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Engaging Activities and Games for Autistic Children
Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD is an umbrella term which includes various neuro-behavioural conditions, such as ADHD, Asperger’s syndrome, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Intellectual disability and so on. These issues can impact a child’s ability to communicate as well as causes problems with social behaviour.
Different children will experience differing levels of severity. Some kids might have extremely high logical intelligence while lacking emotional range, whereas others might struggle with basic tasks like dressing or feeding themselves. Nevertheless, while children with ASD are as receptive to affection and compassion as others, they often have greater emotional requirements. As a parent, having a child with ASD can be an exhausting job, but it is your responsibility to take those extra steps to help your child develop confidence and become well-adjusted.
Children with ASD are less likely to learn through conventional education like reading and writing; rather, they prefer activities that stimulate their senses. Arts, crafts, games and so on can help your child boost their attention spans, interest, expressiveness while calming them down, lowering anxiety and stress levels. These activities can also help them develop their motor, language and social skills. There are many fun activities and games that you can introduce to your child. Some of them have been described below.
Fun Activities for Autistic Children
Here are a few wonderful activities for kids with autism.
1. I-Spy Bottle
This is an easy activity that can sharpen your kid’s neurocognitive development and focus. The amazing colours, shapes, and sparkles make this game interesting enough to hold the attention of easily distracted children.
What You Need
An empty Jar or Bottle
small shiny items like Sequins, Buttons, Beads and so on
A Packet of Glitter
Non-toxic paints
Water
Corn Syrup
Alphabet Tiles
Piece of Paper
How to Do It
Start by telling your kid to write the letters of the alphabet on a piece of paper. Add all the solid objects in the above list into the jar, then fill it with half corn syrup and half water. Close the bottle with a lid and seal it shut with tape or glue. Shake well and give it to your child. Now they have to locate all the alphabet tiles in there, marking on the paper when they find each one.
2. Ice Cube Watercolour
This fun activity will challenge and captivate your kid. It aims to bolster their identification and differentiation skills, and consequently their proficiency at observational abilities as well as motor skills.
What You Need
Ice tray
Non-toxic paints
Ice cream sticks
A4 Paper
Water
Aluminium Foil
How to Do It
Blend different paints in water and pour them in different sections of the ice tray. Put ice cream sticks in each section, using aluminium foil to hold them in place. After the ice cubes are formed, let your children use them to paint on pieces of paper.
3.Tactile Tray
This is a sensory activity for children with autism that can help them understand and integrate sensory experiences.
What You Need
Tray
Buttons
Beads
Paper Strips
Uncooked Rice/Wheat/Dal
Confetti
How to Do It
Mix all the objects in a wide tray. Let your kid have fun just sifting, spilling, arranging them. You can increase the difficulty level by making sections in the tray that only contain one type of item, or sort them by colours, shapes, sizes, and so on.
4. Smell Zones
Smell is another important, yet neglected sensory experience.
What You Need
Small Plastic Boxes
Strips of Paper
Different Aromas such as ginger, lemon, rose, and so on
You can also use essential oils like Jasmine, Lemongrass and Lavender as they can be relaxing.
Note: Please research the oils beforehand to ensure they are suitable for children. Children can be allergic to chemicals that may be present in these oils.
How to Do It
Mix the aromatic substances into the strips of paper to impart the smell. Put the same fragrance on multiple strips. Mix all the strips together and ask your child to categorise them based on smell alone. They can then place the matching strips in individually labelled boxes and smell them whenever they want.
5. Clay Sculpting
A universal children’s activity, clay or plasticine moulding is an excellent way to enhance your kid’s motor skills, imagination and conception.
What You Need
Sculpting Clay for Kids (several brands are available)
How to Do It
Sit your kids down at a table or on the floor and give them the clay. The feeling of the clay changing shape as it is moved around will please them. You can also sit with them for a fun afternoon of creating little clay shapes. Joint activities like these are a great way to bond with kids with ASD, especially non-verbal ones.
6. Colourful Ice Mining
An enjoyable treasure hunt activity that can help with your children’s sensory integration and motor skills
What You Need
Small Toys
Sequins
Bottle Caps
Chickpeas
Plastic Container
Water
How to Do
It Pours water into the container until around a fifth of it is filled. Freeze it. Add assorted objects. Pour another fifth of water. Repeat this process to create your ice tower. Now your kids can find all the objects in there by making the ice melt using warm water, spoons, salt, and so on.
7. Shape Making
This is an engrossing activity that introduces symmetry and shapes to young children with ASD.
