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My goal was to assemble resources that would help the team of adults supporting a student with ASD, including special education teachers, related service providers, regular education teachers, and parents.  As a school counselor, it is my job to facilitate collaboration between all of the above mentioned adults and more. With this project, it is my goal to become a stronger advocate for my students with ASD, as well as a source of information for the team of adults.

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WRTS Franchise: Social Skills Suggestions and Links, for Teachers and Parents

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WRTS Franchise: Social Skills Suggestions and Links, for Teachers and Parents

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If you're looking for social skills activities for kids with autism, as well as practical tips to help you teach social skills to a child on the autism spectrum, you've come to the right place!

Autism and Social Skills

While no two children with autism are the same, and the range and intensity of symptoms varies from person to person, social dysfunction tends to stand out the most when interacting with a child on the autism spectrum. Some kids find back-and-forth dialogue difficult, preferring to talk only about a topic he or she is interested in, while others prefer to avoid social interactions completely.

To an outsider, it often seems as though these children prefer to play independently, and while that may be the case for some, many kids with autism genuinely want to form friendships with their peers.

They just don't know how to do it!

In the face of communication challenges, sensory processing sensitivities, an inability to express their own emotions and understand the emotions of others, and problems with impulse control and self-regulation, the world is an overwhelming and confusing place for people with autism, and despite their best intentions, they often fall short when it comes to reading social cues and responding appropriately.

The good news is that it IS possible to teach social skills to kids with autism, and we have 25 tips and social skills activities to help.

Teaching Social Skills for Autism: 7 Tips for Parents

Be a good role model. One of the foundations of teaching social skills for autism is to model what appropriate socialization looks like for your child, and explain what you're doing and why. This can be uncomfortable for parents and caregivers who are introverted, but when you model consistent and positive social behavior for your child, it will be easier for her to mimic these behaviors over time. Make it a point to greet those you encounter together on a daily basis, and engage in small talk wherever possible.

Role play. Another great way to teach social skills to kids with autism is to role play. You can come up with fictional situations to act out together, or you can re-enact scenes that already happened and discuss more appropriate ways to handle such interactions in the future. Remember to practice often and to be consistent to ensure the principals and ideas you are trying to teach your child resonate with her.

Use social stories and scripts. Social stories are written descriptions of everyday situations and events told from a child's perspective. They are aimed at providing children with something to rehearse so they feel prepared once the situation described actually takes place, and can be an excellent strategy for teaching social skills to kids with autism. Social scripts are a little more generic in that they provide kids with a pre-defined list of things to say in certain situations, and while they are certainly useful in teaching kids how to start conversations and how to respond to small talk, they should be used with caution as they won't work in every situation and can make kids sound too scripted.

Develop a list of social rules. If your child struggles to understand some of the nuances of socialization, like the importance of saying 'hello' and 'goodbye', taking turns while talking, respecting personal space, etc., consider developing a list of 'Social Rules' for your child to abide by. Write them down on a white board and keep them somewhere visible so your child can refer to the list often, and if your child struggles to maintain the rules you've set forth, consider turning this into a reward system whereby your child earns a small treat for following a certain number of the rules you've set forth for her each day.

Enroll your child in social groups. Many major cities offer social groups for kids with autism, which are aimed at pairing children with similar abilities together in an effort to provide opportunities for them to practice important social skills like starting conversations and taking turns talking. This is often done through play, and while social groups can be highly beneficial, the uniqueness of autism can make it difficult to find other kids with similar social skills to your child.

Organize supervised playdates. If you're interested in providing your child opportunities to socialize with her peers, but struggle to find kids with similar social abilities, consider hosting playdates with some of her school mates at your home and find ways to get involved so as to teach your child how to interact appropriately. Organize games and activities for the kids to enjoy during the playdate so your involvement seems natural, and find subtle ways to prompt your child. Alternatively, if the other parents are open to it, you might consider having one of your child's therapists participate in the playdate so he/she can more appropriately teach your child what is expected of her.

Read books. There are heaps of great books filled with social learning tips and social skills activities for kids with autism, many of which are geared towards providing ideas to parents and caregivers. Here are of 6 my favorites!

The Zones of Regulation. The Zones of Regulation is a cognitive behavior based curriculum designed to help children learn how to regulate their emotions independently by teaching them how to identify their feelings and how their behavior impacts those around them. Developed by Leah M. Kuypers, the program teaches children how to recognize when they are in different emotional states called 'zones', which are represented by different colors. The Zones of Regulation uses activities to equip children with the tools they need to regulate their actions and stay in one zone (or move from one zone to another), allowing them increased control and problem-solving abilities, which will in turn help them understand how to interact in social settings, and how their actions may be perceived by and impact others. If your child struggles with self-control and lacks the ability to understand her emotions as well as the feelings of others, I highly recommend the program, and this book is a great starting point.

You Are a Social Detective. This is an introductory book to the Social Thinking curriculum, and kids love it! Through fun cartoons, kids learn to distinguish between 'expected' and 'unexpected' social behaviors, and as they work through the book with a parent, therapist, or teacher, they will learn other 'social smarts', which will help them understand how they should and shouldn't behave in social settings.

The New Social Story Book. If you're interested in using social stories to teach your children social skills and/or need inspiration on how to create your own social stories, this book is a great place to start. With over 150 social stores to choose from, these stories will help you teach your child how to recognize and respond to social cues, and how to make and maintain friendships.

