions.
- Make it fun. Parents can use a toothbrush instead of a spoon to feed the teddy bear. Also encourage the child with autism spectrum disorder to role-play by role-playing favorite cartoon characters.
To get the most out of play for children with autism spectrum disorder, parents can:
- Playing in different environments, situations and with people. Example, If a child with autism spectrum disorder likes to play with blocks, you can encourage him to play at a friend’s house while using verbal or physical reinforcement.
- Monitor the child with ASD throughout the day and look for times when he or she shows interest in an activity and participates in those activities.
- Using play within the daily routine to develop and advance the play skills of a child with autism spectrum disorder. Example, Parents can dress up or change the dolls’ clothes, through which the child can learn how to wear clothes himself.
- Follow the steps of a child with autism spectrum disorder in play. You should participate with the child while he is playing rather than trying to direct him.
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