Cultivating Language Skills
Most children with autism have difficulties with language communication. Even if they have the ability to speak, they often lack the initiative to engage in conversations and use language sparingly. Therefore, using language training games can stimulate their interest and create opportunities for communication. By telling stories or singing nursery rhymes and asking children questions, they can actively participate in dialogues. Simple everyday scenarios, such as "making a phone call," can also be turned into games to teach children common phrases. At first, children may only engage in mechanical recitation. However, with time and practice, they can apply these skills to real-life situations and deepen their understanding.
Enhancing Sensory Perception
Autistic children often feel fearful and anxious in unfamiliar environments. Therefore, games that focus on sensory perception are essential. It can start with simple physical contact games like tickling, which can make children laugh. Games that combine nursery rhymes with physical movements, like "little ants crawling on a tree," can also create a joyful atmosphere that allows children to let go of anxiety and fear. These games can help children experience the joy of playing and suppress the emergence of negative emotions.
Developing Observation Skills
Children with autism often struggle to pay attention to others and their surroundings. This can be addressed through observation training games. For example, playing the game "strong wind blows" involves the parent saying, "The strong wind blows," and the child asking, "What does it blow?" The parent then replies, "It blows the person wearing a blue shirt." This game can help stimulate the child's observation skills as they try to find the person wearing a blue shirt. Through these game activities, observation skills can be cultivated.
Improving Social Skills
Children with autism often isolate themselves and resist social interaction. By incorporating their interests, role-playing games can provide opportunities for them to engage and experience different roles. For example, playing house allows the child to be the host while the parents act as guests. With the use of toys and various activities like grocery shopping or cooking, children can immerse themselves in their roles. Through repeated play, these games can help improve their social skills.
Promoting Physical Training
Children naturally love physical activities and play. Parents can engage children in sports and physical games, as it is not only beneficial for their physical well-being but also an important aspect of autism education and rehabilitation. Activities such as kicking a ball or jumping rope can involve interaction with typically developing children, creating a cheerful and relaxed atmosphere that motivates them to participate and gradually integrate.
Enhancing Attention Skills
For children with poor attention span, attention training games can be particularly helpful. One example is the "food grab" game, where food or toys are placed on a table and parents shout "1, 2, 3" to signal the start of a grab. Children who successfully grab the item receive the food or toy. These types of games require children to focus their attention, and long-term engagement can improve their attention skills.
No matter the child, play is their primary mode of activity. It promotes the improvement of their abilities and trains various skills. For children with autism, parents need to be more attentive and patient in finding suitable game forms to help them overcome loneliness and open up their hearts!