Social Skills Handbook for Autism: Activities to Help Kids Learn Social Skills and Make Friends. With more than 50 meaningful social skills activities to choose from, this book is packed with ideas to help parents, therapists, and teachers teach social skills to kids with autism.

How to Make & Keep Friends: Tips for Kids to Overcome 50 Common Social Challenges. This book comes highly recommended from parents with older kids on the autism spectrum who struggle to make and maintain friendships.

The Autism Activities Handbook: Activities to Help Kids Communicate, Make Friends, and Learn Life Skills. With more than 30 games and activities to help children on the spectrum learn different developmental skills like following directions, interacting with peers, developing social skills, and improving their communication and language skills, I highly recommend this book!

Social Skills Activities for Kids with Autism

And now for the fun part! If you're looking for social skills activities for kids with autism and other developmental delays, this collection of 18 ideas is perfect for home, school, therapy, and social group settings, and double as fabulous one-on-one activities you can enjoy with your child when you want to spend some good 'ole quality time together.

Kids Activities that Teach Emotions

Emotions Match Up | Teachers Pay Teachers
Teachers Pay Teachers offers all kinds of helpful activities and games to help kids work on specific skills, and this Uno-inspired match-up game presents thought-probing questions about emotions, situations, and strategies which not only serve as an excellent teaching tool, but also helps foster conversation skills!

Emotions Sorting Game | Mom Endeavors
If your child struggles with emotional regulation, this is a great activity to explore. It's based on the movie Inside Out, and these Inside Out figures provide so many opportunities to teach kids about anger, sadness, fear, disgust, and joy!

Zones of Regulation Twister | Unknown
If your kids enjoy the classic game Twister, this is a great Zones of Regulation activity, and you can set this up so many different ways. For example, when your child puts a hand on a certain color, he must tell you about a time he was in that colored zone, and when he puts his foot on a certain color, he must tell you about a strategy he used while in that colored zone to help him get back to the green zone.

Kids Activities that Teach Self-Regulation

Self-Control Bubbles | Love, Laughter and Learning in Prep!
If you want an excuse to get outside and enjoy some sunshine with your little ones, grab a couple of bottles of bubbles and give this self-control activity a try!

Musical Statues
I remember this being a favorite birthday party game when I was growing up, and recently learned it's a fabulous game to teach kids the art of self-control. All you have to do is pump some good tunes, let your child dance off some energy, and periodically stop the music and yell 'FREEZE!' The idea is for your child to go from dancing to standing completely still in an instant, which isn't an easy task for kids who struggle with self-control.

Distraction
This game is equal parts hilarious and educational, and can be enjoyed in the classroom or as a family. Players take turns drawing number cards and must remember the growing sequence of numbers until a player pulls a 'distraction card'. This person must then answer a silly question before reciting the sequence of numbers in the exact order they were drawn. It's so much fun and a great therapy toy to help kids with challenges develop their cognitive skills in a non-threatening way.

Blurt!
Geared towards older kids, Blurt! is a fun game the whole family can participate in, but it's also a great way to teach kids self-control. The premise behind the game is simple - one person reads a definition, and the person to blurt out the corresponding word first wins - and when you organize the game such that only 2 people are playing against one another at a time, it forces the rest of the family to exercise self-control as they refrain from yelling out the answer.

Kids Activities that Teach Communication Skills

Social Skills Board Games
This set contains six unique board games in one box, which are focused on helping kids learn about morals, manners, empathy, friendship, and emotions. It's a great bundle to consider and the games are perfect for family game night!

Size of the Problem Activity Pack | Teachers Pay Teachers
The activities in this set help kids identify the size of their problems and the feelings they create, identify which reactions are/are not appropriate, and strategize possible solutions, making it a great way to engage in meaningful back-and-forth communication with your child while simultaneously teaching appropriate communication skills and responses.

Learning Resources Conversation Cubes
With 36 conversation starters to choose from, these Conversation Cubes offer a fun way for older kids to practice starting and maintaining conversations with others. You can practice at home, or set-up conversation groups within a classroom setting, allowing children the opportunity to practice how to initiate a conversation, and how to listen when others are speaking.

All About You Thumball
Whether you're practicing social skills at home, or hosting a social group for your child, the All About You ball offers a great way to break the ice, teach kids appropriate social conversation starters, and get them talking.

Social Skills Challenge | Teachers Pay Teachers
This is a fun classroom activity, but you can easily use it at home or in a therapy setting as well. The idea is to provide your child(ren) with a social challenge each day, and then have them reflect on how they felt while completing each activity. It's an innovative way to get kids thinking about appropriate socialization throughout the day, and by offering your child a way to reflect on their feelings afterward, you will gain a greater understanding of how she perceives certain social settings and interactions.

Kids Activities that Teach Problem Solving Skills

Describing and Solving Problems | Teachers Pay Teachers
This is a great activity for kids who struggle to distinguish between big and small problems as well as appropriate reactions.

Scrabble
Scrabble is a great game for kids who struggle with planning and organization. As the game progresses, they must strategize and anticipate how they can build their own words off of those already played by others. This is also a great game for kids who struggle with spelling and/or vocabulary, and it gets them talking!

