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Lesson 4 - Low-Functioning Autism Activities

This document provides example activities to help students with low-functioning autism improve their social and sensory skills. It describes listening quizzes and communication boards for middle/high school students, and sensory boxes and hide-and-seek games using objects for lower/upper elementary students. All activities are meant to gently expose students to social contexts and varied sensations to build tolerance and progress along the autism spectrum through modified participation.

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Xlian Myzter Yosa
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188 views

Lesson 4 - Low-Functioning Autism Activities

This document provides example activities to help students with low-functioning autism improve their social and sensory skills. It describes listening quizzes and communication boards for middle/high school students, and sensory boxes and hide-and-seek games using objects for lower/upper elementary students. All activities are meant to gently expose students to social contexts and varied sensations to build tolerance and progress along the autism spectrum through modified participation.

Uploaded by

Xlian Myzter Yosa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Low-Functioning Autism Activities

This lesson will provide you with example activities for students with low-functioning autism. This includes activities to improve sensory
de cits and social skills.

Understanding Low-Functioning Autism


Low-functioning autism a ects our students greatly because they have little awareness of those around them. These
students can have di culties in multiple areas of development. While there is no cure or treatment for students with low-
functioning autism, there are many activities that will help them gain awareness and progress along the spectrum.

It is important to consider any potential problems that may arise before you start any activity. Think about issues such as
a change in the routine, or sensory overload. It is a good idea to talk about the activity for several days before you attempt
it; this is called priming.

Activities for Middle School and High School


Listening Quiz
Show a scene from a movie you know will interest the student, and involves some sort of con ict or emotion. Do not let
the student see the movie. You can have the student close their eyes or turn their backs to the screen. I would not
recommend using a blindfold as the student may focus too much on the texture of the blindfold on their face. Next, ask
the students questions about how the characters felt and why. This activity improves social skills by having the student
focus on tone of voice and word choice to identify feelings. For students who can not articulate their answers, use a
feelings chart. You can create your own by drawing faces that are smiling, sad, excited, angry etc.
Create a Communication Board
Students will take photos with a digital camera, Ipad, or any
tool they are comfortable using. They will take pictures of
things they like in the school, places they want to go, etc.
Next, the teacher or student can print the pictures, and if it
is safe, let the student cut and glue the pictures on a poster
board. This is more exposure to multiple sensory items, and it will allow the non-verbal or low-verbal students to
communicate with the sta and students. Providing choices to a student gives them a sense or control over their actions,
and it can cut down on 'meltdowns' from not understanding each other.

Activities for Lower and Upper Elementary School Students


Sensory Box
Fill a bin with dried beans, beads, or sand. You can use any material that has a distinct texture. Next, bury the student's
objects in the box. You can bury toys, school supplies, or wrapped snacks. The student will dig in the box to get the items
out. You can also get the students to bury their own items.This activity helps build up tolerance to touch.
Hide and Seek
Instead of using people to hide and seek, you can use objects. Hide objects in areas where the student has to touch, hear,
or smell di erent things. This is exposure to multiple sensations and will decrease sensory overload. You can hide
Johnny's fruit snacks in his coat pocket. Johnny will have to open the closet, remove the jacket from the hanger, and dig in

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his coat pocket. You will give hints to help the student. You could say, 'the fruit snacks want to go outside and play, what
do you put on before you go outside and play?'

Lesson Summary
Any of these activities can be modi ed and used for any age group. Use items that are of interest to motivate the student
to participate in the activity. Do not get discouraged if it does not go well the rst time. It may take a few attempts to get
the student involved. And remember to talk about the activity for several days before you attempt it; this is called
priming.

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