Children with autism often need extra help learning certain skills. Parents will find that playing board games with their kids can become a creative and fun way for them to learn. Children with autism like following rules, so they usually respond well to playing board games. Board games can be used as aids for developing social, language, problem solving, motor and math skills.
Social Behavior
Board games are excellent for teaching simple social skills like sharing and turn-taking. Since board games are played following an already established set of rules, these can guide children with autism in their social interactions with others. Learning to patiently wait their turn is another important skill that will be practiced. Many children with autism have problems controlling their behavior and dealing with frustration. Anger management is often an issue. Board games can help children learn how to loose fairly.
Math Skills
Basic math skills like number recognition, counting and colors are taught with even the easiest of games. Classical games like Candyland , Chutes and Ladders and Hi Ho Cherry-O are usually the first games children get to play. Who doesn't remember playing these as kids?
More complex games like Monopoly are good for older kids to practice understanding the value of money.
Cognitive Skills
Problem solving, planning ahead and memory are the most common cognitive skills that are learned while playing a host of other games. The card game Memory can be played with young and older children alike just by varying the amount of cards used. Playing games like Battleship and Clue will help with strategic planning.
Nowadays, the same game is even made into different versions that cater specifically to girls or boys. For example, there is a Princess Monopoly and a Sponge Bob Monopoly. If your child is fascinated with a certain character or theme you can probably find a game based on it.
Language Skills
Developing better communication skills is a by-product of playing almost any game. Games like Scrabble and Boggle specifically target vocabulary and spelling. Playing Pictionary can help with the use of adjectives and verbs, since one is often describing something. 20 Questions is excellent for practicing category differentiation: people, places,things. This game has even won a National Parenting Award. Brain Quest and Trivia are also good for acquiring general knowledge.
Motor Skills
Eye-hand coordination is developed by playing games like Hungry Hungry Hippos and Operation. Even large motor skills can be practiced with fun games like Twister.
These are only a few examples of some of the most common games available, but there are plenty more to choose from. The following poem was taken from the book Sensory Secret: How to Jump Start Learning in Children by Chemin Schneider, C. [Concerned Communications, 2001]:
Play With Me
I tried to teach my child with books;
He gave me only puzzled looks;
I tried to teach my child with words;
They passed him by, oft unheard.
Despairingly I turned aside;
" How shall I teach this child ! " I cried,
Into my hand he put the key;
" Come," he said, " play with me."
As this poem states, playing with children is the best way to teach them anything. Board games provide the ideal setting for teaching different skills ranging from language and problem solving to math and fine motor skills. In addition, there is the inevitable social interaction that takes place which is of benefit for children with autism. Time spent playing board games with a child is definetely worth it.
Elizabeth Scott - Elizabeth Scott is currently a stay at home mother of two school-aged children. She has always had a passion for reading and teaching ...