Memory
Also known as 'Concentration', there are many versions of the classic game Memory available for purchase to help develop a child's focus and concentration skills. The idea is pretty easy and can be enjoyed with 2 or more players. Simply lie all of the tiles from the game facing downwards, and then take turns turning over 2 tiles at a time until you find a match. Children naturally build their working memory as they try to remember where specific cards are. We love our Despicable Me Memory Game, and I highly recommend Melissa & Doug's Flip to Win Travel Memory Game as it can be played independently (or as a family) for on-the-go fun.

Problems in a Jar
Mosswood Connections is one of my favorite resources for ideas to help kids with developmental delays like autism and sensory processing disorder, and I recently found this Problems in a Jar activity on their site. It's designed to help kids with executive function disorder learn how to define a problem, generate possible solutions, evaluate and select the best solution, and then implement the solution independently. It's a great social skills activity to work through with your child at home.

Team Sports
Another great way to help a child develop her social skills is to sign her up for team sports she enjoys, like soccer or basketball. Organized activities such as these require kids to practice a whole range of social and problem-solving skills, like following directions, planning, strategizing, and even controlling their emotions in the event that they lose a game.

Swish
I'm new to this game, but so far I really like it. To play, you lay out your cards and then try to find as many matches as possible. The cards are transparent and have different colored hoops on them in different positions. Players must look for matches (aka 'swishes'), and the player to find the most wins. Swishes are created when a player can line up 2 cards such that the hoops are identical when they are stacked one on top of another. Cards can be rotated in order to make a swish, requiring players to use a variety of executive functions. In addition to exercising their visual-spatial abilities, they must focus and concentrate, and work quickly to beat their opponent, making it a great interactive game for kids who struggle with socialization.

I hope this collection of teaching tips and social skills activities for kids with autism proves helpful to you. Remember to be a good role model, to practice patience and consistency, and to keep things FUN!

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18 Social Skills Activities for Kids with Autism and Sensory Issues - WRTS Franchise

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If you're looking for social skills activities for kids with autism, as well as practical tips to help you teach social skills to a child on the autism spectrum, you've come to the right place!

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Customize these personalized story templates with your own pictures to help your child know what to expect in various situations!

See tips on how to use the Personalized Stories Templates.

Personalized stories currently available are:

Stay tuned for additional stories as they are developed!

Acknowledgement

Autism Speaks is proud to partner with the University of Washington READI Lab (Research in Early Autism Detection and Intervention) to provide this series. Microsoft Office also contributed to the original packaging and distribution of these the personalized stories through a content distribution partnership with Autism Speaks.

Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

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Templates for Personalized Teaching Stories | Autism Speaks

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Download teaching stories here. Use our free story templates to help your child learn what to expect in new situations.

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ABA Educational Resources: A Collection of Free Social Stories for Students with ASD

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ABA Educational Resources: A Collection of Free Social Stories for Students with ASD

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Listening is Cool I Can Use My Words Eye Contact or Staring (from Watson Institute) Being a good friend Noticing Friends How to Talk to My Friends (from Watson Institute) Playing with Friends (from headstartinclusion.org) Airports Bowling MiniatureGolf Movies Farm Airplane Trip Museum Disney Going to the Dentist (from iroqsea.org) Going to Wendy's (from speakingofspeech.com) Picking My Fingers (from speakingofspeech.com) What Can I Lick?

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Free Visual Supports for Teaching Social Skills and Life Skills for Teacher and Parent Use

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Free Visual Supports for Teaching Social Skills and Life Skills for Teacher and Parent Use

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Pictures can be a useful tool for teaching and communicating when pictures are a strength for an individual. Images of real items or pictures that represent items can be used in a variety of ways to support individuals. Visual Supports is a strategy used to increase and support comprehension of what is happening.

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Waterford: Strategies and Resources for Teaching Social Skills and More to Students with ASD (This resource would be helpful for regular education classroom teachers who have students with ASD for part of or all of the school day)

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Waterford: Strategies and Resources for Teaching Social Skills and More to Students with ASD (This resource would be helpful for regular education classroom teachers who have students with ASD for part of or all of the school day)

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Because approximately 1 in 59 students are diagnosed with autism, learning how to help students with this disorder in the classroom is so important.[1] Teaching young students with autism communication skills and learning strategies makes it all the more likely that they'll reach their academic potential later on. And the more you learn about autism spectrum disorder, the better you'll be able to prepare these students for lifelong success.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that causes hypersensitivity to sights, sounds, and other sensory information. Symptoms of autism generally fall into three categories:[2]

Communication issues

Social impairment

Repetitive behaviors (known among the autism community as "stimming")

Here are 15 fun activities to help children with autism feel welcome in your class while addressing their symptoms and individual learning styles. Whether you play them one-on-one or as group activities, these are excellent ways to keep students with autism engaged and ready to learn.

Social Skills Activities for Elementary Students with Autism

A common characteristic of students with autism is trouble communicating or connecting with their classmates. Use these social skills activities to teach kids with autism how to recognize social cues, practice empathy, and learn other important life skills.

1. Name Game [3]

This fun group communication activity teaches students with autism an essential skill: how to introduce themselves and learn someone else's name. To play this game, gather your students in a circle so they can all see each other. Start by pointing at yourself and saying your name ("I am Mr. or Ms. _____."). Then, ask the child on your right to share their name just like you did and then repeat your name while pointing at you. Have each child take turn saying their name, then pointing at another child in the class and repeating their name.

