Sensory activities play a crucial role in the development and well-being of children with autism. These activities can help with sensory processing, motor skills, and emotional regulation. At Autism Center of Excellence, we understand the importance of providing simple and accessible activities that parents and caregivers can easily implement at home. Here, we present 10 easy sensory activities designed to engage and benefit children with autism.
Easy Sensory Activities for Children with Autism
Sensory activities help children with autism explore, develop skills, and self-regulate. They’re easy to set up and customizable. Try these simple ideas!
Sensory Bins
Sensory bins are containers filled with various textures such as rice, beans, sand, or water beads. They encourage tactile exploration and Fine Motor Skills development. To create a sensory bin, fill a container with your chosen material and add small toys or objects for your child to find and manipulate. This activity provides a rich sensory experience and can be easily tailored to your child’s preferences.
Water Play
Water play involves activities like pouring, splashing, and using sponges. It promotes tactile and proprioceptive input, which can be calming and therapeutic. Set up a water play station with bowls, cups, and sponges. Encourage your child to pour water from one container to another, squeeze sponges, or simply enjoy the sensation of water on their hands. Water play can be done indoors or outdoors, making it a versatile activity.
Playdough and Clay
Molding and shaping playdough or clay is an excellent way to enhance tactile and proprioceptive input while improving fine motor skills. You can make your own playdough at home with simple ingredients like flour, salt, water, and food coloring. Provide cookie cutters, rolling pins, and other tools to make the activity more engaging. This hands-on activity allows children to express their creativity while receiving valuable sensory input.
Weighted Blankets and Lap Pads
Weighted Blankets and lap pads provide deep pressure input, which can be calming and help improve focus. These items are especially useful during activities that require sitting still, like homework or reading. Ensure the weight of the blanket or pad is appropriate for your child’s size and consult with an Occupational Therapist if needed. Using weighted items can create a sense of security and relaxation.
Bubble Play
Blowing and popping bubbles is a fun activity that encourages visual tracking, hand-eye coordination, and oral motor skills. Use a bubble solution and wand to create bubbles for your child to chase and pop. You can also try different bubble-making techniques, like using a straw or creating bubble snakes with a sock and bottle. Bubble play is an enjoyable way to engage multiple senses at once.
Sensory Swings
Sensory swings provide vestibular input, which helps improve balance, coordination, and Sensory Integration. There are various types of sensory swings, such as hammock swings, platform swings, and cocoon swings. Ensure the swing is securely installed and always supervise your child during use. Sensory swings can be a soothing and enjoyable way for children to get the sensory input they need.
Musical Instruments
Playing with simple musical instruments, such as drums, shakers, and bells, enhances auditory processing, rhythm, and motor skills. Create a small collection of instruments and encourage your child to explore different sounds and rhythms. You can play along with them or create simple songs together. Musical activities are not only fun but also support sensory development in a playful way.
Light Play
Light play involves activities with lights, such as using flashlights, light tables, or glow sticks. This type of play supports visual sensory input and can help improve attention and focus. Create a darkened space and provide your child with safe light sources to explore. They can draw with light, create shadows, or simply enjoy the glow. The light play offers a captivating sensory experience.
Sensory Walks
Nature walks with a focus on sensory experiences combine movement with sensory exploration. Plan a walk in a park or natural area and encourage your child to observe different textures, sounds, and smells. Collect items like leaves, rocks, and flowers to examine more closely. Sensory walks provide a holistic sensory experience and connect children with the natural world.
Calm Down Bottles
Calm-down bottles are bottles filled with water, glitter, and small objects that provide visual sensory input to aid in calming and focus. To make a calm-down bottle, fill a clear plastic bottle with water, and add glitter, food coloring, and small objects like beads or sequins. Seal the bottle tightly let your child shake it and watch the contents settle. These bottles can be a useful tool for Self-Regulation.
Sensory Activities Benefits for Children with Autism
Sensory activities are crucial for children with autism, offering a range of benefits from improving Sensory Processing and motor skills to enhancing emotional regulation and social interaction. Here are some key advantages of incorporating easy sensory activities into daily routines.
Enhances Sensory Processing
Children with autism often face sensory processing challenges. Sensory activities provide controlled input, helping them adjust and improve their responses to everyday stimuli.
Improves Motor Skills
Sensory activities like molding playdough and water play enhance both fine and gross motor skills, leading to better coordination and dexterity for daily tasks and academic activities.
Supports Emotional Regulation
Sensory activities can have a calming effect, helping children manage stress and regulate their emotions, leading to better emotional stability and reduced meltdowns.
Encourages Social Interaction
Group sensory activities, such as playing musical instruments or bubble play, promote social interaction and communication, helping build social skills and confidence.
Promotes Exploration and Learning
Sensory activities stimulate curiosity and creativity, encouraging children to explore their environment and learn through play, leading to a better understanding of the world.
Supports Communication Development
Sensory activities can serve as a medium for expression and interaction, supporting the development of both verbal and non-verbal Communication Skills.
Builds Confidence and Independence
Successfully navigating sensory activities builds confidence and a sense of accomplishment, motivating children to try new activities and become more independent.
Incorporating easy sensory activities into the routines of children with autism provides numerous benefits, supporting their overall development and well-being. Embrace sensory play to help children thrive and celebrate their unique strengths.
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Frequently Asked Questions & Answer
How Do Sensory Activities Benefit Children with Autism?
Sensory activities are very useful for children with autism because they are able to provide sensory input that can help with focus, reduce anxiety, and support sensory organizing. They help to promote self-control and can even help to make routine activities easier.
What are Some Examples of Sensory Activities for Children with Autism?
Some of these are engaging with sensory bins, water tables, finger painting, making calm down jars, or using toys such as stress balls and fidget spinner. These activities are stimulating since they involve the use of the body’s sense organs and are also enjoyable and relaxing.
How Can I Start Using Sensory Activities at Home?
First of all, pay attention to your child’s sensory interests and states. Introduce more basic functions such as; engaging the child with objects that have different textures, or using calming sensory objects. It is then advisable to introduce new activities one at a time according to their ease and reaction.
Are There Any Risks with Sensory Activities?
Sensory activities are overall harmless but you should always watch your child, especially when using objects that may be a choking hazard. It is therefore important to make sure that the activity is in a way that is good for your child and safe for them.
Conclusion
Sensory activities are essential for supporting the development and well-being of children with autism. By incorporating these 10 easy sensory activities into your routine, you can provide valuable sensory experiences that promote growth and learning. At Autism Center of Excellence, we encourage you to try these activities and observe their positive impact on your child. Share your experiences and feedback with us as we continue to support and celebrate the unique strengths of each child.
Please Note: The content of this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance tailored to your specific situation.
Bhavika Bhasin (Author)
Bhavika Bhasin is the Research and Marketing officer at AutismCOE. She works with children and adults with ASD. Her clinical research includes evaluating various available autism screening and diagnosis methods and their efficacy. She is currently developing a novel screening exam that is indicated to be more accurate than the existing available exams. She is also writes articles papers for various publications.