What You Need
Twenty ice cream sticks
Different colour markers
How to Do It
Keep two ice cream sticks next to one another, and ask your little one to draw a simple shape on both of them. The shape must be split in two when the sticks are separated. Let them draw as many shapes as they want, preferably simply geometric shapes. Then mix the sticks together and ask them to find the pairs that combine to give the right shape.
Games for Kids with Autism
Here are some interesting games to play with kids with autism.
Indoor Games for Autistic Children
1. Sensory Detective
A touch-based game that will train your children to trust their sensory experiences and enhance their tactile abilities.
What You Need
Beads
Dried Beans
Rice/Wheat/Dal
Small Toys
Bucket
How to Play
Mix all the objects in a deep bucket. Make sure you bury all the toys well. Now ask your child to find all the toys in a particular order with their eyes closed and only by using their sense of touch.
2. Web Walking
This game is great to keep your kid with ASD busy while sharpening their balance, motor skills and spelling ability.
What You Need
A4 paper with single alphabets on them
Painter’s tape
Marker pen
Pair of scissors
Card stock
How to Play
First write different words on the card stocks, such as animals, birds, places, family members, friends and so on. Then use the painter’s tape to create a spider web pattern on the floor. At each vertex on the web, place the piece of paper with a letter on it. Now read out the name on each card and ask your child to walk along the spider web to the letters required to spell the word. The challenge is that they have to bend down and pick up letters in the right order without touching any wrong letter.
3. Match The Card
This is a wonderful game that improves your child’s skills of picking up information and gathering knowledge. You can use it to complement their schoolwork.
What You Need
Clothes Clips
Different cards with pictures of flowers, fruits, letters, and so on
Pieces of Paper
How to Play
Write down the names of the pictures on each card on individual scraps of paper. Stick these scraps to different clothes clips. Now place a few cards on the table, and ask your kid to attach the clothes clips to the matching card.
Outdoor Games for Children with Autism
Going outdoors is always a great way to get some exercise and have some fun at the same time. The fresh air, the warmth of the sun and surrounding greenery all contribute to a fun experience.
1. Obstacle Course
A game to that can be conjured up in minutes, it's sure to push your kids to their limits (in a fun way)!
What You Need
Nothing at all
How to Play
Take your kid outside to a place they feel safe, maybe a backyard, garden or the nearby park. Tell them to run around objects like trees, benches or bushes, jump across puddles, turn around in place, walk a specific number of steps. It is up to your creative imagination to make it as complex or simple as you think your child can handle.
2. Rain Dance
A rainy day may seem like a bad situation for most kids. However, you can make it fun by doing a fun activity such as dancing.
What You Need
Sunscreen
Umbrella
Rubber shoes
How to Play
It is a complete myth that getting wet in the rain makes one sick. Staying home all day in the rainy season gets really dull, especially for restless kids. The next time it rains, let them go out and play. You can give them an umbrella just in case. Rain dances are a sensory experience that they will certainly enjoy. However, don’t forget to apply sunscreen on any exposed skin and make sure you keep an eye on them at all times.
3. Hopscotch
Hopscotch is a time-honoured tradition that is played by children in most countries.
What You Need
Chalk
Small objects like stones
How to Play
Use the chalk to draw a hopscotch pattern on the ground outside. Each participant can use a pebble or bottlecap to mark their place during the game. If you are unaware of how it is played, there are several reference websites to explain the game. This game is great for fine-tuning their physical abilities, motor skills and social interactions.
4. Follow the Leader
This game is one of the many group activities available for kids with autism.
What You Need
A group of kids
How to Play
The game starts with a selected leader, who stands in front of the others lined up behind them. The leader then does different movements like raising their hands, bending their knees or anything they want. The aim of the game is to mimic the leader’s movements exactly. If a child makes a mistake, they are out of the round. The next leader is the only kid left behind the leader. This game can help boost proprioception, motor skills and sociability.
5.Scavenger Hunt
Tickle their investigative skills by letting them find hidden treasures.
What You Need
Chocolate bars
Balloons
Inexpensive toys
A box of crayons
Note: You can tinker with this list and come up with your own treasure ideas as well.
How to Play
Scatter these objects around your home garden or a children’s park. Give your child a list of all the objects you have hidden in the area. If your child is unable to read, give them a list of pictures. Ask them to search around and find all the objects mentioned in the list. Once found, they are to bring them to a designated area and sort them according to the types of objects. This will help them understand how to sort and categorise objects, giving them a sense of arrangement and order which they can sometimes lack.