The Name Game is an especially fun social skills activity for children with autism to do at the beginning of the school year. That way, they'll be able to learn their classmates' names and get a head start on making new friends.

2. "How Would It Feel to Be ____?" [4]

Next time you read a book to your class, try asking your students how it would feel to be the main character in the story. If you're reading a picture book about Cinderella, for example, you could ask how they would feel if they had two evil stepsisters who were mean to them. Or if you're reading Peter Pan as a class, you could ask them what happy memories they would think about to fly with magic pixie dust.

This can help students with autism learn empathy as well as how to see situations in their lives from another perspective. It can also teach them how to recognize emotional cues by encouraging them to put themselves in the perspective of another person.

3. Sharing Time [5]

Sharing time is a classic elementary school staple, and it can also be a great social-emotional learning (SEL) activity for kids with autism. Every week, have one kid in your class bring something that they'd like to share with the class. This will not only show students with autism how to discuss their interests with others but also how to practice active listening. And if they're fascinated by something another student brings in (or vice versa), they may even make a friend.

4. Emotion Cards

These printable cards for students with autism can help them learn how to recognize different emotions in themselves and others. Cut out each one with scissors and shuffle them in a deck. Then, go through each card and see if your student can recognize the emotion without looking at the word.

If they get stuck, that's okay-just show them the word and give them context for the emotion shown. If the card is "embarrassed," for example, you could say, "When a person is embarrassed, they might feel like they have done something silly or wrong on accident."

5. Board Games with a Twist

Teaching children manners can be a helpful way to boost social skills and explain the importance of being polite. This simple, but effective activity puts an etiquette-related twist on a simple game of chess, checkers, or mancala by requiring players to wish their opponent "good luck" or "good game" before and after they have played.

6. What Would You Do?

For a take-home activity you can share with families, try this What Would You Do? game. Families can go through different scenarios together and decide how they would react with questions like "How would you help?" or "What would you say?"

This activity keeps social skills sharp and reinforces relationship-building skills.

Sensory Activities for Children with Autism

Because children with autism are often hyper aware of sensory input, it's helpful for educators to provide accommodations so their students can focus in class. These activities involving sensory stimulation can keep kids with autism grounded in the present and comfortable learning with the rest of their classmates.

7. Sorting with Snacks Activity [6]

This tactile activity for children with autism can be a fun way to engage students during math time. Give everyone in your class a food that is easy to sort, like chewy snacks or small crackers. Multicolored snacks are ideal, but you can also use food that comes in different shapes, textures, or sizes.

First, ask them to sort the food by color, shape, or another characteristic. Then, use the snacks to teach students basic math skills like counting, adding, or subtraction. Once they've grasped the concept you want to teach, reward your students by letting them eat the snack.

8. Vegetable Paint Stamps [7]

This art activity for children with autism engages touch and sight to keep students focused on their assignment. Before class begins, cut slices of vegetables like potatoes, cucumbers, or peppers. Hand out a few vegetable slices to each child along with a cup of paint. Instruct your students to dip the bottom of the vegetable slice into the paint and then press it against a piece of paper.

As your students use these homemade stamps, they will make vibrant botanical impressions on their paper. From there, your students can either leave them as they are or finger paint to transform them into whimsical artwork.

9. Scientific Slime Experiments

Slime is not only a popular craft for young children but also a great sensory activity for autism in class. There are plenty of simple slime recipes online-look up your favorite and have fun making it with your students. You can use this as a tactile art activity if you'd like or as a science activity for elementary students.

10. Fidget Toys

Fidget toys are a well-known sensory tool for helping children with autism and other sensory processing disorders stay calm and focused. Depending on your available resources, you can either stock your classroom with a few fidget toys or make some of your own.

We Are Teachers has compiled a list of eleven fidget toys you can make on a budget with your students. From classics like fidget spinners to repurposed pipe cleaners or popsicle sticks, you're sure to find something useful for your classroom.

11.Auditory Sensory Play

When the phrase "sensory play" comes up, visual or textual activities usually come to mind first. Autism Adventures, however, suggests including activities that involve sound-with a few examples to get you started:[15]

Musical chairs

White noise machine

Simon Says

Noise-cancelling headphones

Rhythm instruments like shakers, rain sticks, or drums

12. Sensory Bin

Sensory bins can be useful for two reasons. First, they encourage differentiated instruction or independent play-both of which can have academic benefits for students. And second, they're a straightforward and accessible sensory experience for students with autism.

The Kindergarten Smorgasbord has put together a few useful tips for making your own sensory bin. Use them as a guide to set up a sensory bin that will best accommodate your students' needs.

Calming Activities to Prevent Autism Meltdowns in Class

When students with autism are feeling overwhelmed, the intense response that they feel may cause them to lose control of their emotions. This is called an "autism meltdown" and is different from when students without autism act out in class. While the best strategy for autism meltdowns is to seek help from a school specialist, these calm down activities can help to de-escalate stressful situations.

