AUTISM SOLUTIONS
den has been set aside for board games. See
below:
5.
Play
Dough and Putty: Another independent
activity that our kids love to do throughout the
week is to play with the various play dough and
putties that we have, adjacent to the art supplies in our den. (For these activities, we have a
rule that they need to use these manipulatives
at the kitchen table-they can stick to carpet!) For
examples, see the picture of the art center.
6.
Building
Manipulatives: In our playroom, we
have areas devoted to just different types of
building toys. Examples include, but are not limited to Legos, Clics, Magna Tiles, Lincoln Logs,
Tinker Toys, ZOOBs, Squigz, and K’nex. Simply
suggesting, “Why don’t you build me something fun — surprise me!” usually has them off
and creating their next project. They are ‘building’ on those fine motor skills, along with visual motor and imaginative play skills, as part
of every-day play! See below for an example:
Through this set up, kids can have a degree of ownership over a choice of an activity choice, skills are
embedded in motivated and joyful play, and are thus
acquired happily and in a manner that fits into everyone’s lifestyle with minimal fuss, and hopefully, maximal function and smiles!
Lauren Brukner is a Senior Occupational Therapist
and author who graduated with a Masters of Science
in Occupational Therapy from New York University.
She is a mom of three kids, ages 7, 6, and 5. She specializes in sensory integration and self-regulation
strategies in children and young people, and their implementation in home, school, and community settings. She is an author with Jessica Kingsley Publishers, and is the author of «The Kids’ Guide to Staying
Awesome and in Control: Simple Stuff to Help
Children Regulate Their Emotions and Senses»
(July 2014), and of the upcoming book:»How to Be
a Superhero Called Self-Control!: Super Powers to
Help Younger Children to Regulate their Emotions
and Senses» (November 2015). Brukner holds advanced training and certification in Integrated Listening Systems, and is a Certified Screener for Irlen
Syndrome/Scoptic Sensitivity. She is a contributing
author to Autism Parenting Magazine and Fireflyfriends Special Needs blog. She has appeared as
a guest on The Autism Show and The Manhattan
Neighborhood Network’s School-Home Connection.
Brukner’s books have been listed as resources on
websites such as Everyday Health, Aol’s Health and
Wellness, MSN Health, and Friendship Circle, as well
as Special Needs Book Review, among others. She
blogs at www.awesomeandincontrol.com.
Autism Parenting Magazine | Issue 44
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