According to the National Institute of Mental Health, autism, as part of a range of disorders called Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs), affects a person's ability to interact with others, think, speak and feel. Usually diagnosed in early childhood, symptoms include but are not limited to, poor eye contact, developmentally delayed language skills, limited social responsiveness, adherence to routines and preoccupation with certain objects.
The National Institute of Mental Health recommends that treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and PDD include programs that teach social interaction and communication skills. Games, activities and toys to teach and re-enforce these skills are appropriate at home, in early-learning settings and in school.
Board Games
For children diagnosed with autism, playing board games encourages turn-taking, practice following directions, good sportsmanship and friendly competition. Board games such as Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, Sorry and other family board games are appropriate. According to PBS.org, board games also reinforce academic skills such as math and reading (see References below). Children with autism or PDD might be unable to complete a whole game. Encourage short board game play times without expecting the child to finish the game.
Social Skills Games
Games designed specifically to teach social skills benefit autistic children. Which game to choose depends on the age and number of children playing. Blunders teaches social etiquette and polite behaviors. Know the Code is a card game teaching 50 social skills. Other social skills games include Playing it Right, the Anger Game and the Mind Your Manners Game.
Speech and Language Games
Due to speech and language limitations, many children diagnosed with ASD or PDD benefit from playing word games. Examples include Scrabble, Blurt, Alpha-Bug Soup Word Game and Quiddler. Keep in mind, however, that the games will need to be tailored to suit each child. For example, use the letter tiles from Scrabble without the board to create a shorter, simpler game.
Story Games
To create and listen to stories develops speech, language and social skills in children with autism. Story games include Tell-A-Story Game, Playchest Silly Story Maker, and Tell Me a Story-Mystery in the Forest and Tell Me a Story-Little Robot's Mission. An alternative story game is to have children tell a story in the round. You start the story with a few sentences and then point to each child when it is their turn to continue the story. Shape the topic and story length to meet the needs of the children participating.