13. Grounding Techniques

Grounding techniques are designed to help us focus on the present during stressful situations. Here are a few grounding activities for kids with autism to try if they seem agitated:[8]

Count to ten or recite the alphabet as slowly as you can

Listen to calming music and pay attention to the different instruments

List five different things that you can see around the room

Try stretching or simple yoga exercises and focus on how your body feels

Hold something tactile like a piece of clay or a stuffed animal

For older students with autism, you could also try mindfulness meditation. This can produce a similar effect and help students tune into the present rather than getting carried away by their emotions.

14. Student Retreat Zone [9]

When a student with autism is overwhelmed, giving them a place where they can relax and take a break from sensory stimulation can sometimes go a long way. Designate a corner of your class as the "Student Retreat Zone" and fill it with sensory toys, picture books, comfortable seats, and calming activities that students with autism could do on their own.

Let every student in your class know that if they feel anxious or stressed, they can always take a few minutes to decompress in the Student Retreat Zone. That way, you don't have to single your student with autism out but still let them know that it's an option. If your student with autism seems like they could use some time away from class, you could also ask them if they'd like to read or work on homework in the library for a while.

15. Calm Down Drawer [10]

Tactile toys can help children with autism calm down if they're agitated since their minds are so attuned to sensory information. If you have children with autism in your class, fill a drawer in your classroom with toys that could help neutralize overwhelming emotions. When your student seems stressed or has trouble focusing, give them a sensory toy or two to help them relax.

Here are a few ideas for sensory toys to put in your "calm down drawer:" [11]

Play dough

Fidget toys

Stress balls

Weighted blankets

Aromatherapy pillows

16. Coloring

According to a partner article by The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children published by We Are Teachers, coloring pages can be a great mind-body exercise for calming down and focusing on the here and now.[16]

Keep a few coloring pages on hand, and suggest them as a calm-down activity when your students are overwhelmed. For a few free coloring pages to get you started, check out this resource from Disney.

17. Calm-Down Cards

If your student with autism struggles with calming down after feeling strong emotions, calm-down cards can be a helpful resource. A mother whose child has autism has created a how-to on creating your own calm-down cards at And Next Comes L.

Each card has a helpful idea for calming down after a stressful moment. Plus, the author notes they can also be useful for children with anxiety-a great resource for your classroom to have.

18. Mindful Breathing

Mindfulness is a technique that encourages children to keep their mind in the present and deal with uncomfortable emotions. If your student is struggling to calm down, try watching this mindful breathing video to help them regain composure.

Effective Teaching Strategies for Children with Autism

In some cases, the learning characteristics of students with autism may differ from the rest of your class. But luckily, the right teaching strategies and methods can keep children with autism on track to finish the school year strong. Try these tips, educational accommodations, and resources for students with autism to help them learn concepts that might otherwise be difficult for them to grasp.

19. Bring Special Interests Into Lesson Plans [12]

Many children with autism have a fixation on certain topics or activities. Take advantage of what they're passionate about and use it while teaching students with autism to help them focus in class. If a child with autism loves outer space, for example, you could plan a math assignment about counting the planets in our Solar System.

20. Use Multisensory Learning

Many kids with autism are multisensory thinkers and don't focus as well when assignments only engage one of their senses. Renowned scientist and autism advocate Dr. Temple Grandin once said, "I used to think adults spoke a different language. I think in pictures. Words are like a second language to me." [13]

For this reason, lessons that engage several senses like sight, hearing, and touch can make students with autism more responsive in class. You could, for example, teach children with autism how to read with magnet letters or sing a patriotic song to learn about American history.

21. Try a SMART Goal Challenge

If a student with autism is having a hard time with school, sit down with them and pick a SMART goal to work on over the next month or semester. SMART goals are an effective way to help children with autism reach their potential, and they are: [14]

Suppose, for example, that your student with autism is having trouble learning how to recognize emotions. You could make a goal with them to practice flash cards with emotions on them every day for five minutes and for the student to recognize each card by the end of the month. As long as the SMART goal hits all of the criteria, it can help your student focus on ways to make progress.

22. Provide Clear Choices

According to educators at the special education program of St Joseph's University, children with autism may become overwhelmed when given too many options.[17] Keep this in mind while creating assignments for your students or asking them questions in class. That way, you're more likely to keep your student with autism focused and comfortable choosing an answer.

23. Create a Strong Classroom Routine

In an article with Scholastic, educator Kim Greene reminds teachers that students with autism work best with a strong daily structure.[18] She suggests posting your class schedule for every student to see and, if possible, providing visuals and extra transition time to students with autism.

24. Offer Accommodations for Students with Limited Motor Skills

Some students with autism may have more trouble with activities that require fine motor skills than others. In an article with the Indiana Resource Center for Autism, renowned scientist and advocate Dr. Temple Grandin suggests offering accommodations-like typing on a computer instead of writing-to mitigate these challenges.[19]

When it comes to specific accommodations, it may depend on the individual. It's always a good idea to reach out to a student's family to determine the best resources for their child.

Activities for Autism Awareness Month in April

April is Autism Awareness Month, a time when we celebrate neurodiversity and help students with autism feel welcome in private or public schools. Although parents may not want their child's autism diagnosis to be shared (and you never should without their permission), you can still teach your class about inclusion this month without mentioning a certain student.

Use these three games as autism awareness activities during April or whenever you want to teach a lesson on diversity.

25. "Just Like Me" Activity

For this activity, gather all of your students together on the floor so they can all see each other. Have each child take turns sharing something about themselves, like:

"I have a pet dog."