Children are inquisitive and fascinated by everything they see around them. However, kids with ASD are often unable to communicate their interests or excitement to you. Therefore, coming up with the right activities to stimulate their minds might require some creative thinking. Further, every child with ASD is unique and can be affected by different things. The key is to understand your child, figure out their moods, and use the information to build the appropriate game or activity for them. The activities and games mentioned here are by no means a comprehensive list. You can conjure anything you think that can entertain your kid while still promoting their skill development. Having a child with ASD can be taxing but helping them learn to adjust to society is paramount.
Also Read: 15 Boredom Busting Activities for Toddlers Read more
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High Uric Acid in Pregnancy - Risks, Effects, and Preventive Tips
Having high levels of uric acid during pregnancy is not good for the health of the mother and the baby. Having high levels of uric acid is generally associated with gout, which is a form of arthritis. A woman who has high levels of uric acid is also at the risk of developing serious conditions like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.
What is Uric Acid?
Uric acid is a chemical that is created in your body. When you eat certain foods, your body metabolises purines, the substances which the body produces or obtains from the foods such as meats, fish, etc. When these substances breakdown, it forms uric acid. Under normal circumstances, your kidneys come to the rescue to process this acid. But when the uric acid level is high, the kidneys may not be able to remove it completely. Hence, there is a build up of uric acid in the blood.
Normal Levels of Uric Acid during Pregnancy
For a woman who is not pregnant, the normal uric acid levels should be between 2.5 and 5.6 mg/dL. Under normal circumstances, the range of uric acid levels during the first trimester of pregnancy is 2 to 4.2 mg/dL. In the second trimester, the range increases to 2.4 to 4.9 mg/dL and in the third trimester it should be between 3.1 and 6.3 mg/dL. These numbers are a rough estimate as lab results differ from clinic to clinic.
What Are the Risks Associated with High Levels of Uric Acid during Pregnancy?
Having high levels of uric acid in the first trimester of pregnancy can lead to preeclampsia. Increased levels of uric acid during pregnancy may also put women at the risk of developing gestational diabetes. About 4% of pregnant women may develop this condition. If a woman is affected with this condition, her body won't be able produce and use the insulin hormone to manage sugar levels.
What Are Its Effects on the Unborn Baby?
High levels of uric acid during pregnancy can affect the health of the unborn baby. If a woman has high levels of uric acid during pregnancy, her baby's weight may be compromised, which can lead to fetal damage or even death. Some of the long-term effects of this condition are hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease among others. If a woman has gestational diabetes, her baby may be develop high blood sugar as well.
What Can You Do About It?
To make sure that your baby is born healthy, you must try to lower your uric acid levels. It is definitely a lot easier to prevent it than to find a cure. But if you have high levels of uric acid while you are pregnant, what you can do is to make changes in your diet. Following a healthy diet, exercising and practising yoga can help you to an extent. There are many foods which work well for lowering high uric acid. Fruits, green veggies, nuts, whole grains etc., can help you lower your uric acid levels. You should also avoid eating junk foods, organ meats, processed sugars, etc.
Preventive Tips That You Can Follow
Keeping uric acid levels under control is of utmost importance for the health and safety of the mother as well as the unborn child. Higher levels of uric acid during pregnancy can lead to severe complications, which is why you must try to control it. To lower your uric acid levels, start exercising regularly. If you have any health conditions, you must inform your doctor about the same. Obesity increases the chances of getting gestational diabetes and hypertension, so maintaining a healthy weight is important. If you are obese, you must exercise and eat healthy foods to get rid of excess weight. Eating healthy, nutritious food and exercising regularly can help you stay fit and can lower any unnecessary complications that women face during pregnancy.
Pregnancy is a wonderful time, so make the most of it. If you have high level of uric acid, then don't panic, because by making simple changes in your lifestyle, you can control it. Make sure eat well, stay away from vices such as drinking and smoking and exercise regularly to keep your body healthy and strong.
Also Read:
Dos and Don'ts While Taking Bath in Pregnancy
How to Take Care of Mental Health during Pregnancy
Fifth Disease in Pregnancy Read more
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How you should Deal with Post Partum Depression in life
Motherhood is the best phase of a Women's life. Being a mother is not easy. It brings lots of new changes and challenges everyday. You are making a new life ladies. And its not easy. So depression is common in all in this phase of life. Almost every women in our Indian Society passes through post partum depression. After a child birth, a women faces lots of challenges. She needs to take care of her baby, house and also so called society. And in this she forgets herself and this leads to post partum depression. Already there are lots of changes in women's life after child birth. Also there are physical and hormonal changes too. People never understand that she olalso needs comfort, rest and utmost care.
