Ideas for activities with Asperger children
Each child is different and needs different stimulation. In the case of children with Asperger’s syndrome, this difference becomes more acute.
The ideal stimulation for a child is through play . Playing they channel their emotions and learn without realizing it. They also develop skills and activate your brain.
Let’s see how play can be beneficial for a child with Asperger’s. These children are characterized by having difficulties to relate socially , problems in the use of language, which causes their communication with others to be affected, and limited interests. They become saturated and overwhelmed with excessive sensory stimulation, immediately blocking their attention and participation.
However, they have certain skills that we can take advantage of to work on the aspects they need to develop, for example, they tend to be very good at pattern recognition, so the arts and mathematics can be an excellent alternative to work and enhance, for example, the approach to other children, which is so difficult for them.
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The experts recommend the following materials and games for children with Asperger’s
- Mimic games
They are very useful when it comes to interacting and learning to take turns. It can be describing animals or actions with gestures. Doing it in teams is interesting because it reinforces friendship and camaraderie. This dynamic helps develop verbal and non-verbal language.
- Symbolic game
This is the game where children imitate the “grown-ups” by playing house: cooking, shopping, caring for dolls, etc. In the child with Asperger’s it is especially indicated, as it helps him with his lack of empathy. Putting yourself in other people’s shoes is very beneficial to him.
- Construction toys
Puzzles, puzzles, blocks, memory games are excellent for developing your concentration and logic skills. They can also provide peace of mind and security, which will relax them and make them feel comfortable.
- Games to develop motor skills
Making towers, rows of objects, stringing on ropes or sticks, for example, macaroni or beads, helps them develop concentration and fine and gross motor skills.
- Games for creativity
Mold plasticine, cut out figures and glue them, also paper balls. Paint with watercolors or waxes. All of these techniques work on your inventiveness and therefore improve your self-esteem. Decorating the walls of the classroom or home with children’s work is always a good idea so that they see their effort valued.
It is interesting to include in the game, in some way, faces with different emotions and use them to recognize moods and help you express your feelings and understand those of others.
- Physical games (two dynamics)
The first is a game that reinforces the relationship between children. They must pass the ball to the partner they want by saying their name or something that distinguishes them (curly hair, green pants, wearing glasses…).
The second game is called Canned Sardines. The children are separated into groups lying on the ground like sardines: one to the right and the other to the opposite, and they are told to swim sardines, then they get up and move calmly through the space “swimming”, suddenly they he tells them canned sardines and they have to return to the initial position on the ground. The group that takes the longest is deleted.
Finally, we must remember that to work with children in general, and children with Asperger’s in particular, patience is the best material we can have . It may take time until we see results but we must not lose heart. Ensure that the child is confident and calm every day, calm him when we notice him nervous, look at his peculiarities to know him well and know how to respond to his behavior, and very important: not forcing him to do anything he does not want to do, as well as respect his rhythm and choice.
The reward will come when we least expect it and it will be to see how they socialize better and learn to integrate little by little.
I want to know about Asperger children I work in a garden and I would like to know about them and activities to do in class