"I can play the piano."

"My birthday is in September."

"I love to play soccer."

"My favorite color is yellow."

If a statement also applies to other students (like, for example, they also play the piano), instruct them to raise their hands. This will help remind students that they share more similarities than differences with their peers and that they can always find something to talk about.

26. Picture Books About Diversity

By reading a story about inclusiveness to your class, you can help them remember to be kind to everyone and look out for people who are different.

Here are a few picture books about diversity that you can share with your students:

The Sneetches and Other Stories by Dr. Seuss

I'm New Here by Anne Sibley O'Brian

It's Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr

Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers and Marla Frazee

The Girl Who Thought In Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca

The last book on this list, The Girl Who Thought in Pictures, is about a famous researcher who was diagnosed with autism and has since stood as an activist for people with her condition. It is perfect for helping kids understand autism a little better without calling out a specific student.

27. Apples and Actions Game [15]

This object lesson starts with showing your student an apple. Pass the apple around the class and, as you do, have each child insult it and drop it on their desk or the ground. After every child has dropped it and said a mean thing to it, cut the apple in half and show your students all the bruises inside.

Explain to them that our words have consequences and that everything we say can make an impact on someone else. Just like how insulting and dropping the apple can bruise it, being mean to a classmate can have big effects on them. That way, your students will always remember to be kind.

28. Autism Bulletin Board

The puzzle piece is a popular autism awareness symbol. For a simple yet meaningful way to teach your students about autism awareness, create this puzzle piece bulletin board from Mrs. D's Corner. Each piece fights against negative stereotypes by reminding your students that people with autism are intelligent, empathetic, important, and so much more.

29. Teach Students About Historical Figures with Autism

Although the disorder wasn't discovered until the twentieth-century, people with autism have made important contributions to history, and it's important to educate students about them-not just in April but throughout the year. Here are a few well-known figures who are diagnosed with or believed to have had autism to get you started:[20]

Greta Thunberg

Vincent van Gogh

Temple Grandin

Albert Einstein

Emily Dickinson

30. Hold a Professional Development Session on Autism

It's so important to teach faculty about autism awareness, too. If you're a school administrator, consider holding a professional development session on teaching students with autism or sharing a few resources.

For example, the Regional Educational Laboratory Program has put together a helpful resource for administrators on how educators can support students with autism during remote learning.
Sources:

1. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Data & Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html.

2. The National Institute for Mental Health. A Parent's Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorder. https://www.autism-watch.org/general/nimh.pdf

3. Shapiro, L.E. 101 Ways to Teach Children Social Skills. The Bureau for At-Risk Youth, 2004.

4. Dougan, R. Social Emotional Learning Guidebook: Ideas for Incorporating SEL Activities into your Classroom. https://www.dvc.edu/faculty-staff/pdfs/SEL-Guidebook.pdf.

5. Shapiro, L.E. 101 Ways to Teach Children Social Skills. The Bureau for At-Risk Youth, 2004.

6. Autism Parenting Magazine. Sensory Play Ideas and Summer Activities for Kids with Autism. https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/best-sensory-play-ideas/.

7. Autism Speaks. 10 Fun Summer DIY Sensory Games for Kids. https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/10-fun-summer-diy-sensory-games-kids.

8. Noelke, K. Grounding Worksheet. https://www.winona.edu/resilience/Media/Grounding-Worksheet.pdf.

9. Tullemans, A. Self-Calming Strategies. Autism Spectrum Disorder News, July 2013, 23.

10. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Data & Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder. Retrieved from cdc.gov: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html.

11. Larkey, S. Strategies for teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other students with special needs. Learning Links: Helping Kids Learn, 3, pp. 1-5.

12. Blanc, M. Finding the Words... When They Are Pictures! Helping Your Child Become Verbal! Part 1. Autism/Asperger's Digest, May-June 2006, pp. 41-44.

13. Larkey, S. Strategies for teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other students with special needs. Learning Links: Helping Kids Learn, 3, pp. 1-5.

14. Penn State Extension. More Diversity Activities for Children and Adults. R https://extension.psu.edu/more-diversity-activities-for-youth-and-adults.

15. Autism Adventures. Sensory Play in the Classroom . www.autismadventures.com/sensory-play-in-the-classroom/

16. The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children. 5 Calming Mind-Body Exercises to Try With Your Students. We Are Teachers. April 2018. https://www.weareteachers.com/mind-body-skills/.

17. Saint Joseph's University. Techniques for Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. https://online.sju.edu/graduate/masters-special-education/resources/articles/techniques-for-teaching-students-with-autism-spectrum-disorder.

18. Greene, K. Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/teaching-students-autism-spectrum-disorder/.

19. Grandin, T. Teaching Tips for Children and Adults with Autism. Indiana Resource Center for Autism. https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/irca/articles/teaching-tips-for-children-and-adults-with-autism.html.

20. Autism Community Network. Famous-With Autism. https://www.autismcommunity.org.au/famous-with-autism.html.

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30 Activities, Teaching Strategies, and Resources for Teaching Children with Autism - Waterford.org

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Use these activities to help children with autism feel welcome in your class while addressing their symptoms and individual learning styles.

