Sensory Activities for children with “Autism”

Sensory Activities for children with “Autism” (or rather Autism Spectrum Disorder)

Our sensory systems tell us about our body’s place in space, how we move, the things we hear, see, smell, taste, and touch. Most children diagnosed with autism react to their surroundings in different ways because their sensory systems react differently and often have hyper- and/or hypo-reactivity to sensory input.

As a preschool for children with autism (ASD), we encourage sensory activities to enhance sensory integration.  Here are some sensory activities for autism you could try out for each sense:

Visual activities:

  • Watching a sensory video
  • Popping bubbles or watching a bubble tube
  • Using a sensory app such as Heat Pad or Miracle Modus
  • Making sensory bottles with glitter, buttons or anything crafty

Auditory activities:

  • Listening to 8D music on YouTube
  • Repeating your favourite words
  • Putting on a nature soundscape
  • Wearing noise cancelling headphones

Tactile activities

  • Playing with shaving foam or body lotion
  • Jumping in a pile of leaves
  • Making and playing with play-doh or slime
  • Freeze toys

Smell activities

  • Make scented play-doh
  • Smell a lavender scented bag
  • Go on a nature walk and making note of the smells
  • Do some cooking or baking

Taste activities

  • Suck on ice
  • Chew chewing gum
  • Brush teeth with an electric toothbrush
  • Eat an ice lolly
Ilse Kilian-Ross
ilse@amazingk.co.za

Ilse Kilian-Ross is the owner of Amazing K, a registered ECD and Partial Care Facility in Johannesburg. Amazing K is a private adhd school, autism school and therapy centre for children from age 2 - 6 years where learners receive the best of both the schooling and therapy world. The autism school offers Individualized Education Programs, Speech- and Augmentive Alternative Communication (AAC) therapy as well as a full and adapted Academic Curriculum.