10 activities to do with children with Asperger
Asperger's syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder included within the autism spectrum disorders. This is a well-known problem today, which is notable for the presence of difficulties in social interaction and communication (despite the fact that its level of development is normative), the presentation of a pattern of restricted and monotonous behavior and interests. and occasionally hypersensitivity to stimulation.
In Asperger's syndrome There does not have to be intellectual disability and the development of language is normative and it occurs correctly, even though their communication does not manage to be totally effective and they have problems with aspects such as literality and pragmatism. On the other hand, the upbringing of children with this type of disorder can be complicated if we do not know how to stimulate them adequately in order to overcome as far as possible their difficulties and limitations in areas such as communication and socialization.
In this article we will see a series of possible activities to carry out with children with Asperger in order to stimulate them and strengthen their capacities little by little.
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Asperger: aspects to keep in mind
When preparing or carrying out different activities that can help children with Asperger syndrome, it is necessary to take into account the particularities that this disorder represents for these children.
First, it is common for children with Asperger's to present an high level of interest towards a specific topic or stimulus , such as computers, music, trains or dinosaurs. In many cases they become great experts in these matters. This theme can be exploited to connect with the child, generating a greater social bond and can be used to generate interest or help you understand other areas.
You have to remember that it's about minors who tend to be very literal, analytical and objective . Therefore, they will tend to prefer that the activities they carry out are based on or can be solved through the use of logic. They also feel safe with repetitive and routine elements, with changes being difficult for them to assimilate.
Another relevant element is the literalness with which these children usually understand the language, being difficult to grasp ironies, double meanings or the figurative sense of many expressions. The acquisition of competence to identify these types of messages can be trained, although it usually involves great difficulty. They also tend to have difficulties in identifying emotions, so that they can practice activities that may favor such identification and can be very useful for them.
To those who suffer from Asperger syndrome It is often difficult for them to communicate successfully and they have difficulties to relate. Also, an excess of stimulation can overload and disorient them. That is why the games and activities that are carried out must allow them and encourage interaction with others but at the same time without forcing them to do so and respecting their living space.
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Examples of activities with children Asperger
Below are some activities that favor the stimulation of children with Asperger's syndrome. The majority allows to stimulate communication and socialization , in addition to encouraging some other skills.
1. The mirror
The games of imitation are a good way to encourage the child to look at the behaviors of others and learn different skills and behavior sequences. In this way, can be used as a way to learn actions . It can be done between two people or in a group.
One of the people stands in front of the child or group of children and makes an action, which others must imitate. The actions to imitate can be very simple initially, to be complicated as the child acquires mastery in the skill in question. It also favors the establishment of emotional ties and communication.
2. Pass the ball
A very simple game that favors communication and observation of characteristics. It is based on the participants (whether the family or the class group) passing a ball to each other, saying in each pass a characteristic of the person to whom the ball is sent .
3. Pictionary
Interpretation is often a complex aspect for children with Asperger's. Through games like the pictionary in which pairs are formed, one of which interpret what the other draws without more clues , it is possible to stimulate the ability to interpret what the other communicates.Interpersonal relationships and language are favored.
4. Theater / Role plays
Performing a scene can be a fun way to make children with Asperger incorporate external perspectives. Become a doctor, teacher or cook or practice activities such as shopping can help develop your theory of mind and empathy when experiencing a role outside their own. In addition it can also help to acquire more competence in some basic skills.
- Related article: "Theory of the Mind: what is it and what does it tell us about ourselves?"
5. Mime: Tell me how I feel
One of the areas in which subjects with Asperger have great difficulty is in the recognition of emotions in other people, for example from facial expression. They also often have difficulties in recognizing and expressing their own emotions. Working this recognition is essential.
For this, an activity that can be carried out is the representation of concrete emotional states from modeling. It can be carried out only with the child with Asperger or in groups. The adult must select an emotion and represent it through mime. After the performance, you have to explain in a simple way a situation in which you can feel that way. The child has to try to guess, among several options that are given in advance, what emotion is being worked on. After that he must try to represent it himself.
6. Movie fragments
The use of shorts or film fragments can be effective in order to improve the recognition of emotions. Before visualizing them, some typical characteristics of the expression of certain emotions will be explained. Next you will be provided with cards that represent a face representing the emotion in question. Afterwards, several selected scenes are broadcast in which the expression of the emotion takes place, and the child in question must assign a face to each one of the scenes emitted.
7. Creation of schedules
The rules and the setting of routines are very important elements for children with autism spectrum disorder since it allows them to have a record of what is going to happen next.
Make a visual schedule that can recognize with the child can be useful for them to feel safe. Especially when it comes to young children it is usual to use images and photographs representative of an activity and stick them on a cloth using velcro, so that each day they can have a more or less clear vision of what to do at a certain time.
8. Games based on the construction and elaboration
The use of activities in which children with Asperger can observe and use logical patterns can serve both develop their cognitive skills as to calm them in moments of anxiety. An example is the use of puzzles and construction games such as LEGOs. Also the creation of crafts and the use of clay and plasticine. It serves to develop your fine motor skills and creativity.
9. Share teaching
The fact that children with Asperger usually have restricted interests of which they can become great experts can be exploited in multiple ways. One of them is based on exposing and teaching your knowledge about the subject of your interest. It is possible through this type of activity foster interaction and foster the child's autonomy , as well as his leadership ability.
10. Games and physical activity
The realization of physical activity is essential to develop psychomotor skills. It is recommended to carry out sports that can be introduced little by little, without needing a sudden contact with a large group of people. Games that may require the use of turns are also recommended, so that learn to respect the time of others . Games like the English hideaway or the pica-pared have rules easy to understand and apply.