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Milestones Autism Resources: MAP Tool (Providing a Variety of Social Skills Topics and More for Various Stages of Life)

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Milestones Autism Resources: MAP Tool (Providing a Variety of Social Skills Topics and More for Various Stages of Life)

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Milestones improves the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum by educating, coaching and connecting the community with evidence-based information.

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Boys Town: Free Social Skills Resources for ASD, with a Focus on Resources for Parents to Utilize at Home

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Boys Town: Free Social Skills Resources for ASD, with a Focus on Resources for Parents to Utilize at Home

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​​​​​​​​​The following excerpt is from an article originally presented in Teach Magazine featuring Boys Town Press authors, Venita Litvack, M.A..

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National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder: Compilation of Evidence-Based Practices with Links to Training, Additional Information

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National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder: Compilation of Evidence-Based Practices with Links to Training, Additional Information

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What are Evidence-based Practices?

An evidence-based practice is an instructional/intervention procedure or set of procedures for which researchers have provided an acceptable level of research that shows the practice produces positive outcomes for children, youth, and/or adults with ASD.

What EBPs have been identified?

The National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice (NCAEP) recently released their new report idenityfing EBPs. The new report reviews literature published from 1990-2017 and identifies 28 EBPs and 10 manualized interventions that also met criteria. The list of EBPs is here.

The NCAEP and AFIRM teams are working to update our user-friendly materials and AFIRM modules to reflect these changes. Until then, please select an EBP identified in our 2014 review to access the AFIRM module about the practice. Each module provides an overview and general description, step-by-step instructions of implementation, an implementation checklist, and the evidence-base which includes the list of references that demonstrate the practice meets the NPDC's criteria.
To print out a specific EBP Brief Packet, access the AFIRM modules and download the EBP Brief packet.
Comparison of NCAEP and NSP EBPs

NCAEP (2020) and the National Standards Project (NSP, 2015) published reports of their systematic reviews of the literature and identification of evidence-based practices. Nineteen of the NCAEP EBPs were also identified as established interventions in the NSP report Five of the NCAEP EBPs were identified as emerging interventions (i.e., some evidence but not sufficient to be classified as an EBP). NCAEP identified four EBPs that were not included in the NSP previous report and NSP identified Language Training (Production) as an established intervention, whereas it was not included in the current NCAEP report. NSP also included Comprehensive Behavioral Treatment for Young Children, and NCAEP did not consider comprehensive treatment models in the current review. In summary, there continues to be a substantial overlap in EBPs identified by these two independent reviews.
To print out the NCAEP NSP Comparison table, download the table here and open using Adobe Reader.

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An evidence-based practice is an instructional/intervention procedure or set of procedures for which researchers have provided an acceptable level of research that shows the practice produces positive outcomes for children, youth, and/or adults with ASD. The National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice (NCAEP) recently released their new report idenityfing EBPs.

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Free Social Skills Teaching Resources for All Ages, Various Topics

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Free Social Skills Teaching Resources for All Ages, Various Topics

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Skip to content

Here are dozens of free autism social skills teaching resources, most with free downloads. The resources vary in difficulty and can be used for children between ~ age 6 and ~ age 18.
Click on blue links below for specific areas of content.

~ For quick tips on navigating the website, click here.~

Photo sent in by SLP in USA

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Social Skills Activities for Children with Autism

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Skip to content Here are dozens of free autism social skills teaching resources, most with free downloads. The resources vary in difficulty and can be used for children between ~ age 6 and ~ age 18. Click on blue links below for specific areas of content.

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Link to Share with Parents: Enhancing Social Interaction

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Link to Share with Parents: Enhancing Social Interaction

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What Are Social Skills?

Social skills refer to a child's ability to communicate with others in a way that is acceptable and appropriate for social situations. When a child has social skills, he/she can form friendships and can carry a simple conversation.

Social Skills and Autism

It's a common misconception that children with autism do not make friends because they are anti-social. This is not the case. Children with autism want to make friends and talk to others, but they don't always know how to do it properly. They often struggle with being able to maintain eye contact and understand social interaction.

When someone says a child lacks social skills, it means he/she does not display expected behavior around other children, making it harder to make friends.

For instance, an autistic child might take another child's toy without asking for permission. This is viewed as negative behavior by most people, but a child with autism might not understand.

What Social Skills Are Affected by Autism?

Teaching a child with autism social skills can be a challenge sometimes. This is mainly because one of the key symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lack or delay in social and communication skills.

The symptoms that affect a child's social skills are:

Delays in speech development

Inability to read non-verbal cues

Failure to understand the feelings of others

Difficulty understanding jokes, sarcasm, or teasing

Unable to carry a conversation

Repeats words and phrases over and over (echolalia)

Gives unrelated answers to questions

Looking at these symptoms, it is understandable how a child with autism can have a hard time interacting with others. This is why he/she might not make friends easily at school. At home, playing with his/her siblings can seem next to impossible.

What Social Skills Does a Child With Autism Need?

Children with autism need the same level of social skills as their neurotypical peers. Social skills are important for a child to develop confidence, form friendships, and get along with people around him/her.
Author and autism advocate Temple Grandin, who was diagnosed with autism as a toddler, strongly believes children should be taught social skills to help them become more independent.

In an Autism Parenting Magazine interview, Grandin explains that too much alone time for a child on the spectrum is not advisable. "I had a tendency to become a recluse in my room and that wasn't allowed. If I wanted to play outside for hours experimenting on my kite designs then that was fine. I was not allowed to stay in my room," she said.