So ladies make a promise to yourself to live your life at its best. Take care of your baby and take care of yourself first. Rest things are hardly important. Society never comes to take care of your baby or your house. So just forget about it. Just enjoy your motherhood. Spend more and more time with your baby. Understand them. Speak to them. Enjoy every moment of their development. Record each and every new activity done by them. Teach them everything since beginning. Focus on how you want to raise them. Take care of yourself. Hire a maid for some work. You will get help and also some work will be divided. Listen music. Go for a walk. Do meditation. Speak to any one person who can comfort you or understand you. If you don't have anyone make God your best friend. Then you will never require anyone. Doing all this will help you in dealing with your depression.
Most important is love yourself. Do what you like. Become kid with your kid. Let no one except you make decision for you or your baby. Make some short goals. Try to achieve them. This will make you happy. Be happy and spread happiness. Read more
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A Beautiful Journey of My Preterm Delivery
Hello readers!
My baby boy was born when I was 33 weeks pregnant. He weighed only 1.9 kg. I was terrified on the day of my delivery, but my gynaecologist has been a great support throughout this challenging journey. Since my husband was abroad during this difficult period, my gynaecologist helped me the most. My husband always had my back mentally. My baby developed jaundice and had water in his lungs during delivery, yet thanks to my paediatrician, he saved my child.
He is now five months old and weighs 7.7kg. My baby refuses to take my feed; this makes me stressed out. I'm not sure why he abruptly stopped, but I'm attempting to reintroduce him to my feed. It bothers me that he is now on formula milk and refuses to take the feed. I'm always concerned about whether he's getting enough nourishment. I can't help but give him formula milk because I don't have any other options.
Some newborns will have a lighter skin tone when they are born, which will change to a darker skin tone in a few days to a month or two, but parents must not be worried. To be honest, I was concerned too, but instead of becoming very anxious, I began studying what I might do to change my baby's skin tone. Then I realised that there is nothing we can do to change things; we can only take extra care of our child's skin, such as moisturising them after a bath with a decent lotion. After that, you should use good sunscreen. You may believe that you do not need to apply sunscreen because you do not take your child outside. However, you must still apply because UV light would be present at home, which may hurt our child's sensitive skin and alter their skin tone.
Finally, you must take proper care of your child's skin to ensure that it is healthy and nourished.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Mom of a 1 yr 4 m old child
10 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert 1year 4month old baby boy is often constipated. Is it because of drinking formula milk? What is the recommended quantity? And how to avoid constipation?
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
9 hours ago
A. Constipation is usually a very common problem seen in many where the most important causative factor is decrease intake fiber rich diet along with lesser fluid intake.
some food like junk food mostly containing maggida and oily food can aggravate such condition.
here the diet modifhication should be tried first followed by medications like lactulose milk of magnesia and muout powder.
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
8 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts
muje 6 month complete hone Wale hai pr baby ab tk koi movement ni krta..iska reason
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
8 hours ago
A. karna chahiye ok. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
8 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts 1st month me baby ki heartbeat aa jati h kya
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 5 m old boy
7 hours ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. But it is really very difficult to say anything without proper examination. It is advisable to get yourself evaluated by a doctor and follow doctors advise properly. You can also book online doctor’s appointment on FirstCry where the doctor can help you and guide you properly.
Thanks and take care
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
6 hours ago
Q. I have faint line on pregnancy test . after 10 days my periods start . I want to know the reason
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 5 m old boy
6 hours ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. But it is really very difficult to say anything without proper examination. It is advisable to get yourself evaluated by a doctor and follow doctors advise properly. You can also book online doctor’s appointment on FirstCry where the doctor can help you and guide you properly.
Thanks and take care
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
6 hours ago
Q. hii doctor i am 7 month pregnant how to now my baby weight? what exercise should I start for normal delivery
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
5 hours ago
A. You can do basic yoga for that you have to check with your doctor as to what basic yoga society you can do apart from that you can also do 1500 steps per day that also helps a lot and just consume healthy diet that is what is going to be beneficial if there is no complication you can pull of a normal delivery
Manisha Singh has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
5 hours ago
Q. I am trying to conceive. but I have irregular periods. how to conceive with irregular periods. what to do. plz give me some advice
Manisha Singh
Expecting Mom due this month
4 hours ago
A. consult your gynecologist
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