According to Grandin, social skills are not just important for building relationships, but to develop life skills that kids need as adults. "They need to know how to show up on time, learn discipline and responsibility," she said.

On a social level, a child with autism should learn to:

Play with others (sharing, taking turns, pretend play)

Talk to others

Manage emotions

Solve problems

Once these basic skills are identified, it's easier to come up with a plan to improve a child's social skills.

How To Improve Your Child's Social Skills

Over the years, scientists and researchers have studied different methods of enhancing social skills for children with autism.

Research on social skills interventions in children with autism has progressed in the last decade. A review of group-based social skills training for school-age children on the spectrum from 1985 to 2006 showed that the data is too small to be conclusive, but ideal methods of research were identified.

Today, parents and caregivers have access to new treatments that have been proven to give children with autism the ability to interact in social situations.

Social Skills Therapy for Autism

To teach a child with autism social skills, parents can seek help from social skills therapists. These experts come from different backgrounds but share the same knowledge and competencies needed to help people with autism develop social skills.

Social skills therapy is mostly based on a concept called Social Thinking. Michelle Garcia Winner, a speech-language pathologist, coined the phrase "social thinking" and transformed it into a strategy to improve the social skills of people on the spectrum.

Therapists use different teaching strategies for students to cope with common social situations. This would include teaching a child with autism how to play, talk, share, and work with other children his/her age. Some sessions are also conducted in a group setting to encourage children to apply what they have learned.

Most schools with autism programs have social skills training available. You can visit the Autism Society of America to check for social skills therapists in your area.

Strategies for teaching and developing social skills

Therapy sessions and expert interventions can improve the social skills of children with autism. But, it is equally important that parents and caregivers reinforce social skills training at home to achieve optimum results.

Here are some strategies that parents and caregivers can use:

Role-play

Role-playing can help a child learn expected and unexpected behavior in a given scenario. For instance, if a child is going to school for the first time, role-play can help him/her practice the actual event of going to school.

Play games together

Before a child is sent out to play with others, it's a good idea to "practice" playing with a parent or sibling. Parents can explain how the game works and observe the child's behavior throughout the game.

Some games to play are:

Kicking a ball back and forth

Simon Says

Hide and Seek

Simple board games like Jenga or Connect Four

Playing games will teach a child about the importance of rules, taking turns, and being a good sport.

Watch videos or observe others

If a child is anxious about a social activity, such as going to the dentist, you can watch videos of people or kids during a dental visit. It is helpful if you explain to the child what to expect when he/she arrives in the clinic. It can also help the child recognize basic courtesy skills like greeting the doctor and following instructions.

Social Stories™

In 1991, consultant and writer Carol Gray came up with Social Stories™ to help children with special needs with self-care and social skills.
A social story is a story with a social element. These stories will further illustrate how people behave when interacting with others and the best ways to work with others to solve problems.

Social stories are great if you want a child with autism to:

Develop social skills (sharing, asking for help, saying thank you)

Understand the feelings of others

Understand one's own feelings

Cope with unexpected changes

Regulate emotions

There are many books that teach social skills to children with autism spectrum disorders. If your child is an avid reader, then this approach is the most sensible way to go.

Parents can also learn to write their own social stories based on their child's behavior. To do this, parents should familiarize themselves with the basics of creating social stories including choosing the types of sentences to be used, creating characters, and identifying the purpose of the story.

Interaction With Neurotypical Children

Children with autism can learn from their neurotypical peers when it comes to social skills. If the child with autism is not yet exposed to children his age (that are not on the spectrum), then a parent can arrange playdates to make this happen.

How to Teach Social Skills In Different Environments

Some children with autism can learn a skill within a certain environment but will stop applying the skill when the situation changes. Parents, teachers, and caregivers must all work together to help a child with autism become regular with his/her ability to socialize.

Social Skills In the Classroom

For school-age children with autism, attending school itself is a challenge they face every day. In addition to academic challenges, they also deal with other children in their class. Teachers can help children with autism with their social skills by:

Making the classroom comfortable (no loud noise or bright lights)

Encourage the child to take part in activities

Pick topics and toys that he/she might have a great interest in

Model good social skills

Social Skills at Home

Home is where most children spend their time. Often, it is where they learn basic social skills.

Parents and caregivers are expected to reinforce what a child is learning from social skills training or school. Talking to the child's therapist or teacher will help parents create their own ways to teach social skills at home.

Games and visual aids can be used to help a child learn how to read emotions, communicate with others, understand social rules, and solve problems.

Social skills are vital to everyday life. Children with autism may have difficulty acquiring these skills in the beginning. But with the help of qualified experts and educators, it can be done.

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Autism Social Skills: How to Enhance Social Interaction - Autism Parenting Magazine

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Like most people, children with autism want to make friends and express themselves. Sadly, this is not always the case as many people with autism lack the skills to thrive in social settings.

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autismspeaks.org: School Community Tool Kit, Containing Resources for Social Skills Training and More

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autismspeaks.org: School Community Tool Kit, Containing Resources for Social Skills Training and More

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School Community Tool Kit | Autism Speaks

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Click here to download the Autism Speaks School Community Tool Kit - a Tool Kit to assist members of the school community in understanding and supporting students with autism.